subject: The Best Way to Pack a Backpack for Camping or Hiking [print this page] Personally, I hate campingPersonally, I hate camping. Every time my brothers take me camping I see a snake and I am hysterically terrified of snakes. However, my brothers love to go hiking, backpacking, and camping and usually drag me along. Despite myself, I have learned quite a bit about camping; how to pack the right way and the wrong way. Here are my top tips for packing a backpack to carry when camping or hiking. Number one tip is, of course, watch out for snakes!
No matter what kind of sleeping bag you carry, make sure it is stuffed into either a waterproof stuff sack or a garbage bag and then a stuff sack. You definitely don't want to sleep in a wet sleeping bag! Since you won't need your sleeping bag until the evening, it should go in the bottom of your bag.
Heavy and dense items, such as food, should be kept in the middle of the pack and as close to your back as possible. This helps maintain good balance. The best way to pack is to fill up any "dead space". For example, cooking pots can be filled with food. If you are carrying any fuel for cooking stoves or whatever it should be BENEATH your food. If it leaks, you don't want it to leak on your food. For internal packs, try to keep everything inside the pack. You will have a more balanced pack. Things are less likely to come up missing, and it just looks better.
On top of your food should go items that you might need quickly accessible like a first aid kit. Trust me, if you ever went hiking with someone like me you want that first aid kit at hand! If you need it, rain gear is another item to add to this layer.
The very top of your pack, or the outside pockets depending on your backpack's design should be frequently used items; sunglasses, sunscreen, compass, map, camera, etc. Tighten your pack's compression straps to make the load more balanced and compact. Now you are ready to hit the trail!
The Best Way to Pack a Backpack for Camping or Hiking
