Michael Turner
Choose a 40–50 L pack when carrying a one‑person tent, a 800–1,200 g sleeping bag and a minimalist cook setup. That range accommodates 2–3 clothing changes, ~1–2 kg of food per 24‑hour period, a 1–1.5 L water reservoir, a small stove and cookware, plus electronics and toiletries with some spare room.
Volume breakdown guidance: shelter and sleep system 35–45% of total volume; clothing and insulation 15–20%; food, fuel and water 10–20%; stove, cooking kit and repair items 5–10%; electronics and hygiene 5–10%; spare buffer 5–10%. Example: on a 45 L pack expect ~16–20 L taken by tent and sleeping bag, 7–9 L by clothing, 5–8 L by food and cook gear.
By load style: ultralight hikers with quilts and tarp systems can manage in 30–35 L (baseweight under 5 kg excluding consumables); standard weekend comfort setups sit at 40–50 L; cold or wet conditions, group cooking or carrying bulky camera or technical gear push needs to 55–65 L. Convert bulk to weight when planning: a compressible down jacket (1.2–1.5 kg) often compacts to 2–3 L, while the same weight in canned food occupies much more.
Packing tips: use compression sacks and dry bags to reduce occupied L and stabilize the load; keep heavy items close to the hips and centered; do a loaded test carry of 4–6 hours to verify fit and pressure points. If resupply is feasible on route, drop food volume and target 30–40 L; if temperatures fall below freezing, increase to 55–65 L to allow bulkier sleep and insulation systems.
Recommended capacity ranges for a 72-hour outing
Select a 40–55 L rucksack on a 72-hour outing involving a two-person tent and full cook kit; select 30–40 L when pursuing ultralight tactics (solo shelter, dehydrated food, minimal spare clothing).
Approximate volume allocation (L): shelter 10–15; sleeping quilt or bag 6–12; sleeping pad (rolled) 2–5; clothing 10–18 (base layer, insulating layer, rain shell); food/snacks 3–6; water carriage 1–3 (bladder) + 0.5–1 bottle; stove + fuel 1–2; electronics/power 1–3; toiletries + medkit 0.5–1.5; repair/extra 0.5–1; contingency space 4–8.
Target weights: base weight (w/o food, fuel, water) 4–8 kg for ultralight setups, 6–10 kg typical for comfort-oriented loads; fully loaded pack usually lands between 8–14 kg depending on water and fuel needs.
<p Packing efficiency tips: compress sleeping system into a 3–5 L dry sack to cut its bulk by ~30–50%; wear the bulkiest jacket and boots en route to shrink internal volume; combine garments (insulating layer with integrated hood) to save 2–4 L; share cooking gear when paired; store frequently used items at the top or in side pockets to avoid unpacking the main compartment.
Rain and sun strategy: carry a small rain shell plus a hands-free option such as an umbrella hat (best buy umbrella hat) to keep wet-weather gear outside the rucksack and reduce internal dampness and bulk.
<p Climate adjustments: add 5–10 L for cold-weather insulation and a thicker sleeping pad; in warm, dry conditions, shave about 5–10 L by dropping heavy insulation and choosing lighter shelter options.
Recommended pack volume – 72‑hour city & hostel stays
25–35 L suits minimalist packing during 72‑hour urban and hostel stays; 35–45 L fits an extra pair of shoes, small camera kit and a compact daybag; 45–55 L applies when carrying bulkier gear or anticipating significant shopping.
Packing checklist by capacity
- 25–35 L – 3 tops, 2 bottoms (one convertible), 3 underwear, 3 socks, lightweight jacket, compact toiletry kit, phone + charger, passport, slim wallet, one pair comfortable walking shoes.
- 35–45 L – add a second shoe, small mirrorless camera or travel tripod, lightweight rain shell, extra electronics cable, small souvenirs space (~5 L).
- 45–55 L – room for bulkier shoes, jacket, extra layers, presentable outfit, up to 10 L reserved for shopping or gifts.
