Backpack weight (undefinite stay)

Estimations, calculations and speculations around the weight of a backpack.

I started with over 22kg (50lb) + more than 6kg (13lb) of food & water... So at the beginning I was carrying more or less 30kg (66lb)...

After the first week and a few packages sent back home, I was closer to 18kg (40lb)... without food & water... so more or less 25kg (55lb) in total... and of course less on days when I had less food...

For my next trips, if I replace a few things, get a lighter backpack and a lighter sleeping bag... I could shave 2kg already... and reach between 14 and 16kg... so an average of 15kg (33lb) without food & water... in a 60 to 75 liters backpack... instead of a 95 liters backpack... This includes good winter clothes, a solar panel, a light e-reader, and a new heavy pellet gun!... with a small axe: 16kg (35lb)... This weight should be my all time maximum weight for heavy expeditions...

The minimum I came up with, shaving weight without reducing firepower, for a solid 4 season - but not arctic! - gear that includes "everything" with solar panel and axe... in a strong 62 liters backpack - that can carry up to 45lb - is 14kg (31lb)... and the same gear in a 95 liters backpack - that can carry up to 70lb - is 15.5kg (34lb)...

Of course the system must adapt to each trip... In summer I can loose more than 1.5kg of clothes... For example, in mild weather, without an axe, without a solar panel, without a pellet gun, and with a bug net and big tarp instead of a classic tent, it would easily shrink down to 9.5kg (21lb)... This is a good lower limit for a fair all around comfort... but with radical ultralight modifications it could drop even more... and reach 6.5kg (14lb) or even 5.5kg (12lb)... this includes the pack itself of course... (In the hiking world the word "ultralight" applies to backpacks between 10 and 14lb... Under 10lb it is called "sub ultralight"...)

Food is heavy... even if dry food is lighter than wet food... To provide 3000 calories, the weight is between 0.5 and 1kg (1 and 2 lb) per day... a fair daily average is .75kg (1.5lb)...

If camping by a water source, and in mild weather, no need to carry much water. 1 liter (32oz) is enough sometimes. But in other condition you might have to carry 3 liters and much more.

Simulation no.1
A 3 days hike in warm/mild weather with frequent water sources... no panel, no gun, no axe... base weight 9.5kg in a 60 liters pack... + food 2.5kg + water 1kg = 13kg (28.5lb)

Simulation no.2
A 7 days expedition in variable weather (mountains) with frequent water sources... with panel, gun, no axe... base weight 13.5kg in a 62 liters pack... + food 5.5kg + water 2kg = 21kg (46lb)

Simulation no.3
A 21 days expedition in variable weather (mountains) with water only at camp site... with panel, gun, axe... base weight 15.5kg in 95 liters pack... + food 14kg + water 3kg = 32.5kg (70lb)

Of course fishing, hunting, trapping and wild plants can provide a relative amount of food and extend a trip for many more days...


 * SHELTER (3.5 to 7kg)
backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tarp(s), rope(s)...

* HYGIENE & MEDICAL KIT (0.5 to 0.8kg)
everyday kit (toothbrush...), comfort kit (creams, bug repellent), medical kit (antiseptic, pills), microfiber cleaning towel, small mirror, toilet paper...

* REPAIR KIT (0.3 to 0.4kg)
sewing kit, tape, glue, wine pouch, fire kit, compass, extra eye glasses...

* TOOLS (1 to 2kg)
survivor knife, saw, belt, pouch, multi-tool(s), bear spray (!)...

* ELECTRONICS (0.5 to 1.5kg)
phone, lamp(s), batteries, charger(s), solar panel(s), tripod...

* WATER & COOKING (1 to 1.5kg)
cook-set, stove, utensils, water bladders and cups, water treatment devices...

* CLOTHES (1 to 3kg.)
layers, liners...

* FISHING GEAR (0.4 to 0.6kg)
light fishing rod...

* HUNTING GEAR (0.1 to 1.3kg)
slingshot, traps...

..................................................

ESTIMATED TOTAL : from 8.3 to 17.6kg
+ about 3kg of clothes I am wearing
+ food & water