backpack

Checking a Hiking Backpack on a Plane

Last updated: May 31, 2022 by Canberk Koksal

how to check a hiking backpack at the airport

Will I receive my hiking backpack at the end of my flight? Will I get it in one piece? Will it pass through the ordeals of security check? What forbidden items, according to the airport’s security regulations, have I unknowingly packed inside my checked in hiking backpack?

Based on my (and the experiences of other unfortunate travelers'), I've gathered some pointers about how to check your hiking backpack and your gear (separating them could be a good idea in some cases) on a plane in order for them to go as smooth and incident free as possible.

In summary, before implementing these tips, do try taking your hiking backpack as a carry on as that's almost always down to individual staff as the regulations are mostly ignored. If it doesn't work:

Weigh your hiking backpack before going to the airport to make sure it's below the limit,
Either protect, wrap or cover it,
Surround the internal sharp and/or hard items with soft items,
Mark your pack,
Know what hiking gear you can & can't bring on an airplane.

Table of Contents

Always try taking it as a carry-on

Weigh before the go

Know how to protect backpack when checked as luggage

Having your pack wrapped

Hiking backpack airport covers

Don't forget to protect the pack on the inside!

Mark your pack

Pay attention to what we backpackers can and can't bring on a plane

Conclusion

References

We aren't going to discuss the likelihood of getting your hiking backpack accepted as a checked baggage or not since that's always down to (1) weight limits of your airlines (there are no regulations that apply to all airlines) and (2) the airline staff. Weighing your pack is the only precaution you can and should take.

Always try taking it as a carry-on

The first advice I always give is, although seems somewhat counter intuitive given the topic, to avoid checking a hiking backpack whenever possible. If you can bring it as a carry-on, do it.

They keep telling you through the speakers: “Keep your luggage in your presence at all times”. At all times!

But seriously, the sad fact is that luggage do get lost when travelling by plane. No matter if it gets lost for good or you eventually retrieve it (like I did in my unfortunate case) - the hard-planned trip is pretty much ruined unless you have the mindset of a monk.

Some airlines are more lax when it comes to the size of your luggage, some are more rigid, while others change their regulations every couple of months. So there are no regulations.

As a maximum carry-on size, most airlines draw the line at 22x14x9. Read more about it here in best carry-on backpacks review.

Knowing their specifications beforehand is a must if you'll go down this road. You don’t want to be “that guy” in front of the check-in desk that goes on the roller-coaster of emotions of removing items from his overweight or overstuffed luggage, placing it on the scale, removing it again, putting on another pair of jeans and perhaps one or two sweaters, placing it on the scale once more, only to hear that still no go.

Sure there are different situations you can’t avoid packing big. Or certain items you can’t dispense of and can’t really carry with you on the plane (e.g sharp tipped trekking sticks). You could try sending your gear up ahead, using express shipping. Perhaps doesn’t completely solve your “gear getting lost” issue, but somewhat reduces it, as you actually have more control over the cargo’s whereabouts.

Thinking of investing in a travel insurance can be a good idea as well. However, you should pay attention to its coverage span as most travel insurances cover loss items up to a very limited level according to Vovidi.

But if you still have to check it in at the airport, keep reading and take a look over the next couple of lines.

Weigh before the go

As you know, unlike carry-on baggage; weight is more important than size when it comes to checked baggage.

If you’ve found yourself in the pickle described above or if you travel quite often and still find yourself paying the extra-fee for overweight baggage, perhaps save up some of that money and embarrassment by investing in a luggage scale such as Tarriss Jetsetter Digital Luggage Scale w/100 lb capacity | Price not available.

Note that although your luggage scale has nearly 0.2 lb of accuracy, while the airport’s are not that precise. So, perhaps leave some margin of error around that idea.

If you’ve planned with great care and thought about all the ways that you could pack light, that means you packed only the “can’t do without” items. But what if your luggage still exceeds the max accepted weight, how do you choose which of those essential items you dispose of?

First option is leaving out the items you'd prefer purchasing newer ones at your destination.
Second is wearing the heaviest items during your flight. This can make a huge difference if you're heading to a cold destination so you've a lot of heavy clothing to take with you.

Know how to protect backpack when checked as luggage

This is a must not only because the airport & airline staff aren't gentle to luggages and packs at all, but also conveyor belts can do a lot of damage to your pack (especially to straps, belts, zippers and buckles).

