How Much Water Should You Carry While Backpacking?

By Michael Ferguson

When backpacking, you need to make sure you have enough water for your hike. Unfortunately, this can be a difficult decision to make, as carrying too much water can weigh you down and carrying too little can leave you dehydrated. So, how much water should you carry while backpacking?

The amount of water that you need to bring with you while backpacking will depend on a variety of factors. First and foremost, the temperature will play an important role in how much water you need.

If it’s hot outside, then your body will require more fluids than if it’s cooler out. Additionally, the length of your hike will also determine how much water is necessary. If your hike is only a couple of hours long and relatively flat terrain, then it probably won’t be necessary to bring as much water as if you were hiking for a full day or going up steep inclines.

Another factor to consider is the availability of fresh drinking water along the trail. If there are plenty of streams or other sources of fresh drinking water along your route, then it may not be necessary to carry as much with you from the start. However, it’s important to note that many freshwater sources in nature contain parasites or other organisms that can cause sickness if consumed directly from the source.

Finally, it’s also important to remember that each person has different hydration needs depending on their size and fitness level. Generally speaking though, experts recommend carrying at least two liters (roughly two quarts) per person for most backpacking trips lasting up to a day or two.

Conclusion:

When deciding how much water to bring while backpacking, there are several factors to consider including temperature, length of hike, availability of fresh drinking water along the trail and individual hydration needs. Generally speaking though, experts recommend bringing at least two liters (roughly two quarts) per person for most trips lasting up to a day or two.