Know your pack weight before you hit the trail

Add your gear, see the total, and compare against real targets. No account needed. Everything runs in your browser.

Start planning How it works
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Item Category Weight Qty Remove

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How to use this planner

Pick your unit and preset

Choose pounds, ounces, grams, or kilograms. Then load a preset to see a sample gear list, or start with a blank slate.

Add or edit your gear

Type in each item, pick a category, and enter the weight. Quantity lets you count multiples like stuff sacks or water bottles.

Watch the sidebar update

Your total weight, category breakdown, and target comparison all update as you type. Heavy items get flagged so you can spot savings.

Save, share, or print

Save your list in the browser for next time. Copy a share link that encodes your whole list. Or print a clean summary to stuff in your pack.

Why pack weight matters

The big three

Your pack, shelter, and sleep system usually make up half your baseweight. Shaving weight here has the biggest impact. A lighter pack feels good on day one. A lighter pack on day five when your legs are tired feels like a gift.

Consumables are separate

This planner tracks gear weight only. Food and water change daily. A common rule is about 2 pounds of food per day. Water needs depend on the route. Plan those separately once your gear weight is set.

Do not cut safety to save weight

A first aid kit, navigation, and emergency shelter are not places to cut corners. The planner flags heavy items to help you see options, but the final call is yours. Being warm and found beats being light and lost.

Test before you go

Weigh your actual gear on a kitchen scale. Manufacturer weights are often optimistic. Enter real numbers for a more accurate plan. A small digital scale costs very little and pays for itself on the first trip.

Common mistakes and quick wins

Mistakes people make

  • Bringing "just in case" items that never leave the pack
  • Carrying a full-size towel instead of a small bandana
  • Not weighing gear and trusting the manufacturer spec
  • Skipping the planner and guessing the total
  • Cutting the first aid kit to save a few ounces
  • Bringing three pairs of shoes for a weekend trip

Easy weight savings

  • Use a stuff sack instead of a hard-shell case for your sleep pad
  • Cut your toothbrush handle in half (it still works fine)
  • Repack food into zip bags and leave the boxes at home
  • Share group gear like a stove or shelter with a partner
  • Swap a heavy multi-tool for a small pocket knife
  • Leave the camp chair. A foam pad or log works too.

Questions people ask

What counts as baseweight?

Baseweight is everything you carry that is not food, water, or fuel. It includes your pack, shelter, sleep system, clothing worn or carried, cook gear, and all small items. Wearable items like shoes and a hat are sometimes excluded. This planner includes everything for a complete picture.

Is there a "right" pack weight? There is no single right number. A 12-pound baseweight might be perfect for a weekend in mild weather and way too heavy for a long mountain traverse. Start with your actual gear, see where you land, and adjust from there. The targets in the sidebar are common ranges, not rules.

Can I use this for car camping?

Yes. Pick the family car camping preset to see a sample list. Weight matters less when you are not carrying everything on your back, but the planner still helps you organize and avoid forgetting things.

Does this work offline?

Once the page loads, everything runs in your browser. You do not need an internet connection to add items or see your totals. Saving and sharing do need a browser that supports localStorage and the clipboard.

Where does the data go?

Nowhere. Your gear list stays in your browser. The share link encodes your list in the URL so you can send it to someone, but nothing is stored on a server. Clear your browser data or click Clear all to remove it.