Backpack weights 25 pounds, too heavy?

There's no right or wrong answer here, just what's right for you and I think you've answered your own question.

You've identified the negatives already, difficulty in carrying and the fact you'll end up getting hit with overweight baggage fees. If you're willing to put up with those inconveniences as a trade of to taking a lot of stuff why not?

That being said I wouldn't like to lug that much weight around, especially on public transport, and would do my best to lighten the load. It might be an idea to do a trial run with your rucksack, maybe try taking it into work for the day to see how you handle it on a commute. I'm not sure if Baltimore has any public transport (I know lots of American cities don't) but if you do see how you handle it on a cross town trip with some steps and maybe a change of bus or train line.

I don't think 25 is bad. My bag generally comes in around that mark -- 22 on the last trip. My wife's bag is about 18 but I get to carry the common items and the guide books. I gotten away with that weight because the bag cinches down pretty well and looks small. We have never been weighed but have had to put the bags in the sizing box. We have always passed easily.

Just read your post more carefully and noticed you said 25 pounds - I wasn't thinking in American and mentally read 25Kg. I agree with Frank 25Lbs is no problem at all.

Hi Billy,

Rick Steves recommends that you pack everything up, and walk around town for awhile to make sure that you are comfortable carrying the weight of your pack. I agree that 25 lbs is not bad, but just give it a try for a couple of hours to make sure you have no issues of mobility. Remember too that some days may require you to carry your bag up and down hills if you are visiting a town in the process of travelling between two destinations.

I used to use a 2½# ETBD convertible bag. It weighed just about the 17.6# weight limit for Lufthansa carryon. For the last two trips I switched to a slightly lighter (1¾#) Essential Carryon bag, so my bag weight is now down to about 16#. I can carry that easily. A few years ago, while in Germany, I picked up 9# of literature, so my bag was about 26# when I got to FRA. I could manage that weight but it was uncomfortable. (I was about 57 at the time). I agree with the last poster. Carry the bag, fully packed, around town for an hour or two. Then thing about it.

What are you carrying that weighs so much? Lots of electronics? Jeans? Can you substitute or consolodate? Most airlines don't carry-ons anymore. They just have to fit the sizing guidelines and YOU have to be able to put it in the overhead bin alone. Also, your day bag should weigh no where near 10 lbs. unless you are carrying around a great number of books! You only need a jacket, maybe an umbrella, camera, and a few personal items like tissues, chapstick, etc. and MAYBE 1 part of a guidebook.

I don't think 25 pounds is heavy at all. I bet you most folks' carry on (on US airlines) is more than that even if traveling for just a week.

Easy, Toni. Twenty five pounds is not unreasonable for packing light. I pretty good at packing light and my bench mark is to stay under 25 lbs and I don't include jeans or heavy electronics. The question I would raise would be tne need for a "full size" backpack. When I was backpacking the full size was needed just for the volume associated with stove, food, sleeping bag,pad, etc. IMO, 25 lb in a full size bag would be about half full.

I think 25 pounds, personally, is a good weight if just try to keep it at that. We traveled last year with full-size packs - one with laptop and one with the SLR, tripod, 3 lens..you get the picture) - my pack (the girl) was about 28lbs on the way out (incl.laptop) and my boyfriends was around 34ish (he had the camera gear). On the way back I insisted on bringing home wine that I packed like a boyscout in my luggage - I was at 44lbs and could still carry the thing (I'm 5'8", fit). He got the souvenirs and his ended up being over 55lbs...the lady was nice at the airport and didn't make us pay extra. Just make sure the pack fits you perfect and the weight sits where it is supposed to and you won't have issues. Also, see if you can get a bag to put it inside for checking it so you don't lose straps (pack extras though, of course).

We use Rick's suitcase and mine usually weighs about 15 lb. My husband thinks I'm a heavy packer! His will weigh 10 lb or less. I take the "common" stuff and he takes the electronics. That's why 25 seems like alot to me.

I've just done an hour of walking around the town, with good amount of slopes.

My feet did hurt a bit, but it wasn't too bad. I'm sure I can do it :)

I would love to see his packing list. That is only 6lb of clothing, 2 lb of electronics and 2 lb for the bag. Unless, of course, he is wearing 15 lbs of clothing.

Beyond the physical reality of what you can comfortably carry what really matters is what you actually need with you. Only experience will tell you this.
No matter the type of travel that I am doing I find that I trim down what I carry with each trip. For the last trip (Germany May 2009) our loaded Rick Steves Classic bags were 10 lbs - no we were not wearing extra clothes. We expect to have them even lighter on the next trip.

I am a 68 year old great-grand Mother (5'1") and can carry a day back pack loaded with 18 pounds. If I can carry that weight surely you can carry 25 LOL.

Consider that avid backpackers who have to pack in their food as well as clothing, sleeping bag, tent, etc. regularly go into the rough terrain with backpacks that weigh between 25 and 50 pounds depending on the length of their backpacking trip. I believe military packs with ordnance, etc. are routinely in the 75 pound range. A healthy, fit 20 year-old guy shouldn't have too much trouble with 25 pounds just to get from the parking garage to the plane and from the plane to his hotel and so forth.

