LighterPack does one thing: gear lists. MyPacks does that plus everything else backpackers actually need. Here are the features that set MyPacks apart.
1. Compartment Organization
LighterPack: Categories only (shelter, sleep, cook)
MyPacks: Categories + Compartments (main pack, hip belt, brain lid, etc.)
This is the biggest difference. MyPacks lets you organize gear by where it lives in your pack, not just what type of gear it is. This mirrors how you actually pack and access your gear.
2. Community Discovery
LighterPack: No community features
MyPacks: Browse public lists, follow hikers, save inspiration
MyPacks has a full community tab where you can:
- Discover gear lists from other hikers
- See what people carry on specific trails
- Follow hikers with similar styles
- Save lists to your wishlist
- Get inspired by trending setups
3. Trip Logging
LighterPack: No trip features
MyPacks: Log hikes, attach gear lists, track history
Connect your gear lists to actual trips. Track what you carried, add notes about what worked, and build a personal database over time.
4. Interactive Maps
LighterPack: No maps
MyPacks: See your hikes and community hikes on a map
Visualize your adventures. See where you've been and discover where others have gone. The community map shows thousands of logged hikes.
5. Gear Images
LighterPack: Text only
MyPacks: Full image support
Add photos to your gear. See your kit visually. Browse your gear library like a closet, not a spreadsheet.
6. Price Tracking
LighterPack: No prices
MyPacks: Track what you paid and gear values
Know what your kit cost. Track prices for insurance purposes or to calculate cost-per-use.
7. Wishlist / Bookmarks
LighterPack: No saving features
MyPacks: Save hikes and lists to your wishlist
Found a great gear list? Save it. Planning future trips? Bookmark them. Build a collection of inspiration.
8. Modern Mobile Experience
LighterPack: Desktop-first design
MyPacks: Fully responsive, mobile-optimized
MyPacks was designed for modern devices. Works beautifully on phone, tablet, or desktop.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | MyPacks | LighterPack |
|---|---|---|
| Gear Lists | ✅ | ✅ |
| Weight Tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Categories | ✅ | ✅ |
| Compartments | ✅ | ❌ |
| Community | ✅ | ❌ |
| Trip Logging | ✅ | ❌ |
| Maps | ✅ | ❌ |
| Images | ✅ | ❌ |
| Price Tracking | ✅ | ❌ |
| Wishlist | ✅ | ❌ |
| Mobile-First | ✅ | ❌ |
The Bottom Line
LighterPack is a gear list. MyPacks is a gear management platform.
If you just need to add up weights, either works. If you want organization, community, tracking, and a modern experience, MyPacks is the clear choice.