Backcountry Pack Weight

[outdoorsman12b]

Hey folks. Just looking at my total pack weight for an upcoming hunt and am hoping to see what others have for total weight. I know there is a sheep thread that covers some of this, but it has gone a different direction so starting fresh.

I have spent some considerable cash buying lightweight gear but am still higher than I would like to be.

Not going to list all gear, but if you are an experienced mountain hunter let me know if any of your categories are vastly different from below.

8 lbs shelter/sleeping
4 lbs cooking
7 lbs packed clothes
8.7 lbs optics
6 lbs kill kit/hygiene/survival equipment
7.5 pounds for rifle/12 rounds
1.5 pounds per day for food

My total weight right now is at about 62 lbs for an 8 day hunt.

[astepanuk]

Weights look good What rifle are you running that's 7.5lbs wit 12 rounds. Also don't forget to add water in there that can add up in a hurry.

[fast_pass88]

What's in your cooking kit? 4 lbs sounds high. My cooking kit is a gsi halulite pot, ti spoon, soto1 stove, and fuel canister. I don't have the weights handy but that can't be much more then 1.5 lbs

Clothing weight seems a touch high, does this include the clothes your wearing?

[outdoorsman12b]

astenpanuk - rifle is t3 lite w vx3. 2 liters of water is included in total weight, although I usually role with 1 on the pack in.

[outdoorsman12b]

fast pass- cooking kit includes a MSR mircofilter, jetboil flash & large canister, spoon, 4L drimlite, Nalgene bottle and XMUG.

Does not include worn clothes. Base/insulation/crocks etc...

[coxy95]

Just curious how much does your pack weigh? I’m also right around 60lbs for 7 days so am very comparable. I don’t have my list here otherwise I’d give a breakdown.

[Knotter]

Shelter and sleeping is getting up there. Do you insist on a tent?

You might shave a few lbs by switching to a bivy bag.

[Remps17]

I guess the categories that stand out for me for the heavy side is your kill kit, cooking and sleeping. Not sure what your running for cooking but a backwoods stove with fuel is just over a pound. I don't carry to much for first aid, if I cant walk out there isn't much in a first aid that's going to help other then an inreach or somethings along those lines.

[3blade]

12 rounds for what? Cut that to 5. If your scope needs adjusting, you go back and do it at the truck. Don’t ever remember shooting more than twice on any hunt.

Pack weight can be significant. Not listed so can’t make any suggestions.

Kill kit might have room for improvement, depending on what game bags and tools you are packing. Havalon and leatherman tool, no need for another knife.

Food adds up. That’s the one that I have trouble with as well. Might want to go in early on a scouting trip and cache half of it.

[outdoorsman12b]

Just curious how much does your pack weigh? I’m also right around 60lbs for 7 days so am very comparable. I don’t have my list here otherwise I’d give a breakdown.

Pack and rain fly is 7.4 lbs.

[outdoorsman12b]

Shelter and sleeping is getting up there. Do you insist on a tent?

You might shave a few lbs by switching to a bivy bag.

I have considered that. Usually hunt with a partner so the two man tent will stick around for now. I think I could save about 2 lbs that way. I have also considered a tarp tent, but am a little skeptical on their utility.

[outdoorsman12b]

12 rounds for what? Cut that to 5. If your scope needs adjusting, you go back and do it at the truck. Don’t ever remember shooting more than twice on any hunt.

Pack weight can be significant. Not listed so can’t make any suggestions.

Kill kit might have room for improvement, depending on what game bags and tools you are packing. Havalon and leatherman tool, no need for another knife.

Food adds up. That’s the one that I have trouble with as well. Might want to go in early on a scouting trip and cache half of it.

Havalon and Leatherman Wave is what I run with. I could cut the rounds down and save about 1/2 pound. 2 rounds are for the game, 10 rounds are for mr grizz.

[katts69]

If you think your going to get 10 rounds off before the grizz is on your ass it better be an automatic rifle.

[Mamid]

Shelter and sleeping is getting up there. Do you insist on a tent?

You might shave a few lbs by switching to a bivy bag.

I agree with the above at the sacrifice of comfort.
I'm keen to see your sleeping bag and roll mat selection?

[outdoorsman12b]

Weights look good What rifle are you running that's 7.5lbs wit 12 rounds. Also don't forget to add water in there that can add up in a hurry.

I agree with the above at the sacrifice of comfort.
I'm keen to see your sleeping bag and roll mat selection?


I run a Marmot Ratio 15 down bag and Nemo insulated pad. Together it weighs 3lbs 8 oz.

[outdoorsman12b]

If you think your going to get 10 rounds off before the grizz is on your ass it better be an automatic rifle.

