In order not to experience discomfort and additional difficulties while hiking, you need to pack your backpack correctly. This article will help you learn how to properly pack things in a backpack.

The stores offer a wide variety of models, but most of them have a similar structure - a vertical pipe with access from above and below. There is a valve on top that closes the pipe and has one or more compartments. The main compartment of the backpack is sometimes divided into two parts.

Modern backpacks are equipped with a convenient and flexible system for adjusting the position of the backpack on the tourist. Needs tightening/stretching backpack harnesses so that the backpack does not put pressure on your back, but fits well to it. The backpack should not sag, as this significantly increases the load on the back. The chest strap helps secure the backpack and will not allow it to deviate from your back, which is especially important when overcoming obstacles. During normal walking, the outer buckles should not be latched; they may interfere with comfortable breathing. A backpack for hiking should be equipped with a waist belt, which will relieve the back, transferring part of the load (about 60%) to the pelvis and hips.

Heavy things should be located as far as possible closer to the lumbar spine. It can be:

Provisions, etc.

Conveniently placed below:
, piece of clothing.

In the middle of the backpack (least accessible area) you should arrange the things you need don't use it very often:

change of clothes, personal hygiene products (except for essential items).

The mat can be unrolled and placed along the walls of the backpack in the middle, forming another pipe for things that protects from external influences, but then access from below will be blocked. In addition, the rug in this form takes up most of the internal space. Pay attention to the different types of rugs.

Often the mat is attached to the outside (side) of the backpack. At rest stops it will be easy to use without unpacking your backpack.

On top of the backpack place those items that may be needed during the day: gas burner, pot, dishes and food.

In patch pockets Conveniently place a first aid kit, flashlight, sunglasses, knife, etc. - everything that should be quickly available and may be required during the transition.

Despite the fact that the backpack has a large number of fastenings, you should not hang it with many things. Trekking poles can be conveniently attached to the outside of the backpack if you do not use them for a long time during the trek.

Things inside the backpack are protected from sudden rain, you will spend less energy making your way through thickets and bushes. In addition, the aesthetic side of the hike is also important;)

Don't forget about adjusting the backpack to suit your body shape and the changing terrain of your hike.

A properly packed and fitted backpack will not become a heavy burden on a hike. After a few days of hiking, your back will get used to it and the backpack will not cause additional inconvenience. Knowing how to pack a backpack correctly usually comes with experience. Each tourist makes his own adjustments to the above diagram.

I have been involved in tourism for almost 50 years (48, I made my first category ski trip in 1966. I have changed a lot of backpacks :). I started by wearing canvas “Abalakovsky” and “Yarovsky”. Then there was a period of “handicrafts”. This is the 70s. We began to intensively sew and produce easel (frame) backpacks with containers made of light and durable materials (nylon, nylon, parachute silk, etc.). The machines and frames were made in one piece (from pieces of aluminum clamshells connected using adapters machined from metal bushings, and composite ones, inserted into special pockets of the fabric container).
Then came the turn of ergonomic designs of backpacks - both home-made and later branded ones. Eh, it brings back memories.
What am I talking about? Yes, I remembered that too. Put all the equipment into the abalaki and yarovskie - that was Science! But easel and ergonomic backpacks spoiled the people - tourists began (of course, not all of them, but those with little experience, throwing everything in there in a row and mixed in 😉).
Therefore, your article, Sergey, in this regard is very useful for lovers of simple hikes and not only. It is also very informative for sports tourists planning long routes.
Thanks a lot!

Sergey Drozdov Reply:
October 7th, 2014 at 19:36

Thank you, Vitaly, for your high appreciation of my humble work!
Packing really became a “science” with the advent of ergonomic backpacks and the desire for comfort while hiking.
In my opinion, earlier comfort was somehow taken into account less, because ordinary Soviet people were traveling, not particularly accustomed to convenience.
There was interest. And when you, Vitaly, in those distant times, were collecting backpacks, was there any way to pack them or did you really just pile everything in?

