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Step by Step Guide: How to Pack a Backpack

Last updated: April 19, 2022 by

In this post, I laid out ALL the backpacking items you might ever need, whether you're backpacking for traveling purposes or outdoors purposes (or both) - with your hiking backpack or travel backpack.

Since both travel and hiking (or so-called technical) backpacks can be used for both outdoor and travel backpacking purposes, you can (should) ignore outdoor-specific items if you're going to travel and vice-versa (duh).

  • Also, even though most backpackers throw these items in their backpacks with no organization...

...There is a right way of packing to ultimately be more comfortable and less exhausted along the way with healthier load distribution.

That's why I also explained where to pack these items. This efficient packing will improve your overall outdoors experience especially if you have a budget backpack without superior suspension, padding or frame.

Without further ado, here's your checklist:

See full PDF here: https://outdoorcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/how-to-pack-a-backpack-guide.pdf

Besides years of experience, there are some scientific facts behind the optimal backpack organization.

Weight and moment

Weight distribution inside the bag creates a moment on your body. This moment is the product of the weight of an item and the distance of that item to a body part. The higher the moment, the higher stress applied on subject body part.

So the weights should be placed in such a way that eventually both the total momentum applied to the body is low and the highest moment is accumulated around the strongest muscles (hips and legs) and the lowest moment is accumulated around the spine and shoulders.

Heaviest items should be contained inside the core of the backpack since it's very close to the body, it's very close to legs and hips, and it's not very far from shoulders.

Also, they shouldn't be necessary to access during hike.

This way the shoulders aren't extra-pulled since the heaviest items aren't placed very low and hips and legs are more activated since the frame support is more involved.

Bottom of the backpack should contain the lightest items due to farthest distance to shoulders and spine.

Medium weight items should be carried at the top and front.

With that said...

Frequency of use

Frequently used items should be placed in mesh pockets, traveler organizers, front zippered pockets and other surface compartments.

Light night time supplies should be placed in the sleeping compartment. If sleeping compartment isn't available, they should be placed beneath the heavy load.

Raincover should be easily accessible in case of downpours.

Crush

Fragile items shouldn't be placed directly under the heavy load.

Spilling

Liquids should be placed at the bottom to prevent spilling although I highly recommend storing them inside bags.

Damping

Certain puffy, lightweight items absorb shock and protect the other items from damages when the backpack is dropped or crashed. Usually, they are camping items already at the bottom.

Compactness

Obviously, low-dense compressible items should be carried in flattened, tight pockets while bulky, dense items should be placed inside larger compartments.