This is true. I can probably cut down the rounds without issue. I was informed on the details from the Panther River attack last year by a CO that we know and the hunter went through quite a few rounds. Of course I would be hoping warning shots would be enough to deter if my rifle was accessible.

[elkhunter11]

I carried about 55lbs plus my rifle, so very close overall to your weight. I carry ten rounds. You could use two or three to kill game, and I like some extra for bear protection and a signal if necessary. If the weight of five rounds is a deal breaker, lose another pound of body weight before the hunt.

[outdoorsman12b]

I carried about 55lbs plus my rifle, so very close overall to your weight. I carry ten rounds. You could use two or three to kill game, and I like some extra for bear protection and a signal if necessary. If the weight of five rounds is a deal breaker, lose another pound of body weight before the hunt.

Agreed. Thanks for this Elk. Based on your feedback and others I don't think I will be able to cut much more weight out without sacrificing on safety. I keep in good shape year round so body weight is not an issue.

[outdoorsman12b]

Thanks all for the feedback. Closing the thread for my purposes, but feel free to continue if any use to others.

[3blade]

This is true. I can probably cut down the rounds without issue. I was informed on the details from the Panther River attack last year by a CO that we know and the hunter went through quite a few rounds. Of course I would be hoping warning shots would be enough to deter if my rifle was accessible.

Your first, second and third shots go into the bear. The one labeled “warning shot” gets fired last, into a highly visible log or stump in the general direction of the carcass, that you can easily point out to the investigating officer.

:)

[mk63]

Your first, second and third shots go into the bear. The one labeled “warning shot” gets fired last, into a highly visible log or stump in the general direction of the carcass, that you can easily point out to the investigating officer.

:)

Bahaha well said

[Highlander44]

Just bought a Big Agnes 2 man tent that weighs in at 2 lbs and will pick it up next week, ill post a review after this season. Have you considered the Big Agnes sleeping bags that have no insulation the backside, but a sleeve to put a sleeping pad? The bags are basically half the weight of others, and your pad cannot slip out on you during the night.

[katts69]

Don’t waste your money on any big Agnes sleeping bags. Unless your gonna buy one rated twice the temps you think you will be sleeping in.
They are not EN rated and don’t come close to there temp specs.

[southernman]

I am wondering what optics, you are taking, seams to be hellish heavy at 8.7lbs, spotting scope, bino's and tri pod ?
Are you hunting alone or have a buddy to share gear,
Hunting mates can cut weight down, as one guy takes tent, other the spotting scope tri pod.
Plenty of room to cut down on cooking weight, light weight cooker, cup, pate and one small cooking pot,
How late in season are you going. ? if early season, likely sum room to cut back on clothing,

,

[-JR-]

Are you going on a solo hunt ? Only need one stove between two guys etc.
Nothing wrong with 12 rounds min. when packing out a sheep I have had bears and wolfs in my camp .

[katts69]

8.7 pounds isn’t bad. My optics all in with AGC chest rig is just a hair over 11 pounds.
Just spotter and Tripod is 6 pds 5 oz.
that’s an 80 mm swaro spotter with swaro stay on case with Sirui T-025X and outdoorsman panhead.
Chest rig is heavy but has enough gear that if I drop my pack I can get by.

[outdoorsman12b]

I am wondering what optics, you are taking, seams to be hellish heavy at 8.7lbs, spotting scope, bino's and tri pod ?
Are you hunting alone or have a buddy to share gear,
Hunting mates can cut weight down, as one guy takes tent, other the spotting scope tri pod.
Plenty of room to cut down on cooking weight, light weight cooker, cup, pate and one small cooking pot,
How late in season are you going. ? if early season, likely sum room to cut back on clothing,

,

Optics are the best I can afford and or willing to pay for.

Hunting Gear Model 8.7 lbs
Range Finder Leupold RX-1600i TBR DNA 8.0 oz
Wind Checker Primos 2.0 oz
Wind Meter Kestrel Wind Meter 2500 3.4
Lens Brush Vortex brush 1.0
Lens cleaner Zeiss Lens Cleaning Wipes X 8 0.5
Spotting Scope Vortex Viper HD 15-45 X65 53.0 oz
Binoculars Nikon Monarch 7 10X42 24.6 oz
Biocular HarnessAlaska Guide Creations CUB 14.2
Glassing Seat Thermarest Z Seat 2.0
Tripod Vortex Summit 31 oz

[outdoorsman12b]

I am wondering what optics, you are taking, seams to be hellish heavy at 8.7lbs, spotting scope, bino's and tri pod ?
Are you hunting alone or have a buddy to share gear,
Hunting mates can cut weight down, as one guy takes tent, other the spotting scope tri pod.
Plenty of room to cut down on cooking weight, light weight cooker, cup, pate and one small cooking pot,
How late in season are you going. ? if early season, likely sum room to cut back on clothing,

,

Most people don't include additional items like nalgene bottle in their weights and are actually heavier than they say from my experience. If its carried I weigh it.

