How Much Should Your Pack Weigh When Backpacking?

By Anna Duncan

When backpacking, the weight of your pack is one of the most important factors to consider. If you’re carrying too much gear, it will be exhausting and you won’t be able to move quickly.

On the other hand, if you don’t carry enough supplies, you could put your safety at risk. So, how much should your pack weigh when backpacking?

The optimal weight for a backpacking pack depends on several factors such as body size and strength, experience level, and the type of terrain. Generally speaking, most hikers aim for a pack weight between 15-25% of their body weight. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs., your ideal pack weight would be between 22.5 to 37.5 lbs.

To get an even better idea of how much your backpack should weigh when backpacking, it helps to break down the contents into four categories: 1) clothing and footwear; 2) shelter; 3) food; 4) gear and other items. Clothing and footwear should weigh about 10% of your body weight; shelter about 5%; food about 10-15%; and gear/other items 10-20%., your clothing/footwear would total 15 lbs., shelter 7-8 lbs., food 15-22 lbs., and gear/other items 15-30 lbs.

It is also important to note that these numbers are just guidelines – not hard-and-fast rules – so use them as a starting point when packing for a trip. You may need more or less depending on what kind of terrain you’ll be covering and how long your journey will be.

Conclusion:

When it comes to how much your pack should weigh when backpacking, there are no hard and fast rules – but generally speaking most hikers aim for a total weight between 15-25% of their body weight. Breaking down the contents into clothing/footwear (10%), shelter (5%), food (10-15%), and gear/other items (10-20%) can give you an idea of what to expect in terms of total load.