How Heavy Should My Sleeping Bag Be For A Thru Hike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Also, consider how warm or cold you sleep. Overall, most three-season thru-hikers will be happy with a 20-degree sleeping bag or quilt, and you can find a good one for

under 2.5 pounds

. Additionally, the sleeping bags here might be more expensive than heavier, lower- fill-power models.

What is a good base weight for thru hiking?

What is a good base weight to aim for? A good backpacking base weight is 15lbs, which does not require ultralight gear to achieve. However,

10 – 12lbs

is a great goal to aim for, being a happy medium between comfort and weight.

How much weight do thru hikers carry?

Technology and clothing material also play a major role on deciding what to bring on the trail. With better operational tents, shoes, and packs, the base weight of a thru-hiker has changed immensely. Nowadays, thru-hikers carry

no more than 20 pounds

on their back.

Is a 3lb sleeping bag too heavy for backpacking?


Your goal should be to reduce the total weight of your sleep system to three pounds or less

. This is achievable if you can get your sleeping bag or top quilt under two pounds (32 ounces) in weight and sleeping pad under one pound (16 ounces).

Is 1kg heavy for a sleeping bag?

If you sleep warm, lighter is fine, with

bags weighing around 800g-1kg being fine for spring and summer

. For colder sleepers or those going to colder places, heavier is needed, something around the 2kg mark in terms of total weight (regular size).

How heavy is too heavy for a backpack?

Doctors recommend that backpack weight should be

between 10-15 percent of a person’s total body weight

. If a 90-pound sixth grader carried 15 percent of their weight, the backpack should be no more than 13 pounds.

What pack weight is considered ultralight?

Ultralight Backpacker (

Less than 10 pound base weight

)

The average ultralight backpacker has a base weight around 9 pounds. These hikers typically carry a total pack weight less than 20 pounds with food and water.

What base weight is considered ultralight?

It is generally agreed upon that “ultralight” is a base weight

10lbs or less

. A sub 10lb base weight can be difficult to achieve and potentially expensive which can be a deterrent to some backpackers.

What is the average weight of a backpack for hiking?

Most beginners will carry around

30 to 35 pounds

for their first few trips (including the pack itself). As you gain more experience and upgrade gear, your weight will likely decrease to around 30 to 32 pounds. Some backpackers stay around the 30 pound mark while others strive to get their weight as low as possible.

How do you carry a heavy hiking backpack?

How much do backpacks weigh empty?

Traditional Backpacks

Traditional packs are available within a range of 3.69 lbs to 5.67 lbs and a volume of 55L to 105L. When eight of such packs with varied weights are taken, the average weight of an empty traditional pack equals

4.58 lbs

with a volume of 68.8L.

What kind of sleeping bag will you bring in hiking?


Semi-rectangular and mummy-shaped bags

are probably your best bet — because they are more form-fitting and have built-in hoods, they will maximize your heat retention during cold winter nights. Also, consider the shell and lining of a winter bag.

How much should your big 3 weight?

The cumulative weight of my “Big (or not so big) Three” items is generally

between 1.2 and 1.7 kg (2.65 / 3.8 lbs)

, depending on the conditions. A savings of at least 5.5 kg (12.1 lbs) from my 1990’s total.

What is the backpacking Big 3?

Generally speaking, the Big Three gear pieces of any backpacking adventure consist of:

your shelter, your sleeping system and your backpack

. If the combined weight of those three pieces of gear is 12 pounds or more, you’re trending heavy and you could be in for a really hard time on your hike.

What is the average weight of a sleeping bag?

The average sleeping bag weighs

2.7lbs

, with the lightest coming in at a minimal 12 ounces, and the heaviest tipping the scale at over 5.5lbs.

How many Litres is a sleeping bag?

Temperature Rating (Fahrenheit) Recommended Volume
40-degree


6-8 liters
20-degree 8-12 liters 0-degree 14-20 liters -20 degree 22-30 liters

What is the average size of a sleeping bag?

First, length. Men’s sleeping bags come in two standard lengths,

regular (which fits people up to 6 feet in height

) and long (up to 6 feet 6 inches). A short version is sometimes available as well, which usually fits people up to 5 feet 6 inches.

How do I know if my backpack is too heavy?

  1. It’s difficult to put on or take off.
  2. You have pain from wearing it.
  3. You feel tingling or numbness in your limbs.
  4. Strap marks show on your shoulders.
  5. Your posture changes while wearing it.

What happens if your bag is too heavy?

Your airline immediately sees dollar signs. For example, American Airlines charges just $25 for a checked bag on a domestic flight, but

the fee quadruples if your bag weighs more than 50 pounds and doubles again to $200 if it’s over 70 pounds

.

What happens if your backpack is too heavy?

So people who carry heavy backpacks sometimes lean forward. Because of the heavy weight and this unnatural position,

they can develop shoulder, neck, and back pain

. If you wear your backpack over just one shoulder, or carry your books in a messenger bag, you may end up leaning to one side to offset the extra weight.

How heavy should my school backpack be?

As a general rule, to prevent injury, a full backpack should weigh

no more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight

.

How much should my pack weight Appalachian Trail?

Ideally, your backpack should weigh

between 15-25 pounds

, so you’ll probably need to find ways to cut weight when it comes to your gear. Luckily, we put together this guide for you with a few specific tips for one of the most popular thru-hikes of all.

How many calories should I eat a day hiking?

How Much Food Should I Take Backpacking? This will depend on your metabolism and how active you’re being during your trip, but just for a rough general ball park estimate, around

1.5 lbs (or 3,000 calories) per day

is a good starting point for most people.

How do I figure out my backpacking base weight?

Base Weight is

the total weight of your entire gear kit, excluding consumables which are food, water, and fuel

. Consumables are not included because the amount varies by trip length and conditions.

What are the big 4 in backpacking?

Going Ultralight With The Big Four. The fastest way to lighten your load is to replace one or all of the four largest items most backpackers carry:

pack, tent, sleeping bag and pad

.

How do I make my hiking backpack lighter?

  1. Repackage food and personal care items. …
  2. Sleep System: Maximize a minimal amount of insulation. …
  3. Opt for a tent that pitches with trekking or ski poles. …
  4. Plan ahead and ration your water carrying. …
  5. Swap out heavy water bottles for a collapsible bottle. …
  6. Eat out of your pot.
Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.