Carefully protect your backpack’s straps, tie them together, cover them at any cost, and make them less of a target. For example, you can pull the waist strap backwards and buckle it around the backpack, on the other side of it. Another tip I find useful is tying the two separate shoulder straps together and hence providing the luggage handlers one sturdier strap to grab, protecting your straps in the process.

Some other packs like Farpoint 40 provide stow-away harness, which is a great feature to have in this case. This one is a travel backpack with a lean towards hiking backpack, though. Which is why this feature isn't offered by most high quality hiking backpacks.

Secure the zippers the best you can as well. Most backpacks have that small, extra fabric material along the zipper’s line that you can use to hide the zipper underneath. We take zippers for granted that we easily forget their importance. Until your items start falling from your broken external zippered pocket, you don't realize their value. If you prefer always being prepared beforehand for these type of failures, you can also think of investing in Zipper Rescue Repair Kit | $13.95 before your trip just in case.

Coming down to another small, overlooked piece of equipment: Buckles. They're also exposed, and having them damaged would affect the hip belt and external compression straps of your pack. Like zippers, you can think of investing a pair of buckles Sea to Summit Field Repair Buckle | No products found. before your trip just in case.

Having your pack wrapped

A good alternative option is to wrap your hiking backpack. You might not have seen this often, but almost all the airlines & airports I've been to provide this service and I strongly recommend it if you can't take the measures above. If you don't know what I'm talking about, here's what it looks like:

Hiking backpack airport covers

My best recommendation, however, would be the hiking backpack airport covers. They basically cover your pack (duh) and hence you can stop worrying about arriving to the airport even earlier to wrap it or taking precautions above to protect it.

Plus, you actually own an item instead of paying for a service each time you'll travel with your hiking backpack.

Osprey's Transporter LZ Backpack Cover also has a top carry handle.

You can basically go for anything you'd like, but besides durability and firmness; packability into its own carry case is important because you'll be traveling with one more item now. Another thing I'd pay attention to is adjustable shoulder strap(s) as you walk A LOT in the airport even though you don't really notice it at times.

Osprey's Transporter LZ Backpack Covers offer both of these features (Plus: Stow away shoulder strap) with a few nice to haves such as lockable zippers and ID card holder (although I never use these stuff). To protect your pack, base is reinforced and fills the bill.

Most popular thing about it is its All Mighty Guarantee, though.

Recommended sizes for pack volumes are as follows:

Small Size: < 50 L
Medium Size: 50 - 75 L (90% of us)
Large Size: > 75 L

889 Reviews

Osprey Airporter Backpack Travel Cover

Size medium designed for packs 45 - 75 liters
Protects backpacks when traveling or checking in...
Compact duffel to carry extra gear
Large lockable zipper opening for easy loading
Comfortable stow away shoulder strap

You can also see it on REI: https://www.rei.com/product/887944/osprey-airporter-lz-medium

I'd definitely check it out when looking for a hiking backpack airport cover.

Don't forget to protect the pack on the inside!

Cover the sharp items inside your pack with clothes or other soft fabric, so they don’t rip through the backpack. Again, sharp tipped trekking poles are a good example.

According to TSA, you can't take your trekking poles as carry on, but you can take them as checked baggage.

Same goes for hard items or objects with non-rounded edges. Surround them in clothing doesn't only protect your pack from them, but also protect them from the harsh conditions your pack is exposed to during the loading/unloading to and from the plane.

Also, knowing how to pack a hiking backpack for traveling and/or backpacking is crucial for this step.

Mark your pack

Hiking or not, whenever you’re traveling, mark your backpack/luggage, so that you don’t grab the wrong one and/or, someone else accidentally grab yours especially if you’re using the wrapping tip and/or you have a common looking pack with a typical color.

If you're worried about your valuables stolen and would rather invest in an anti-theft backpack, check out the review of the best anti theft travel backpack out there.

You can basically mark with anything you want. I just tie a cord with an easily distinguished color.

Pay attention to what we backpackers can and can't bring on a plane

Read the allowed and forbidden items lits by TSA specifically for backpackers very carefully, as it holds out traps for the uninitiated. For instance, camp stoves are allowed. Great. Easier cooking.

But! Camp stoves fuel? Forbidden.

So, propane based fuel, camping fuel, burning paste and gel fire starters are prohibited.

