Kayak/Canoe Portage Weight Calculator

Planning a canoe or kayak trip with portages? Enter your gear weights and group size to see how much each person needs to carry per trip across the portage trail.

Load Per Person
Total Load (lbs)
Load Per Person (lbs)
Group Size

About this calculator

Estimate your total portage load per trip and per person, including boat, gear, and food, to plan safe carrying trips on backcountry canoe or kayak routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight can I safely portage?

Most healthy adults can comfortably carry 40-60 lbs per trip over moderate distances, though experienced paddlers may carry more. Consider doing multiple trips across a portage if loads are heavy.

Should I count the boat weight per person?

This calculator divides total weight evenly across the group, but usually one or two people carry the canoe/kayak itself while others split gear and food.

Does this include water weight?

Yes, if you add water to your food & water weight field, it will be included in the total portage load calculation.