70+ year old, 5 ft. tall, 110 lb. female hiking the full Northern Route (del Norte). My goal is to carry no more than 12 pounds/5.44 kg. Ideally, I'd like to carry less. I'm planning to use a Women's Deuter 28 L pack weighing 3 lb. 2 oz. (1418 grams) mostly because I already own it and it's small enough to use as airline carryon. I could spend a small fortune and get a Women's Arc Haul Ultra 60 L (smallest women's size Zpack makes) which weighs only 20.3 oz / 575.0 g. This is a difference of almost two pounds! (1.86 pounds; 1418 grams difference) I'm tempted. Can anyone share information that might help me decide? Thank you!
https://zpacks.com/products/womens-arc-haul-ultra-60l-backpack
IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT THE BACKPACK!! It is about everything you carry, and every ounce matters in longer daily distances.
Some people recommend applying a cost per ounce they are willing to spend to reduce the load, say ie, $5 per oz, $10, $25, etc. Usually the cost goes up exponentially as you reduce weight, but not always. For instance, I had an Osprey Stratus that weighed 3 lbs on my first Caminos. Then an Osprey Talon came on sale for $85 weighing 2 lbs. I have it used on 8 Caminos. It's fantastic. When my (todays price) $300 LL Bean Gortex shell weighing 24 oz failed after 20 years, I bought a FrogToggs outfit for $25--the Mens XL coat weights 5.5 oz and covers both me and my pack, obviating the pack rain shell. I replaced the FrogToggs rain pants with a 2 oz rain skirt for $12.
You need to look at each piece of your gear and calculate costs to reduce its weight and size, and possibly increase its utility to take place of another piece of gear or two.
Last year I replaced my 24 oz $25 Coleman fleece sleep liner which was plenty warm through 3 seasons with a $230 Sea to Summit Traveler zippered quilt, which was pretty much a 50 deg F sleeping bag weighing 14 oz. It is warmer, lighter, easier to pack, packs less than half the size of the fleece, and does not stick to me as I roll around in my sleep. $23 per ounce, but well worth it to me.
I saved an ounce per pair by going from zip-off leg hiking pants to non-zippered. They are $10 cheaper, lighter, easier to wash and the long legs reduce need for sunscreen and keep dust out of my sneakers. Roll up the legs and install safety pin to create shorts.
By carrying only one spare set of clothes and hand washing each night, I save the weight of the third "whatevers" most people carry.
Every year I look longingly at the Z-packs gear and read the reviews, but I would be getting near the $25/oz for a lot of ounces. It's easier just to lose 10 lbs in the month prior to Camino, plus I save money on food!!
Oh, and my pack base weight is 8 pounds. There are about 4 lbs on my person: clothes, money belt, hat, shoes, glasses and cell phone.