Backcountry Pack Weights

[luke moffat]

I carry a 3L bladder... so I guess I'm closer to 30# with water... strap my bow on and I'm closer to 35#... My binos are on me so I don't count that...

I guess I'm uncertain why packs in the 25#-30# range seem ridiculous? I know what Aron said holds true... it's not for everyone. But I've never been uncomfortable in the mountains. I try to carry a lb. of food per day and, yes, I lose weight every trip but I don't find my energy lacking. And honestly, there are things I could leave home and lighten it even more. I carry two knives, fixed and a Havalon Torch... I could easily use just the Torch which would also take out the sharpener (but have you ever tried batoning with a Havalon ). I carry a Golite poncho in a my day bag kit that is with me all the time. With a tent and my raingear (also always in the daypack kit) it's not really necessary... that's just a couple of examples. But I carry those items because, like Aron also mentioned, I've had $#!& go sideways on the mountain and like the security of these items.

Why do I try and go so light? Because I hate carrying weight... unless it's horns, cape or meat, I see no reason why I should carry it if I don't absolutely have to...

And like mentioned above... if I was hunting in Alaska or hunting late season, weight would be a lot different than my early season rig...

Pacfks of 25-30 pound range aren't rediculous at all if you aren't counting your water, bow, or binos! But why not count them. They are the given items you'll have to carry on a hunt anyways so not sure why they don't deserve count. Just to make it sound better like you have a lighter pack. I just find it silly to not count items that you are indeed carrying but not include them in the total weight of the stuff you haul.

Just different strokes for different folks. At the end of the day pack weight isn't going to make or break you too much to any extent IMO. I'll still get out there and hunt no matter if my pack were to weigh 25 pounds or 60 pounds. Just a matter of how fast you'll end up going at that point.. Don't get me wrong I'll try to go light where I can but the focus is to take what I need any leave what I don't. No right or wrong way to approach it.

THough I do get a kick out of the guys that say yeah my pack for week is 20-25 pounds, but I don't count my rifle, water,or binos and I'm only eating a .5 pound of food per day. I'm sure a lot of people could get sub 30 pounds by calculating pack weights in this fashion. I honestly don't care what others pack weights are at this point or how they come up with their numbers. I know what I need for a given trip and I'll weigh it when I start and also when I get the pack with the animal in it back as well, just for my personal reference of what I can/can't handle. So long as you are happy and not lacking items to hunt more efficiently or weighed down by too much stuff the GIF told ya to bring, then who cares what another guy on the internet is packing.

 

[bigeasygator]

I honestly don't do the spread sheet thing. I'm not saying it's a bad idea at all, but I know what I need, I know what I can cut weight on and a spread sheet won't make my pack any lighter. Again, I am by no means saying "don't use one", but a spread sheet does little for me.

I'm hoping that what I said earlier wasn't taken out of context, as I meant it to be helpful in deciding on your final gear list.

I have no doubt that what Gil uses for his hunt works perfect, but I'm guessing (and I think he agrees), that his list would change according to the area and time of year he's hunting. I know my sleeping bag, shelter, clothing and survival gear will change from one hunt to the next, as some areas are just easier and less dangerous than others.

To each his own. I get to do one backpack hunt a year if I'm lucky, so having a spreadsheet also allows me to keep track of the gear I own and the gear I need. It's as much of an equipment management tool as anything else. Decisions I've made about what to include in my pack aren't based off the spreadsheet or some magical formula. Like I said, it's more about equipment management. What it also does is serve as a benchmark for me when I hear other people discuss pack weights pretty easily. When I hear people say their pack is 25 lbs but not including bow, food, water, binoculars, etc then I can quickly compare. Not that it really matters, but it provides a quick comparison (which is why threads like this exist in the first place if you ask me).

And I'm with Luke, I include everything that's going in with me on my list. At the end of the day it doesn't matter to some extent...either I can carry the weight or I can't and saying my pack is 30 lbs when it's really 55 lbs isn't going to make it any lighter on my back!