One of the most intriguing tips I got, as to how to overcome this, was to replace any kind of fuel with vodka. Makes sense as you indeed can check-in vodka, if in its original, proper sealed wrapping. For extra security measures, you can use a special travel pouch to protect the bottle and seal it in the event of leaks. Plus, if you aren't a serious hiker it makes a great party starter, in addition to being a great fire starter!

Animal repellents usually exceed limitations of active ingredient allowed on flight, even if it’s for the pack in the belly of the plane. Insecticides aren't allowed either. Insect repellents, however, you can have, taking into account the liquid limitations when in carry-on bags, of course.

Conclusion

All of these tips came from the vast experience of people who underwent these situations (including myself) and found out the hard way that they had to come up with some ingenious ways to avoid such inconveniences from happening again. As Warren Buffett says, "It's good to learn from your mistakes. It's better to learn from other people's mistakes."

Hope this article was helpful for you to understand the best practices of checking in a hiking backpack. Happy trails/travels!

References

Lower Back Pain After Hiking

Last updated: April 19, 2022 by Canberk Koksal

I was hiking this spring, enjoying the first glimpse of the morning sun peeking over the hills and a soft, cool breeze on my face. The only company I had was the birds singing and the sound of leaves stirring in the wind.

Unfortunately, it was at that moment that my lower back started acting up. Starting low and mild, the pain just kept increasing instead of going away, like I had hoped. If this has happened to you, you can sympathize with my search for more information.

It was a total surprise to me how much I was overloading my backpack, plus I wasn’t practicing good body mechanics when I put it on. There was also some surprising news on my footwear as well as my strength training routine. If you have lower back pain or want to avoid getting it, you can use some of the information I discovered to improve your hiking fitness, so read on!

Table of Contents

What's lower back pain?

What causes lower back pain?

Backpack

Terrain

Injury

How can I prevent lower back pain?

What's lower back pain?

Regardless of your age or fitness level, lower back pain can happen to anyone. In most cases, the cause of the pain is linked to the way the muscles, bones and ligaments in the lower back work together. Lower back pain involves the five vertebrae just above your tailbone; in other words, the area between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your legs.

This area is known as the lumbar region and it is under constant pressure just supporting the weight of your upper body. Lower back pain can come on suddenly or gradually, depending on the reason for the stress on your back.

Most of the time, lower back pain will clear itself up over time, but if you have pain that lasts a long time accompanied by other symptoms like a fever, swelling or numbness, it is best to see a doctor right away.

It's important to know the type of lower back pain you suffer from in order to receive the best treatment. Acute back pain comes on suddenly and lasts for a few weeks, gradually getting better over time. Chronic back pain develops gradually and causes long-term pain and discomfort.

What causes lower back pain?

Most of the time, the cause of lower back pain can’t be pinned down to one specific thing. It could be a minor sprain or injury that flares up or any number of things such as:

Backpack

Has it been a while since you went through your backpack? Have a lot of stuff in there you don’t remember? Same. Like mine, your backpack could be overloaded, so now is a good time to weed out anything you don’t absolutely need drag along on a hike and learn how to pack. Editing your backpack to a realistic weight will do your lower back a huge favor!

The type of backpack you choose can also make a difference. Your lower back supports the weight of your entire upper body. When you use a backpack that doesn’t have proper lumbar support, you could be aggravating your lower back. You may need two backpacks, a small one for day trips and another, larger capacity model for longer trips. Backpacks are sold according to volume, so be sure to check the cubic inches or liters and the capacity in pounds or kilograms before you buy.

Looking for a backpack?

Make sure to check out our Best Backpacking Backpacks in 2018 round-up review before investing in any hiking pack. In summary, Osprey Atmos AG 65 | No products found. (women's counterpart is Osprey Aura AG 65 | $401.59) turned out to be the best hiking backpack out there and I'd doubt if you'll feel any discomfort with them.

However, you have a lower back pain! Don't worry - we got you covered: Our top pick for those who have lower back pain is Deuter ACT Lite 65 + 10 | Price not available as it offers incredibly comfortable hip belt and a very good lumbar support.

Regardless, go with a backpack that has padded shoulder straps as well as a chest strap, and make sure the straps are fully adjustable. This is my favorite backpack, which is fully adjustable for even weight distribution and easy to pack and distribute all the items evenly.

