Travel or hiking backpacks are usually larger and more durable than regular school backpacks or walking backpacks, however not as large or professional as adventure backpacks in extreme conditions. A multipurpose backpack for all types of trips lasting longer than a day, from cycling to camping to hiking, is useful and comfortable for a variety of situations. Learning to prepare it properly is a real art and it is very important to develop a method that is logical for your purposes and allows you to find space for everything you want to carry with you.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Bringing the Necessary
Step 1. Get a backpack suitable for your needs
Whether you want to go on a hitchhiking trip to Europe or brave the Himalayan winds, a good backpack requires the right capacity for volume, weight and protection from the external agents you will face during the trip. The weight of the backpack itself and also the color can be just as many elements to take into consideration. Good quality backpacks are also tailored to fit the body, with internal support structures that provide back support.
- The difference between a travel backpack and a hiking backpack is almost minimal, the two terms are often used without much distinction. The procedure and principles for preparing a hiking or short travel backpack and those for a more robust one with the internal structure for the back, are in fact the same.
- Put something bright or reflective on top of the backpack so it's easy to see and find at night. Write us your name and surname or any other sign of recognition that can make you distinguish it from others quickly.
Step 2. Safe shelter, water and heat as a priority
If you travel at the mercy of the natural elements and you have to live with the essentials you brought in your backpack, you need to make sure you have the essentials safe, wherever you go. Being able to stay warm at night, hydrated during the day and protected from the force of the elements will have to take priority over any other concerns in the preparation of the pack.
- Making room for water or filtering tools should be top priority if you are heading to remote areas. Almost everything else will take a back seat to being able to get enough drinking water.
- Are you going to a cold place? Even in the desert, the temperature can plummet as night falls, which is why you should always travel with at least one layer of clothing to keep you warm, a hat, waterproof clothing and shelter for rain, and a light emergency cover.
- The ideal choice will be an ultra light tent and a good quality light sleeping bag suitable for cold temperatures, should this be necessary. Even if you don't plan on sleeping outdoors, good backpack equipment should include a multi-purpose tarpaulin to use as a heat-insulating cover from the ground or makeshift shelter should the need arise.
Step 3. Bring a basic first aid kit
If you're going to have to rely on your supplies and wits to stay safe and healthy, it's important to pack at least one basic first aid kit in your backpack every time. If circumstances require, more substantial products may be needed to be ready for any eventuality. Here are some items you should include:
- Bandages
- Antiseptic spray or ointment
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Pain relievers
- Iodine capsules, antimalarial treatments, or other preventative medications
Step 4. Be prepared for rainy conditions
Even if you are going to an area with a warm and sunny climate, it is important to pack in the assumption that it will rain every day and that you may be wet and cold. It is not the best to stay in the middle of a sudden flood without having the essential tools well protected from the water. Using a waterproof backpack is ideal, but separate waterproof pouches or bags in which to keep your most important personal items like your phone, money and passport are also fine.
Bring a light rain jacket, sturdy shoes, and as many socks as possible to change while in the rain. It is essential to stay as dry as possible
Step 5. Bring various changes of clothes
Prioritize the most versatile, resistant and spartan garments, leaving the most fashionable ones at home. Again, if you are going hiking, make sure you have clothing that is useful and suitable for the occasion, which will not be annoying to wear for several days without changing and which you can get dirty without any problems. Waterproof clothing is appropriate, as are several light layers that keep you warm and that you can roll up nicely in your backpack. Depending on your goals, a good street wardrobe might look something like this:
- Plenty of socks and underwear, at least four spare pairs each and a patch kit for minor repairs. These are the most essential things to change every day to stay healthy.
- Thermal t-shirt and pants for use in the coldest conditions, two-three normal t-shirts and a light rain jacket.
- At least two pairs of long pants and a pair of athletic shorts or swimsuit. Alternatively, you might even be able to get by with just one pair of jeans and a spare on a long journey.
- Hat, socks and woolen gloves.
- A heavy jacket, if you will be traveling in cold weather.
Step 6. Bring cooking supplies and extra food
Whether you have food with you or not, it's still a good idea to bring a few basic tools that allow you to improvise something on the fly. Try to make sure you have what you need to cook in an emergency and be able to start a fire.
- Try to get hold of a small kettle, gas stove, lighter, and waterproof matches. It can also be a good idea to have a package of plain candles to keep the flame burning for an extended period of time.
- Carry only multipurpose tools with you. No juicer in the backpack. Don't bring a plate and bowl, just the bowl, which you can use for anything that needs a plate. Don't put a peeler, but keep a sharp knife with you that you can use in a variety of situations.
- Depending on how long you are going to be away, you may be carrying a bag of granola and assorted nuts, or you may need ready-made food, energy bars, and more substantial foods. Try to have emergency food rations on hand, at least enough to maintain adequate energy intake for 48 hours in an emergency.
