How to Properly Pack a Backpack for Adventure Travel

A poorly packed backpack always leads to unnecessary degrees of suffering. Here are some tips for making it the least of your worries.

1) Maximization
You can fit more sand in a jar than pebbles. Use the same approach to packing. Use every ounce of space by stuffing loose items like your raincoat or tent fly, around solid items like your sleeping bag. It's important to get rid of any air pockets in your pack, as this will allow you to pack even more stuff.

2) Convenience
Clipping or strapping belongings on the outside of your pack can be a nuisance to you, as well as your fellow backpackers. There is a greater chance of hooking into things around you such as loose branches, or banging into people causing annoyance to all involved. Do your best to keep all your belongings inside your pack. This also helps keep everything protected from the rain.

3) Organization
Stuff bags are a great method for organizing your belongings. Stuff sacks come in a wide variety of colours, so a great way to pack your items is by utilizing a colour-coded system. This will make it easier to find what you are looking for. All you have to remember is your own system, and what you packed in each bag.

4) Weight Distribution
Make sure you balance your load and don't have too much weight on one side. All your heavier items should be packed closer to your back and your natural centre of gravity. If you pack all your heavy gear on top, you’ll be looking at the ground all day resulting in a sore neck, and not to mention missing all the scenery, like an eagle soaring high in the skies above. If you pack all your heavy gear at the bottom of your pack, your shoulder straps will constantly dig into you. Load too heavy to one side, and your shoulders, hips and feet will begin to ache. A properly loaded pack should feel comfortable on your back, and you should be able to stand upright without too much pressure on your neck, shoulders, back, or hips. The one time it might benefit to pack some of your heavy stuff at the bottom, is if your hike involves scrambling over rough terrain. This will help improve your balance and lower your centre of gravity.

5) Consistency
To make life easier on the the trail, try to work out a system and pack your backpack the same way each time. By finding a method that works best for you it will be easier to remember where things are in a pinch. Practice packing your bag at home. Perfecting your tent rolling technique and trying to stuff it into a compression sack should not be first attempted in the pouring rain out on the trail. The same rules apply for load balancing, this should be dealt with before the hike begins to avoid any unnecessary aches and pains.

6) Accessibility
Make sure the important gear like rain gear, warmer layers, sun screen, bug repellant and water can be easily accessed without taking your pack off. This is especially important for your water supply, as a water bottle in your pack is not very practical for keeping yourself hydrated. In an unlikely event, make sure that some of the essential equipment like a knife and waterproof matches are kept in at least two locations, one of them being on yourself.

7) Temperature
One of the downsides of backpacking is getting a sweaty back, especially when it comes time to taking the pack off. If there is a chill in the air you can become cold quickly as the moisture in your clothes evaporates. Having mesh back panels that vent can help, but when the back of your pack is lined only with plain fabric over smooth foam panels this can make for a sweaty hike. Try to wear synthetic fabrics that wick moisture away from your body. Also, try placing a shammy towel between you and your pack. The absorbent material pulls the sweat away from your body, which helps keep things dry.

Happy Trekking,
Stephen