Practical tactics
- Target carry weight: 6–9 kg; aim to keep cabin luggage below 10 kg when flying.
- Use 1–2 packing cubes: one for tops/bottoms, one for underwear/socks; saves time at hostel lockers.
- Toiletries: combine into a single clear zip bag; total liquids ≤1 L, single bottles ≤100 ml on flights.
- Laundry plan: quick sink wash dries overnight if fabrics are lightweight; many hostels offer coin-operated machines.
- Leave 5–10 L empty if you expect purchases; compressible bags help adjust usable volume.
- Security: use a slim padlock and a money belt for valuables; store charging cables separately to speed up security checks.
- Deep shoe cleaning between urban stops: see best pressure washer for mobile valeting.
Recommended carry capacity: 30–55 L – 3-night self-supported trek with tent
Choose a pack in the 30–55 L range: 30–40 L when running ultralight kit and minimal shelter; 40–55 L with a freestanding one- or two-person tent, stove and extra layers; exceed 55 L only when sharing group gear or hauling large water reserves.
Volume tiers by setup
- Ultralight solo: 30–35 L. Baseweight target 3.5–5.5 kg. Consumables (food + water + fuel) 1.5–2.5 kg.
- Standard solo: 40–45 L. Baseweight 5.5–8.0 kg. Consumables 2.0–3.5 kg.
- Wet/cold or shared kit: 50–65 L. Baseweight 7.0–11.0 kg. Consumables 3.0–5.0 kg.
Itemized volume and weight estimates
- Tent: 1P ultralight ≈1.0–1.5 kg, packs to 7–12 L; 2P freestanding ≈1.8–2.8 kg, 10–18 L.
- Sleeping bag: 500–1,200 g, 6–15 L compressed.
- Sleeping pad: 300–900 g, occupies 2–6 L when packed lengthwise.
- Cook system + stove + small fuel canister: 150–500 g, 1–3 L.
- Food (72‑hr): 1.5–3.0 kg, typically 2–6 L of drybag volume depending on packaging.
- Water reserve: 0.5–3.0 L carried as needed; every 1 L adds ~1 kg and ~1 L of storage.
- Clothing: 0.8–1.8 kg; puffy jacket 3–6 L, extra layers 4–8 L total.
- Shoes + socks: 900–1,600 g; add bulk across main compartment or external lash points.
- Repair kit / first aid / navigation: 200–400 g; 0.5–1 L.
Packing recommendations:
- Prioritize a pack with internal lid and side pockets if using 40 L or smaller; external pockets aid access to water and snacks.
- Compress shelter and sleeping bag into separate sacks to reduce dead air and free space for food/water.
- Plan resupply points or water sources to avoid carrying maximum quantities; if uncertain, carry at least 2.0–3.0 L at the start of a long stretch without reliable water.
- Test stowed configuration at home: load typical baseweight plus 72‑hr consumables, wear pack and check torso fit, hipbelt contact and shoulder comfort.
- If gear bulk (bulky clothing, non-compressible insulation, group tent) dominates more than weight, choose the next size up in the 45–55 L band.
Allocate 20–30 L of capacity to clothing and weather layers during 72 hours.
Layer-by-layer volume breakdown
Base layers: 2 sets (one worn, one spare) – compact merino/nylon top + bottom = 1.5–3 L total; weight 300–500 g.
Mid-layer: 1 lightweight fleece or synthetic pullover – 1–2 L; 200–350 g.
Insulated jacket: 1 packable down or synthetic – 3–5 L when compressed; 250–500 g. If nights expected below freezing, add a heavier insulated piece (+2–3 L).
Shell: 1 waterproof breathable jacket (and optionally packable pants) – jacket 1–2 L, pants 0.5–1.5 L; 150–400 g.
Underwear & socks: 3 pairs underwear = 0.5–1 L; 3 pairs socks (including one warm pair) = 1–1.5 L; total weight 150–300 g.
