How to Pack For Backpacking
It seems like such a simple task, but packing your backpacking pack should actually take a bit of thought. Having an unorganized and uneven backpack can be annoying, painful, and inefficient. Once you learn how to pack for backpacking, you’ll find that you can fit more in your pack and feel more balanced and comfortable.
There might not be one perfect way to pack your backpack, but there certainly are a few tips that will help you start off on the right foot. After a few trial and errors, you’ll be able to customize your own technique to make it work best for you and the gear you carry.
Below, I will go over the main rules for how to pack for backpacking. We’ll also throw in some hints and tips that we’ve learned along the way (that I wish I knew on my first trip!). By the end of this article, you’ll be packing your backpack like a pro!
Before You Pack
Lay Out All Your Backpacking Gear Before Packing
Laying out all the items you are going to bring should always be step one. It seems so simple, but it really is a game changer! With all of your belongings in plain sight you can easily organize and prioritize them. This is also a good point to reconsider whether certain items are necessary for the trip.
Group together items that you only need for camp, such as your sleep gear, sleep clothing and camp shoes. Set aside other things that you’ll want readily accessible. Bundle together items that belong together, such as toiletries, eating utensils, and first aid gear. Having these groupings will make organizing any pockets and sacks easier.
Once you’re organized, you’re ready to start packing!
The Anatomy of a Backpack
There are 3 main zones of a backpack that are important to consider when packing your gear. We’ll be clever with the names of these zones and call them the bottom, core and top zones. Using these zones as a guideline for where you put certain items in your backpack will help you keep the weight balanced and your back feeling good.
Aside from these 3 zones your backpack will also contain a variety of pockets and straps. These vary depending on backpack design, but these are important features to utilize. We will get into how to use them in the best way below.
What to Pack in the Bottom Zone
The bottom zone of your backpack is where you should place relatively lightweight, but bulky items that you will only need once you get to camp. Remember that pile you made with your sleeping bag and camp shoes? Those should be put into your pack first and shoved down to the bottom of the bag.
The light, chunky items will help support the heavier items that will be placed toward the middle of your back. These items should be smush-able, since a lot of weight will be put on top of them.
Putting items that you won’t need until camp toward the bottom is mainly for convenience’s sake. You don’t want to have to unload your backpack in the middle of the trail because you packed your rain gear at the bottom. These items should be ones that can stay put until the end of the day.
What to Pack in the Core Zone
The center of your backpack is where you want to put the heaviest items. You want the most dense objects closer to your back in order to create a more stable center of gravity. If these items are placed too high or too far from your body, your backpack will shift more easily and throw off your balance. It will also help prevent avoidable stress on your back and shoulders.
Items like your food, stove, water reservoir, or bear canister (if you are carrying one) should be in this part of your bag. If any of these items are clunky, pack some softer items such as clothing around them to prevent them from swaying and shifting as you walk.
What to Pack in the Top Zone
The top of your backpack should be reserved for middle to lightweight items you might need to access throughout the day. This is an easily accessible area, so be sure you are making the most of it by packing items such as rain gear in this area. It will save you from the headache of digging through your bag to grab these.
Some items I like to keep in the top zone are a jacket, my first aid kit, my water filter, and an extra pair of socks. Smaller items such as chapstick, sunscreen or your phone can go here as well, but the pockets might be a more suitable location for them.
What to Pack in the Pockets
Every backpack will have a variety of pockets that are great for holding smaller items that you need to access frequently while on the trail. Some backpacks may have any small pockets while others have a couple of much larger compartments. If this is the case you might want to consider bundling small items into smaller bags to keep things organized.
One pocket that most backpacks have is the top zippered pocket that straddles the top of your bag. This is often referred to as “the brain”. This is prime real estate for your most frequently accessed items. Things such as your map, your phone, small snacks, your lip balm, sunscreen, or other things you will want readily available while you’re on the trail.
The straps and loops on your backpack are great for strapping on long or large items that don’t fit nicely in your bag. For example, many people will strap in their tent, sleeping pad, or sleeping bag to the bottom of their backpack. This saves on space and also helps your backpack stand up on its own, which can be nice.
If you are going to strap items to the outside of your backpack, make sure they are tight and close to you. You don’t want to be bumping into trees with your tent or losing your balance because your sleeping bag slipped.
Photo by Karson Chan on Unsplash
Tips For Packing Your Backpack
Don’t be Afraid to Re-pack. – I know it sounds annoying to have to unpack everything after you pack it for the first time, but practice makes perfect. Take things out and reorganize them a couple of times before you accept a mediocre pack job. That way you can start off your adventure on the right foot. After all, you’re going to be re-packing repeatedly when you are actually on your trip anyway.
Make sure you check out our “6 Tips for Making the Most of Your Backpack Space” before you get started!
Take Notes – After your trip, jot down some notes on your backpacking pack list about things you did and didn’t like about your packing technique. Learning from experience is a great way to find out what works best for you, but it is easy to forget those little details after a few weeks. Remind yourself of what did and didn’t work on your last trip so you can improve next time.Learning how to pack for backpacking is a journey that continues throughout your backpacking lifetime.
Keep Things Dry – Nothing is worse than getting your clothes or sleeping bag wet on a backpacking trip. Luckily there are some ways to avoid this. One trick is to line the inside with a trash bag before you put your things inside. That way if it rains (or if you’re a klutz like me who tends to fall in water), you will stay dry. You could also utilize dry bags to keep the most important items dry such as your clothes, sleeping bag, or any electronics you’re bringing with. Either way can save you from an unpleasant experience.
Packing Hydration Reservoirs
Using a hydration reservoir can be convenient, you have easy access to water as you walk – and a lot of it. However it can make packing your bag a little tricky. It is bulky, heavy and takes up a lot of space in your bag. Most backpacks will have a slip against your back that is designed for keeping this reservoir close to you. This is the best place for your water bladder to be since you want to keep heavy items against your back.
When packing, make sure to put this in your backpack first. It is a real struggle to try and stuff a full water bladder into an already stuffed backpack. You will also have to unpack your bag during your trip whenever you refill water. This isn’t the funnest thing to do, but it’s the price you pay for the convenience of it.
There are trips where I choose not to use mine at all and instead use multiple water bottles. This saves a lot of space since most backpack come with two water bottle pockets. The downside of going this route is that it can be awkward to reach for your water bottle without taking off your backpack. If you’re hiking with friends, they can give you a hand, but it’s certainly not as convenient as a bladder.
Conclusion
Now that you know the basics of how to pack for backpacking, you can get started on your technique for the next trip!
Being mindful of the items you put in each zone and pocket can really make a difference. You will have better balance, a happier back, and easier access to the things you need while on the trail. If you need help figuring out what to pack, check out our Ultimate Backpacking Packing List!
Cover photo from tristanpineda on Unsplash
