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How heavy are thru hiker backpacks?

Most hikers aim for a base weight under 20 pounds, while a base weight under 10 pounds is considered ultralight.



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A loaded backpacking pack should not weigh more than about 20 percent of your body weight. (If you weigh 150 pounds, your pack should not exceed 30 pounds for backpacking.) A loaded day hiking pack should not weigh more than about 10 percent of your body weight.

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21–35 liters: This is the sweet spot for most hiking and travel daypacks. There's enough capacity to hold food, clothing and some extras, like a camera and a book. 36–50 liters: These larger packs are ideal for trips that require additional clothing and gear, such as climbing, mountaineering or non-summer hiking.

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If you buy a 55 liter to 65 liter back from a backpack manufacturer than only counts their closed storage in their volume spec, there's a pretty good chance you can carry all of your backpacking essentials inside your backpack, including a bulkier synthetic insulated sleeping bag and a two-person tent.

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Trips of 5 days or more usually call for packs of 70 liters or more. These are also usually the preferred choice for winter treks lasting more than 1 night. (Larger packs can more comfortably accommodate extra clothing, a warmer sleeping bag and a 4-season tent, which typically includes extra poles.)

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Savings can be achieved both by reducing the size of your pack and also by choosing a pack with lightweight construction (lighter materials, fewer pockets and zippers, etc.). If you're carrying less than 15-20 pounds, consider a frameless backpack, and you'll be able to drop your backpack weight to under two pounds.

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Lightweight backpack for outdoor, Ultralight, only 2.1 pounds for 60L large capacity,reducing the backpack loading weight so that you can carry more other items. The maximum loading bearing is 33lb.

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40-50 Liters (The Ultralight Thru-Hiker) Expect to fit everything you could fit in a smaller pack, plus: A food bag that can hold up to 5-6 days worth of food. A pot for cooking. A camp stove and fuel.

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A Service Member's ruck sack weighs about 45 pounds without water!!!! If you're joining us in person or virtually, and want to get some tips on how to pack your ruck properly, and/or what typically goes into a ruck sack, here's a tutorial to help you out!

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If you will potentially need that extra capacity on a future trip, then definitely get the 75L pack. If you're doing it just because it doesn't seem like much extra weight, even if you don't expect to ever need it, I would go for the 65L pack. That would also curb the temptation to overpack.

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The design of the 70L is perfectly suited for airplane carry-on or check in, and the features of the 70L are perfect for any adventure once you arrive at your destination. Being able to compress the 70L allows you to use it as carry-on for all major airlines in the US and Canada.

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They're suitable for short breaks or extended trips. Most backpackers can travel for months, if not years, with a backpack in the 40-46-litre range! It's easy to fit in a week's worth of clothes, as well as all your travel essentials.

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Trips of 5 days or more usually call for packs of 70 liters or more. These are also usually the preferred choice for winter treks lasting more than 1 night.

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A loaded backpacking pack should not weigh more than about 20 percent of your body weight. (If you weigh 150 pounds, your pack should not exceed 30 pounds for backpacking.) A loaded day hiking pack should not weigh more than about 10 percent of your body weight.

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Effects of an overweight backpack The extra weight can distort the natural curve of the middle and lower back, causing muscle strain. Members of the UI Hospitals & Clinics Rehabilitation Services team recommend you carry no more than ten percent of your weight in a backpack.

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