Cooking & Drinking Model 3.8
Stove Jet Boil Flash 14.6
Fuel Canister large 11
Utensil Optimus Titanium long spoon 0.5
Coffee Mug Sea to Summit X-MUG 2.1
Water Bottle Nalgene 1L 6.4
Water Filter MSR MiniWorks EX Microfilter 16.0
Filter Backup Pristine Water Purifcation Tabs X50 1.0
Drink Mix Platypus, 1L 0.8
Water Bladder MSR Dromlite 4L 5.2
Food/Trash Hangbag MEC Nano XP Dry Bag 10L 2.7

[Vessey]

Your weights all seem fine, without making substantial changes and spending lots you probably won't get a whole lot lower.

I always go with a partner so the main thing we do is not taking any duplicate gear and share everything.

One of us takes a large pack and carries bulky stuff and the other has a day pack with heavy small stuff. Then we take turns with the day pack after setting up camp.

We also stopped bringing a stove and pot and mainly bring high fat food. This saves a lot of weight, its been fine but not having warm food is a sacrifice.

[Pierre Tessier]

Your Shelter weight seems high to me, especially for early season. My tent and sleeping bag weigh 5lbs. Pillow is jackets rolled up or kelvin vest inside my jetstream for me.

Personally I carry a full rifle plus 12 extra rounds. I got charged by a grizzly last year and 12 rounds never felt like too much..

I have to ask, why do you carry a Leatherman?

7lbs of packed clothes, what do you take? That includes raingear right?

Pack was around 55lbs with 12lbs of food for 9 days. Ideally every snack is 140cal/oz or better. When the food was all gone minus the ram and water I was sitting at around 35-38lbs.

[southernman]

Optics are the best I can afford and or willing to pay for.

Hunting Gear Model 8.7 lbs
Range Finder Leupold RX-1600i TBR DNA 8.0 oz
Wind Checker Primos 2.0 oz
Wind Meter Kestrel Wind Meter 2500 3.4
Lens Brush Vortex brush 1.0
Lens cleaner Zeiss Lens Cleaning Wipes X 8 0.5
Spotting Scope Vortex Viper HD 15-45 X65 53.0 oz
Binoculars Nikon Monarch 7 10X42 24.6 oz
Biocular HarnessAlaska Guide Creations CUB 14.2
Glassing Seat Thermarest Z Seat 2.0
Tripod Vortex Summit 31 oz

Thanks for that, I've got the same spotter and bino's,
I use a ultra light tri pod from manfranto, I would likely not take, either wind meters, bino harness or the seat pad,
Over the years in the hills, I wrote down everything I took, and crossed off everything I didn't use, over several trips, you work out what works for you, as regular items and extra's,
Always a balancing act, between what you think you need, and want.
good luck with your trip, I wish you success, and safe journey.

[outdoorsman12b]

Your Shelter weight seems high to me, especially for early season. My tent and sleeping bag weigh 5lbs. Pillow is jackets rolled up or kelvin vest inside my jetstream for me.

Personally I carry a full rifle plus 12 extra rounds. I got charged by a grizzly last year and 12 rounds never felt like too much..

I have to ask, why do you carry a Leatherman?

7lbs of packed clothes, what do you take? That includes raingear right?

Pack was around 55lbs with 12lbs of food for 9 days. Ideally every snack is 140cal/oz or better. When the food was all gone minus the ram and water I was sitting at around 35-38lbs.


Is that including your rifle? Your food weight is much lower than mine. I would be around 18lbs for 12 days with an exit on the 13 day.

[LJalberta]

Some of your weights also seem quite high to me as well. Especially the shelter/clothing categories as Pierre said. My area for improvement is definitely lightening up the food though. I had too much food that was too heavy for what it provided.

Last year for an 11 day solo hunt I was at 60lbs on the scale at the trailhead going in. This included my rifle, 10 rounds, bino harness, 1L of water, and everything except the shirt, pants, underwear, socks, gaiters, and boots I was wearing.

My Sleep Setup is 5.1lbs

Mountainsmith LT
Borah Bivy
Xtherm
10* Quilt/Stuff Sack/Straps
9 Groundhog Stakes
4 Needle Stakes
Trash Bag (to keep dry)


Packed Clothing is 4.22 lbs

Rain Jacket
Rain Pants
First Lite Puffy
Longsleeve
Long Underwear
1 Pair Socks
1 Underwear
1 Touque
Gloves
Sunglasses
Stuff Sack for it all
Crocs** (when I bring them = 4.68lbs total).

