How Many Calories Do You Burn While Backpacking?

By Anna Duncan

Backpacking is an outdoor activity that can provide great physical and mental health benefits. It is a type of hiking that involves carrying all of your necessary supplies and equipment in a backpack. Backpacking can be done in any terrain, from flat ground to rocky trails and mountain peaks, making it an excellent way to burn calories while enjoying the outdoors.

Calories Burned

The amount of calories burned while backpacking will vary depending on several factors, including the individual’s weight, the terrain, and the distance traveled. According to Harvard Medical School, an individual weighing 155 pounds can expect to burn around 400 calories per hour while backpacking.

This number increases with weight; for example, a person weighing 185 pounds would burn around 500 calories per hour. It is also important to note that the steeper or more difficult the terrain is, the higher the calorie burn will be.

Factors That Affect Calories Burned

In addition to weight and terrain, several other factors can affect how many calories are burned while backpacking. These include:

  • Carrying Weight: The heavier your pack is, the more energy you must expend during your hike.
  • Speed: Moving faster burns more calories than moving slower.
  • Altitude: The higher you climb in elevation, the harder it becomes to breathe, resulting in higher caloric expenditure.
  • Duration: The longer you are out on the trail, the more calories you will burn.

How To Maximize Calorie Burning While Backpacking?

There are several ways to maximize calorie burning while backpacking.

First and foremost is proper preparation before embarking on your journey; make sure to bring only what is necessary for your trip and keep your pack as light as possible. Additionally, it may be beneficial to plan trips that involve climbing multiple peaks or hikes with steep inclines which will require more effort from your body and result in greater caloric expenditure. Finally, try to maintain a steady pace throughout your hike; this will help ensure that you are burning calories at an optimal rate throughout your trip.

: All in all, backpacking can be a great way to get active while enjoying nature’s beauty. Depending on several factors such as weight, terrain and duration of travel one can expect to burn anywhere from 400-500 calories per hour when going for a hike with a backpack full of supplies. By being mindful of these factors and properly preparing for a trip one can maximize their calorie burning potential while out on the trail!