Most Do This Incorrectly - How To Pack Your Backpack Like A PRO! - Outdoor Basics, by TheOutdoorGearReview on YouTube. 15 min 24 s.
- Video length
- 15 min 24 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Empty the pack and lay all your gear on the floor. Sort it into heavy items, light bulky items, and small items you may need during the day.
Put the heaviest gear, like food and your stove, in the middle of the pack close to your back. This keeps the load balanced over your hips.
Place light bulky items such as your sleeping bag and blanket in the bottom zone. Keep them in a stuff sack so they stay dry.
Pack your tent body and fly in the main compartment above or beside the sleep gear. Clip the poles to the outside loops if space is tight.
Slide your sleeping pad into the dedicated sleeve or strap it under the pack. Inflate your pillow only when you set up camp.
Fill the top lid with small light items: headlamp, power bank, lighter and first aid. These are things you may grab without unpacking.
Use clear zip bags for small loose gear so you can see what is inside. Group cooking items together and clothes together.
Put your water bottle in the side pocket and snacks in a hip belt pocket. Keep rain gear at the top for quick access.
Lift the pack and adjust the hip belt first, then the shoulder straps and sternum strap. The weight should sit on your hips, not your shoulders.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep heavy items near your spine and mid back, not at the very bottom or top.
Line your pack with a trash bag or pack cover so rain does not soak your sleep gear.
Do not hang heavy gear on the outside, as it swings and throws off your balance.
Test the fit with a short walk before you leave, and tighten the straps if the pack sways.
Questions
Where should the heaviest items go in a backpack?
Put heavy items in the middle of the pack, close to your back and around shoulder height. This keeps the load stable and takes pressure off your shoulders.
Should I pack my sleeping bag at the bottom?
Yes, a sleeping bag is light and bulky, so the bottom zone suits it well. Keep it in a waterproof stuff sack in case of rain.
How do I stop my backpack from hurting my shoulders?
Tighten the hip belt first so the weight rests on your hips. Then adjust the shoulder straps and sternum strap so the pack sits snug against your back.
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.
