The Bureau of Weights & Measures for Backpacking
Weighed. Witnessed.
Entered into the record.
Every product on this site is audited against a live retailer listing. Every spec carries a recorded source. Build your pack from verified weights — base, worn, and consumable — down to the gram.
The mark of a witnessed claim.
Ledger No. 1 — Load Accounts
Build your pack by weight, not guesswork.
Open the pack builder →Add gear with real product weights and assign each item to base, worn, or consumable. Every bucket is calculated as you build — and totaled like any honest account.
Account Nº 001 · summer
JMT Ultralight
John Muir Trail
- Base weight
- 4.44 lb
- Worn & consumable
- 8.82 lb
- Total carried
- 13.26 lb
Account Nº 002 · 3-season
White Mountains 3-Day
Pemi Loop, NH
- Base weight
- 4.89 lb
- Worn & consumable
- 8.82 lb
- Total carried
- 13.71 lb
Account Nº 003 · fall
Shoulder-Season Kit
Presidential Traverse
- Base weight
- 5.16 lb
- Worn & consumable
- 8.82 lb
- Total carried
- 13.98 lb
Ledger No. 2 — The Index
Shop by kit system
All categories →Shelter & Sleep
Tents & Shelters · Sleeping Bags & Quilts · Sleeping Pads & Mats10 on recordNº 02Pack & Carry
Backpacks & Packs · Trekking Poles6 on recordNº 03Water & Kitchen
Cook Systems · Water Filters & Purifiers · Bottles & Reservoirs · Food Protection14 on recordNº 04Clothing & Footwear
Insulated Jackets · Rain & Wind Shells · Base Layers · Fleece & Active Insulation · Pants & Shorts · Footwear · Socks · Hats, Gloves & Accessories · Sun Protection26 on recordNº 05Safety, Power & Navigation
Headlamps & Lighting · Power & Charging · Navigation & Satellite · First Aid & Repair · Knives & Multitools19 on recordNº 06Winter & Traction
Traction (Spikes & Crampons) · Snowshoes5 on recordLedger No. 3 — Field Bulletins
Start here
The Complete Beginner Backpacking Gear List
Everything you actually need for your first overnight — and what you can skip.
14 minBuying guideBest Lightweight Backpacking Tents (2026)
Eight shelters ranked by weight, livability, and price — with honest reasons to skip each one.
16 minHow-toHow to Get Your Base Weight Under 10 lbs
A practical, no-gimmicks path to a lighter pack.
12 min