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Post by vanderloo on Feb 6, 2023 16:20:00 GMT -8
I see a handful on Amazon but always like to hear from the people who use them.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Feb 6, 2023 19:04:35 GMT -8
Are you looking to weigh each item? or the pack after it's loaded? Most of us weigh each item at least at some point in our gear acquisition. For that, I use a kitchen scale much like this, except mine only weighs up to 4.4 lbs. For larger items, I took things to the closest post office that had a shipping kiosk accessible when the counter was closed. Took all of my gear there one Sunday and weighed stuff until customers needed the package scale. I stepped out of the way and went right back after they left. Much easier to own my own scale, but that was early on. If you just want a close idea of what the loaded pack weighs, those luggage spring scales will tell you within a pound. link There's one of these types hanging outside the permit office in Yosemite Valley for free use by bp'ers who still want to know how heavy their pack is, even after getting the permit and walking out the door.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Feb 6, 2023 19:18:03 GMT -8
I have one of those luggage scales, which gives a weight to .1 lb, though I have no idea how accurately. Close enough for my pack. My kitchen scale weighs up 10 lb IIRC, so it works for all the separate parts, and does grams or to the tenth of an ounce. You can set tare weight, so I can put a cookie sheet over the top when I need to weigh something that won’t sit nicely on the scale.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Feb 6, 2023 19:18:51 GMT -8
Not sure why it needs to be lightweight. You surely aren’t going to carry it? That said, my luggage scale is pretty light and compact.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Feb 6, 2023 20:31:27 GMT -8
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Feb 6, 2023 21:40:24 GMT -8
This might be a bit pricey: Soehnle 67080It's my main kitchen scale, with 15 kg capacity and 1 g resolution, a platform roughly as big as a sheet of paper, big enough to handle most items without obscuring the (also very big) display. The accuracy is in line with the resolution, too, it's not fake. Of course it reads oz/lb instead at the press of a button. I've weighed every piece of gear I actually use on this scale and entered it all in my trip planning spreadsheet, so all I have to do is click on what I'm bringing and I see the total.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Feb 7, 2023 5:29:21 GMT -8
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Post by vanderloo on Feb 7, 2023 12:19:40 GMT -8
rebeccad Probably just a pipe dream for me but, If I was doing a long thru hike I might wanna be able to check my pack weight at restocking stations along the way.
I do currently have a kitchen scale but I want to be able to weigh a full pack before hitting the trail.
jazzmom, the one in your link looks pretty cool but is currently unavailable. Not sure if that one's a done deal or more coming soon.
Thank You All.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Feb 7, 2023 12:39:08 GMT -8
vanderloo Most thrus will know what their pack weighs by tracking the food they pick up in resupply, and adding it to their known base weight. If it is a resupply box they had shipped to themselves, then the weights would already be known. If it is food grabbed in a grocery, then the packaging would be their guide. I don't think I have ever known a Thru that carried a scale to weigh the pack while doing the hike. You could be a First! I also know there are scales along the way (AT) that allow hikers to check weights of full packs, or themselves if they are concerned about how much weight loss they are experiencing.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Feb 7, 2023 13:47:05 GMT -8
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Feb 7, 2023 16:24:41 GMT -8
So, in general, I'm rarely willing to pack gear that falls into the "I might wanna be able to..." category and I'm thinking that's even more so on a thru hike, but maybe I'm wrong. If I had to bet, the luggage scale will either end up unused at the bottom of your pack or donated along the way. Yeah, the scale is good planning tool, but once you're out there what really matters is how you feel about what you're about to add. I do a good bit of dayhiking along the AT where it crosses NJ, so I experience through-hiker season a couple months of every year. By that time, it's all about the feel on their backs, and what they planned for in their pickups usually needs fine-tuning on the fly. The most common reasons are that it's the wrong amount or too much of something they're tired of eating, so there's a lot of swapping going on. In general, they're hungry people, so they seem willing to take on extra food and just try to eat faster. Obviously that has limits, though.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Feb 7, 2023 18:39:55 GMT -8
Will a post office weigh your pack for you if you ask nicely during resupply stops?
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Feb 7, 2023 18:46:20 GMT -8
They will at those self service kiosks out in the box area. Don't even need to ask.
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RumiDude
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Post by RumiDude on Feb 11, 2023 13:23:40 GMT -8
I was doing a long thru hike I might wanna be able to check my pack weight at restocking stations along the way. So, in general, I'm rarely willing to pack gear that falls into the "I might wanna be able to..." category and I'm thinking that's even more so on a thru hike, but maybe I'm wrong. If I had to bet, the luggage scale will either end up unused at the bottom of your pack or donated along the way. ^^^^THIS^^^^ Some places along the trail will have scales you can use, but in general you will go by feel. And knowing the exact weight rarely means anything. Thrus often talk about it but most are either guesstimating weight or just bulls*****ng. And often how heavy your pack feels is dependent on how YOU feel. In other words it might feel light in the morning when you put it on and then feel heavy later in the day, or vice versa. Once you've nailed down your base weight, it doesn't matter after that. And you should have base weight pretty much nailed down before you leave home. After that it is just a matter of adding or subtracting gear based on need/use. As far as food weight goes, you need to carry as much of it as you need. The same applies to water. In other words, DON"T skimp on food or water based on weight because you will likely regret that decision. You need proper hydration and food to hike comfortably to your next water source and food supply. I have seen people have to ask for food or water from others because they made a poor decision guided by weight consideration. Don't be that person. I have also witnessed people over consume food after their resupply because of the weight, only to become hungry before their next resupply. Finally, those who focus on weight ... focus on weight when they should be enjoying their hike. Don't allow a number to determine your joy. I've seen it happen. It's happened to me! Simplify your thru-hike or just an overnighter, carry what you need and then forget about the weight. Rumi
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Feb 11, 2023 14:12:35 GMT -8
And you should have base weight pretty much nailed down before you leave home. I did a 10 week section hike of the AT. It changes the way you look at gear. After acclimating to trail life you will have things you thought you needed but end up sending home or giving away. I imagine when you thru hike this is even more pronounced. You can only take your best guess before you leave home.
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