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How To Pack for Backpacking or Hiking

By Anonymous
There are right and wrong ways to pack for backpacking. I have had some experiences in the past where I have packed incorrectly and have had to carry an unbalanced pack or have had to rifle through my whole pack to find one item I need. Luckily all of these misfortunes have happened on trips where packing properly was not essential but I learned from these experiences nonetheless.

Step 1 : Find a pack
In order to fit all of your gear for hiking and backpacking you have to have a fairly large pack. For most circumstances a regular, everyday backpack won't cut it. I recommend at least a 50 liter pack. For a pack I use the Deuter ACT Zero 50+15. The 50 liters is the main compartment while the 15 liters is a detachable summit pack. Packs are made in sizes all the way up to 85 liters. There are a few packs larger but I recommend staying in the 50-75 liter range. Make sure the pack has a good hip belt and sternum strap unless you are planning to carry a very light load. The hip belt helps your hips carry most of the weight of the pack and the sternum strap helps evenly distribute the remaining weight of the pack across both of the shoulder straps. I also recommend a pack that is compatible with hydration systems so that you can have water that is easy to access throughout your travels. Finally, make sure the pack is comfortable when it has the regular amount of weight in it. If the pack is not comfortable, you are less likely to use the pack, and therefore are less likely to go hiking or backpacking.



Essentials
My Lifestraw water filter in one
 of the side pockets for easy
 access
Make sure to pack any essentials such as rain coat, hat, gloves, sunglasses, etcetera on the top of your pack or in one of the smaller pockets. Also put the gear you need the soonest closer to the top of your pack.


My sleeping bag in the bottom of my pack

Step 2 : Sleeping Bag
Put the sleeping bag in first. It helps if the sleeping bag is fairly small or can be put in the pack on it's side.



Step 3 : Hydration
If you plan on using a hydration system with your pack and your pack is compatible with hydration systems, fill the system up now and insert it into the pack. Make sure to wipe up excess moisture or condensation off of the sides of the water bladder before putting it into the pack.








The dark blue rain jacket is the medium stuff.
The Orange stuff sack in my heavy stuff.
The medium stuff would also go on top of the
 layer of stuff that is currently visible. The
Small stuff is beneath the visible layer but
On top of the sleeping bag.

Step 4 : Light stuff
Put the light stuff right on top of the sleeping bag and possibly closer to the outside of the pack near the medium stuff.


Step 5 : Heavy stuff
Put the heavy stuff close to where the small of your back would be when you put the pack on. The heavy stuff can be spread out to either side of the back of the pack but should not make an entire layer. Clothes and stove are examples of heavy stuff.


Step 6 : Medium stuff
Put the rest of your gear (Minus the sleeping pad or tent, if you are putting that on the outside of the pack) around and above the heavy stuff. Once you are done, close the pack.


Step 7 : Outside of the pack
The pack, mostly loaded with the sleeping pad on
 top
Put the tent or sleeping pad on the outside under or in the sleeping pad straps that are made on the bottom of some packs. If your pack does not have these you can put it up under the top of your pack with the medium gear.


Step 8 : Put the pack on.
This may sound simple and easy but with a heavy pack it can be quite a challenge. Use one hand to slide the bag up one of your legs and rest the bag on your knee. Then slide the other arm into the shoulder strap and put the pack on fully. Make sure to buckle the hip belt and sternum strap and tighten any stabilising straps.

Step 9 : Start hiking.
This is a fairly self explanatory step and doesn't require an explanation.
How to pack a backpack from : http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/images/gear/packload.jpg 



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