Backpacking Base Weight
Weight is always on top of mind for backpackers. When you are carrying a pack on your back over miles of hilly terrain, it is really no wonder why you’d want to limit how much that pack weighs. The most important metric relating to weight for hikers is base weight. Any backpacker who is interested in lightening their load should know what is backpacking base weight and just how much their base weight is.
What is Backpacking Base Weight?
Backpacking base weight is how much your loaded backpack weighs minus the weight of all your consumables.
When we say “consumables”, we are referring to food, water, and fuel. These are items that are used or consumed over the course of your trip. The weight of consumables are kept out of a base weight calculation because it is a weight that is more difficult or potentially even dangerous to minimize. It is also a weight that varies greatly by trip and throughout your trip.
Backpacking base weight is important because it is the weight that has the most potential for reduction if you’re looking to cut pack weight. It is also the most telling in how much thought you put into packing and the kind of gear you have.
When you have a lighter pack, you can hike faster, feel more agile, and be more comfortable. This is especially important for thru hikers, where feeling good and moving fast is of the utmost importance!
What Should Your Backpacking Base Weight Be?
What is your ideal backpacking base weight? Well, that depends…
What kind of backpacker do you want to be? If you’re a conventional or a beginner backpacker, your base weight may be on the heavy side. If you’re a dedicated ultralight enthusiast then the lower, the better! Check out the common categories of backpacker base weight below.
Labels aside, a general rule of thumb to follow is that your total backpack load should be less than 20% of your body weight. That is total load, meaning base weight plus consumables.
Conventional Backpacker Base Weight > 20 Pounds
A lot of beginners fall into this range because they are just starting out. They don’t have the highest quality gear and they haven’t honed in on what is and is not important to carry with you. Casual backpackers may also fall in this range because they simply don’t go out often enough to justify investing in lightweight gear. Others may have a heavy pack because they value camp comforts over distance.
Regardless, a conventional backpacker’s base weight typically falls between 20 and 30 pounds. Add in 5 to 10 pounds of consumables and you are looking at a 25-to-40-pound pack.
If you’re a beginner who needs help choosing what gear is actually essential, check this post out.
Lightweight Backpacker Base Weight 10 – 20 Pounds
Most experienced backpackers fall in the lightweight base weight category, granted they typically fall closer to 20 pounds than 10 pounds.
This is an achievable base weight goal for most people. If you are mindful of what you are packing, have some decent lightweight gear, and aren’t packing a bunch of items you don’t need, you can achieve a base weight of 20 pounds or less.
If you’re backpacking in the winter, it is far more difficult to fall into the lightweight category. It is necessary for your pack to weigh a bit more because your gear will weigh more. A thicker sleeping bag, warm winter clothing, and a sturdy tent all weighs considerably more than your summer gear.
Ultralight Backpacker Base Weight < 10 Pounds
Only the hikers dedicated to lightening their load will achieve ultralight status. It takes a considerable amount of effort to make your backpack as light as possible.
To achieve this, you’ll need to sacrifice many comforts and conveniences as well as invest in premium gear. Ulralighters take great pride in their crafty tricks for shedding a few ounces. From cutting the handle of a toothbrush to using their trekking poles as tent poles. Ultralight is more than a base weight category, it is a lifestyle.
What is Your Backpacking Base Weight?
There are plenty of easy methods for determining your backpacking base weight. Simply use one of the methods below. It is good practice to keep tabs on your base weight as your invest in new gear and cut back on unneeded items. Over time, you may be surprised just how much weight you are able to shed!
- Weigh each item individually and calculate weight
- You can also maintain a log of all your gear’s weight and update it as you buy new items.
- Pack your bag without food, water, and fuel and weigh it
- To get the most accurate reading, step on the scale without it and grab your weight then step on the scale with your pack on. Subtract your body weight from the weight of you with your pack on.
- Use an online calculator
- Here is a nifty online calculator you can use to get a rough estimate of your pack weight.
Tips for Reducing Base Weight
- Leave behind items you don’t need, – It may sound simple enough, but many people bring too many items they simply don’t use. For example, a camp chair is awesome to have, but you can always sit on the ground or a tree stump instead.
- Buy lightweight gear. – Upgrading your gear to lighter weight items can shed a considerable amount from your base weight. The items you should prioritize when buying new gear to optimize weight is the big 3 – tent, sleeping bag, and backpack. Read more about selecting a good, lightweight sleeping pad here!
- Get a better or smaller tent. – If you’re hiking solo, consider getting yourself a one-person tent or bivy rather than a roomier tent. If you’re hiking with a buddy, split the tent gear between the two of you to share the load. You can also replace your tent with a lightweight version, there are plenty of options under 3 pounds!
- Repackage and resize – Toiletries, tooth brush, food, items that come individually wrapped or come in bulky wrapping can be repacked into something more lightweight. Find ways to trim off plastic or garbage off of every day items, like the handle of your hair brush or toothbrush
- Check out our other weight reduction tips here!
Conclusion
What is backpacking base weight? It is the most important metric on every backpacker’s mind. A lighter base weight means the inclines will be a little easier, you’ll feel nimbler on water crossings, and you’ll move a bit faster. That means you can take on more mileage and explore even more of the beautiful forest you are in!
Photo by Mitch Braithwaite on Unsplash
