How to Load a Rucksack or Backpack

Pack Size

First, let's start with the backpack itself. Your pack size should strike a reasonable balance between being lightweight and having the ability to carry everything you need for comfort and safety. Keep in mind that upgrading your gear to smaller, lighter items (e.g., sleeping bag and tent) can help to reduce your load and pack size. This includes the pack itself, which, even when empty, can weigh nearly 8 lbs. on the largest models.

Basic Packing Strategies

While internal-frame packs dominate the backpack market today, most of the strategies described here apply to any pack wearer.

Weight Distribution

• Always put your heaviest items close to your back, centred between your shoulder blades.
• on-trail travel, place heavy items a bit higher inside your pack. This helps focus more of the weight over your hips, the area of your body best equipped to carry a heavy load.
• For off-trail travel, place heavy items a bit lower in the main compartment. This lowers your centre of gravity and increases your stability on uneven terrain.
• You are the ultimate judge of comfort. Experiment with different load arrangements to determine what feels best to you.

Here are a few examples of relative item weight: 

 








A few packing tips that work for me:
 

1. If possible, lay out all your gear on the floor beforehand. This makes you more aware of where things get packed plus it can help you to remember missing items.
2. Stuff your sleeping bag into the bottom of your pack's main compartment first. Squeeze in any additional lightweight items you won't need until bedtime (e.g., pillowcase, sleeping shirt, but nothing aromatic).
3. Cluster related small items (e.g., utensils and kitchen items) in colour-coded stuff sacks to help you find them easily, I also write on the outside of my dry bags.
4. If carrying liquid fuel, make sure your fuel bottle cap is on tightly . Pack this below your food in case of a spill.
5. Don't waste empty space. For example, put a small item of clothing inside your cooking pots.
6. Split up the weight of large communal items (e.g., tent) with others in your group if desired.
7. Keep often-used items where you can easily get to them. This includes your map, compass, GPS, sunscreen, sunglasses, headlamp, bug spray, first-aid kit, snacks, rain gear and pack cover.
8. Tighten all compression straps to limit any load-shifting.

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