PackBuilder: Backpacking Pack Weight Calculator and Gear List Builder
PackBuilder lets you build a backpacking gear list item by item and watch your base weight, consumable weight, and total pack weight update in real time. Search our catalog or add your own gear with exact weights off your kitchen scale.
It is built for hikers who want to cut weight without guessing: see how much of your gear weight sits in shelter, sleep system, cook kit, water, and clothing, then swap the pieces that cost you the most ounces. Free to use, no account required to start.
Use PackBuilder alongside GearScout reviews and GearVersus comparisons to make the right buying call before you spend.
Pack weight questions, answered
- What is base weight?
- Base weight is the weight of everything in your pack that you don't consume or wear: shelter, sleep system, cook kit, clothing you carry, and the pack itself. Food, water, and fuel are consumables and sit outside base weight, and worn items like boots and trekking poles are excluded too.
- How does PackBuilder calculate pack weight?
- Every item you add carries a weight in ounces and a quantity. PackBuilder totals them, subtracts anything flagged as consumable or worn, and shows base weight and total weight in lbs and oz as you build.
- What counts as consumable or worn weight?
- Consumables are food, water, and fuel: things that get lighter as you hike. Worn weight is what stays on your body, like shoes, hiking clothes, and poles. You mark each item yourself in My Pack, so a water filter stays in base weight while the water does not.
- Is PackBuilder free?
- Yes. PackBuilder is free, including the gear catalog, weight breakdown by category, and AI pack analysis. There is no paid tier.
- Do I need an account to build a gear list?
- No. You can build a pack as a guest and it saves in your browser. A free account syncs your packs across devices and unlocks AI pack analysis and price tracking. The account is free and easy with no strings attached.