Living Out Of A Ruck

I spend a lot of time living out of a bag that I have to carry around. First we should discuss the two rather obvious limiting factors. Most significantly is weight. Just before WWI the French, British and Germans all did separate studies on the amount of weight a soldier can carry without being greatly hindered, getting worn out, etc. They all came to the figure of 1/3rd of ones bodyweight. Since soldiers weigh on average around 180 pounds or so that leaves the max weight of a ruck at right about 60 pounds. Do keep in mind that these are young, fit, healthy males. If you are old, unfit or not healthy the amount goes down rapidly. My personal observation ,based upon a reasonable amount of hiking with women, is that generally speaking 1/4 of their body weight is probably the top end. The lesser limitation is space being that you are constricted to whatever the size of your backpack, plus the stuff you can attach to it. I say this is a lesser concern because unless you have a tiny ruck or are trying to carry a bunch of pillows or something weight is usually an issue before size. It is somewhat difficult to come up with a 'standard' packing list though there is some stuff which is always present. Somebody pulling a Doug Carlton who is carrying 400 rounds of .308 as well as a few bricks of .22 is starting with a pretty heavy baseline. Camping in Northern Minessota in the winter or moving through a big chunk of desert where there isn't access to water would have the same effect. You obviously need stuff to keep you warm, changes of socks, t shirts and clothes as well as food, water and some sort of shelter. This is sort of like budgeting. No one thing will sink you but it all adds up. Ounces equal pounds which equal lots ofpounds in a real hurry. To me it is key to identify where you truly need redundancy to avoid carrying unnecessary stuff. Having for example more than one way to make fire or source of light is pretty darn important while, despite owning them and thinking they are cool you do not need 5 knives. For one or two people it is easy enough to eat out of the same pot you cook out of. One quart is a pretty good all around size for a pot. I did a lot of camping with a metal cup, a one quart pot, a spoon and whatever knife I was already carrying. No need for a fork and a dedicated butter/ dinner knife. I don't think that I have every been upset because I brought too many pair of socks.

Keeping stuff relatively waterproof is just a good practice to be in. Fof the cheap and easy types good old black plastic trash bags work well. If you really like spending money or spend a lot of time in and around waterit is probably worth buying some of those heavy duty kayacking type dry bags (or I guess if your worried about a real long term end of the world solution) but otherwise I wouldn't bother. Personally I haven't used a tent in years. Maybe if you are really staying out in some bad weather or are staying in one place for awhile it is worth it but otherwise I would skip it. A bivy around your sleeping bag and a poncho to wrap your ruck/ boots/ etc in is a good solution and it saves pounds and space.

Unless you are young, healthy and really like it do not carry beer or soda. Carry the water you need and have a plan (boil, filter, purify, etc) to get more. If you want alcohol carry liquor in a plastic bottle. A bit of booze, a deck of cards and a fire is a pretty good way to spend an evening.

Guess I have two final thoughts. First always carry a bit heavier sleeping bag and more serious wet/ cold weather clothing than you think you will need. Secondly if you take the amount your realistically think you can carry and subtract 5 or 10 pounds you will probably be good.