Trail Backpack Weight Calculator
Base weight (everything except food, water, and fuel) is a key metric backpackers use to plan trips and cut pack weight. Enter your gear weight and consumables to calculate both.
Total Pack Weight
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Base Weight (Gear Only)—
Consumables Weight—
Total Pack Weight—
About this calculator
Calculate your hiking backpack's base weight and total pack weight including consumables like food, water, and fuel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is base weight?
Base weight is the total weight of your backpacking gear excluding consumables like food, water, and fuel, since those get lighter as you use them.
What is a good base weight for backpacking?
Traditional backpackers aim for under 20 lbs, lightweight hikers target 10-20 lbs, and ultralight hikers aim for under 10 lbs of base weight.
How much does water weigh?
Water weighs about 2.2 lbs per liter (or roughly 8.3 lbs per gallon), which is why many hikers plan water resupply points carefully.