Terrain

It's common for uphill hikers to experience low back pain due to the terrain. Hiking uphill is different than hiking the flats.

Not only does your stride length change but also your posture and the demands you place on your muscles. The steeper the terrain, the more stress and strain you are putting on your lower back. As you go from flat to uphill terrain, your stride tends to shorten, causing your hamstrings to work in a shorter range than normal. Your posture changes, with a forward lean of your upper body when you go uphill. In fact, the steeper the hill, the more you lean forward and put stress on your lower back.

Injury

People who have previously injured their back may experience chronic pain that flares up during a hike. Remaining as physically active as possible will actually help your chronic lower back pain, in most cases. Along with regular strength training exercise, continuing to hike is actually good for you. That being said, you should certainly take care not to carry too heavy a load during your hike. You should also keep the distance and terrain at a normal to low challenge level, at least when your chronic pain is flaring up.

How can I prevent lower back pain?

Lightening up your gear and making sure you have a good-fitting backpack are the first priorities. Adjusting your hike to a more flat terrain can also ease your lower back symptoms, at least until you are in fit shape again.

Another consideration is your day-to-day routine. Are you a desk jockey by day and hiker only on weekends or holidays? If so, your muscles may not adjust to your sudden activity and cause you pain.

Posture

With your backpack loaded and strapped on and your hiking boots laced up, look at yourself in a full-length mirror. What do you see?

Back hunched or curved?
Chin jutted forward?
Hips and shoulders aligned or buttocks out?

If you notice any of these conditions, it is time to incorporate core strength training into your daily fitness routine. It doesn’t need to be anything drastic, just some basic stretches and core exercise. The best routine for me turned out to be this one, but go ahead and find one you’re comfortable with.

Stretching is as crucial as core strength when it comes to achieving a healthy posture.

Now, this was a gift, but I absolutely love it and won’t go back to my old desk chair. I was given this Safco balance ball chair and it has improved my posture and core strength a lot. It isn’t for everyone, but it is certainly worth a try. It triggers all your little muscles to balance on the ball while you keep working, like a fitness routine you don’t have to think about.

Body mechanics

It isn’t just wearing your pack, it is how you take your pack on and off that can also aggravate your lower back pain. Use good body mechanics every day, especially when you are taking your backpack on and off.

Good body mechanics involve three guidelines: foundation, knees, alignment. Keep your feet apart to form a good foundation, while bending your knees instead of your waist to lift an object. Align your back, hips, neck and feet when you move and do not twist or bend your waist.

Upper body strength

In addition to developing core strength with stretches and special exercises, increasing your upper body strength can help you control your backpack and take some pressure off your lower back. Weight lifting is a great way to develop more upper body strength. Start slow, lifting a few pounds over a few reps every day, gradually working your way up to ten pounds.

Overall strength

Going back to you fellow desk jockeys, like me you probably sit for a large part of every day. Over the years, this means that we have lost flexibility in our muscles, leading to lower back pain and other ailments. Particularly those of you getting on in years, not me though! Ahem.

At any rate, when you work at a desk, your neck muscles tend to crane forward when you work on a computer, read or do other activities. Holding your neck and head this way puts a strain on your upper back muscles, which is bound to affect your lower back as soon as you hit the hiking trail.

The solution of course is to be aware of your head and neck posture and train those muscles into the proper position. A sports massage therapist can certainly help with that as well.

Hiking poles

Sometimes called trekking poles, hiking poles can help reduce the pressure on your lower back, knees, arms and hips. Some hikers I know absolutely swear by their poles and wouldn’t do a hike without them.

Finding poles that fit is important, as your height will matter when making the choice.

Your arms should comfortably bend at 90 degrees when holding the poles. They should be adjustable depending on the terrain, when they can offer assistance when navigating tricky rocks, water or other challenging terrain.

Footwear

Pay attention to your shoes or boots; are they significantly different than your daily footwear as far as heel height and ankle support? Changes in the height of a heel or support for your ankles from your daily footwear to your hiking shoes can throw off your center of gravity and cause strain on your lower back.

Try some orthotic inserts to encourage your balance and center back into their proper alignment. Don’t wear boots that are uncomfortable or cause blisters, as the pain from ill-fitting boots or shoes will cause you to change your stride and balance, throwing off your center, which places strain on your lower back.