[Pierre Tessier]

Is that including your rifle? Your food weight is much lower than mine. I would be around 18lbs for 12 days with an exit on the 13 day.

Yes that includes rifle.

Yes it is lower, did you find foods that were above 160-180 cals an oz? I double checked the calender it was 12lbs for 8 days instead of 9 which brings food up from 1.35lbs/day to 1.5lbs, the same ratio as your 18lbs/12 days.

My packed clothes are the EXACT same as LJAlberta, all in Sitka and i'm probably close to 4-4.5lbs, no sunglasses for me.

[outdoorsman12b]

Some of your weights also seem quite high to me as well. Especially the shelter/clothing categories as Pierre said. My area for improvement is definitely lightening up the food though. I had too much food that was too heavy for what it provided.

Last year for an 11 day solo hunt I was at 60lbs on the scale at the trailhead going in. This included my rifle, 10 rounds, bino harness, 1L of water, and everything except the shirt, pants, underwear, socks, gaiters, and boots I was wearing.

My Sleep Setup is 5.1lbs

Mountainsmith LT
Borah Bivy
Xtherm
10* Quilt/Stuff Sack/Straps
9 Groundhog Stakes
4 Needle Stakes
Trash Bag (to keep dry)


Packed Clothing is 4.22 lbs

Rain Jacket
Rain Pants
First Lite Puffy
Longsleeve
Long Underwear
1 Pair Socks
1 Underwear
1 Touque
Gloves
Sunglasses
Stuff Sack for it all
Crocs** (when I bring them = 4.68lbs total).

Thanks this is good info. Not sure how you are getting there with clothing weight. I invested in lightweight rain gear (22oz total) and down jacket (17oz). I know my crocks are heavy at 20 oz, but I hunt some really nasty/rocky stuff and not feeling every rock under my foot is worth it for me. Your crocks would work out to less than 8 oz which I can't see. I see you have not listed any gaiters so assume you have that excluded as you are wearing them?

As for the sleep system I usually role with a friend or 3 and use MSR hubba hubba. Plus my sleeping pad is large as I am a taller guy so that makes up for the weight difference there.

Total 7.2 lbs
Socks * 2
Underwear
Thermal top & bottom
Base top (T)
Insulation Layer
Rainwear Top
Rainwear Bottom
Waterproof Gloves
Beanie
Gaitors
Clothing compression sack
Water Crossing Shoes

[outdoorsman12b]

Yes that includes rifle.

Yes it is lower, did you find foods that were above 160-180 cals an oz? I double checked the calender it was 12lbs for 8 days instead of 9 which brings food up from 1.35lbs/day to 1.5lbs, the same ratio as your 18lbs/12 days.

My packed clothes are the EXACT same as LJAlberta, all in Sitka and i'm probably close to 4-4.5lbs, no sunglasses for me.


Yes my food cals/ounce is inline with that. I might actually be going a bit heavier this year because I rely on a lot of bars which most become unbearable after 8 days.

[LJalberta]

I'll break it down a little more below. Everything is weighed on a calibrated kitchen scale to the gram.

Marmot Precip Rain Jacket (M) 10.62 oz
Marmot Precip Full Zip Rain Pants (M) 10.99 oz
First Lite Uncompaghre (M) 19.51 oz
Costco Merino Longsleeve (M) 7.23 oz
Kuiu Merino 145 Long Underwear (M) 6.03 oz
Costco Trail Socks (Pair) 2.69 oz
Underwear (34) 2.5 oz
Merino Touque 3.14 oz
Mechanix Gloves 2.4 oz
Sunglasses 1.3 oz
Kifaru Ultralight Stuff Sack (XL) 1.11 oz
Lightweight Crocs (sz 9) 7.3 oz
MEC Gaiters 10.3 oz

The Crocs I prefer are from the dollar store. Very lightweight, but also comfortable. The only time I ever wear them is river crossings. Anytime I'm on rough ground I have my boots on. I bring them about 50% of the time. Gaiters I bring about 50% of the time. If I bring them I'm wearing them, however I added their weights for comparison if you're interested. If I had both the gaiters and the crocs in my pack it would bring the total up to 5.32lbs for packed clothing.

As a note, I never wore my sunglasses once last year hunting and never once this year scouting, so I'll be ditching them completely as Pierre does.

Judging by your list I'm guessing a fair portion of the weight difference is going to be coming from the clothing size difference between us.

[mattthegorby]

Any recommendations on an inexpensive scale to measure stuff with?