The Wallet Shoppe
Keep dense items close to your back, surround them with lighter gear, and put frequently used items where you can reach them. Then secure the load so it doesn’t shift as you walk.
For an overnight pack, REI’s packing guidance places bulky camp items such as a sleeping bag low down and denser items in the core. Pack fit and the hip belt matter too; arranging the contents alone won’t make a poorly fitting bag comfortable.
How To Pack a Hiking Backpack Efficiently
There are several zones to think about in a large backpack, and four rules:
Rule 1 - Close and Heavy
A properly fitted load-bearing hip belt can transfer some of the load to your hips. Follow your pack maker’s fitting instructions; a sternum strap by itself does not do that job.
But center of gravity matters - a lot.
The last thing you want is to have your pack pulling you backwards. That’s a problem on level ground, let alone scrambling over steep slopes.
So Rule 1 - pack dense items in the core, close to your back, rather than at the very bottom
Rule 2 - Cushion the Dense Gear
If you follow Rule 1, then Rule 2 is immediately clear. Pack the lighter items further out from the body.
This continues the same theme, getting the center of gravity close to your body so your pack doesn’t pull you over.
So after you’ve got the heavier items close to your back, you can brace them with lighter weight stuff that goes towards the outer edges of your back.
Keep the load balanced from side to side. Use accessible pockets for items you need on the move, without concentrating unnecessary weight high up or far behind you.
Rule 3 - Last Out, First In
What are the items you’re going to use last in the day? (Think about sleeping bags for instance)
Those items you’re not going to need until later should go deeper in the pack.
A sleeping bag or spare camp clothing can go near the bottom if you won’t need it on the trail. Keep rain gear and other items you may need quickly accessible, even if they are lightweight.
Whatever you’re going to pull out first (or regularly) should be the last things that go into the main compartment, or should go into the most easily-accessed pockets. Typically, the top pocket is the brains of the outfit - with the maps, the compass, etc.
Rule 4 - Keeping It Tight
OK, the final rule is the simplest of all.
Use the pack’s compression straps to reduce movement without crushing fragile contents. Adjust shoulder, sternum, and hip-belt straps for a comfortable fit rather than simply tightening everything as far as it will go.
Think about it this way - if everything starts shifting around as you walk then all your careful planning will be undone.
Not only will the movement itself be uncomfortable, but you will find it harder to locate items that have shifted around (it’s amazing how far things can migrate inside a pack if it’s loose inside)
What Are the Different Pockets on My Backpack For?
OK, in real life you can put pretty much anything you want in any of the smaller pockets, its really about whatever works for you. Nevertheless - we do have some suggestions.
We talked above about the four rules for how to pack a hiking backpack efficiently. Clearly that’s mostly about how to think about that main compartment that holds the vast majority of your belongings.
Pocket layouts vary: some packs have a top lid, side pockets, or hip-belt pockets, while others use a simpler roll-top layout.
These pockets are obviously easier to reach than items in the main body, so you’ll keep the smaller things that you need to access regularly in those.
As we said earlier, the maps, compass etc are often placed in the top pocket. The side pockets are usually where you’ll stash things like water bottles and snacks.
Hip Belt Pockets
If your pack has hip-belt pockets, use them for small items you need frequently. Following the same rules - these are the easiest pockets to reach into - you certainly don’t need to move the pack or take it off.
So what items might you need to grab really quickly, or really often?
My top two items would be lip balm (maybe it isn’t an issue for you - but I need to reapply CONSTANTLY) and my phone.
No, not to text people.
Because “the best camera is the one you have with you”.
Don’t get me wrong, you don’t want to spend your life looking through a camera and thinking of Instagram moments. You want to be enjoying nature and really experiencing the environment you’re in.
But still - I like photography and I hate missing a great shot. If you see wildlife for instance that you want to capture before it notices you and runs/flies - then being able to quickly pull a phone and take the shot is a big deal for me.
Kangaroo Pouch
Does your pack have a stretchy pouch on the outside? This is sometimes referred to as a “kangaroo pouch” and is a great place for a rain jacket - easy to find quickly, and easy to store back in there on its own even if still quite wet.
Lash Tabs
Some packs have lash points or daisy chains for external attachments. Follow the maker’s instructions for what those points are designed to hold.
I’d recommend using them sparingly. Remember Rule 4? Anything simply clipped to the outside is going to bounce around. A lot.
So use for lightweight items only (see Rule 2!) and use only if you can genuinely make use of them, not because they look cool and you feel like you should use them…
Before setting off, walk with the loaded pack and check for movement, pressure points, and awkward access. Protect gear that needs to stay dry with an appropriate liner or inner bag; a water-resistant backpack isn’t a guarantee against a soaking.
