How to Use This Calculator
Enter your trip length, paddlers (with individual body weights), and the per-day schedule of paddling and portage hours. The calculator uses MET-based calorie math — the same methodology used in exercise physiology research — to give each paddler a personalised daily calorie target, converts that to food weight using your chosen caloric density, and totals everything across the group.
- Set trip days and enter your canoe's rated max capacity and hull weight.
- Add paddlers with individual body weights — the more accurate these are, the more precise the calorie estimates.
- Fill in the day schedule — how many hours you plan to paddle and portage each day. Rest/camp hours are calculated automatically.
- Choose paddling intensity and adjust the cold-weather multiplier if you're heading out in autumn or on northern routes.
- Select food caloric density to match your meal plan (freeze-dried, home-dehydrated, or fresh food).
- Read off your total food weight, per-person per-day weight, and the canoe load safety bar.
Use the Print / Save PDF button to capture a clean summary, or Download CSV for your own spreadsheet. Share the URL — all your inputs are encoded in it so anyone you send it to sees the same results.
When & Why You'd Use This
Food planning is one of the most common pain points on multi-day canoe trips. Packing too little leaves paddlers bonking on a long portage; packing too much wastes portage effort and adds dangerous weight to a canoe crossing open water. This tool is especially useful when:
- Planning a BWCA, Quetico, or boreal-shield canoe route with mixed portage and lake days
- Organising a group trip where paddlers have very different body weights and calorie needs
- Checking whether your loaded canoe will sit safely in the water before you leave the launch
- Comparing fresh vs dehydrated food strategies by simply toggling the caloric density
- Planning autumn or shoulder-season trips where cold adds hidden calorie demand
The Formula Explained
Calorie expenditure is calculated per paddler per day using the standard MET formula from the 2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities:
kcal = (MET_paddle × paddle_hrs + MET_portage × portage_hrs + 1.3 × rest_hrs) × weight_kg × cold_factor
MET values used (2024 Compendium):
- Canoeing on a camping trip: 4.0 MET
- Light paddling 2–4 mph: 2.8 MET
- Moderate paddling 4–6 mph: 5.8 MET
- Portaging (carrying canoe / pack on trail): 7.0 MET
- Camp & rest: 1.3 MET (light activity, not pure rest)
The result is multiplied by the cold-weather factor and a user-defined safety buffer (default 10%). Total food weight = total kcal ÷ caloric density (kcal per gram or ounce of your food).
The canoe load check adds paddler body weights + group food weight + (gear per person × paddler count) + canoe hull weight and compares it to your rated capacity. Keeping the load under 75% of rated capacity is the practical performance threshold.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much food should I pack per day on a canoe trip?
For a moderate canoe camping trip, most paddlers need 1.5–2.5 lbs (680–1130 g) of dry food per person per day, targeting 2,500–4,000 calories depending on body weight, paddling hours, and portage load. Heavier paddlers and trips with long portages need the upper end. Cold-weather trips commonly add 20–30% more calories. This calculator uses MET values to give you a personalised target rather than a generic rule of thumb.
What MET values are used for canoeing and portaging?
Values are from the 2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities (Arizona State University). Paddling at a camping pace = 4.0 MET; light paddling = 2.8 MET; moderate paddling = 5.8 MET; portaging = 7.0 MET. Portaging is significantly harder than paddling because you carry both the canoe and a loaded pack while hiking trail terrain. Rest/camp hours use 1.3 MET to account for light camp tasks rather than pure seated rest.
How do I convert food calories to food weight?
Divide daily calorie needs by the caloric density of your food. Freeze-dried backcountry meals average about 100–125 cal/oz (350–440 cal/100 g). Home-dehydrated or mixed dry food averages about 80–100 cal/oz (280–350 cal/100 g). Fresh food averages 50–70 cal/oz (175–250 cal/100 g). Choosing higher-density food directly reduces the weight you carry — critical on portage-heavy routes.
How do I check whether my loaded canoe is safe?
Add up all paddler weights + food weight + gear weight + canoe hull weight and compare to the manufacturer's rated maximum. For good performance and a safety margin on open water or moving water, keep total load under roughly 75% of the rated maximum. The load bar in this calculator shows both the absolute maximum and this 75% performance threshold.
Why does cold weather increase how much food I need?
In cold or wet conditions your body burns extra calories maintaining core temperature — shivering alone can add several hundred calories per hour. Cold-weather paddlers routinely add 20–35% to their warm-weather food estimate. Autumn trips, northern boreal routes, and any trip with significant rain exposure all warrant the higher cold-weather multiplier.
Should different paddlers carry different food amounts?
Yes — a 90 kg paddler burns meaningfully more calories than a 60 kg paddler doing the same route. This calculator outputs a group food total that already reflects each individual's body weight, but you may want to allocate food proportionally when packing canoe barrels or dry bags across multiple boats.
This calculator provides estimates for trip-planning purposes. Individual calorie needs vary based on fitness, metabolism, and conditions. The output is not medical or nutritional advice. Always carry an emergency food buffer and check weather conditions before any expedition.