Pack smarter, not heavier
Plan your camping gear loadout, hit your target weight, and print a checklist you can actually use. No sign-up. No tracking. Just a clear plan.
Works for backpacking trips, car camping weekends, and scout outings.
Gear Loadout Planner
How to get the most from this planner
Start with a preset
Pick a trip type from the dropdown. Weekend backpack, car camping, winter trip, and day hike presets set a reasonable target weight and pre-load common items. You can then adjust everything.
Add or remove items
Click the checkmark beside any gear item to add it to your loadout. Change the quantity if you are carrying more than one. If your tent weighs 4.8 lbs instead of the default 5.5, type the real number in the weight field.
Watch the weight bar
The bar at the top of the sidebar fills as you add weight. Green means you are under target. Orange means you are within 2 lbs. Red means you are over. The status text tells you exactly how much you need to cut or how much room you have left.
Print your checklist
When your list looks right, click Print Checklist. A clean, paper-friendly version opens in your browser's print dialog. You can save it as a PDF or print it to check off items as you pack.
What to double-check before you go
Default weights are estimates
We use average weights for mid-range gear. A two-person tent is listed at 5.5 lbs. Your ultralight tent might be 2 lbs. Your old canvas tent could be 12 lbs. Weigh your own gear on a bathroom or luggage scale and update the numbers.
Water is heavy
One liter of water weighs 2.2 lbs. Three liters — a common carry for a day hike — adds 6.6 lbs. Plan your water carefully. Know where you can refill along the trail so you don't carry more than you need.
Food weight adds up fast
Plan on 1.5 to 2 lbs of food per person per day. For a two-night trip, that's 4–5 lbs just for food. Freeze-dried meals weigh less. Canned food and fresh fruit weigh more.
Consumables change your carry weight
Your pack is heaviest at the trailhead. As you eat food and drink water, the weight drops. The planner shows your starting weight. Your average carry weight over the trip will be a few pounds lower.
Worn weight is not counted
Clothes on your body, trekking poles in your hands, and boots on your feet are "worn weight" and are not included in the pack total. Only items inside or strapped to your pack count here.
Example loadouts
Weekend Backpacking
Target: 25 lbs
A two-day, one-night trip in mild weather. You carry a lightweight tent, down sleeping bag, compact stove, one change of clothes, and food for two days. Water sources are available, so you start with 2 liters.
Typical breakdown: Shelter 5.5 lbs, Sleep 3.5 lbs, Kitchen 1.5 lbs, Clothing 3 lbs, Food 4 lbs, Water 4.4 lbs, Other 3.1 lbs.
Car Camping Weekend
Target: 40 lbs
You are driving to a campground. Weight matters less, but you still want to know what you are loading. A larger tent, camp chairs, a two-burner stove, and fresh food push the total higher. Water comes in a 5-gallon jug.
Typical breakdown: Shelter 12 lbs, Sleep 8 lbs, Kitchen 6 lbs, Clothing 5 lbs, Food 6 lbs, Water 8 lbs, Other 5 lbs.
Winter Overnight
Target: 35 lbs
Cold-weather gear is heavier. A four-season tent, zero-degree sleeping bag, insulated pad, extra fuel, and more clothing layers add up. You may need a shovel and microspikes. Water can freeze, so plan for insulated bottles.
Typical breakdown: Shelter 7 lbs, Sleep 6 lbs, Kitchen 2 lbs, Clothing 6 lbs, Food 4 lbs, Water 4.4 lbs, Other 5.6 lbs.