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Beaverton, ON
Canada
1295 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2006 : 11:57 PM
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First off, let me say that this site had already been posted by Hiker Boy, a few years ago but I thought that I'd post it here and now for those of you who are unaware of it!
A while ago I came across a site that offered a free software program(by Chris Ibbeson) to inventory your gear and it's weight. It is a kind of a spread sheet program but a little different!
I finally opened it up the other day and started using it and I find it very helpful to keep track of your pack weight
Find out more here
Yes, you need to weigh everything and it's time consuming with all the data input but once that's done, you're away to the races!
You check off the gear that you want to take and it keeps a 'running total' of your weight. You can see the difference different gear selection makes
If you want to shoulder a lighter load, or are a weight fanatic, this is a great, easy to use program
While a digital postal scale is very accurate, they are quite expensive...but ...there is a guy in the lower mainland who sells them on E-Bay for a good price($29cdn plus shipping /tax) I have no knowledge of his service etc.
You can also get most weight from either online stores(MEC, REI etc.) or the manufacturer's website, although I have noticed some discrepancies, most of them stating a lighter weight than what the object actually weighs.  There have been a few cases the other way round though.
Edited to add:
While this is a good program, it does have the tendancy to crash! ...so it's best you "save as" into a folder, and save often. On the upside, you are able to create different file lists, just use "save as" for a different file name, for differnt lists of gear.
Example: I have a 'bit of gear'  so I have one file for gear and another for clothing.
Dusty |
Edited by - Dusty Boots on 04/22/2006 10:14 AM
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 opinionated-stove huggin'-fleece wearin'-arse burnin' hill virgin
Here
Canada
4642 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2006 : 11:02 AM
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I'd like to point out that you can also pick up a pretty good inexpensive digital scale from The Source By Circuit City(the old Radio Shack stores). 
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"My name is Hiker Boy and I approved this message" |
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Beaverton, ON
Canada
1295 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2006 : 11:23 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Hiker Boy
I'd like to point out that you can also pick up a pretty good inexpensive digital scale from The Source By Circuit City(the old Radio Shack stores).
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"My name is Hiker Boy and I approved this message"
Any details HB  (price, model #, weight range, etc.)
Although I have access to one from work, I wouldn't mind picking one up for myself, if the price and quality are good
Here's the one I was talking about. Again..no affiliation or knowledge of this seller, although, he is rather highly rated.
Dusty |
Edited by - Dusty Boots on 04/14/2006 11:37 AM |
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opinionated-stove huggin'-fleece wearin'-arse burnin' hill virgin
Here
Canada
4642 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2006 : 12:07 PM
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Hey Dusty, the link to yours looks like it has a bigger capacity but the unit increment scale also looks a tad large....ie x5g increments...probably not a big deal but hey we're already extreme enough to be using a scale right? I also have access to some super accurate scales at work and I have used them in the past for measuring fuel consumption. LOL
The one at the Source is definitely smaller, I can't remember the exact capacity but then being a weight weenie, I'm looking at weighing fairly light things, most under 2kg. I had someone on NWH recommend this one.
Here's a link
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"My name is Hiker Boy and I approved this message" |
Edited by - Hiker Boy on 04/14/2006 12:09 PM |
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Beaverton, ON
Canada
1295 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2006 : 12:35 PM
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Thanks for the clarification and the heads up HB. I wasn't aware that it was in 5g graduations, as it doesn't state that on the site.
The scale you posted looks good for all but large, heavy tents and packs, that weight conscious types wouldn't want anyway. I'll have to wander down and have a boo at the one you linked to. (I wonder if work has any 'excess' scales laying around, collecting dust? Not only are their scales accurate but they also have a tare feature, which is handy for weighing bulky items like sleeping bags, packs etc., as you can just put them in a box and then weigh them. )
Again, thanks for the tip, as it will save some potential problems! 
Dusty
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Raincouver, British Columbia
Canada
712 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2006 : 12:58 PM
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I have a kitchen scale that I use for smaller things and for larger things I use a digital bathroom scale and the weighing the pet method (hold the gear and weigh me and gear together, then subtract my weight). The bathroom scale is only good to the nearest 100g though (apparently). Another method is to pack your backpack as if you are going on a trip, then step onto the scale. Put the pack down, throw some stuff out of the pack, repeat!
Oh, and I realize my methods are not great for people who are really serious about this kind of thing, but it works for me. |
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Beaverton, ON
Canada
1295 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2006 : 1:15 PM
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I hear you Gulagger!
I've gotten more serious about losing pack weight since the onset of my heel spurs and plantar fasciitis woes.
I was used to carrying a pack weight of 60+ lbs and portaging a canoe(7 day trip and that was just my pack, my wife had her own) for up to 2 1/2k, or luggin a 75-80lb pack up to Garibaldi Lake for a 7 day solo trip, thinking that was 'pared down'! 
Those 'heavy weight' days are behind me now, as I have more than cut my 'base' weight in half. I'm sure my body will thank me for it.
DB |
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opinionated-stove huggin'-fleece wearin'-arse burnin' hill virgin
Here
Canada
4642 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2006 : 2:48 PM
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I went out and bought this one today.....
Scale
It has a 5kg capacity at 1g increments, a bigger measuring surface, and a tare function.
Now to update all my gear on the program!
