Michael Turner
Volume breakdown by trip length and conditions: Day outings – 15–25 L (hydration, light shell, snacks, minimal first-aid, phone); Weekend 1–2 nights – 30–45 L (compact sleeping bag or quilt, small stove, 1–2 L water capacity, 1–2 days of food at ~0.6–1.0 kg/day, one extra insulating layer); Multi-night 3–5 nights – 50–65 L (full sleep system, shelter, stove and fuel to support multi-day cooking, 2–4 L water capacity when resupply limited, 3–5 days of food); Extended or winter trips – 65–85+ L (bulky insulated sleep system, thicker clothing, snow tools, larger tent, extra fuel).
Typical internal volume allocation: sleeping system 25–35%; shelter 15–25%; clothing 20–30%; cooking and food storage 15–25%; electronics and small items 5–10%. Water volume varies: carry 1–4 L (1–4 kg) when resupply is absent, and reserve 10–20% extra pack volume if hydration bladders or multiple bottles are used.
Weight targets and fit: base weight (pack plus non-consumables) 6–10 kg for experienced ultralight hikers, 8–14 kg typical for general users. Total carried mass including food and water commonly ranges 10–18 kg on multi-night outings. Aim to keep total mass under ~25% of body mass to improve comfort; hip belt should transfer 60–80% of load to hips; measure torso length (C7 to iliac crest) and match hip belt circumference to body measurements when selecting frame size.
Practical fit and packing tips: test a loaded pack by walking 10–20 minutes with target weight to confirm comfort; position hip belt on the iliac crests and tighten shoulder straps so the torso sits close to the frame without lifting hips; use compression straps and stuff sacks to reduce dead space; add a 10–20 L margin when carrying camera gear, climbing ropes, or bulky winter items.
Quick checklist: choose a pack that exceeds your minimum estimated volume by one size; verify torso length and hip fit before purchase; estimate food weight at 0.6–1.0 kg/day; plan water carry between 1–4 L depending on resupply options; add 10–20 L extra when winter kit or technical hardware is required.
Pack Volume Recommendations by Trip Type
Choose 30–40 L packs during overnight and minimalist weekend trips; 45–55 L during 2–5 night summer treks; 60–80 L during winter outings, extended expeditions, or when carrying group gear.
Aim for base weight targets: ultralight <10 kg; typical weekend total load 7–12 kg; 3–5 night trips 10–18 kg; winter or alpine loads 18–30+ kg. Keep carried weight under roughly 20–25% of body mass on multi-day outings; heavier loads require larger volume and sturdier suspension.
| Trip length | Suggested volume (L) | Typical loaded weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single night / minimalist | 20–35 L | 5–10 kg | Ultralight sleeping quilt, minimal cook kit, small water supply |
| Weekend (2 nights) | 30–40 L | 7–12 kg | Compact shelter, modest clothing layers, 1–2 L water capacity |
| 3–5 nights | 45–55 L | 10–18 kg | Full sleep system, cookset, 2–4 days food, seasonal clothing |
| Extended / winter / group gear | 60–80+ L | 18–30+ kg | Bulk insulation, heavier shelter, shared equipment, fuel |
Fit and load placement
Measure torso length from C7 to the iliac crest and select a pack with matching torso sizing or adjustable suspension. Hipbelt should sit on the iliac crest and carry roughly 60–70% of the load; shoulder straps handle 20–30%, remaining weight distributed by compression straps and a sternum strap. Place the heaviest items centered and as close to the spine as possible, slightly above hipbelt height, to preserve balance and reduce shoulder strain.
Itemized volume guidance
Compressed down sleeping bag 6–12 L; sleeping pad 4–12 L depending on thickness; one-person tent 6–15 L; cook kit 1–4 L; clothing layers 8–20 L depending on insulation and wet-weather gear; water capacity 2–4 L (1 L ≈ 1 kg); food roughly 0.6–1.2 kg per day, equating to ~1–3 L dry storage per day; repair kit, first aid, electronics 1–3 L. Add ~10–20% spare capacity to accommodate wet items or last-minute additions and verify that suspension and hipbelt are rated to carry anticipated loads before departure.
Choose pack liters by trip length: 1–3 day, 3–7 day, 7+ day
Recommendation: 1–3 day – 20–35 L; 3–7 day – 40–65 L; 7+ day – 70–100 L.
1–3 day & 3–7 day
1–3 day: 20–35 L covers a snug overnight kit with a lightweight shelter (single-wall tent or bivy), 1 sleeping bag (compressible), 1 sleeping pad, minimalist stove or cold meals, 1–2 changes of clothing, 1–3 L water capacity and food for 1–3 days. Aim for base weight (shelter, sleep, clothing, cook) 3–6 kg; total carried weight typically 5–8 kg. Urban or mixed trips that include hostels can drop to 15–25 L and switch to a daily messenger or daypack – consider a compact option like the best messenger bag black.
