The 3-3-3 Rule for Hiking vs. RVing: Fastpacking Metrics & Ultralight Logistics

Let's clear the air immediately. In the motorized camping world, the 3-3-3 rule is a limitation to prevent driver fatigue. In the hiking and fastpacking community, we use these number sets as Target Output Metrics. They help in planning daily mileage, managing pack weight ratios, and setting arrival times to ensure camp is established before fatigue leads to errors.

The Hiker's 3-3-3 Framework

For the aspiring fastpacker, the 3-3-3 rule is a benchmark for transitional ultralight hiking:

1. 3 Miles Per Hour: This is the target moving average on moderate terrain. It requires a high cardiovascular output and minimal stops.

2. 30-Liter Capacity: Constraint is the mother of innovation. Limiting your pack volume to 30 liters forces you to adopt ultralight gear.

3. 3 PM Camp (or 3-Hour Recovery): For high-mileage days, you either set camp by 3 PM to maximize recovery for the next day, or you take a solid 3-hour block of rest/low-intensity movement if pushing into the night.

Unlike the survival "Rule of Threes" (3 minutes without air, 3 days without water), this is a logistical strategy. It balances momentum with recovery mechanics.

Not every trip requires the same intensity. We scale these rules based on the objective and the terrain difficulty.

The 2-2-2 Rule (The Weekend Warrior)

This is ideal for those transitioning from traditional backpacking to lightweight styles without the intense pressure of fastpacking.

• 20 Miles per Day: A respectable distance that covers ground but allows for enjoyment.

• 20 lbs Total Weight: This includes food and water. To hit this, your base weight likely needs to be under 12 lbs.

• 2-Day Duration: Perfect for weekend shakedown hikes to test new gear.

The 4-4-4 Rule (The Endurance Benchmark)

This is where things get technical. The 444 rule camping standard is often cited by thru-hikers looking to crush big miles or link peaks.

• 4 Miles Per Hour: Achievable on flats or descents with a running gait (fastpacking).

• 4,000 Calories: The metabolic demand at this pace is immense. You cannot sustain this output on a standard diet.

• 4-Day Resupply: You are carrying four days of food, moving fast enough to skip towns that slower hikers would need to stop at.

Note on 4k Footers: When applying these rules to 4,000-foot peaks (like in the White Mountains), mileage metrics change due to elevation gain. Here, the "4" often shifts to 4,000 feet of gain per day as the primary metric, rather than pure mileage.

You cannot execute a 3-3-3 or 4-4-4 itinerary with a 40-pound pack. Physics dictates that force equals mass times acceleration; to increase your acceleration (speed) and duration, you must reduce mass.

For high-output hiking, we look at Typical Pack Weight for 4k Footers and fastpacking objectives:

• Traditional: 30+ lbs (Too heavy for fastpacking)

• Lightweight: 20 lbs (Acceptable for 2-2-2)

• Ultralight: 10-12 lbs Base Weight (Target for 3-3-3)

• Sub-Ultralight (SUL): <7 lbs (Required for running/extreme 4-4-4 efforts)

Before you buy a new Dyneema pack, use a Pack Weight Calculator to audit your current loadout. Ounces in the spreadsheet equal pounds on your knees.

Transitioning to ultralight to meet these rules involves trade-offs. We need to talk about the reality of modern ultralight shelters versus traditional freestanding tents.

The Trekking Pole Tent Dilemma

To hit a 3-3-3 weight target, you will likely ditch the freestanding tent for a trekking pole shelter.

• The Pro: You save 2-3 lbs immediately.

• The Con (Draftiness): Single-wall, trekking pole tents are inherently drafty. This airflow is necessary to combat condensation, but in high winds at 4,000 feet, it strips heat away from your sleep system. You must compensate with a higher R-value pad.

• The Con (Splash-back): Under heavy rain, mud and water can splash under the high-cut fly of some ultralight tarps.

Sleep Systems

When cutting weight, do not cut corners on insulation. A 20-degree quilt is standard, but check the denier of the shell fabric. 7D fabrics save weight but require careful handling.

Tip: Use a Tent Capacity Finder to ensure your shelter actually fits your dimensions—ultralight often means 'ultra-cramped', which can ruin recovery sleep.

If you are following the 444 rule, your engine requires premium fuel. You cannot fastpack on instant noodles alone. The caloric density must exceed 125 calories per ounce.

• Strategy: Eat every hour. Do not wait for a 'lunch break.'

• Hydration: Carry less water, filter more often. Carrying 2 liters of water adds 4.4 lbs. If water sources are frequent (every 3 miles), carry 500ml and filter as you go using a squeeze filter. This is dynamic weight management.

Check a Trail Food Planner to calculate exactly how many calories you need based on your base weight and daily elevation gain.

The 3-3-3 rule for camping is a guideline, not a law. The mountains do not care about your Strava stats.

The Real Rule of Threes (Survival)

Never confuse your hiking pace rules with the biological Rule of Threes. Regardless of how light you pack, you must maintain the ability to survive:

• 3 Hours without shelter in extreme conditions.

• 3 Days without water.

• 3 Weeks without food.

If a storm rolls in while you are attempting a 4-4-4 push on an exposed ridge, you drop the ego and set up camp, even if it's only 1 PM and you haven't hit your mileage. Ultralight gear often has lower safety margins—thinner fabrics, less insulation overlap. Knowledge and decision-making must fill that gap.