Vitaly Reply:
November 21st, 2014 at 01:28

Sergey, I’m answering your question. Of course there was. 🙂
At the end of the 60s and in the first half of the 70s, we mostly went with backpacks that had neither a frame nor a machine - with Abalakovsky ones and, less often, with Yarovsky ones.
Therefore, the issue of packing, especially if we take into account the weight of the backpack on long-distance sports complex hikes, reaching up to 40 kg, or even more (in the summer of 1982, at the beginning of a combined hiking and water trip along the Eastern Sayan with rafting along the Urik River, the weight of my backpack was 47 kg, and Nikolai Kurilo, the leader of the campaign, it was 54 kg), great attention was paid.
As a rule, soft things were placed under the back, often a sleeping bag folded in an envelope, heavy things were placed in the lower part and on the sides - tin cans, etc., in the center and closer to the bottom we placed food packaged in double bags - cereals, sugar, salt, dried fruits, sublimates and concentrates. Higher up - lighter equipment and personal items (clothing, personal equipment). Well, etc. The system was clear. I've already forgotten a little. 🙂
Well, as for the little things, it’s about the same as described in your article. After all, where did the experience that today’s tourists use on hikes come from? From tourists from the fifties and sixties. 😀
Already in the second half of the 70s we switched to homemade frame and easel backpacks. So, before a ski trip across the Urals in 1976, we for the first time made 8 looms from “clamshells” for our newly sewn bags from calendered nylon. In those years, an article by I. Khnykin was published in the almanac “Wind of Wanderings” with a method for making such a backpack.

Packing a backpack for a hike

Probably, even if your experience of walking under a backpack is small, you have had the opportunity to observe crooked would-be tourists who seem to be competing with the backpack - who will pull who over (the backpack, naturally, pulls back). Usually the owner of the backpack wins - but at what cost: after all, walking bent almost to the ground, no longer up to nature, just to quickly reach the next rest stop and throw off the evil “passenger”. You've probably noticed that all uncomfortable-fitting backpacks have an almost rounded shape, which is not only the fault of the designers, but also of their owners. We have already talked about the design of a comfortable backpack, but a lot also depends on how it is laid out. A skilled tourist will always figure out how to pack a backpack, even the most awkward design, so that it sits tightly on the back. But it’s still better to have a good backpack.

Many of you, if not all of you, have certainly somewhere already become acquainted with the textbook rule of packing a backpack: soft things - towards the back, heavy things - down, bulky ones - up, essentials - in the pockets. Now, guided by this rule, pack your backpack and see what happens. Don’t be surprised if it sags, and not all things will fit inside - this is not at all because the rules are wrong. They’re just very general, and you also don’t have enough experience. So how should you pack your backpack? Let's discuss this problem based on the list of things that need to be taken on a hike.

Let's start with the fact that as a result of proper packing, the filled backpack should be flat and as high as possible. There should be no voids inside the backpack, especially in its corners. You should not tie various items outside the backpack unless absolutely necessary; it is better to put them inside. Having mastered this, you can begin packing your backpack. To do this, place it on the floor or on the ground with your back, straighten it so that the straps and valve do not interfere. First, place your sleeping bag in your backpack, folding it so that its width matches the width of the back of the backpack. If you are using a polyethylene liner, be sure to insert it into the backpack first. If you do not have such a liner, then the sleeping bag must be packed individually in a sufficiently large plastic bag. Don’t despair if the top of the sleeping bag placed in your backpack extends beyond its dimensions - it’s not a problem. If you are entrusted with carrying a tent, it needs to be folded in the same way as a sleeping bag - flat and across the width of the backpack and placed on top of the sleeping bag. Tent poles in the case are tucked into the side, closer to the back, so that they provide additional rigidity to the backpack. Then the remaining space inside the backpack is filled with bags of food, and then with personal items placed in a waterproof bag. The ax (in the case) is inserted vertically inside, parallel to the side wall. Flat cauldrons (in cases) are placed vertically in a backpack and filled with food. Round tanks are placed sideways at the top of the backpack. Individual voids, most often appearing on the sides, are filled with spare shoes, cans of canned food, tent pins and other small items. After this, the backpack can be placed on the bottom, if there is room left, bend the upper part of the sleeping bag and tie the tying rope. The lashing rope must be strong and long enough to hold items that protrude significantly from the backpack. Then you can fasten the tension straps, which you did not forget to lengthen. It doesn’t matter if the backpack’s flap does not cover its contents: all things covered with polyethylene are reliably protected with a tightening rope and tightening straps, and the backpack has become “taller.” To make it even flatter and take on a concave configuration in the shape of your back, you can put it on the “front” side and press it onto your “back” with your knees - of course, only if there are no fragile objects in the backpack. In order for the backpack to fit better to your back, the tightening straps (if you are not too lazy to lengthen them) can be tied to a ring or loop sewn at the top of the backpack between the straps.

