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The FE5-ELITE has to be able to hold all of the equipment while still being light-weight

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The FE5-ELITE has to be able to hold all of the equipment while still being light-weight

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The backpack can hold the tripod and markers in specific spots of the backpack. The effective, long-lasting side can hold water bottles and the tripod, while the back has a spot for the markers in a strong, water resistant, easy-to-reach area. It is supposed to be light weight so you can climb trees and specific areas, so you can depend on the backpack not to make you hunch over or feel sore. It has a tough, versatile waist strap that doubles as a harness and is used as a strong stability. It also has a clean stainless steel stove that can boil water or cook food when needed.

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We hear this question a lot from new and experienced hikers alike: How much should your backpack weigh?

Lots of factors go into determining pack weight, making it tough to give an exact weight recommendation for every hiker. To get some help, we turned to one of our pack-fit pros, Valerie Loughney, from our REI Silverdale store in Washington.
When determining your pack weight, follow these very general guidelines:

A loaded backpacking pack should not weigh more than about 20 percent of your body weight.

A loaded day hiking pack should not weigh more than about 10 percent of your body weight.

So, for example, a hiker who weighs 150 pounds should strive to carry 30 pounds or less while backpacking and 15 pounds or less while day hiking. Using these body weight percentages as a guide will help you keep your pack at a manageable weight. However, they don't work in every situation. For instance, very petite backpackers will often end up carrying more than 20 percent because you can only get your pack weight so low. In addition to body weight, Loughney says, the following factors play a big part in the overall weight of your pack:

Trip duration: The longer your trip, the more food, water and fuel you'll need to carry, which, of course, adds weight to your pack. Even on multiday adventures, you'll still want your pack close to 20 percent of your body weight, so you'll need to be extra thoughtful about the gear and clothing you're carrying to compensate for all that extra gear.

Season/weather: If you're heading out in frigid temps, you'll need to have warmer, heavier clothing and gear than if you're trekking in sunny summer weather.

Personal preference: Some people value comfort at camp and are willing to accept the inherent weight that comes with hauling in luxuries like a hammock, extra clothes and a thick, cushy sleeping pad. Others are OK with wearing the same clothes for days on end and sleeping on a lightweight pad.

How to Reduce Pack Weight

Most hikers and backpackers see the value in carrying less weight: It can help you travel faster, farther and more comfortably. However, keep in mind that you don't want to compromise your well-being by skimping on certain items, such as a first-aid kit and other Ten Essentials. You can still choose lightweight versions of these, but don't leave them out entirely. Also, don't go so light that you have to rely on your hiking buddies for extra food or a warm layer. No one likes a moocher.

With that said, Loughney offers these suggestions for reducing pack weight:

Know your base weight: Base weight is how much your loaded pack weighs, minus "consumables," such as food, water and fuel. You exclude these things because their amounts vary trip to trip and will decrease throughout your journey as you eat, drink and cook. But everything else that goes in your pack, such as your tent, sleeping bag, water filter, stove and clothing, will not change much from trip to trip. Knowing your base weight gives you a consistent number that you can work on reducing.

Some backpackers define themselves based on their pack base weight. For instance, you're generally considered an ultralight backpacker if your base weight is under 10 pounds and a lightweight backpacker if your base weight is under 20 pounds. Most traditional backpackers will have a base weight under 30 pounds.

Weigh your gear: Use a kitchen scale or luggage scale to weigh all your current gear. This includes everything from your underwear to camp stove. You probably have a handful of similar items at home, such as a couple of fleece jackets, and knowing the exact weight of each one can help you decide which to bring. Recording weights in a spreadsheet is helpful for comparing items and planning your next adventure, and you can add up the weights to get your base weight.

Replace old gear with lighter gear: Every year lighter gear hits the market. So, if you can afford to do so, replacing your older, heavier gear with new, lighter pieces will quickly drop your pack weight. Focus first on the big four: your pack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and tent. Strive to get a pack and tent that each weigh about three pounds or less and you'll be off to a great start. Do the same for the combined weight of your sleeping bag and pad. Even lighter options exist if you're really counting ounces.

Eliminate unnecessary items: When you get back from a trip, take everything out of your pack and lay it on the floor. Then sort your things into three piles: Items you used a lot, items you used occasionally and items you never used. Take a close look at the things in the occasional and never piles and decide if you really need them next time. Loughney cautions that many hikers take too much clothing and food, so, ask yourself things like, Do those pajama pants or extra pair of underwear really need to go along? And if I didn't eat any of those blueberry-flavored energy bars on this trip, should I bring them next time?

