If you are planning a long hike, you need to pack your backpack with food, water, and other survival gear. Instead of just packing it in bulk, take the time to organize things so that the weight is well distributed and you have easy access to the tools you need on your trip. While backpack preparation may seem like an undemanding task, you actually need to do it right to make an otherwise strenuous excursion wonderful.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Gather the Equipment
Step 1. Choose the backpack
When hiking, you appreciate having the lightest backpack possible. Get the lightest, smallest one available that can hold the gear you need for your trip at the same time. If you plan to go on a long day trip, you just need a smaller backpack, but if the trip also includes a night away from home, you need one in which you can also put your sleeping bag and tent, as well as an escort greater than water and food.
- The capacity of the backpacks is measured in liters and on sale you can find models ranging from 25 to 90 liters. For a day trip, a backpack with a capacity of 25-40 l is sufficient, while if you are planning a trip of 5 days or longer, it is recommended to take one with a capacity of 65-90 l.
- In addition to the duration of the trip, another aspect to consider when choosing the volume of the backpack is the season. If you're traveling in the winter, you'll need a bigger one, as you need to bring heavier clothing and other extra accessories.
- Most models are made with internal structures that help support weight, although you can find some backpacks with external armor designed to support a much heavier load. In any case, you should avoid taking a standard backpack, such as those for school, and instead look for a specific one that is able to carry the load during the hike and ensure better comfort.
Step 2. Gather the necessary equipment
When you go on an excursion, you must bring only the essentials with you. You may be tempted to take your camera, a diary, your favorite pillow, but remember that anything superfluous means a heavier weight on your shoulders; pack only the things strictly necessary for the type of excursion you plan to do in your backpack. Do some research to figure out what to bring for the specific trip you are about to take, taking into account the physical effort it requires, how many nights you plan to sleep outside, and the weather conditions.
- Consider investing in gear with the best weight / strength ratio, especially if the journey is long. For example, if you have to bring a sleeping bag, choose an extremely light and compact one that weighs only a few pounds, rather than a large, bulky one that takes up a lot of space and weighs a lot. However, you must also consider the climatic conditions and the type of terrain on which you plan to hike; sometimes more cumbersome equipment is therefore required.
- Whenever possible, minimize weight and volume. Instead of carrying an entire pack of energy bars, remove the outer packaging and put them in a plastic bag; avoid carrying the heaviest camera you have with you and consider using smartphone functions instead. Some people also reduce weight and volume by cutting off part of the toothbrush handle and breaking the comb in half.
Step 3. Arrange the equipment by weight
Prepare each accessory and organize it in piles respecting a weight criterion. Bring the various elements together by grouping them by weight: make a group for the heavier ones, one for the medium weight ones and another for the light ones. By cataloging your equipment in this way, you can arrange each item appropriately and ensure the most comfortable excursion possible.
- Among the light objects put the sleeping bag, thin clothing and other accessories for the night.
- Those of medium weight include heavier clothing, first aid kit, and light food items.
- The biggest load is made up of the heaviest foods, cooking accessories, water, the torch and the most demanding equipment.
Step 4. Compact objects whenever possible
It is important to optimize the spaces and concentrate the weight; combining them prevents them from moving freely in the backpack. By taking the time to pack the flexible items into the extra spaces, you'll have a better organized backpack with well-distributed weight.
- For example, if you want to bring a saucepan for cooking, fill it before putting it in your backpack; you can put in food supplies or an extra pair of socks. Optimize every little space to the fullest.
- Gather all the small items you use at the same time. For example, pack all your bathroom accessories into one lightweight bag for easy access.
- This is a good opportunity to get rid of those items that take up too much space. If you have some accessories that you cannot easily pack in your backpack with other items, because they are too bulky or because they are made of rigid material, it may be a good idea to leave them at home.
Part 2 of 3: Fill the Backpack
Step 1. Place the lighter items on the bottom of the pack and the heavier items near the back
The best way to carry the backpack without putting too much weight on the back is to distribute the weight by placing the lightest equipment in the lower part, the heaviest one in the center, in the area between the shoulder blades, and the medium weight one all around. If you put the heaviest objects first, the back is subjected to greater strain; these must be inserted in the area corresponding to the upper part of the spine, so that the weight of the backpack is supported mainly by the hips, rather than in other areas where it can cause injury.
- If you plan to camp for the night, pack your sleeping bag and other lightweight sleeping accessories first. On top of these, add the change of clothes, spare socks, other gloves and so on.
- Then put the heavier objects: water, torch, heavy dishes and so on. These should be in the center, between the shoulder blades just resting on the back.