Sleep layer / camp clothing: 1 lightweight top and shorts/pants = 1–2 L; 150–300 g.
Extras (gloves, hat, buff, gaiters) combined = 0.5–1.5 L; 50–250 g depending on materials.
Reserve for wet clothing: if wet weather likely, add 1–3 L to keep a dry change sealed separately.
Target packed clothing volume: 18–28 L; with compression and small organizational pieces this fits within a 20–30 L clothing allocation during 72 hours.
Packing and volume-management tactics
Use a 3–5 L waterproof stuff sack for the worn-at-night spare and emergency warm layer; use one 6–10 L compression sack for bulk items (insulated jacket + mid-layer) – expect 40–60% volume reduction versus uncompressed. Packing cubes: small (4–6 L) for underwear/socks, medium (8–12 L) for base/mid-layers.
Weigh items before departure and prioritize high warmth-to-volume pieces (e.g., 800-fill down, synthetic jackets with high loft). If rain or wind probability >40%, shift 1–2 L from casual items into shell/wet-change capacity. For product selection guidance see best backpack for summer camp.
Food & water quantities – 72‑hour with/without resupply
Recommendation: carry 6–12 L water and 1.5–2.4 kg food per person over 72‑h without resupply; with one planned mid‑route refill carry 2–4 L water and 0.6–1.2 kg food.
Typical fluid needs per 24‑h: cool/light activity 1–1.5 L; moderate activity 2–3 L; hot/strenuous 3–5 L. Three‑day totals therefore sit at roughly 3–4.5 L, 6–9 L, and 9–15 L respectively – choose the range that matches temperature, exertion and elevation.
Calorie targets and dry weight: aim ~2,200 kcal/24‑h for light days, ~2,800 kcal/24‑h moderate, ~3,500+ kcal/24‑h heavy. Using ~450 kcal per 100 g as a practical average (mix of freeze‑dried meals, bars, nuts), estimated dry food mass across 72‑h: light ≈1.47 kg; moderate ≈1.87 kg; heavy ≈2.33 kg. Dry food volume averages about 1–1.5 L per kg, so expected food volume across 72‑h: light ~1.5–2.2 L; moderate ~1.9–2.8 L; heavy ~2.3–3.5 L.
Resupply strategy: carry only enough water to reach the next refill plus a safety reserve of 200–500 mL. Recommended carriage setups: one 1–2 L bladder plus one 0.5–1 L bottle, or two 1 L bottles; add a collapsible soft container (1–2 L) when caching or collecting extra at reliable sources.
Water treatment options reduce carried volume: pump or gravity filters (0.2–0.5 μm), UV pens, or chlorine dioxide tablets; filters typically weigh 200–400 g and allow a strategy of carrying less water but treating on the go. If snow or ice melting is required, plan additional fuel and account for slower water production rates.
Safety margins: increase planned water by 10–20% and food by 10–15% when crossing arid terrain, facing heat, or when resupply reliability is uncertain. Adjust targets upward for heavier people, longer moving hours, or prolonged high exertion.
Sleep & cooking gear volume – 3 nights
Recommendation: allocate 8–14 L total; typically 5–9 L assigned to the sleep system and 3–5 L assigned to cooking kit plus meal storage and fuel during a 3-night outing.
Sleep-system allocation
Sleeping bag: packed 3–12 L depending on insulation type and temperature rating – ultralight down 3–6 L, insulated/synthetic 7–12 L. Sleep pad: rolled or folded pads usually 1–4 L; ultralight air pads compress to 1–2 L, thicker foam/insulated pads near 3–4 L. Pillow or clothing-as-pillow: 0.5–1.5 L. Small repair kit and sack: 0.3–0.8 L.