I think 25 pounds is a lot better than 50 pounds. Once you travel with 25, you will figure out ways to reduce it more.

My bag now doesn't get over 18 pounds but I can easily get it down to 15 (any lighter and I seem to be pushing it).

Most airlines care about the size of your carry on more than the weight (exception maybe Lufthansa and some of the European budget airlines). Unless it looks like you're carrying a bag full of lead (or are asking for help storing it), you probably won't have any problem.

I haven't finished reading all the posts but I would like you to tell me here on on PM what you put in your bag for a 3 week trip to Europe to have your bag weigh 18 lbs. Please!!! I try to pack very light but my backback always seem stuffed. I have RS backback for the smaller frame. I am 5 ft tall. I am also over 65 and I like taking the backback because it is easier (for me) to get on trains, walking the streets, etc. I would like to know what your packing list is to have an 18 or even 20 lb. bag..Thanks.

Miss B, Ten pounds or less lacks credibility at least for the person who wants more than one change of clothes. But I can send you Marcia's list for about 18 lbs and she is 64. I give you an email address.

We were there for 8 weeks and visited 8 countries. In my day back pack I had 11 pounds of camera and video stuff plus other things. Of course I only had the back pack loaded on travel days.

Non-travel days my video and digital camera was in my PacSafe StashSafe 200. And carried extra batteries, water, snacks, etc in my day back pack.

We each had the day back pack, fanny pack and Rick Steves' Roll Aboard.

We were hands free when we traveled .... only had to handle the Roll Aboard.

We packed 4 days of clothes and washed in hostels or hotels. Only way to go.

Billy, it's your first trip to Europe...don't sweat the 25 pounds...but I'll bet your pack will be lighter on your second trip. It is for most people.

I just got a new bag today and started planning on how to pack it. I'm shooting for 15 pounds total....including the bag. We'll see.

I agree with the other posters Billy, 25 lbs is a great start, and the fact that you've actually taken it out around town for a trial run is smart planning. You'll be fine... I heading over for a 39 day trip at the end of August, and my pack( RS Covertible) weighs in at 16 lbs...much better than the 40-50 lb bag I had on my first trip to Europe ;-)

Billy, I think you will be fine. I just question your shoes. Sore feet after 1 hour concerns me. Maybe shop for some better shoes.

I think 25 pounds including a laptop is fine. You should be okay, although you may pack lighter next time as some have said.

Frank, I wouldn't say 10 pounds lacks credibility. My pack for a 3 week trip weighs almost exactly 10 pounds fully loaded with everything I need...including 4 changes of clothes, an extra pair of shoes, and even a flat iron for my hair. Of course, I am only 5'1" and 100 pounds soaking wet, so clothes and shoes are small.

Billy,

I don't think you'll have any problems packing around a 25 lb. Backpack. Mine was considerably heavier on my last trip (probably over 50 lbs.) and I managed just fine (and I'm in my late '50s). I'm a firm believer in using a properly fitted Backpack for my torso size, so the waist belt takes most of the weight.

Keep in mind that for the most part you'll only be using the main Pack from the train to your Hostel or Hotel, so you won't be carrying it for long periods of time.

I'm assuming from your Post that you're planning to check the main Pack during air travel due to the weight. If your Pack doesn't have a "stowable harness", it's a good idea to secure the straps in some way so they aren't damaged by airport conveyor systems.

I'm thinking of trying the "one bag" travel method on future trips and will soon be ordering a similar type of bag that Frank II mentioned. I've spent numerous hours over the last few nights revising my somewhat extensive packing list to see if I can reduce it enough to fit everything into one bag. In reality I'll probably end up with two bags, as I always travel with Camera gear.

You mentioned having foot problems when you did a "test run" with your Pack. Be sure that you have comfortable, well broken in shoes! I've had foot problems when travelling, so I know how serious these can be.

Happy travels!

Miss B, I travel with a rolling 22" bag. Total weight 17-18#. I take about 4-5# of clothing, a pound or so of liquids, about a pound of pills (meds, vitamins, etc) a book or two, misc things such as small scissors, nail file, electric toothbrush, bandaids, etc. My basic rule for clothing is: two complete changes of clothing besides what I am wearing. (Mix and Match works for me). I do not carry any electronics. That stuff is really heavy. For couples, one set of electronics and books could serve both. After I pack, I weigh the bag and if it weighs too much I take out items until I hit my weight. Thru experience, I have learned that 18# is the most I can lift over my head for carry-on. I wear my coat (rain shell) and carry a small, soft (RS) bag for items I need on the plane. BTW, I am a senior woman and have been traveling to Europe for 40 years, mostly with a very light carry-on bag, and only spring or fall. I sometimes buy a shirt or sweater on the trip if it gets too cold. I buy only light-weight souvenirs. My bag probably weighs more than 18# when I return, but by then I will have used up my pill supply. That saves a pound. In this website there is a packing list for women. I think most men can comfortably carry more than I can.