Smaller hikers can carry heavier loads.

I’ve seen lots of small women on the trail carrying huge packs and I’ve always wondered about this, thanks for the link.

.GEEKING OUT: PHYSICS APPLIED TO BODYWEIGHT & PACKWEIGHT.

I thought this was already understood as f=ma?

With less mass you have MUCH less force to counteract.  Which is why smaller animals/insects can fall great distances without much of an impact.  Cats and smaller animals can fall out of buildings without much (any) damage due to lower terminal velocity thanks to f=ma and aerodynamic resistance.  Cats will probably break a bone (hopefully not) but squirrels will be just fine.

Please don’t try to experiment on your pets though ;)

Another thread on the same study:

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/97720/

— Rex

I’m trying in vain to figure out how this matters one eensy-weensy little bit. :^)

If you’re big or if you’re small, there’s nothing you are going to to about it. Either way, you’re going to want to train for aerobic/endurance, to be reasonably lean and to carry as light a pack as possible. The rest will sort itself out.

I don’t care, I’m still not carrying your beer.

My thoughts are that what matters most in size is the body part inside ones brain cavity. If what’s in THERE is bigger, your probably trying to carry a lighter load and vise versa.