Water as Base Weight

[Alex Gilman]

Shouldn't water be counted as base weight?

It is usually more important than shelter and food in a survival situation…

What are your thoughts?

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

Base weight doesn't really have anything to do with the importance of things in a survival situation. Base weight is simply the weight of the gear on your back. Separating your gear (base weight) from your consumables (food, water, fuel) makes comparing gear lists easier and it helps you figure out how your pack weight is going to change as you hike.

[Alex Gilman]

…learned something new today. Thanks!

[Bob Gross]

If you had an emergency kit that contained a pint of water and some food, and if you virtually never ever opened it, then you could begin to treat that kit like part of your base weight.

However, most of the food and water that we carry is intended to be mostly consumed, and that is why it stays on the consumable list.

–B.G.–

[Alex Gilman]

That totally makes sense. I was coming at it from the angle of "well this water bottle weights 5oz but I'm not bringing it with me empty it's going to be full"

[Bob Gross]

Most people here gave up on 5-ounce water bottles a long time ago.

Buy a quart of Gatorade, drink it, and then reuse the bottle.

–B.G.–

[Jamie Shortt]

Alex, All these comments are right on, I would just stress breaking out consumables into a seperate category as they will change significantly from trip to trip and change significantly within the trips (from beginning to end, and from water stop to water stop). But the gear in your base weight really won't change much based on length of trip. That's why it is your "base" gear weight. Now this weight will change depending on the weather to be encountered so when comparing weights and lists it is important to consider the weather.

Its not that water isnt counted. It is counted in your consumables weights (food, water, fuel) which is typically measured at the beginning of some typical trip distance (I use 2.5 days).

One more thing…a 5 oz water container is sacrilege around here:)

Jamie

[Alex Gilman]

LOL @ 5oz water container. I agree it should be unlkess it's a 3L water bladder ;) Which I always keep full for extra weight for work outs.

I'm going to need to do some searches on this forum and see what the current thoughts are on DEHP and plastic water bottles.

[Jamie Shortt]

Food for throught…my 2.5 liter platy weighs 1.3 oz.

Jamie

[Alex Gilman]

That is definitely food for thought. As of right now I can still shave lbs off my gear so the 3oz don't matter. But wow definitely good to know.

[Author]

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