backpack weight?

[ewallartist]

although it is a simple question, don't carry more than you are able or comfortable with, but I was curious how much is to much total.
I'll be in europe for two months. I am an artist who is planing on a few extras that I need for drawings etc.
But if there is an amount of weight that is ideal.
Thanks

[LHR02]

No, not really. There are so many variables, how tall or short you are, what's your level of fitness/strength, how much walking you are going to do. Plus I find it very hard to try and 'imagine' how much, say, 24 pounds will feel like on my back vs 30 for example. Two things you can do to get some ideas.....go to a good backpack store and shop....they will have 'weights' that they will put inside the pack you are trying so you can walk around a bit with it. (Don't need to tell them you are not there to buy, just testing their weights! ;D ) Just have them add more till it feels like about all you would want and be sure and ask how much that is. Secondly, load up your own pack and go for a long walk around your home area and see how it feels. If it is killing you inside of a couple of blocks....you need to lighten the load!

Can't say enough that a correctly fitted pack will make all the difference in this.....no matter how much or little you are carrying, if your pack does not fit your torso, you will be miserable! And the waist/hip belt helps so much to distribute the weight and get it off your shoulders.

g

[ewallartist]

thank you

[Kena]

It might be a little late, but here are my own guidelines for backpack weight.

- I should be able to lift it and put it on my back on my own easily

- I should be able to hold it above my head easily (so it can be put in an overhead compartment)

- I should be able to walk or stand for at least an hour with it on my back without too much discomfort.

- It should be light enough to be allowed as carry-on on the plane (Air France has a 12 kg limit on carry-on)

Hope it helps!

[LHR02]

Thanks Kena....those are terrific pointers! Had I read those I would have instantly known that my pack was over weight!

I could not put it on without first setting it on a bench or wall.

I surely couldn't begin to hold it over my head!

No way could it ever have made it as 'carry on'

I'll use these tips every time from now on. Thanks for sharing them. ;D

[sejvirgo]

I just returned from 2 months in Europe. My pack weighed 35 pounds when I left home, and weighed about 40 pounds when I returned home. It was a bit heavy - I think around 30 pounds would have been perfect for me. I was able to get it on without help, and I could lift it over my head onto the racks on the train myself also. Some days though it felt as if I was carrying 100 pounds on my back, and my back and shoulders would be in pain!! It may seem silly, but it is a great idea to carry your full pack around at home for an afternoon - and don't take it easy... go up hills, climb lots of stairs, even ride public transportation like the subway or bus.

[snorkelman]

On my many trips I have covered the entire crazy range. I have gone as light as 25 pounds, and as heavy as 60 pounds. If you camp and bring pots, pans and camp stove and food, it will be too heavy.

My advice is to leave your home with it as light as possible, because it will only become heavier as you travel.

Shooting for 30 pounds would be a good number, if possible.

[Numbers]

ewallartist -

This is probably too late now... but I also intend of painting/drawing whilst away.

My idea was to purchase supplies in Europe, particularly Poland, where I suspect paints and canvasses will be considerably cheaper.

Then, I would send any artwork or souvenirs home by air mail (which could prove costly though) as I prefer a light backpack.