It can be helpful to snap a picture of your piles so you can remember what you did and didn't use when packing for your next trip. And remember, there are some items, such as a first-aid kit, that may not get much use but always need to go with you.

Meal plan: Quickly grabbing a bunch of food on your way out the door is a sure way to end up with an overloaded pack. Take a few moments to plan out your menu ahead of time by writing down what you will eat for each meal. Although it's wise to carry a little extra food, a bit of planning will prevent an irrational amount of beef jerky or chocolate from ending up in your pack. A reasonable goal is 1.5 to 2.5 pounds of food (or 2,500 to 4,500 calories) per person per day depending on your size, weight and exertion level. Learn more in our article about meal planning for backpacking trips.

Repackage: Do you really need a giant tube of toothpaste for a weekend trip? What about the cardboard box for your mac and cheese? Repackaging or removing items is an easy way to save weight. You can use small reusable travel bottles for things like toothpaste and sunscreen. For food, put your goodies in simple, lightweight plastic bags rather than taking along the original packaging (don't repackage freeze-dried meals; those are meant to be carried as is).

Also, think about how you pack your gear and clothing. Individual stuff sacks are great for organization, but they add ounces. Many lightweight backpackers will ditch the stuff sack for their tent and pack the tent directly into their backpack. Same goes for the stuff sacks that hold the tent poles and stakes.

Use a gear list: Using a list when you're packing will help keep you from tossing in unnecessary items. Use our backpacking checklist or ultralight backpacking checklist to get started and adapt them as you need to. To really save weight, avoid taking along items that have only a single use, such as a pillow (you can use a rolled-up jacket instead).

Share the weight: Spread the load out among your hiking partners. Just because you own the tent, stove and water filter doesn't mean you must carry them all. Distribute these shared items among your hiking group to help even out the weight.

Packing Your Gear

No matter how light your gear is, haphazardly cramming items in your pack can result in an uncomfortable, unstable load. There's a method to the madness that will help the pack feel balanced and secure.

First and foremost, Loughney recommends using a pack that's large enough to fit all your gear and clothing inside rather than using a small pack that requires strapping a bunch of things to the outside. Having items outside the pack can cause the load to feel unstable. For specific tips on exactly how to load your pack, learn more in our article: How to Pack and Hoist a Backpack.

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How Much Should Your Pack Weigh? - REI Co-op Journal

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We hear this question a lot from new and experienced hikers alike: How much should your backpack weigh? Lots of factors go into determining pack weight, making it tough to give an exact weight recommendation for every hiker. To get some help, we turned to one of our pack-fit pros, Valerie Loughney, from our REI Silverdale store in Washington.

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Climate

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Wildlife

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Physical appearance

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Above all else, the best backpack for you is the one that fits your body the best. One of the keys to finding that right backpack is to get one that is the correct size (e.g., small, medium, large). Your torso length-not your height-is the key measurement.

This article gives steps for measuring at home. Your best resource, though, is a pack-fit expert at your local REI store. Store experts can visually assess your unique fit needs and work through them with you.

This article also covers how to adjust the fit of your new pack and suggests tweaks to manage comfort as you hike.

For help in deciding which backpack's capacity and features will best serve your needs on the trail, read Backpacks: How to Choose.

Measure Your Torso Length

1. Tilt your head forward and feel for the bony bump where the slope of your shoulders meets your neck. This is your 7th cervical (or C7) vertebra-and the top of your torso length.

2. On each side of your body, slide your hands down the ribcage to the top of your hip bones (aka the iliac crest). With index fingers pointing forward and thumbs pointing backward, draw an imaginary line between your thumbs. This spot on your lumbar is the bottom of your torso measurement.

3. Stand up straight and have your friend measure the distance between the C7 and the imaginary line between your thumbs. That's your torso length.

Use Your Torso Length to Find Your Pack Size

REI.com product pages list torso ranges for each pack size. Torso ranges for pack sizes vary between brands and models, so always check the size chart for any pack you are considering. If you fall between sizes, visit an REI store to try on each size. In addition, because home measurement is rarely perfect, your best fit will always come if you physically try on backpacks.

Video: Finding Your Torso Length

To measure your hip size, wrap your tape measure around the top of your hips, hugging the iliac crest you found when measuring your torso length. This line is slightly higher than your beltline, so hipbelt size differs slightly from pant-waist size.

Double check on REI.com to be sure the waist/hip measurement on your chosen pack size is right for you. If not, call your nearest REI store to find out about interchangeable hipbelt options.