If the backpack has side lacing, it should be tightened as much as possible so that there are no voids inside. It is especially important not to be lazy when filling the rear (near the back) corners of the backpack. Otherwise, they will be pulled back, becoming, as it were, a continuation of the straps; and no matter how much you shorten the latter, the backpack will crawl, leaning back.

The pockets of the backpack contain items that may be needed on the road: a flashlight, a folded rain cape, a knife, etc. At first, not all things will fit in the backpack; try to overcome the desire to tie them outside. Backpacks with smoky bowler hats tied outside, axes somehow tucked in, tents sloppily tied up usually look the same as their owners, very untidy. And carrying such a load, especially in the forest, is inconvenient - it will cling to branches, something will certainly come loose and get lost. In addition, in transport, objects tied to the outside of the backpack can injure and stain other passengers.

It is much easier to pack a frame backpack. Here the load does not lie on the tourist’s back, but presses on a metal frame resting on the lower back (just below the lower back) with a wide, tightly stretched belt. Since the load is not in contact with your back, there is no need to start packing your backpack with soft items. However, owners of such backpacks should not completely neglect the principles of packing.

If you have packed your backpack and suddenly find a hard object or just a protruding hard “hump” in the back area, do not be lazy to rearrange your things, otherwise a painful abrasion may appear on your back. In this regard, easel backpacks are certainly better: in addition to the fact that they do not rub your back, there is ventilation between it and the backpack, thanks to which it is not so hot on the route.

The straps need to be adjusted so that they do not allow the backpack to lean back and at the same time do not put too much pressure on the shoulders. However, your shoulders will still hurt at first, you just need to endure it. If you have a very small backpack, as they call it a “school backpack,” don’t despair. It must be laid following the same rules - make it flat and grow upward. Since the length of the straps sewn onto the backpack is not enough, lengthen them or replace them with pieces of nylon cord. And make sure that the straps do not come off due to the weight...

Adygea, Crimea. Mountains, waterfalls, herbs of alpine meadows, healing mountain air, absolute silence, snowfields in the middle of summer, the murmuring of mountain streams and rivers, stunning landscapes, songs around the fires, the spirit of romance and adventure, the wind of freedom await you! And at the end of the route are the gentle waves of the Black Sea.

Many people like hiking, because it is so interesting and romantic. Indeed, you can get a lot of new emotions, even in a matter of days spent outside civilization. A popular question among novice tourists: “How to pack a backpack on a hike, what exactly should you take with you?” - we’ll sort it out now.

Choosing a backpack and secrets of filling it

The most popular mistake of beginners is the desire to purchase the largest backpack. Experts say that for a 10-20 day hike, a volume of no more than 80-90 liters for men and, accordingly, 60-75 liters for women is sufficient. You should take only the essentials with you on a hike. If you doubt whether a particular item will be useful, it is better to refuse it. Remember, during the transition, every extra kilogram of weight will spoil your mood.

How to pack a backpack for a hike yourself? It is advisable to start preparing and collecting things several days in advance. Make a list and designate a corner in your apartment where your equipment will be stored. Just don't fill your backpack right away. After all, arranging everything collected correctly is also an art. What is put down is what will not be used during the day. The main part of the backpack is filled as needed (the most frequently used items are on top), place the heaviest items closer to the back. In the very top compartment (top “valve”) we put what we will need on the road. Be sure to put something soft near your back, even if it is a layer of clothing. Believe me, there is nothing worse when hiking than hard objects pushing against your spine with every movement.

A correctly assembled and packed backpack does not dangle when walking and does not pull back. Be sure to adjust it with all available limiters.

General use equipment

If you are going on vacation as part of a group, the question of how to properly pack a backpack for a hike and what to take with you should be discussed with your “colleagues” on the trip. Make a list of public use equipment. By distributing its positions among squad members, you can significantly reduce the weight of the backpacks. What items can be included in this list?

Usually one tent accommodates 2-4 people. It is very convenient to agree in advance who will share housing with whom. Food and cooking utensils should also be taken for the entire group. What other public items do you need for your camping trip? Household chemicals, for example, washing powder and toothpaste, can also be purchased in an organized manner for all participants in the trip. Don't forget about tools: an ax and a saw are essential on any hike.

