Pack Weight Optimizer
Find your optimal carry weight with ultralight thresholds and trade-off suggestions.
Inputs
Result
A natural placement between the calculator and the explanation.
What this solves — and what it doesn't
Pack weight is the single biggest controllable factor in how a long hike feels. Most backpackers carry far more than they need to. This tool expresses your current load as a fraction of body weight, then compares it to thresholds commonly used in long-distance hiking communities:
- <14% bodyweight — ultralight (<10 kg for a 70 kg adult)
- 14 to 20% — light
- 20 to 27% — moderate
- 27 to 33% — heavy
- >33% — backbreaker (consider resupply)
How to read the result
Read the ratio and the verdict together. If you’re “Moderate” and you want to drop weight, the second number — the kilograms you could shed to hit your chosen target — is the most useful. Most of that comes from your “nice to have” list, not your safety list.
For rough or high-gain days we recommend a 1 kg comfort cushion (extra snacks, repair tape, an emergency layer) on top of your base list.
Limitations
- Body weight ratio hides individual variation. A fit 80 kg hiker carrying 18 kg (ratio 0.22) is in a different state than a 60 kg hiker carrying 13 kg (also ratio 0.22).
- No food weight. Most of your pack is food on long trips; this calculator assumes you haven’t loaded food yet.
- No frame/hip-belt optimization. A well-fitted 16 kg pack feels lighter than a poorly fitted 12 kg pack.
Frequently asked questions
Does base weight matter more than total?
Base weight (everything except food, water, and fuel) is the number to optimize — once you fix base, consumable weight scales with days. Aim for base < 9 kg for 3-season comfort, < 6 kg for ultralight.
What about bear canisters?
Required bear cans add 1.1 to 2 kg depending on capacity. They’re non-negotiable in regulated areas but worth carrying voluntarily in places with active bear problems.
Should I count water in the pack weight?
Yes, when you’re carrying it. Water weighs 1 kg/L, so 4 L of carry water is 4 kg — easy to forget on a desert trip plan.