Packing a hiking backpack is a crucial step before heading out on an adventure. You need to make sure you have all the necessary kit, while being careful not to overload yourself. A pack that's too heavy can quickly become a burden and may even affect your safety and health. Explore how to optimise the weight of a hiking backpack.
Key takeaways:
- A hiking backpack should not exceed 15 to 20% of the carrier's body weight.
- Sorting your gear by weight and importance means you only carry the essentials and keep your pack light.
- The heaviest items should be placed close to your back in the central zone of the backpack.
- Reviewing your kit list after each outing helps optimise your backpack weight for future hikes.
Maximum weight for a hiking backpack
The weight of a hiking backpack varies depending on several factors. It all depends on the type of hike, the duration of the trip, weather conditions, elevation gain, or your level of preparation. You won't be packing the same bag or the same weight for a simple day hike as you would for a multi-day trek in full autonomy.
As a general rule, it is recommended not to exceed 20% of the carrier's body weight. If you're a beginner, it's better to aim for 15%. Someone weighing 80 kg can carry a hiking backpack weighing between 12 and 16 kg. Someone weighing 50 kg, however, should not exceed 10 kg. Bear in mind that while this percentage is a good guideline, it varies depending on the carrier's height, build, and fitness level.
Our tips for lightening your backpack
If you're not used to going hiking, you'll quickly realise that the weight of a hiking backpack adds up fast. To avoid feeling weighed down, unbalanced, or injured, you need to make sure you keep it light.
First, you need to check what size hiking backpack you need. The volume should depend on the type and duration of your outing. A smaller pack means going more minimal. You can then sort your gear into three categories: essentials, useful items, and non-essentials. This way you can prioritise the essentials, fill in with the useful items, and see if there's any room left for the non-essentials.
Another method is to list your gear and its weight in a table. This lets you identify what weighs the most and make a first round of cuts. Then simply weigh your pack and do a second round of cuts if needed. Bear in mind that your pack shouldn't be stuffed to the brim — it makes organisation harder when unpacking and repacking.
Finally, after your outing, you can do a debrief on what was and wasn't useful. Over time and with experience, you should be able to head out with the lightest hiking backpack possible.
Check out how to wash a hiking backpack.
Weight distribution in a hiking backpack
Once you've selected your essentials, you need to learn how to distribute the weight in your hiking backpack. To do this, you can organise it by dividing it into several sections.
The bottom section of the backpack holds soft and bulky items. These are mainly things you won't need during the day, but rather during long breaks or at night.
The central zone holds the heaviest gear. This is mainly equipment needed for bivvy or cooking. We recommend placing the heaviest items closest to your back. This helps maintain a stable centre of gravity and directs the load downwards rather than backwards.
The top section is dedicated to items that need to be easily accessible during the hike. This could include a rain jacket, a first-aid kit, water, or snacks.
Finally, the outer pockets and attachment points on your backpack let you keep important items within easy reach. You can slip in your GPS, sunglasses, or water bottle. This means you won't have to open your whole pack during a short break. You can also strap lightweight but bulky gear such as your sleeping mat or sleeping bag to the outside of the pack.
By following this advice, you should be able to optimise the weight of your hiking backpack — travelling light with all the kit you need and an ideal weight distribution. Happy trails!
