Welcome to the third installment of How To Plan Your First Backpacking Trip. If you missed the first, How To Plan Your First Backpacking Trip: Finding a Trail Using AllTrails.com, head on over and learn how to find your perfect trail. Then, check out How To Plan Your First Backpacking Trip: Gear to Bring. Then read this!
Packing your backpack for a multi-day backpacking trip can be a bit of an art. When done properly, it makes a significant difference in your comfort and overall experience on the trail. The key is balance, organization, and accessibility.
1. Understand the Sections of Your Backpack
Backpacks are generally divided into three main areas:
- The Bottom: This is the least accessible area, so pack items you won’t need until you arrive at camp.
- The Core: The middle section is for heavier items you’ll need sparingly throughout the day.
- The Top: This is for lighter, frequently accessed items like snacks or a rain jacket.
- External Pockets: Many backpacks come with side, hip belt, or front pockets for small items that need to be reached quickly, such as maps, snacks, or a phone.
2. What to Pack in the Bottom of Your Backpack
The bottom of your pack is where you’ll store items that won’t be needed until you reach camp. These items are often lightweight but bulky.
- Sleeping Bag: Place your sleeping bag at the bottom of your pack. Many backpacks have a designated sleeping bag compartment to help with easy access at the end of the day. Some zip through to the other section of the bag, some don’t. Get familiar with your pack!
- Sleeping Pad: If it’s not strapped to the outside of your pack, place your sleeping pad on top of your sleeping bag.
- Camp Clothes: Store your sleeping clothes or other items you won’t wear until the end of the day, like extra socks or long underwear, in this section.
3. What to Pack in the Core (Middle) of Your Backpack
The middle of your pack is where the bulk of your weight should go, as this keeps the center of gravity close to your back and balanced over your hips. You’ll want to keep items that are heavier and essential here.
- Food and Cookware: Store food in a bear bag or bear canister in this section (depending on where you’re hiking). Place cookware and your stove next to it. Make sure to protect any food items that could spill, like fuel canisters, with zip-lock bags or containers.
- Tent: If your tent or shelter isn’t strapped to the outside of your pack, it should go here. Split the weight of the tent (poles, stakes, fly) between yourself and your hiking buddies if you’re sharing one.
- Water Reservoir: If you use a hydration bladder, place it in the designated sleeve against your back for easy access to drinking water.
4. What to Pack at the Top of Your Backpack
The top of your pack is for lighter items you’ll need during the day. Since they’re easy to access, keep essentials here.
- Rain Jacket: If rain is in the forecast or just as a precaution, pack your rain jacket or other rain gear here.
- Snacks and Lunch: Keep food you’ll want during the hike, like energy bars or sandwiches, accessible so you don’t need to dig through your pack.
- First Aid Kit: A small, lightweight first aid kit should be easy to reach in case of minor injuries.
- Navigation Tools: Store your map, compass, or GPS device at the top of your pack or in a top pocket.
5. External Pockets and Attachments
Use external pockets to store frequently accessed items, and strap large items like trekking poles or sleeping pads to the outside of your pack.
- Water Bottle: Store your water bottle in the side pockets for easy access.
- Trekking Poles: Attach these to the outside of your backpack when not in use.
- Sunglasses, Hat, Sunscreen, and Bug Spray: These smaller items should be kept in hip belt pockets or other easily accessible compartments.
6. Final Tips for Packing Your Backpack
- Balance Weight Evenly: Make sure the weight is distributed evenly across your pack so one side isn’t heavier than the other. This will make a big difference in your stability while hiking. You can check it by placing your pack on the ground and seeing if it slouches to one side of the other.
- Keep Heavier Items Close to Your Back: Placing heavy items like food and cookware close to your back helps keep your center of gravity aligned, preventing strain on your shoulders and back.
- Strap it Down: Tighten all compression straps to reduce bulk and prevent items from shifting during your hike.
Get Out There
If you’re ready to go, great! Head on out! Otherwise, stay tuned for our next installment, “How To Plan Your First Backpacking Trip: How and What to Eat”. Looking forward to getting more humans out on the trail and into the woods.
Roxy Dawson
Roxy Dawson was born and raised on the east coast but found her true stride rolling around the west in a van. She is part community manager, part journalist, part editor and now splits her time between her van and Golden, Colorado, where she lives with her husband, adventure pup, and son. She is most alive when her community is close, the environment is thriving, and nature is truly accessed by all that wish to enjoy it.