I'm terrible at choosing footwear to hike in, I admit it. My entire hiking world changed when I went to my local outdoor store and had a professional fit a pair of shoes/boots for me. Not only was I buying the wrong size, I was buying the wrong style!

Hike relief

You’ve been there; your hike starts fine and about half to three-quarters of the way in, wham! Lower back pain flares up again. What can you do if you need to treat your lower back pain while on the hiking trail? Typically, I reach for an over-the-counter pain reliever, which seems to do the trick for me and get me up and moving again. I also have hiking buddies who carry back pain relief in Thermacare Heatwraps Lower Back & Hips patch, gel or cream form.

You could also try your core strengthening stretches to loosen up your back muscles, which quite a few of my friends say works perfectly. In fact, most of them will go through their stretch routine just before we set out on the trail. It’s a good time to re-check your backpack load and assess your posture when you take a break to stretch your back muscles as well.

If all else fails, snow or a portable ice pack applied to the painful area for at least 20 minutes while you have a snack and some water can offer relief from lower back pain during a hike. You can also try self-massage by applying pressure with your knuckles to the painful areas on your back. Sitting against a solid, stable surface and pressing into the pain for a ten-count can also help. Back braces are a great way to hold your posture where it should be and offer additional support when you’re experiencing pain.

When you decide to stop for the day, make sure you have a good, comfortable sleeping pad rather than the bare ground. Trust me; using a sleeping pad over bare ground makes a huge difference in how your back feels the next morning. Place a pillow under your knees (back sleeper) or between your knees (side sleeper) to take the pressure off your lower back while you are lying down. Try not to sleep on your stomach!

Post hike relief

Taking a few days off after your hike to recover and rest is a smart thing to do for your lower back and all your muscles. Be sure to get enough sleep during this time, which will assist in your muscle recovery and help build your core strength. If your pain continues, apply an ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes every day for three days; after that, apply heat for 15 minutes every day. Use any over-the-counter medication that works for you like aspirin or ibuprofen. Continue with your core strengthening, stretching and light weight lifting fitness routines.

Careful here

If you have chronic pain, please see your doctor for long-term care advice. Rule out any serious issues like herniated discs or nerve issues, which are completely different problems than sore muscles. Your doctor may refer you to a sports therapist or massage therapist for more treatment, which can benefit you in the long term.

Conclusion

Lower back pain can strike anyone at any time, even the fittest hikers. Managing your daily routine and fitness is the first step in preventing lower back pain while hiking. Don’t let your back pain keep you from hiking and doing the things you love. Hopefully this information will help you to be more mindful of your posture, backpack load and fitness and allow you to keep hiking for many years to come.

Hope this article was helpful for you to understand and cure your lower back pain while hiking. Happy trails/travels!

References

Bootcamp: How to Prepare for Hiking

Last updated: April 19, 2022 by Canberk Koksal

Ryan Alston · April 2018

It's April! We all know what that means, my fellow northern hemispherers.

It means the local mountain in your town is saying goodbye to snow and waving at you. You wave back and think how much missed them - the way to escape the city rush and listen to yourself in the calm nature with fresh weather. So you open the group chat with your best friends, text them about how the local mountain invites you and make plans of hiking on next Saturday and camping the same night.

But... you've been living a sedentary life for months now. Or maybe, you have never hiked in your life. Either way, you aren't sure if your body can endure miles of hiking. And you're right not to be sure.

Although most hikers hit the trail without any preparation after a long break, there is a right way to prepare to improve your overall outdoors experience.

Table of Contents

1- Schedule walking

2- Incorporate endurance weight training

3- Pack the right way

4- Adjust calories... and your bodyweight

5- Don't forget a pack with hip belt

6- Stretch

7- Adjust your sleep cycle

Schedule walking

Walking, obviously, is the most effective preparation you can do prior to your hike. Wait, did I say most? Sorry, I meant second most.

Because the most effective preparation is to schedule walking.

I don't care who you are, how fit you "used to be", how good genetics you have, how you "got it" from birth or your confidence.

If you've been living sedentary for more than 6-8 weeks, cardiovascular training WILL improve your hiking experience. For your body AND your mind.

In my experience, for most people it takes around 2-3 weeks to adapt cardiovascular exercises to a degree (and much less to lose). So instead of walking 3 miles 2 days prior to hitting the trail, just start slowly 2 weeks before, and work your way up.