- Next, put in your medium weight kitchen equipment, food supplies, first aid kit, and other medium weight items, so that they surround others and stabilize the backpack. Wrap flexible items, such as towels or clothing, around heavier items to prevent them from shifting when you walk.
Step 2. Keep essential items close at hand
There are some items that you should always have on hand and they should therefore occupy the top of the backpack or an external pocket, even if they are light. These include food and water, as well as the map, GPS, flashlight, and some first aid materials that may be of use. Prepare them with awareness, to know exactly where they are when you need them.
After a few days of traveling, you can better understand the things that are better to keep on hand than others; adapts the backpack accordingly, in order to make it as practical and comfortable as possible
Step 3. Hang some items on the outside
If some accessories do not fit inside the backpack, you can attach them outside, hooking them on the top, bottom or sides. For example, you could hang the tent poles on top or hook the water bottle to one side. If you opt for this solution, you have to take into consideration some aspects:
- Secure as few objects as possible outside. It is always better to put everything inside, as during the excursion some external elements could get stuck in the branches of the trees or in other obstacles; keeping everything inside, the walk is certainly more comfortable.
- Respect the weight distribution rule. For example, hang the heavy tent or hiking sticks on the top of the backpack and not on the bottom.
Step 4. Check the sensations the backpack conveys
Put it on your shoulders and tie the compression straps comfortably; walk a bit to see if you are comfortable. If you can walk comfortably and feel that the backpack is compact and secure, you are ready for the hike.
- If you feel something moving inside, remove the backpack and better arrange the equipment so that it is more compact, stable and repeat the checking procedure.
- If the backpack is a bit tilted and hangs to one side, take it out and re-pack all the contents, so that the heavier things are in the central area between the shoulder blades, right against the spine; previously, you probably placed them too high.
- If the backpack does not feel well balanced, rearrange all the elements and try to distribute the weight more evenly on both sides.
- If it's too heavy, think about what you can leave at home. If it is a group excursion, check if someone else has some space in their backpack to carry some of your belongings.
Part 3 of 3: Prepare the Backpack like a Pro
Step 1. Use waterproof bags for wrapping food, but not for softer things
These are popular accessories for hikers and help keep the backpack organized. They are very light but resistant bags and are very practical for separating food from the rest of the equipment. Many people use one for storing food they don't plan to eat while walking and another for bathroom accessories. You can use them to put on almost anything, but experienced hikers don't mind putting clothing in, as the soft, flexible elements wrapped around heavier and more uncomfortable items are much more effective at maximizing space.
Step 2. Pack the watertight containers efficiently
These containers prevent odors from escaping and are used to store food, deodorant, sunscreen, and other items that may attract wildlife. Sometimes, it is recommended to use them when traveling to locations with a massive presence of dangerous wildlife, such as bears. If you plan to hike to one of these locations, where it is recommended (or sometimes even mandatory) to have such containers, it is important to pack them properly in your backpack so that they are not too heavy, uncomfortable or bulky.
- Do not put any items such as clothes to fill the empty spaces of these containers. You could decide, for example, to fill the empty space by putting the raincoat or backpack cover, but absolutely avoid putting inside the clothes you wear while camping. There should not be any odors that attract animals to the tent, such as that released from clothes you have kept in the food container all day.
- This is a rather heavy object; therefore consider it as the other loads to be held at the shoulder blades, right next to the spine.
- Wrap a flexible item, such as a towel or clothing, around the container so it doesn't move when you walk.
Step 3. Get a backpack cover to protect it
It is a practical and light element that prevents the backpack from getting wet due to rain or snow. It is a cover that completely envelops it and protects it from bad weather. When it's not raining or snowing, you can pack it in a small lightweight package to keep on top of the backpack, so it's easily accessible should you need it.
Advice
- Remember that you need three liters of water a day to survive and 2000 calories a day to keep yourself in good condition. Find out about the environment in which you are going for the excursion; you may need to collect plants or water from local water sources, as carrying 3 liters of water for each day of walking could be difficult and would make the backpack too heavy.
- Get a map or compass to orient yourself.
- Check that the lighter you carry with you is charged and in working order.
- Wrap the matches in tarpaulin (which is waterproof) to prevent them from getting wet.
Warnings
- Research the wildlife present at the excursion site; be prepared for encountering some wild animals, such as bears, snakes, wolves and so on.
- Don't fill your backpack with unnecessary things; for example, if you want to bring a sleeping bag, don't add a blanket as well or vice versa.
