A light backpack typically weighs under 20 pounds when considering its base weight (the weight of the pack itself and all gear excluding consumables like food, water, and fuel).
To further clarify, backpack weight classifications generally fall into these categories:
- Ultralight: Base weight under 10 pounds
- Lightweight: Base weight under 20 pounds
- Traditional: Base weight between 20 and 35 pounds
- Heavy: Base weight over 35 pounds
Therefore, to be considered "light," a backpack's base weight needs to be below 20 pounds. This classification is commonly used in backpacking and hiking to describe the weight of the essential gear carried.