 

[Aron Snyder]

Hey Brother, I didn't mean that in a negative way at all. Just that I don't use them. Nothing wrong with them at all, but I figured since we're all talking about this stuff, I would mention both options.....using a spread sheet, or just taking what you need.

Sorry if that came across negatively.

To each his own. I get to do one backpack hunt a year if I'm lucky, so having a spreadsheet also allows me to keep track of the gear I own and the gear I need. It's as much of an equipment management tool as anything else. Decisions I've made about what to include in my pack aren't based off the spreadsheet or some magical formula. Like I said, it's more about equipment management. What it also does is serve as a benchmark for me when I hear other people discuss pack weights pretty easily. When I hear people say their pack is 25 lbs but not including bow, food, water, binoculars, etc then I can quickly compare. Not that it really matters, but it provides a quick comparison (which is why threads like this exist in the first place if you ask me).

And I'm with Luke, I include everything that's going in with me on my list. At the end of the day it doesn't matter to some extent...either I can carry the weight or I can't and saying my pack is 30 lbs when it's really 55 lbs isn't going to make it any lighter on my back!

 

[bigeasygator]

Hey Brother, I didn't mean that in a negative way at all. Just that I don't use them. Nothing wrong with them at all, but I figured since we're all talking about this stuff, I would mention both options.....using a spread sheet, or just taking what you need.

Sorry if that came across negatively.

No worries at all! Sorry if it looked like I took it negatively. Just highlighting how it helps me to folks. If I went on multiple trips and had the experience you do, it would be a much less useful tool!

Like I said, it also helps to make apples to apples comparisons. It can be flat out dangerous for some inexperienced folks to try and drop their total weight to some of the numbers quoted. Having that spreadsheet can help bring some clarity to what's going on. With pack, food, water, and weapon I'm pretty much at 25 lbs. and a spreadsheet makes that clear to me. No way I could be at 30 lbs with everything. Do I need the spreadsheet to figure that out? No, but it helps!

 

[luke moffat]

Hey Brother, I didn't mean that in a negative way at all. Just that I don't use them. Nothing wrong with them at all, but I figured since we're all talking about this stuff, I would mention both options.....using a spread sheet, or just taking what you need.

Sorry if that came across negatively.

Well I'm mad!!! I use a spreadsheet!!! HAHA.......but really it helps me ballpark how much weight I"m hauling on the plane to Kodiak as we are alloted 3 50 bags apiece and once we get there the plane can only take 1200 pounds including gear/people. Of course I weigh it all before actually go, but it gets me close. My spreadsheet is likely different than most as it includes weight for things 25-30 pound expeiditon tents, 5 gallon (20 pound) propane tanks, buddy heaters, and other such nonsense. They are all weighed so it gets me ballpark atleast.

But the biggest reason is I don't pack everything for a lot of my trips as often we leave as soon as I get into town from the airport. So I make up the list so Becca (bless her heart) can pack up our gear for a given trip and we don't have to waste time packing or finding everything on the list.

Certainly nothing wrong with using a spreadsheet, but it doesn't change how much crap is on my back.....unless since I didn't use the spreadsheet/checklist I forgot to bring my hunting licenses and tags (it happened on a goat hunt 2 years ago so I was dedicated packer)

 

[Justin Crossley]

The only way to know what "your" pack should weigh, is to go out and hunt. The more trips that you go on the more you will get your gear dialed for you.

I keep most of my gear on spreadsheets but that is mostly for comparing when I'm looking at new gear.

I save weight by getting as high quality of gear as I can afford so that I can save weight without giving things up. Using a Kifaru pack is a good example. It does the job of heavier packs but weighs less.

 

[Vance in AK]

Ok, now you guys have done me in...
In the past I never had a scale to weigh this stuff. I could load up the pack & do before & after on the bathroom scale, but that was about it. I was OK with that. Thanks to you guys I stopped at SW today & bought a digital fish scale. In the end I fear this scale may cost me WAY more than the original $30...

