Backpacking for extended periods of time can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It allows you to explore new places, meet new people, and challenge yourself in ways that you wouldn’t be able to do from the comfort of your own home. But one of the most important things to consider before embarking on a backpacking trip is the weight of your pack.
As a general rule of thumb, your pack should weigh no more than 25% to 33% of your body weight. This means that if you weigh 150 pounds, your pack should not exceed 50 pounds. If you weigh 200 pounds, then your pack should not exceed 66 pounds.
Of course, this isn’t an exact science and each individual will have different needs and preferences when it comes to how much they want their pack to weigh.
It is also important to consider what type of terrain you will be traveling through when deciding on how much your pack should weigh. For instance, if you are hiking in the mountains or carrying a raft through difficult terrain, you may need a heavier pack than someone who is simply walking down a flat trail near sea level. Additionally, if you are carrying multiple days worth of food or water with you then this may also increase the weight of your pack significantly.
The Essentials:
When deciding how much weight your backpack should carry, it’s important to consider the essentials that must be included in every backpacking trip such as: shelter (tent/hammock), sleeping bag/pad, water bottle/filter/purifier, first aid kit/emergency supplies, fire starting kit (matches/lighter), clothing (base layers + rain jacket), food storage container(s) and cooking supplies (stove + fuel). All these items can add up quickly – so it’s important to find lightweight alternatives whenever possible.
The Extras:
Once you have all the essentials accounted for – then it’s time to start thinking about the extras that could potentially add weight but could also make or break your experience on the trail such as: GPS device or paper maps for navigation; binoculars for wildlife spotting; camera for recording memories; books for entertainment; fishing gear; extra layers for warmth; trekking poles for stability; etc.
Conclusion:
At the end of the day – knowing “how much should my pack weigh backpacking?” really depends on individual preferences and needs as well as what type of terrain you will be exploring. As a general rule of thumb though – aim to keep your pack at 25-33% of your body weight and always double check that all essential items are included before setting off on any backpacking adventure.