<p>With the rapid advancement of logistics transportation, emergency rescue, and medical rehabilitation, the demand for wearable exoskeleton technology has been increasing steadily. In this paper, a lightweight wearable whole-body exoskeleton is designed for load-carrying applications, which aims to ensure full mobility while delivering effective powered assistance during load-bearing locomotion. The system features two shoulder load-bearing units connected to the hands via high-strength tension cables, enabling efficient load transfer and support. A rigid carbon fiber backplate with a flexible woven soft padding structure is integrated to the back module, thereby achieving an optimal balance between lightweight construction and robust mechanical support while accommodating individual variations in spinal curvature. The lower limb segment includes hip, knee, and ankle joints along with a structural support, ensuring precise synchronization with the natural gait of the wearer. An energy storage and assist module is incorporated into the knee joint, which recovers kinetic energy during specific phases of the gait cycle and releases it when additional torque is needed, thereby increasing actuation efficiency. Furthermore, telescopic adjustment mechanisms are implemented at the waist and leg segments, enhancing adaptability to diverse body types and improving both wearing comfort and operational versatility. The experimental results demonstrate that wearers can walk and run normally while carrying a 50-kg payload. Under static and dynamic conditions, the exoskeleton reduces spinal loading by 95% and 80%, respectively, thus significantly alleviating physical strain. Additionally, the mechanical support effectively reduces upper limb muscle activation, thereby minimizing physiological exertion.</p>