Collecting a first aid kit

When discussing an upcoming hike with your group, be sure to ask if anyone has any allergies or drug intolerances. Be sure to write down all positive responses and keep the list in your medicine cabinet. As practice shows, in the warm season, many hikes along simple routes take place without serious illnesses or injuries. And yet, each travel participant must have a set of necessary first aid equipment.

A first aid kit with special and potent medications can be collected for a group of 5-10 people. The first aid package includes: dressings (tourniquet, bandages, sterile wipes, plaster), antiseptics (iodine, brilliant green, hydrogen peroxide), scissors. The main first aid kit should include universal painkillers, antipyretics, as well as drugs to normalize digestion. Additionally, you can take with you ointments for bruises/sprains, insect bites, blood pressure normalizers, and allergy medications.

How to pack a backpack for a hike: photos of personal equipment

The most necessary things on a hike are sleeping gear. Every tourist should have foam and a sleeping bag. It is advisable to pack it in a waterproof case. Many tourists also prefer to take an inflatable mat or pillow with them on a hike.

Don't forget to take personal utensils: unbreakable plates and mugs, cutlery. A water flask will also be useful; it is advisable to hang it on your belt. A knife will be necessary on any hike, and even more convenient is a “several tools in one” tool (for example, a knife/opener/scissors). If you choose the second option, purchase a quality accessory from a tourism goods store.

Usually, how to pack a backpack for a hike is discussed during packing before setting off on a trip. Depending on the complexity of the route and the natural landscape, the list of equipment may change. Additional equipment will be needed if any sports activities are planned.

Hiking clothes

Specialized travel clothing can be found in sporting goods stores. Its cheaper analogue is camouflage, sold in any “working clothing”. Remember, the main requirement for clothing is its practicality and durability. Things should not restrict movement, which means that your usual jeans won’t do.

How to pack a backpack for a hike, how much clothing do you really need? Take enough underwear and socks. These wardrobe items should be changed regularly; washing and drying in traveling conditions may cause problems. Choose comfortable shoes. It is best to purchase special sports boots; ankle boots are also suitable. In any case, don't forget to take your flip-flops with you. They will help out in the heat, while swimming in a natural pond, and will help you quickly put on your shoes if you have to leave the tent at night.

Necessary little things

Be sure to take a paper map of the area with you on your hike. You shouldn’t rely only on electronics; the most modern gadget can always run out of charge. A regular wristwatch will also come in handy. Choose sports models that are protected from moisture and mechanical damage. Lanterns, matches and candles will be useful on any hike.

All the positive emotions from a close acquaintance with virgin nature can be ruined by insects. Be sure to bring enough spray and mosquito repellents.

It is also worth thinking about personal hygiene products: a toothbrush/paste, a bar of soap, a towel, a razor, shampoo, and toilet paper will definitely not be superfluous. It is also recommended to take with you some document proving your identity and a certain amount of money (not too much).

Now you know how to pack a backpack for a ten-day camping trip. Don’t forget to take a camera; you’ll probably see a lot of beautiful and interesting things during your trip.

Preparing for an independent hiking trip is a complex task, requiring knowledge of the distribution of equipment. The weight should press evenly on the back and hips and not create discomfort. Proper packing of a backpack on a hike takes into account the availability of things and their prompt use during the trip.

Rules for packing a backpack

This article offers packing tips and explains how to properly lift the load when the backpack is full. A loaded bag will be balanced if it is located on your hips and does not move or sway while hiking or hiking. This will help you save energy and cover long distances in a day.

The packaging is divided into three zones and additional space for attachments:

• The lower zone is convenient for bulky items and items that are not needed until the end of the hike.
• Middle zone. It holds heavy items that may be needed on a hike.
• Upper zone. Used for large daily necessities.
• Accessory pockets. Suitable for things that are needed constantly.
• External mounting points. Used to secure oversized or long items.

Plan the laying of the cable or rope. You need to form rows, not circles: fill the corners and spaces until there is a firm, stable load. Make sure the load is evenly balanced on each side. Tighten the straps to reduce the load and prevent it from shifting as you move.

Bottom part

Their choice depends on the distance of the hike and the duration of the trip. Properly packing your backpack for a hike starts with choosing these items. They cannot be fragile, since the force of the rest of the load will be exerted on their surface. Equipment can be protected with moisture-resistant film if the backpack is made of waterproof fabric.