3–7 day: 40–65 L accommodates a double-wall tent, larger sleeping bag, 2–3 changes of clothing, full stove system with 0.5–1 L fuel, 2–4 L water storage, and 3–7 days of food (resupply reduces required volume). Target base weight 6–10 kg; total weight 8–14 kg. Use compression sacks and modular packing to keep a 50–60 L sack behaving like a smaller one when gear is minimal.
7+ day and alternatives
7+ day: 70–100 L is typical when carrying full food for several days, bulk fuel, a multi-person shelter, or cold-weather gear. If planning remote sections with no resupply, add ~1–1.5 L water capacity per 24 hours between reliable sources and allocate 15–25% of volume to food storage (freeze-dried meals, snacks). Aim base weight 8–12+ kg; expect total packloads of 12–18+ kg depending on weather and self-sufficiency.
If portions of the itinerary include vehicle access, airport transfers or long road segments, evaluate wheeled alternatives such as best luggage with removable wheels to reduce carried load. Use an internal-frame day pouch for summit pushes or short excursions so your main load can remain at camp or in a vehicle.
Match pack volume to your sleeping system and shelter (tent, bag, pad)
Recommendation: choose a pack whose internal capacity equals the combined packed volumes of shelter, sleeping bag and sleeping pad plus a 20–30% margin to carry clothing, stove, food and emergency gear.
Typical packed volumes: 1P ultralight tent: 6–10 L; compact 2P tent: 10–18 L; freestanding 2P: 12–20 L; 4-season tent: 18–30 L. Sleeping bags: down quilt/compressed bag: 2–8 L; synthetic insulated bag: 8–15 L; heavy winter bag: 15–30 L. Sleeping pads: ultralight inflatable: 1–3 L; insulated inflatable: 3–8 L; closed-cell foam: 12–25 L equivalent (non-compressible).
Measure actual gear: convert cylindrical stuff sacks to liters using V(L)=π*(d/2)^2*h/1000. Example: 35 cm length × 13 cm diameter → V ≈ 4.65 L. Sum tent + bag + pad volumes, then add the 20–30% margin described above.
Capacity guidance based on summed sleeping-system volume: total ≤10 L → 25–35 L pack; total 10–20 L → 35–55 L; total 20–40 L → 55–75 L; total >40 L → 75+ L and plan external lash options or a dedicated duffel if necessary.
Practical tips: compress down in a quality sack to reduce bag volume ~30–50%; keep the sleeping bag low and centered to improve load stability; place tent poles and stakes near the hip-belt zone to avoid pressure points; treat closed-cell foam as non-compressible and either allocate internal liters or secure externally with stable webbing and padding.
Seasonal adjustment: winter sleeping systems typically add 10–25 L versus summer setups; include that delta when selecting internal capacity and when deciding whether external carry is acceptable given route, weather and technical difficulty.
Estimate clothing volume: layering strategy, bulk items, and compression
Recommendation: allocate clothing volume by climate and trip length – warm-day hikes 4–6 L, three-season trips 8–14 L, cold-weather or extended outings 18–28 L.
- Layer counts and per-item volume (compressed where noted)
- Base layer top: 0.5–1.0 L
- Base layer bottoms: 0.3–0.6 L
- Light midlayer (light fleece/hoodie): 1.0–1.8 L
- Midweight fleece or heavier wool: 1.8–3.0 L
- Packable down/synthetic jacket (light, 200–400 g fill): 1.5–3.5 L compressed
- Heavy down parka (cold weather, 600–900 fill): 4–8 L uncompressed, 2–4 L when compressed
- Rain shell (waterproof): 1.0–1.8 L
- Softshell (wind/abrasion layer): 1.2–2.5 L
- Insulated pants: 2.0–4.0 L
- Hiking pants/shorts each: 0.8–1.2 L
- Extra camp clothing set (shirt + bottoms): 2.5–5.0 L
- Socks per pair: 0.2–0.5 L
- Gloves/mittens + hat: 0.3–1.0 L
- Camp shoes (sandals or lightweight shoes): 1.5–4.0 L
- Scenario totals (practical builds)
- Ultralight warm-weather day / 1–2 nights: 4–6 L (1 base top, 1 shorts/pants, thin mid, light rain shell packed small, 1 extra socks)
- Three-season multi-day (3–7 nights): 8–14 L (1 base, 1 mid, 1 puffy, rain shell, camp set, 2–3 socks, lightweight camp shoes)
- Cold or high-altitude multiday (7+ nights / winter): 18–28 L (extra insulating layers, heavy parka, insulated pants, heavier socks, bulkier gloves, camp shoes)
- Compression and organization tactics
- Use 3 L compression sack for puffy jacket – expect 30–60% volume reduction; a jacket that measures 7 L uncompressed typically compresses to ~2–3 L.