If your other fit adjustments don't seem to work correctly, re-check and reset the torso length. Adjustment straps can't compensate for an incorrectly set adjustable suspension system. If you're having trouble, bring the pack to an REI store for help.

Your new backpack has several straps to adjust your load for greater comfort. Your legs have some of the strongest muscles in your body, so the goal is to adjust your straps so that the majority of the load rests on your hips.

You have four primary adjustment straps:

Start with about 15 pounds of weight in the pack to simulate a load. You'll also need your friend or a mirror to help you check the fit after each adjustment step. Loosen all of the adjustment straps slightly before you start.

Adjustments happen in two primary phases:

The Main Event: shoulder straps/hipbelt

The Finale: load-lifters/sternum strap

In addition, because fit adjustment is a dynamic process, experienced hikers continuously work to relieve pressure points by fiddling with the tension in their straps (the encore).

Put the pack on. Move the hipbelt until the padding hugs the top of your hip bones (your iliac crest). If it sits too low or too high, tighten or loosen the shoulder straps to raise or lower the hipbelt.

Fasten the hipbelt buckle and tighten it. Be careful not to overtighten the belt: It should be snug and secure without uncomfortably pinching your hips.

Check the padded sections of the hipbelt to make sure they sit on the top of your hips; if not, readjust your shoulder straps and hipbelt. Try different tensions until you find the sweet spot.

Belt padding should extend slightly beyond the front point of your hipbones. You also need at least one inch of clearance on either side of the center buckle: If you have less, call REI to see if a smaller belt is available.

Pull down and back on the ends of the shoulder straps to tighten them.

Shoulder straps should wrap closely around your shoulders, but they should NOT be carrying significant weight. If they are, you'll be putting undue stress on shoulder, neck and upper-back muscles.

Check to see that the shoulder strap anchor points on your pack are 1 to 2 inches below the top of your shoulders, roughly at the top of your shoulder blades. If not, then either your hipbelt is at the wrong level or your pack's torso length is incorrect.

Vary shoulder-strap tension by tightening and loosening the straps. Learn how to adjust the straps in small increments so you can relieve any pressure points or pain during your hike.

Load-lifter straps connect the top of the shoulder harness to an anchor point near the top of the back panel. When tensioned, they should angle back toward the pack body at roughly a 45-degree angle.

Don't overtighten the load lifters! Excess tension that feels great initially can pinch shoulder joints and create discomfort. Strive for snug-not stiff-tension. If you notice a space at the top of your shoulder harness, loosen the load lifters and try again.

Slide the sternum strap until it's at a comfortable height across your chest: roughly an inch below your collarbones.

Buckle and tighten the sternum strap to set the shoulder straps at a width that allows your arms to move freely.

Avoid the common mistake of overtightening the sternum strap. This can distort the overall fit of your harness, constrict your chest muscles and restrict your breathing.

Fit Adjustment on the Trail

Master how things adjust by playing with all of your straps extensively when you first get your pack.

Ensure you can always return to your preferred fit by memorizing what that looks like at home.

Tweak adjustment straps as you hike to alleviate aches, pains and pressure points. Trial and error will tell you what works best for your pack and your body.

A common tactic to manage load fatigue is to tighten the shoulder straps and loosen the hipbelt, then reverse those steps later.

Be aware of body position: Leaning slightly forward will make the load feel more in balance.

Take your pack off whenever you stop for a break. That gives your hard-working back a chance to rest and breathe while you stretch out overworked muscles.

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Above all else, the best backpack for you is the one that fits your body the best. One of the keys to finding that right backpack is to get one that is the correct size (e.g., small, medium, large). Your torso length-not your height-is the key measurement.

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How much can I carry while still making my bag extremely light weight

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How much can I carry while still making my bag extremely light weight

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Important User Information: Remote access to EBSCO's databases is permitted to patrons of subscribing institutions accessing from remote locations for personal, non-commercial use. However, remote access to EBSCO's databases from non-subscribing institutions is not allowed if the purpose of the use is for commercial gain through cost reduction or avoidance for a non-subscribing institution.

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Important User Information: Remote access to EBSCO's databases is permitted to patrons of subscribing institutions accessing from remote locations for personal, non-commercial use. However, remote access to EBSCO's databases from non-subscribing institutions is not allowed if the purpose of the use is for commercial gain through cost reduction or avoidance for a non-subscribing institution.

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Learn how to choose a backpack for your next backcountry trip based on trip length and capacity, fit, frame type, features and more.

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Anders M. Backpack basics. Boy's Life, 18-21. 2015.