How to Pack Camping Gear Into a Backpack

When purchasing a backpack, it is just as important to have it fitted properly to your body as it is important to wear properly fitted shoes. When a backpack is not proportioned correctly to your body frame, packing equipment and hauling it down a hiking trail can be a nightmare. Once you have a backpack that is the correct size for you, packing it efficiently to maximize the amount of space that you have to work with is a skill that is easily mastered. Follow the tips and guidelines highlighted in this article to utilize your available space within your backpack.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step 1

Pack the heaviest item at the bottom. The heaviest item that you will carry in your backpack will more than likely be your sleeping bag. Most backpacks manufactured for hiking comes equipped with a space on the outside of the backpack specifically for toting your sleeping bag. Having this feature on your backpack eliminates the need to take up room inside the bag. Whether the sleeping bag is inside the backpack or not, it should be the first item packed. Everything else will fit snuggly around the bulky sleeping bag.

Step 2

Pack the tent. If you are toting a tent within your backpack, it should be compact enough to fit on one side of your backpack. Tents made specifically for backpacking fold neatly into a narrow pouch. Ideally, a backpacker's tent pouch should not weigh more than 5 to 7 lbs.

Step 3

Pack a portable burner. At the bottom of your backpack, place your cooking equipment. Camping equipment companies such as Coleman manufacture portable burners that fit inside of a pouch and can easily be stored in your backpack. If bringing pots and pans, limit your equipment to one of each. If possible, to maximize your space, insert the portable burner inside of the pots. Instead of packing food, purchase prepackaged meals made especially for camping and hiking. These food packages should be inserted into an easy-to-reach location of your backpack.

Step 4

Shrink wrap extra clothes. Packing an extra set or two of clothes will not take up any room at all if packaged in a vacuum-sealed bag. Not only will a vacuum-sealed bag shrink the size of the bundle, it will also prevent your extra clothes from getting wet.

Step 5

Pack supplies in a convenient location. You should pack frequently used supplies such as water bottles, snacks and the first-aid kit where they are easily accessible. All backpacks are made with pockets and pouches on the outside; utilize those compartments with such supplies in order to avoid having to dig through the contents of you backpack.

Tips & Warnings

Avoid over packing your backpack, making it too heavy to carry on your back without straining.

Article Written By Angela Robinson

My family and I are avid campers. Having grown up in the Ozark Mountains, I have an appreciation of the outdoors. It has always been a big part of my life. As an adult, I enjoy taking my son to the places that I explored as a child. As a freelance writer, I enjoy most of all, sharing my knowledge, thoughts and experiences with the world.

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