Oversized items that are not needed before arriving at the site:

• Sleeping bag. Many models have a bottom compartment for one.
• Pillow for sleeping. It is inflatable and packs into a small volume.
• Spare clothes, shoes.
• Axes, tent poles, pieces of matting.

Layering soft things creates a shock-absorbing cushion. It will relieve pressure on your back and pelvis. But such a layer fits tightly so that when walking there is no shift in the center of gravity or distortion.

Packing the center part of the backpack

Heavy, dense equipment should be placed here, which should not be lost during the hike. Items protected by the top and bottom layers will be safe. These include fragile equipment with a soft structure. You can put containers there, filling them with products and semi-finished products. Their packing into a backpack for a hike must be done carefully, filling the entire volume of the bag.

The center contains the following equipment:

• Food supply. These are semi-finished products, not ready-made snacks needed while hiking.
• Cooking set - pots, kettle, mugs, spoons.
• Water storage container. In addition to this, you need bottles that are attached to the outer part.
• Food container. It contains food, seasonings, salt, sugar, any items that will fill it completely.

Packing heavy items will help create a center of gravity. The load should be pointing downwards, not backwards. Equipment that is too low and too heavy causes the backpack to sag; if it is located higher, the load on the back and hips increases.

When carrying liquid fuel, make sure that the lid is closed tightly. Pack the container vertically, placing it below the layer with food and groceries. This is needed in case of a spill.

The middle part is placed in a backpack on a hike around a large and heavy object to prevent movement. Use soft items to fill voids and create a cushion between bulky items and the water reservoir. To do this, use an awning and spare clothes.

Filling the top of the backpack

This part contains essential equipment. Before starting an independent trip, you need to check access to these things after packing your backpack for a hike. It should not be difficult; if necessary, each item can be reached freely, without displacing the rest of the load. The rule for packing a backpack on a hike is that this should not be hampered by portable equipment - a tent, a sleeping bag, a sleeping bag.

At the top there are the following items:

• hiking jacket;
• spare clothes;
• raincoat;
• first aid kit;
• water filter;
• Toiletries, garbage bags.

Some tourists fasten the tent on top in order to quickly set it up in bad weather. It should be light so that the center of gravity of the load does not shift. The rods are attached to the side.

External pockets

During an independent hiking trip, some of the equipment should be accessible without removing the backpack. For this purpose, the design includes pockets, containers, and straps for attaching large items. Some are located on the side, some are located at the back. You can get the latter only by removing the bag or using outside help. This is done when packing your backpack on a hike so that the equipment does not interfere with walking.

What a tourist might need:

• compass;
• sunglasses;
• patch;
• headlamp;
• insect spray;
• parking lot food;
• water bottles;
• raincoat;
• house or car keys;
• passport, cash, cards.

Valuable items are packed in sealed pockets. Access to them by outsiders is limited. For safety, comprehensive packing of a backpack is done on a hike when the equipment covers money or a passport. This will make it difficult for them to fall out or be stolen.

Hinged and large items are attached to the outer frame, with belts or special fasteners. These could be parts of a tent, a large sleeping pad, a table and chair for a future camp, or walking poles. When planning a trip to the mountains, take an ice ax, crampons, and climbing equipment.

Many models have special gear loops, fasteners, or other features to secure items. To carry equipment that does not fit in the bag, pack the backpack on a hike using external modules.

How to lift a loaded backpack

A common mistake that beginners make is trying to lift a load with just the shoulder strap. This leads to damage and premature wear of the model, making it difficult to control the backpack when you try to put it on your back.

Instead, follow these steps that will allow you to put even a heavily loaded model on your back without outside help:

1. Loosen all straps so you can lift.
2. Place the load in a vertical position.
3. Stand near your backside with your feet apart and knees bent.
4. Take the top strap - this is the loop of the strap at the top of the backpack.
5. Lift the weight up to your hips, keeping your hand on the pull loop for control.
6. Place one strap over your arm and over your shoulder until your shoulder is covered.
7. Place the backpack forward and tilt it onto your back. Pass the arm that secures the loop through the other shoulder strap.
8. Adjust the straps, buckle up

Important: you will have to do these steps several times during your independent travel. Therefore, it is better to try this at home so that you do not face any difficulties during your trip.