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How To Pack Your Backpack For Camping
Hiking and camping should be a fun experience, but learning how to pack your backpack for camping can improve your experience. I personally sympathize with those who want to carry all their cherished belongings when going camping. Unfortunately, our bodies can only bear so much weight, but you could still fit some of those commodities into your baggage, provided that you follow the correct packing method. In this short article, we’ll explain all the dos and don’ts of packing:
STEP 1: CHOOSE THE BACKPACK
Before anything else, you need to check your bag. Is it capable of carrying all the items you’re planning to use? Is it resistant enough to last for the remainder of the trip? Is it waterproof? How much wear and tear could the equipment cause? These are all questions you shouldn’t take for granted. In fact, it’s good to consider upgrading your old pack for a new one, as manufacturers are finding new ways to make lighter and more resistant bags.
STEP 2: ORGANIZE YOUR ITEMS
It’s always ideal to classify your items according to weight, volume, and use case. A good trick to achieve this is by laying them on a flat surface and visualize them from afar, grouping them by type and size. By doing this, you’ll be able to detect if you’re leaving something out. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to find out after the packing is finished!
Here is a list of some of the most essential items you wouldn’t want to leave behind (in no particular order):
- Sleeping bag
- Tent
- Food
- Clothes
- Stove fuel
- Cooking kit
- Toilet paper
- Flashlight
- Compass
- Map
- Towel
- Rain cover
- Sunscreen
- Repellent
- Matches
- Pocket knife
- Dried food
- Disposable flatware and cooking utensils
- First aid kit
- Toiletries
- Cellphone
If you’re going to a place with low precipitation rates, you can probably skip the rain gear (although in this day and age you never know!)
STEP 3: PACK
Now we get to the meat! An error many people are tempted to make is to throw all the items into the bag as they come and hope for the best. You should, however, arm yourself with patience and look for ways to optimize your bag’s space as much as possible. By doing this, you’re not forcing the fabric of the bag nor your back’s health.
Likewise, weight distribution is key! Let’s go over some tips for attaining a correct balance and make your pack as comfortable as possible to carry:
- The sleeping bag should always be at the bottom, serving as a proverbial “bed” for the rest of the supplies and tools. Your usual nighttime products should be stored near the sleeping bag.
- Heavy items should be placed in the lower middle, close to the spine, to correctly withstand the weight and aid in creating a stable center of gravity.
- Lighter items should be placed at the top. By doing this, your bag won’t feel “tippy”.
Other tips to consider:
- You shouldn’t place frequently used items deep in the bottom of the bag. Always locate them near the zippers or seals to avoid having to withdraw a good portion of the contents while trying to grab them.
- It’s always recommended to make the most out of as many gaps as possible. For example, you could stuff empty containers or kitchen utensils like pots or pans with small or light objects that are not essential for making camp (like shirts, towels, or razors).
After you’ve arranged all the items in their place, close the zips and tighten straps as much as possible to avoid items potentially shifting.
Afterward, place small essentials in the pockets located in the bag’s outer pockets (if there are any). Tools such as a compass, sunglasses, bug spray, and car keys are the most appropriate options to fill these pockets with. Water containers or corrosive fluids should be placed in bottle pockets or, if possible, in separate bags to avoid accidental spills. Finally, roll mats and tents should be stored externally and attached to the bag by way of straps. They should be located in spots where you won’t compromise the correct backpack’s balance.