Backpack Weight Calculator
List your kit to total your pack weight, then check it against the ~20%-of-body-weight guideline for comfortable hill walking.
Total pack weight
A common rule of thumb keeps a loaded pack at or below about 20% of your body weight for comfortable multi-day walking — lighter is easier on hill days. Weigh items on a kitchen or luggage scale for the best estimate.
Carry less, enjoy more
Every extra kilogram is felt on the climb to a hilltop village. A lighter pack means fewer aches, more energy for the views, and a genuinely more pleasant day on the trail. The first step to lightening a load is simply knowing what it weighs — and where the weight is hiding.
Build your kit list here, spot the heavy items, and trim what you can. It’s the unglamorous groundwork that makes a slow, unhurried walk between villages feel effortless rather than a slog.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should my pack weigh?
A widely used guideline for multi-day walking is that a fully loaded backpack should sit at or below about 20% of your body weight. For a 70 kg walker that's around 14 kg. Lighter is easier on the hills — many experienced walkers aim well under the cap. Enter your body weight and the tool shows your percentage and whether you're within the guideline.
What should I include?
Weigh everything that goes in or on the pack: the pack itself, shelter and sleeping kit, clothing layers, food, and — importantly — water, which is heavy at roughly one kilogram per litre. Add each item with its weight in grams and a quantity, and the calculator keeps a running total.
Why weigh in grams?
Grams make it easy to see where the weight really is and to compare gear. Small savings add up: shave 50 g here and 100 g there across a full kit list and you can lose a kilogram without leaving anything essential behind. The tool totals grams and converts to kilograms for you.
Is the 20% rule strict?
No — it's a rule of thumb, not a law. Fitness, terrain, trip length, and how the load is carried all matter, and day hikers often carry far less. Use the percentage as a sanity check: if you're well over it, look for the heaviest items first and ask whether each one earns its place.
The 20% figure is a general guideline, not a rule. Your ideal load depends on fitness, terrain, and trip length — weigh items on a scale for the most accurate total.