Part 2 of 3: Preparations
Step 1. Arrange all objects on the ground in advance
This method helps reduce the possibility of forgetting something important and allows you to evaluate whether all the material you are putting in the backpack is actually essential or not. Furthermore, having everything in front of your eyes at the same time, it will be easier for you to group similar objects together and put them in the same compartment, leaving the backpack more tidy, organized and efficient.
Again, consider your goal. If you are going to the country house with a backpack, it is probably not necessary to bring the stove and the folding hatch. Try to keep it as light as possible
Step 2. Prioritize the items you use most
Items you will be using throughout the day should be placed in a compartment that can be opened and closed with relatively little effort. Snacks, swimsuit, cell phone and change of clothes should be relatively easy to reach, without having to remove a large number of items from the other compartments.
- If you only have one large compartment in your backpack, the items you use as soon as you arrive and continue to use frequently will have to be on top, while those you will rarely use on the bottom.
- It is relatively common, if you are going for a hike or hitchhiking trip, to keep the socks on top of the backpack for faster change and easier access.
Step 3. Consider using plastic bags for smaller items
Putting smaller items together in resealable plastic bags or bags will help prevent them from spreading throughout the day, making them harder to find when needed. Use snack bags, bottled water, or other substances that could damage other delicate items or stain clothes in case the container gets punctured or opened in some other way.
It is quite common to keep soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and other toiletries in a plastic bag to prevent leakage and keep them close at hand
Step 4. Find ways to insert objects into each other
Before you start squeezing everything into your backpack, try to find ways to start saving space by stuffing things into each other. Put your mobile phone in your spare shoes or wrap your passport in your jeans. If you're carrying a collapsible saucepan, keep the stove, matches, and other small items in it.
It can be a great way to protect the most delicate items and hide those of value. If you have extra cash, hide it somewhere a thief doesn't usually think to look, deep in the backpack. Don't keep them in an outside pocket if you can
Part 3 of 3: Get It All
Step 1. Place heavy items in the center of the backpack and near your back
Preparing the backpack properly will allow the waist and chest straps to carry a heavier load and the weight to sit comfortably on the shoulders, instead of pulling the straps over them. It will also make it easier to turn around and keep your feet in more control. Keep your weight towards the back of the pack, relaxing on the support structure.
Some backpacks have zippers on the bottom that allow you to open them and remove items more quickly and easily. These large hiking packs can hold a huge load, which means you will need to pay more attention to weight distribution than a small backpack that stays tall on the support structure
Step 2. Balance the weight evenly on both sides of the pack
Stand the pack up as you prepare it and keep the weight evenly distributed on both sides. Follow the same pattern with all the other items as you arrange them in the various compartments, being careful to balance the weight well from right to left. In this way you will reduce the fatigue and effort required, distributing the weight better on the shoulders.
Step 3. Keep the back of the pack relatively flat
Whether you have a backpack with an internal support structure or without, place the flattest items against the back panel. Avoid putting softer or heavier objects in it, because they can change the shape of the backpack, reducing its structural integrity. While traveling, this can cause annoying bumps or protrusions that will irritate your back.
Step 4. Use clothes to fill in the spaces
Put your clothes on last, unless they make up the most significant amount of your backpack material. Clothes represent the simplest object to use as a space filler to push into the remaining holes. Plus, you can always cope with one fewer gym shorts, too, in an emergency.
Roll clothes tightly instead of folding them. This will allow the clothes to take up less space while also reducing crushing creases. Make sure you only take the clothes you need for the hike, as it will help to make room for other more essential items
Step 5. Keep the total weight of the pack below a reasonable limit
This is especially important if you are walking or cycling long distances. Opinions about what amount of weight to consider reasonable vary a lot, however most backpacks should be well below half your body weight as a maximum limit.
Step 6. Get some carabiners
As a last resort, it is quite common to have important tools on hand, easy to take, by hanging them on the backpack with carabiners. They are very useful both for maximizing the volume capacity of the backpack, hanging other things on the outside, and for allowing you to easily take a bottle of water, keys, knife or other basic items.
Most backpacks are equipped with bottom straps that make it possible to put the sleeping mats or mats upright, improving weight distribution and saving space
Step 7. Test the backpack and check the weight
After you've packed everything in, experiment to make sure the backpack is comfortable and items are accessible without having to remove more if needed. Always wear it for at least 10 minutes and walk around to experience how it feels, mimicking what you will do when wearing it on the go.
- Pay attention to where you feel the pressure of the straps and to notice if the backpack is unbalancing you or not when you move. In this case, you may need to reposition some items inside to redistribute the weight more evenly.
- Those who use the hiking backpack occasionally, such as students for example, often leave the straps loose by letting the backpack drop onto their back. Wearing a loose, low heavy backpack is bad on a long trip, so it's very important to tighten the straps well and keep the backpack as high on the support structure as possible.
Advice
- Bring what you need but no more. While the excess weight may not seem too much at first glance, you will soon get tired of carrying unnecessary things after the first few hours of travel.
- When choosing the items to put in your backpack, don't forget some essentials for emergencies. A flashlight with spare batteries and a waterproof rain poncho are 2 great examples of essential items to include.
