Straighthairedcurly referenced lighterpack.com in a different thread. Just wondering if folks have feedback on how well it works, or not, for them to track gear and weight.

I don't have any personal experience with it, but a lot of backpackers I follow on YouTube use it, and seem very happy with how well it works. If I was concerned with how much weight I was carrying going into a trip, I probably would use it, too.

I use it and like it. Also have used a similar one called Packstack. Very useful and the list ends up being my packing list when it’s go-time.

I tried lighterpack.com to be a bit cumbersome. I switched to an app called PackLight that I found to be easier. Like lighterpack, it allows you to enter weights for all of your gear, customize categories, and create packing lists. I’ve been using it for the past year or so and it’s been helpful.

I just started using it to give my PT person some idea of how much weight I carry portaging. Kinda surprised at how heavy my pack is. I feel like less of a wimp but spend some time staring at it wondering where to cut weight!

I can’t speak to lighterpack, but going through and weighing each piece of my gear has been extremely helpful in keeping down my overall carried weight. I had a lot of 6 oz items that didn’t seem quite worth it anymore.

I haven't used those apps, but years ago I started making a simple list in Excel, fleshing it out each year, adding small features. It's pretty extensive now. At a certain point I started adding some weights. It is eye-opening and I replaced some things, left others out.

I've been using lighterpack to analyze and pack my gear for two years and I think it works great. I Havnt tried anything else though

I use Lighterpack more for backpacking than I do canoe camping. It's a great tool. Simple, straightforward to use. Easy to duplicate lists, import from spreadsheets, change units.

If you're curious what it looks like, here's my summer SHT backpacking kit: https://lighterpack.com/r/0d5obd

geotramper: "I use Lighterpack more for backpacking than I do canoe camping. It's a great tool. Simple, straightforward to use. Easy to duplicate lists, import from spreadsheets, change units.


If you're curious what it looks like, here's my summer SHT backpacking kit: https://lighterpack.com/r/0d5obd"

Thank you, Geotramper, for sharing your load out for a backpacking trip. Very helpful. Impressive approach. I took away ideas to lighten my own approach. I'm certainly taking a lot more clothing but I don't think I can get clear down to 4 pounds. :)

Again, thanks for sharing your list. Very insightful.

It works well for me. It is amazing how much some of the small things weigh. As I have gotten really old. I have to limit as much as I can.

The program allows me to decide on my base equipment and what extras I can bring. It does a good job giving me a visual clue of how much weight I will have to carry and decide what I can do without. So if I want to sneak one more extra thing into my pack to fill that empty space, I can see what damage it will do to my body ahead of time.
I really found that I have a tendency to overpack without the auditing the software does for me.
I also use it to create my packing list, it helps limit what I forget.
I use it for my backpack list. So the system works very well for both my canoe trip and backpacking.
Plus doing the original inventory and weighing of gear, really helped me see how much extra crap I have in my camping storage shelves.

Loony_canoe: "Plus doing the original inventory and weighing of gear, really helped me see how much extra crap I have in my camping storage shelves."

True, LoonyCanoe...so very true!

I also like lighterpack and have used it for backpacking and canoe trips.

the hardest part is getting your gear entered with weights the first time. after that creating new lists is very easy.

I saw that some one mentioned the app packlight. I have also used it. You can import your lists from lighterpack.com to the app. I found that easy and then I could use the app as the packing list.

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I’m old fashioned. I use an excel spreadsheet, a weight watcher scale and a luggage scale… I keep track of the “this would be fun to bring” stuff and mark whether it was fun or useful. I am also always looking for new lighter gear but also look at durability.