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Add daily food weight times trail days to base gear weight. The sum is your total pack weight, and the food part is shown separately so you can see what food adds.
Total pack weight is base gear weight plus food weight. Food weight is food per day times days on the trail, so a 12 kg base pack plus 1 kg of food per day for 3 days totals 15 kg. This calculator shows food separately, because food is the part of the load that shrinks every day as you eat.
Enter your base gear weight in kg, the number of days on the trail, and the food weight you plan per day. Base gear means everything that stays in the pack for the whole trip: tent, sleeping bag, clothes and cooking gear. The result shows total pack weight and total food weight in kg.
Food for 3 days at 1 kg per day is 3 kg. Add that to 12 kg of base gear and the total pack weight is 15 kg on day one. By the last day, after eating most of the food, the pack is close to its 12 kg base weight again, which is why day one always feels heaviest.
Base weight is gear without food, water or fuel, and it is the number backpackers compare, because it does not change with trip length. Total pack weight adds consumables, so it is what your knees feel on day one. Worn weight, such as boots, clothing and trekking poles, is carried but not packed, so keep it out of both figures unless you want a skin out total. In short, base weight vs total pack weight is the distinction that matters: base weight stays constant, total pack weight falls as you eat and drink.
The big three backpacking gear items make up most of base weight, so upgrades there pay off most. A tent or tarp, a sleeping bag plus pad, and the empty pack together often account for more than half of base weight. Weighing these three first shows whether a lighter shelter or sleep system is worth the cost.
Under 10 lb, about 4.5 kg, of base weight is usually called ultralight, 10 to 20 lb is lightweight, and over 20 lb is traditional. Ultralight gear costs more and demands more skill, while traditional gear is heavier but more forgiving. Most hikers aim for a comfortable middle ground rather than chasing the lightest possible number.
A common guideline is to keep total pack weight under 20 percent of body weight, and 10 to 15 percent feels much more comfortable over distance. For a 75 kg hiker, 20 percent is 15 kg, so the 15 kg worked example above sits right on that limit. Above 25 percent, fatigue and joint strain rise sharply, especially on steep or uneven ground. Express the result as a percentage of body weight to compare fairly across hikers of different sizes.
Food runs about 0.7 to 1.1 kg per person per day, and water weight is 1 kg per litre, so water can quickly become the heaviest item you carry. Plan water around refill points instead of carrying a whole trip supply. For pack size, 25 to 35 litres suits 1 to 2 days, 35 to 50 litres suits 2 to 3 days, 50 to 65 litres suits 3 to 5 days, and 65 litres and up suits a week or winter trips.
To reduce backpack weight, start with the big three, then cut duplicate items, repackage food out of boxes and bags, and share group gear such as a tent and stove. Weigh every item on a kitchen scale before you leave, and test the full pack on a day hike so you feel the real weight before the trail does it for you. Work through a hiking gear weight checklist item by item, weighing each piece, before you decide what to leave behind.
A good rule of thumb is around 10 to 20 percent of your body weight for total pack weight. Most hikers aim for 8 to 15 kg in total for a multi day trip, depending on trip length, season and fitness.
For most multi day hikes, 8 to 15 kg feels manageable, while a day hike pack of 3 to 6 kg is typical. Your fitness, trip length and weather all shift the right number, so use this calculator as a planning guide, not a strict limit.
Base weight is your gear without food, water or fuel. It is the part of your pack you can control most, and the number hikers compare, because it stays the same no matter how long the trip is.
For most people, yes. A 20 kg pack is heavier than needed for a typical multi day trip unless you are carrying winter gear, group equipment or a long food carry. Aim closer to 15 kg or under 20 percent of your body weight.
Yes, 7 kg is considered light and comfortable for most multi day trips, especially if that is close to your base weight. With food and water added, a 7 kg base weight still gives a very manageable total.
Yes, water weighs about 1 kg per litre, so it can quickly become the heaviest item you carry. This calculator covers gear and food only, so add your planned water weight on top for a full trail total.
Plan about 0.7 to 1.1 kg of food per person per day, depending on body size and activity. Calorie dense foods such as nuts, dried meals and tortillas keep the weight down while covering 2,500 to 4,000 calories a day.
It depends on trip length: 25 to 35 litres for 1 to 2 days, 35 to 50 litres for 2 to 3 days, 50 to 65 litres for 3 to 5 days, and 65 litres or more for a week or winter. Choose volume by gear bulk, not just weight.
Ultralight backpacking is a style focused on carrying minimal gear to reduce weight and move more efficiently, usually with a base weight under 10 lb, about 4.5 kg. It trades some comfort and durability for speed and less fatigue.