Savotta Backpack Packing System Explained (1–3+ Days)┃Joe Price Survival & Wilderness Skills, by In Forests And Lands on YouTube. 21 min 45 s.
- Video length
- 21 min 45 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Pick a pack size to match the trip. Use around 20 litres for a day hike, 40 litres for one overnight, and 60 litres for three or more days.
Lay all your gear out and sort it into groups: shelter and sleep, clothing, food and cooking, water, and safety items.
Pack the heaviest items, like food and water, in the middle of the pack close to your back so the load sits balanced.
Put bulky light gear such as your sleeping bag and spare clothes at the bottom, ideally inside a dry bag.
Keep items you use often, like a rain jacket, snacks, map and water filter, in the top lid or an outer pocket.
Group small loose items into pouches so you can find them fast and they do not scatter through the pack.
Strap larger items like a sleeping mat or tent to the outside only if they will not catch on branches.
For overnight trips, add your shelter, sleep system and cooking kit, then check the pack still sits comfortably on your hips.
For multi-day trips, add extra food and fuel, and use compression straps to stop the load shifting as you walk.
Do a final check that water, first aid and a light are easy to reach without unpacking the whole bag.
Tips and common mistakes
Line your pack with a dry bag or liner before packing so rain cannot soak your spare clothes and sleeping bag.
Do not hang heavy gear off the outside of the pack, as it swings and tires you out on the trail.
Repack the same way every trip so you always know where each item lives in the dark or in bad weather.
Questions
How heavy should a day hike pack be?
Aim to keep it light enough that you can walk comfortably all day. Pack only what you will actually use and leave the extras at home.
Where should the heaviest items go in a backpack?
Put them in the middle of the pack, close to your back. This keeps the load balanced and stops the bag pulling you backwards.
Do I need dry bags for a summer hike?
Yes, a light liner or dry bag is worth it. It keeps clothes and sleeping gear dry if it rains and helps you compress and organise your kit.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