 

[gil_wy]

I honestly don't do the spread sheet thing. I'm not saying it's a bad idea at all, but I know what I need, I know what I can cut weight on and a spread sheet won't make my pack any lighter. Again, I am by no means saying "don't use one", but a spread sheet does little for me.

I'm hoping that what I said earlier wasn't taken out of context, as I meant it to be helpful in deciding on your final gear list.

I have no doubt that what Gil uses for his hunt works perfect, but I'm guessing (and I think he agrees), that his list would change according to the area and time of year he's hunting. I know my sleeping bag, shelter, clothing and survival gear will change from one hunt to the next, as some areas are just easier and less dangerous than others.

I agree 100%... 90% of my backpack hunting is sept/oct for elk and mule deer in moderately difficult terrain.. Late season, sheep hunting, timberline hunts, etc. would all have a very different look... And weight...

 

[Beastmode]

After playing sherpa for a family of 4 on my summer scouting trips/family backpack trips I have given up on my pack weight. My wife has a bad back which limits what she can carry. My pack usually weighs over 70 lbs for about a 3 day adventure! As stated before 10 extra lbs isn't going to kill you if you are covering your a!#

The two biggest "what if" scenarios for me and most is weather (away from camp or near camp) and injury. These two things can be what if'd to death but as long as you have a basic understanding of what you are up against and plan accordingly you shouldn't be adding too much more weight.

 

[rodney482]

I do a similar hunt and total weight with bow is right at 75 lbs
10 day hunt

How much weight are you packing in your backcountry pack? I expect to get different weights depending on the situation/type of hunt/abilities of hunter, but I'm curious.

Do you include the weight of your bow when you calculate this all out? Do you allow a percentage to clothing, food, sleep system, etc?

My current plan for elk will be 3mi in and almost 3k ft elevation gain and set up camp. I know the area and shouldn't have to move camp so this would basically be one trip in to my campsite. I wouldn't be carrying all the weight every day, just to the campsite.

Thoughts?

 

[todd kelly]

If it makes you feel better, on most hunts I've got 25lbs of optics/tripods/camera gear and batteries before anything else goes in

I'm pretty close to to the same weight on those items as well.

I'm pretty happy hitting the scale at 65lbs last year for a 10 day hunt. (everything included, If my legs are packing it, in a bag or over my shoulders it all counts in my books) I guess I could drop a couple pounds by dumping the excessively heavy, non functioning load lifter, over built MR.......


I'm at the point that I really could care less about the number. I take what I need and it is what it is.

I guess I could spend a bunch of money to loose a pound here and an oz there, but I rather use that money to pay for gas and flights and go on 7 or 8 trips a year.

 

[tttoadman]

60 lbs for November ID. That includes 4ltrs of water and a 9.5lb gun. I have light binos and no spotter. I do have an ultralight tripod and a camera. That includes a goal0 charger also. Also included a small tarp and pegs to spike overnight if needed.

I was able to cut it to 35lb for 4 days in western OR. Don't need a rangefinder or water. You just need to open you mouth when you walk.

My food bags are about 1.25/ day for about 2800 to 2900 cals. A little heavier if I take the MH.
I actually got heavier gear for November after I was uncomfortable sleeping in sept. need to sleep good to survive.

 

[rodney482]

I could go lighter but I like my camp chair and luxurylite cot.
not to mention a nice variety of food.

 

[Buster]

Ok, now you guys have done me in...
In the past I never had a scale to weigh this stuff. I could load up the pack & do before & after on the bathroom scale, but that was about it. I was OK with that. Thanks to you guys I stopped at SW today & bought a digital fish scale. In the end I fear this scale may cost me WAY more than the original $30...

Lol, I used to employ the before and after bathroom scale method too. That little $30 investment is just the start.

 

[tuffcity]

we don't do the spread sheet either- not that its not a good idea but I think for us (my wife and I) we've done enough trips so we just lay all the stuff out on the dining room table for a couple of weeks before the trip and evaluate the nice to haves vs the need to haves. I've been at the game a lot longer then Helen so my "nice to haves" list, and even my "need to have" list, is a lot shorter than hers. Sometimes she evens listens to me.