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"My name is Hiker Boy and I approved this message" |
Edited by - Hiker Boy on 04/15/2006 11:19 PM |
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Penhold, Alberta
Canada
2009 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2006 : 9:25 PM
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| Hiker boy, I was down to Prince George today and after I saw the unit you bought up close... well, I just couldn't stop myself. I've been wanting a scale for listing my gear, I had no idea they were so inexpensive. How do you turn it off?? I doubt I'll ever use the thermometer unless I get the flu. |
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Beaverton, ON
Canada
1295 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2006 : 10:44 PM
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He he, I bought one as well. 
Ist thing I did after inserting the 2 AA batteries was to weigh something on my borrowed Canada Post scale and then on the new scale. It weighed the same on both of them @ 37g
There is no on/off switch though, so I'll just remove the batteries until I need it again, as they're easy to put in and remove.
I might just use the meat thermometer to conduct an experiment to see which of my cozies keeps the heat in better! 
Thanks for the lead HB!
Dusty |
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opinionated-stove huggin'-fleece wearin'-arse burnin' hill virgin
Here
Canada
4642 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2006 : 11:31 PM
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There's been talk about a shared gear list database. This could help people not only in tweeking their own lists and gear weights but also to be used as a resource by everyone on for basic gear information. Having everything in one place would be more efficient than having to search for each item individually on the net and having to trust manufacturer's posted weights. Now that we seem to be onboard with the same standard weigh scale, I think our numbers should be credible. Any interest in this?
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"My name is Hiker Boy and I approved this message" |
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Beaverton, ON
Canada
1295 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2006 : 11:44 PM
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I'd be willing to upload weights of gear that I have, although quite a bit of it is rather 'dated', with lots of it going back to the early 90's. Guess when it comes down to it, there's a fair bit of 'Pack Rat' in me, as I scrounge old buckles, cord locks, tent floors and straps off of gear that's worn out over the years.
I have to redo the weights of my tents, then on to clothing.  |
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Reykjavik
Iceland
139 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2006 : 12:07 AM
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a centralized place for gear (weight/review/etc...) has been on my mind for a long time...
I have all my gear in an excel sheet broken out by category, etc... the computer nerd in me demands it :)
I'm thinking this 'project' should be moved to the features area so it could get some more attention!
great ideas guys! |
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Penhold, Alberta
Canada
2009 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2006 : 05:30 AM
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Hiker Boy; ya that's a great idea. That way, those without a scale to do their own weighing could refer to the list. Oh, and low and behold... "IF" you actually read the directions, there is a shut off for our scales. Pull the thermometer out of it's storage spot, leave it sit for a minute and the unit will shut down. Apparently there is a use for the directions after all.
So how are we going to set up this gear list? |
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Beaverton, ON
Canada
1295 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2006 : 07:39 AM
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Thanks db!
I didn't see that part when I quickly read glanced through them. 
Dusty |
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 Big pack hiker who sleeps with bears in tent and falls on slippery logs
Langley, BC
Canada
7647 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2006 : 10:23 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Hiker Boy
There's been talk about a shared gear list database. This could help people not only in tweeking their own lists and gear weights but also to be used as a resource by everyone on for basic gear information. Having everything in one place would be more efficient than having to search for each item individually on the net and having to trust manufacturer's posted weights. Now that we seem to be onboard with the same standard weigh scale, I think our numbers should be credible. Any interest in this?
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"My name is Hiker Boy and I approved this message"
Yep. This is one of the features that will be added to CT soon (in planning stage at the moment). People will be able to tag the gear in their profile as well so they can easily put together gear weights for trips. If anyone has thoughts/ideas for making it better or how it could integrate, please feel free to post to the feature thread. Cheers! |
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opinionated-stove huggin'-fleece wearin'-arse burnin' hill virgin
Here
Canada
4642 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2006 : 09:59 AM
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OK, being on the honorably mentioned injured reserve list, I had plenty of free time to work on my gear weights. In fact I'm almost done. After carefully measuring everything, I have come to the conclusion that most of us delude ourselves horribly with underestimations of the weight we actually carry. I definitely thought I carry less than I do and a lot of my gear is pretty lightweight.
Heres' some of the categories I used for my list
Category Item Manufacturer/Model Weight(gm) Notes
CLOTHING
KITCHEN
MISC.
PACKS
SHELTERS
SLEEPING GEAR
WEARING/HOLDING
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"My name is Hiker Boy and I approved this message" |
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Big pack hiker who sleeps with bears in tent and falls on slippery logs
Langley, BC
Canada
7647 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2006 : 11:51 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Hiker Boy
In fact I'm almost done. After carefully measuring everything, I have come to the conclusion that most of us delude ourselves horribly with underestimations of the weight we actually carry.
It sure doesn't take long to add up. I know I was just over 40lbs on my Elk hike. Granted, I was trying to get some exercise too. |
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Vernon, Okanagan, BC
Canada
196 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2006 : 2:36 PM
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I Don't need a weight calculator to tell me what my problem is... I NEED TO BUY A LIGHTER TENT! sigh...
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I gotta hike... I don't care where, but I gotta hike! |
Edited by - BC Trailblazer on 05/08/2006 2:37 PM |
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Manitoba's misadventurin' bushwhackin', dog sloggin', dehydratin', beer drinkin' biggie - who's eager to peak bag Mt Currie in a dress
Squamish
5040 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2006 : 2:49 PM
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" I carry 100 pounds of the lightest hiking gear that money can buy" |
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Calgary, Alberta
Andorra
3787 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2006 : 10:37 PM
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| This is a neat little program. Now if only it could be written so my computer supported it... |
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Want to lose(pack) weight?