Cooking kit allocation
Stove + fuel container: 0.5–2 L depending on stove type and fuel capacity (canister setups at the low end, liquid-fuel or multi-fuel systems toward the high end). Pot and nesting cookware: 0.7–2.5 L depending on pot diameter and nesting efficiency. Utensils, cup, lighter: 0.2–0.6 L. Meal storage (dehydrated meals, snacks) compressed into 1–3 L per person when all meals carried. Add 0.5–1 L fuel reserve when temperatures are low or resupply is unavailable.
| Item | Typical packed volume (L) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeping bag | 3–12 | Down compresses smallest; higher warmth ratings increase size |
| Sleep pad | 1–4 | Inflatables roll small; insulated foam larger |
| Pillow / pillow alternative | 0.5–1.5 | Stuffed clothing often reduces dedicated pillow volume |
| Stove + fuel container | 0.5–2 | Canister stoves compact; liquid-fuel systems bulkier |
| Cookware (pot, lid) | 0.7–2.5 | Nesting sets cut volume by 30–50% |
| Utensils, cup, lighter | 0.2–0.6 | Titanium or compact kit minimizes size |
| Meals & snack storage | 1–3 | Dehydrated meals compress; avoid oversized containers |
| Fuel reserve | 0.5–1 | Add when cold conditions present or resupply absent |
Reduce volume with compression, shared gear, minimalist choices
Target a 30–50% cut in carried volume by combining compression sacks, shared camp systems, and multi-use clothing choices.
Compression tactics: swap synthetic sleeping bag for a comparable-fill down model to shrink packed size by 20–30%; place sleeping bag and puffy jacket into a 2–3‑strap compression sack to gain an additional 40–60% reduction versus loose stuffing. Packable puffy garments compress 50–70% compared with bulky fleeces.
Shared systems: pair- or group-sharing shelters and cooking gear reduces per-person bulk markedly – a two-person shelter split between two people halves shelter volume per head; one pot plus one small stove shared across 3–4 people cuts individual cookware volume roughly 60–75%. Distribute fuel and group food evenly to avoid any single person carrying excess.
Minimalist clothing choices: replace a heavy midlayer with a high-loft puffy plus thin merino or synthetic baselayer to drop clothing volume ~30–40%. Wear the bulkiest items while moving to remove them from packed volume. Limit footwear to one primary pair and ultralight camp shoes to reduce shoe volume ~35–45%.
Food and water strategies: switch to dehydrated meals to reduce food bulk 60–70% and repackage into zip sacks to eliminate original packaging. Carry a lightweight water-treatment system and plan resupply or caching at known points to lower peak carried water by 50–100% depending on availability.
Sleep and cook kit minimization: choose tarp-plus-mesh or ultralight single-wall shelters to halve packed shelter volume versus conventional tents. Opt for a compact alcohol or canister micro-stove and a single titanium pot that doubles as bowl to shrink cooking kit by ~50%.
Packing, repackaging and multi-role items: roll and stuff clothing into compression drybags, replace bulky stuff-sacks with low-profile compression sacks sized closely to contents, and decant food into vacuum or Ziploc pouches. Prioritize items that perform two roles (e.g., pot as mug, puffy as pillow) to cut item count ~25–35%.
Example calculation: starting packed volume = 40 units. Apply compression sacks (-45%) → 22 units. Share shelter split (-50%) → 11 units. Switch to dehydrated meals and repackage (-65% on food component) → final carried volume ~8–12 units per person, depending on group sharing ratio and water strategy.
FAQ:
How many liters should my backpack be for a 3-day trip?
For most 3-day trips a pack in the 30–45 L range works well. If you carry a tent, sleeping bag and stove for overnight camping, aim for 35–45 L in warm weather; if your sleeping bag or other items are bulky (cold-season gear), plan on 45–60 L. For hut-to-hut trips or if you can leave the tent at home, a 20–30 L pack is often enough. Fit matters more than the number on the tag: make sure the hipbelt bears most of the loaded weight and that torso length matches you. Before you go, load the pack with the items you plan to bring and walk around to check comfort and balance.
