Loaded Camping Gear Weight

[willem jongman]

I am just back from two weeks touring in Germany. Total luggage weight was 13 kg including food but not water. It was hard work climbing in the summer heat, so I was glad I had not taken more. The gear list included a proper tent, mattress and sleeping bag, Trangia stove, and enough clothing for a variety of weather conditions (but not for really cold weather), but no chair or fancy electronics (I did bring a phone). I think for solo trips of a few weeks in the summer 12-15 kg is the realistic range, with 15 kg at the outer end in case of colder (but not sub zero) weather. When I tour with my wife it could theoretically be 25 kg for the two of us together, but she prefers to take a bit more, so we have about 2x15 kg each (including a heavy Hilleberg Nammatj 3gt).

[horizon]

I think for solo trips of a few weeks in the summer 12-15 kg is the realistic range, with 15 kg at the outer end in case of colder (but not sub zero) weather.

I agree with that - my load for my last Spanish trip was 14 kg. But back in the UK the weight shoots up as I reckon on cold wet evenings, plunging overnight temperatures if the sky clears, wind, rain and cold during the day. The problem is that the tent gets bigger (so you can cook in it), the sleeping bag warmer and heavier, and the need for separate day and evening clothes more urgent. Worse still is that should the weather be warm and sunny, those wet and cold weather clothes have still to be carried, on the bike.

[willem jongman]

I am a bit more optimistic than that. My 13 kg included everything to cope with worse weather than I got (on a two week trip you never know). I had a goretex jacket, a pair of overtrousers against the rain, long trousers for cold evenings, warm woollen socks, and an extra sweater. Sleeping bag and mattress would have been fine down to 5 degrees. For colder weather than this I would have had to take a warmer sleeping bag, my Exped down mat instead of the Synmat UL, and a down vest. Plus of course my 850 gams heavier Ortlieb Backrollers to carry this extra volume.