But all our backpack gear goes into bins marked (oddly enough) "backpack gear" so the same gear is easily to assembled every year. Occasionally it gets tweaked a bit.

I weigh my pack when it is packed for the trip and it includes my rifle and/or bow as it is usually attached to the pack. I routinely run 65 pounds (+/-) for a 10-12 day fly in trip. I let Hel figure out the food as she's the gym rat/nutrition nazi- but we while we go for up to 12 days we plan for 14, not including extra food in the "lake bag".

RC

 

[gil_wy]

Wow... The great pack weight controversy 2014... I believe this officially proves we can argue about anything!

Fwiw- I'm officially changing my pack weight to 35# to avoid controversy

 

[DaveC]

Pacfks of 25-30 pound range aren't rediculous at all if you aren't counting your water, bow, or binos!

10 pounds for 5 days of food gets you all the calories and variety you could want if you know what you're doing.
10 for rifle/bow, ammo and optics is quite reasonable.
10 pounds for everything else is easy to do outside deep winter in the lower 48.
Water needs vary widely. Some times you only need to carry 1/2 a liter.

I'm not an especially experienced hunter, so take this for what it's worth: my impression is that a lot/most hunters indulge pretty seriously in paranoia/worst case scenario thinking over more reasoned assessment and skill. Synthetic bags, big tents, lots of redundant clothing, Jetboils, etc. I say this fully cognizant that hunting requires (for instance) more insulation during the day than backpacking, and often takes place in harsher terrain and weather. Nonetheless, a lot of folks have a lot to learn from other realms of outdoor recreation.

 

[eLightfoot]

For a week long hunt I'm usually around 55lbs, not including rifle or water. If I am camping near water I don't pack any, I try and drink a 1/2 gallon at the truck before shoving off. I don't mind carrying extra weight on the pack in, like food. When serious hunting takes place I can go for two days w/out food, but why? I like to be able to eat when I get back to camp, makes it more enjoyable. everybody I hunt with usually brings in enough extra to where we are sharing or trading food. We hike in a lot of miles, going back to the car is not an option unless an emergency. If there is even a chance of rain I have learned to bring light weight rain gear. Tent, pad, sleeping bag, clothes, binos, kill kit, ammo, radio, camera, batteries, first aid, toiletries(ass wipe), water filter, water bottle, GPS, food, folding saw, rope/cord, and a few more nick nack paddy whacks. It all adds up. If back pack hunting was supposed to be light and easy everyone would do it. moving a large mass of weight on our backs across great distance is what makes us special.

 

[fulldraw1972]

Last year I was pushing 60 lbs for my September elk hunt. This year I am hoping for low 50's. A new kifaru pack should cut 4 lbs off and new rain gear should shave another couple of pounds or more.
What I need to figure out is a good pack weight for an Alaskan caribou or moose hunt with 40 mile air. They only allow 50 lbs plus weapon and what's on your body for the flight.
I bet Luke has that answer. Lol

 

[Aron Snyder]

10 pounds for 5 days of food gets you all the calories and variety you could want if you know what you're doing.
10 for rifle/bow, ammo and optics is quite reasonable.
10 pounds for everything else is easy to do outside deep winter in the lower 48.
Water needs vary widely. Some times you only need to carry 1/2 a liter.

I'm not an especially experienced hunter, so take this for what it's worth: my impression is that a lot/most hunters indulge pretty seriously in paranoia/worst case scenario thinking over more reasoned assessment and skill. Synthetic bags, big tents, lots of redundant clothing, Jetboils, etc. I say this fully cognizant that hunting requires (for instance) more insulation during the day than backpacking, and often takes place in harsher terrain and weather. Nonetheless, a lot of folks have a lot to learn from other realms of outdoor recreation.

How do you get 10lbs as a reasonable weight for weapon, optics and ammo?