- Use 6–10 L compression sacks for combined puffy + midlayer or camp clothing; 12–20 L sacks suit multiple garments on longer trips.
- Packing cubes improve access but add small dead space; choose thin, low-profile cubes for organization without sacrificing compression.
- Stuff sacks (non-compression) work well for synthetics; they protect and slightly shape clothing but won’t reduce loft like compression sacks.
- Dry bags preserve waterproofing; if using a dry bag, place compression sack inside for both protection and reduced volume.
- Roll small items into boots/corners to use dead space; roll technique yields little benefit for insulated garments – stuff or compress instead.
- Temporary aggressive compression on down is acceptable on trips; avoid long-term storage compressed to preserve loft and insulation performance.
- Wear vs. carry
- Wear the bulkiest layers on the trail (puffy, shell, heavy footwear) to reduce carried volume by several liters and keep them accessible for changing conditions.
- Keep one lightweight insulating layer inside an external pocket if temperature swings are likely; accessing it without unpacking saves time and prevents over-packing.
- Quick checklist to estimate final clothing volume
- List items and assign per-item volume from the table above.
- Group compressible items into one or two sacks and apply 40–60% reduction for down, 20–40% for synthetic insulation.
- Add 1–3 L for camp shoes and miscellaneous soft items (bandana, buff, liners).
- Compare total to target scenario total and shave layers: remove duplicate items, swap heavy for lighter fabrics, or plan to wear bulk on trail.
Plan food and water capacity: daily liters, container types, and resupply
Carry at least 1.5–2.5 L/day per person on low- to moderate-effort days; increase to 3–4 L/day in hot, dry, high-altitude, heavy-pack, or long-hike conditions; add ~0.5–1 L per extra hour of intense exertion.
Water weight = 1 kg per 1 L (≈2.2 lb/L). Each extra liter directly increases load; plan litres carried against distance between reliable sources. If reliable sources occur every 4–6 km, carry a reserve of 1–2 L; where sources are sparse or treatment is slow, plan reserves of 3–6 L.
Container types: reservoirs (2–3 L bladders) provide continuous sipping and low center-of-gravity; soft flasks (250–800 mL) minimize bulk and fit shoulder pockets while hiking; hard bottles (0.5–1 L) resist puncture and double as stove pots; collapsible bottles (1 L) pack flat when empty and serve as backup collection vessels. Insulated sleeves prevent freezing at altitude.
Treatment options and performance: mechanical filters with 0.1–0.2 micron pores remove bacteria and protozoa, typical flow 0.5–2.5 L/min depending on model and clogging; chemical treatment (chlorine dioxide) requires ~30–45 min contact for turbid water; UV pens treat ~1 L in 60–90 seconds but need clear water and batteries; boiling to a rolling boil at sea level (increase time with altitude) removes pathogens reliably.
Caloric and mass planning: aim 2,000–2,500 kcal/day on easy sections and 2,500–3,500+ kcal/day on sustained high-output days. Use 125–175 kcal/oz (4.4–6.2 kcal/g) as a density guideline. Typical daily food mass spans 0.45–0.9 kg/day (1.0–2.0 lb/day) depending on calorie density; example: 3,000 kcal at 150 kcal/oz ≈ 20 oz ≈ 570 g.
Packing and storage volumes: dry bags sized 2 L (snacks), 4–6 L (multi-day meals), and 10+ L (group or bear-resistant stowage) work well. Bear-resistant containers commonly occupy ~7–11 L; split rations into multiple bags to avoid total loss from damage or contamination. Vacuum compression reduces volume while adding little weight.
Resupply planning: schedule drops or town pickups every 3–7 days on extended routes. If gaps exceed ~3 days, carry an extra emergency day of food plus additional water treatment supplies and at least 1–2 L extra potable water. Maildrops should use waterproof bags, clear inventory lists, and calorie-dense, compact items to minimize handling time.
Pack organization: stow water systems low and close to the back to preserve balance; keep one soft flask or bottle in an accessible pocket to sip frequently. Store cooked meal components near the top to access quickly at camp; keep snacks in shoulder pockets to maintain daytime energy. Label resupply bags with date and meal order using a permanent marker inside the dry bag.
Redundancy and emergency items: carry at least two water-treatment methods (example: a filter plus chemical tablets) or an easily replaceable chemical option. Include one emergency food day and at least one reliable method to melt snow or treat highly turbid sources. Test all treatment equipment before departure.
Calculate baseweight and compare to pack volume and carry weight limits
Aim for a baseweight of 4.5–9 kg (10–20 lb); verify packed volumes fit ≤70–80% of the listed liters and keep total carried mass below ~20–25% of body mass for routine multi-day travel (≤15% for long-distance, ≤30–35% acceptable for short high-intensity outings).
