How to Pack a Hiking Backpack

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

How to Pack Your Backpack

Article Written By Kirk Brown

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.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...