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How to Pack a Hiking Backpack

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By Kirk Brown
A properly packed backpack makes hiking more enjoyable.

http://flickr.com/photos/14181050@N07/3276581057/

A hiking backpack is an essential piece of gear for overnight wilderness getaways. Learning to properly pack a hiking backpack so that it is comfortable to carry is a skill that requires practice. There are several basic guidelines to follow that will make the process of packing a hiking backpack easier and less time-consuming. A general rule to remember is to keep the heaviest items near your back, centered between both shoulders.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy
Things You'll Need:
  • Sleeping bag Tent Clothing Food and cooking gear First-aid kit Flashlight, compass and other miscellaneous items
  • Sleeping bag
  • Tent
  • Clothing
  • Food and cooking gear
  • First-aid kit
  • Flashlight, compass and other miscellaneous items
Step 1
Stow your sleeping bag in the bottom of your hiking backpack. Many backpacks come with a zippered compartment that is designed specifically for a sleeping bag.
Step 2
Pack the bulk of your clothing on top of the sleeping bag. Keep rain gear and items like gloves and a hat in a zippered outside compartment for easy access on the trail.
Step 3
Place your tent, cooking gear and other heavy items higher in your pack and close to your body for optimal weight distribution.
Step 4
Use outside compartments for items that you'll need or want while on the trail. These items may include your lunch and snacks, water bottle and filter, insect repellent, sunscreen, toilet paper and camera.
Step 5
Use remaining miscellaneous items to fill any leftover spaces inside you backpack's main compartment.
Step 6
Tighten all straps on your backpack after it is packed so the load is compact as possible.

Tips & Warnings

 
Keep you backpack as light as possible by leaving unnecessary items at home. For instance, dehydrated meals made for hikers are far lighter than lugging around cans of beans. Extra clothing also adds considerable weight -- try wearing the same outfit for a couple days in a row.
 
Never go hiking without a first-aid kit, trail map and a compass. Being unable to treat painful blisters, cuts and scrapes or getting lost in the woods will significantly diminish the enjoyment of your backpacking experience.

Resources

About The Author

Kirk Brown is an award-winning freelance writer with two decades of diverse media experience. A former newspaper reporter and editor, he also was managing editor of an acclaimed scuba diving magazine. Brown has written scripts for more than 50 half-hour TV programs focusing on technology and health topics.
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