Measure baseweight
Definition: baseweight = all wearable and carried gear (shelter, sleep system, clothing, cook kit, electronics, repair/first-aid, toiletries, pack itself) excluding food, water, fuel, and other consumables. Method: (1) Lay out every item and note manufacturer weight; (2) confirm with a digital postal scale–either weigh items individually and sum, or weigh the fully loaded gear setup, then remove consumables and re-weigh to get baseweight; (3) convert units: 1 kg = 2.2046 lb. Example: pack 1.2 kg + tent 1.8 kg + bag 0.9 kg + pad 0.5 kg + clothing 1.2 kg + cook/electronics 1.4 kg = baseweight 7.0 kg (15.4 lb).
Compare to volume and carry limits
Volume check: add packed volumes (manufacturers list liters or use compression-sack displacement). Typical packed volumes: modern down bag 6–12 L, closed-cell pad 6–12 L, sleeping pad (inflatable) 8–18 L, solo tent 10–18 L. Sum packed liters of shelter + sleep + bulk clothing + stuff sacks; target ≤70–80% of main compartment liters so external pockets and lid space remain usable. If required liters exceed pack volume, either reduce bulky items or select larger liters.
Weight check: compute total carried mass = baseweight + food weight (estimate 0.8–1.2 kg per day) + starting water (0.5–1.5 kg depending on resupply frequency) + fuel and consumables. Example: baseweight 7.0 kg + 3 days food @1.0 kg/day (3.0 kg) + 1.5 L water (1.5 kg) = 11.5 kg total. Convert to body-mass percentage: 11.5 kg / 75 kg = 15.3%. Use target thresholds from first paragraph. Also compare to pack design limits: check manufacturer recommended load range and hipbelt/framesheet capacity; ensure hipbelt will bear ~60–80% of load. Final verification: load the gear as planned and walk at least 1–2 hours on representative terrain; if discomfort or compression of suspension occurs, reduce weight or increase liters.
Fit matters: measure torso length, hipbelt fit, and impacts on usable volume
Match torso length to the pack’s torso measurement within ±1–2 cm and use a hipbelt that centers over the iliac crest; this setup should transfer roughly 70–80% of load to the hips and preserve the usable volume of the carry system.
Torso measurement – exact steps and target ranges
- Locate C7 (the most prominent neck vertebra) and the top of the iliac crest (hip bone). Measure along the spine between those two points while standing straight; record in centimetres.
- Common manufacturer fit bands (approximate): XS 35–40 cm, S 41–45 cm, M 46–50 cm, L 51–55 cm, XL 56+ cm. Adjustable harnesses typically offer ~4–6 cm of tuning.
- If your measurement falls between bands pick an adjustable harness or the longer option when carrying heavier loads; a mismatch of 3–5 cm alters load path enough to create shoulder strain or hip slippage.
- Test with a full load: walk 20–30 minutes on flat ground and one short climb; note shoulder pressure, sternum strain, and whether the hipbelt stays put.
Hipbelt fit, load transfer, and usable volume effects
- Measure hip circumference at the top of the iliac crest. Hipbelt size must match that measurement; padding should wrap around the iliac crest so the belt sits squarely on bone, not soft tissue.
- Properly seated hipbelt transfers the bulk of weight off shoulders. If shoulders bear more than 30% of load you will reach fatigue sooner and perceive less usable capacity.
- Fit mismatches and their practical outcomes:
- Torso too long: pack rides high, shoulder straps pull upward, usable internal space near the top becomes hard to access; expect a comfort/usable-volume loss of ~5–15% and greater neck/shoulder fatigue.
- Torso too short: hipbelt rides over lower ribs or under hips causing chafing and poor leverage; heavy items feel unstable and usable volume may be reduced by ~5–10% because you’ll avoid loading top compartments.
- Hipbelt too small or too large by >5 cm: hip transfer efficiency drops markedly, shoulders pick up extra load and perceived capacity drops ~10–25% depending on load weight.
- Load placement rules to maximize usable space:
- Pack heavy items centered within 5–10 cm of the spine and aligned with the top of the hipbelt.
- Tighten hipbelt first, then shoulder straps so weight sits on hips and straps only stabilize the torso.
- Set load-lifters at roughly 30–45° to pull the top of the frame toward your shoulders; this reduces cantilever and increases usable internal volume by keeping weight close to your back.
- If fit cannot be corrected: use internal compression, stuff-sacks, or removable lid accessories to reconfigure contents and reduce effective volume; test on-trail with the full kit rather than by feel in store.
Quick practical tip: include a small test item such as a 2–3 kg bag of water or food and hike at least 30 minutes – that reveals hidden fit problems sooner. Small side reference on carrying liquids and temperature handling: are you supposed to chill red wine.