For example:

Day 1	0.5 Miles
Day 2	0.8 Miles
Day 3	Rest
Day 4	1 Mile
Day 5	1.5 Miles
Day 6	Rest
Day 7	1.8 Miles
Day 8	2 Miles
Day 9	Rest
Day 10	Rest
Day 11	2.2 Miles
Day 12	2.5 Miles
Day 13	Rest
Day 14	3 Miles

It's just an example. No-one can tell you what is the BEST for you, you can only figure that yourself with trial and error. The important thing here is to start slow and incorporate progressive overload in time.

Incorporate endurance weight training

Most people think weight and cardiovascular training as two separate things. This isn't necessarily wrong, but also not true.

There are 2 different approaches to weight training; strength training and endurance training.

Most of the time, strength training requires progressive overload with weights. Meaning that if you squat 180 lbs for 3 sets and 8 reps today, to build strength, you must be squatting more weight the next time with the same set and rep range. You're trying to build an exploding power; i.e. strength.

That's why sprinters build strength.

On the other hand, endurance training is centered around the principle of progressive overload with duration. For example, if you squat 180 lbs for 3 sets and 8 reps today, to build endurance, you must be squatting the same weight for more sets and/or reps the next time. You're trying to build power that lasts, i.e. endurance.

That's why long distance runners build endurance.

For hiking, endurance is more important than strength.

You'd benefit building endurance with lunges, squats and deadlifts immensely.

Pack the right way

Although most hikers shove their stuff into their pack with no particular organization, there's a correct way to pack your backpack.

For optimal weight distribution, heaviest items should be carried closer to your body. This should be your primary concern while packing, although not the only one.

Check our post here to learn more about the correct way of packing. Plus, there's a bonus checklist!

Adjust calories... and your bodyweight

I know, I know... None of you want to hear this. Sorry, "see" this. Yes, it's more like a life preparation than hiking, and most of you won't adjust their calories.

But during hiking, it's very beneficial to stand at the weight that you feel comfortable (duh). So I'll leave the simplest tip below so that you know there's something you can do about it.

Most sedentary people are guilty for being fat. But under this heading I'll cover my skinny fellows as well.

Calorie balance is pretty much the only thing that determines whether you gain or lose weight.

If you want to gain weight, you need to be in a calorie surplus.

If you want to lose weight, you need to be in a calorie deficit.

Careful here

Calorie balance determines weight loss/gain - not fat loss/muscle gain.

For example, let's say Bob is 5'10" and 200 lbs and he calculates his TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) as 2100 kcals. To start losing weight for his first hiking after a long break, he must be in a calorie deficit. To do this, he must either intake less than 2100 kcals - or burn more than 2100 kcals.

In most cases, 10-20% surplus/deficit is recommended to gain/lose weight. How much you eat determines you weight gain or lose, NOT what you eat.

Don't forget a pack with hip belt

Function of backpack hip belts are extremely important.

They convey the weight of backpack from your shoulders to your legs and hips. Legs and hips form the core strength of your body during hiking, and they are the strongest and largest muscles in your body as Library of Congress explained in 2017.

As a result, hip belt provides longer walks with less exhaustion as the study Epstein et al conducted in 2017 concluded.

Stretch

If you're going to be hiking uphill or downhill for some time, especially leg flexibility and stretching becomes particularly important.

Believe me, guys, if you have a sedentary lifestyle, you need this even if you won't be hiking in your life once. You'll feel much better walking and sitting straight. Your lifts will go up inside the gym, too.

You don't have to do all the stuff Alan mentions in this video, although you can.

Adjust your sleep cycle

This is a little bit different than the previous ones.

At least a week before hiking I'd start waking up at 8-9 am at most (and also going to bed equally early). If you keep going to bed after midnight and waking up at 11 am everyday before hiking, you won't be able to sleep early the night before even if you go to bed, and end up feeling lousy.

Getting enough sleep is crucial for your body performance AND cognitive performance. Yes, body performance seems like the primary reason here, and I don't disagree, but after all, we hit the trail for our own enjoyment. For me, my cognitive condition is as important as my body condition to enjoy fully experience the nature.

Plus... There are very few things that feel better than waking up early in the nature, feeling fresh and enjoying the breathtaking sunrise the morning after camping. I wouldn't risk oversleeping and missing it, guys!

Step by Step Guide: How to Pack a Backpack

Last updated: April 19, 2022 by Canberk Koksal

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.