Backpacking can be fun, especially when you have all your gear with you. But when you leave behind something, things can get a bit ugly. We would like to share with you how to pack a camping backpack so you have all those things necessary for the trip.
Any backpack that’s well fitted and packed makes it quite effortless for backpackers to carry even the heaviest of items and loads.
We, in this piece, will explain everything related to a well packed backpack. We will cover all the bricks and mortar techniques, all the ABCs for packing a backpack best. Also, this article will cover all those methods to adjust the backpack in a way that it’s a perfect fit in every way.
Backpacking 101 – The ABCs
Backpacking should be fun. But a disarrayed packed backpack will only cause trouble. Therefore, its best to know the ABCs to perfection when it comes to how to pack a camping backpack.
A – The Access Factor
The first and foremost thing you need to do while packing a backpack is dividing all your gear you need to take with you into categories. These categories should be based on necessity on the hike or trail.
You can simply classify all the items and gear you need into three main categories. The first one being Access.
Items Needed For Camping:
Some gear is required only when you need to camp. These are those items which you can back right at the bottom of your backpack. The chances of pulling something out from way down there during a hike are very rare.
Items Frequently Used:
The items you most commonly feel can be used during the hike should be placed either on the top of somewhere in the backpack you can easily reach. These are mainly small items so you have the choice of placing those in your pants pocket, the waist strap, essentials bag or the backpack’s brain.
Items Likely To Be Used:
Now comes those items which are to be needed sometimes urgent. If not, they are important enough that you keep them in the reach. Its best to place such items on the top of the backpack so you can grab them as soon as you need them. The second option being the external pockets of the backpack so taking them out won’t be much of an issue.
It is quite imperative to pack all the things you require as per your need in an orderly fashion. If not, you can land in an unexpected downpour while all the raining gear is resting way down at the backpack’s bottom.
Another important thing you can do is make a list of all the things you are bringing along. This way, you can have an ideal of all the redundant gear that you feel can be left behind easily and you can do away without it.
You need to remember that all these items and gear add up to the weight of your backpack. Try to keep it as light as possible for easy carrying.
Its best you pack smartly and be as organized. There are a few pieces of gear quite versatile that can easily go a long way and will surely make your trip quite enjoyable.
Food For The Brain Tip
Before you begin to pack, its best you line the backpack’s inside using a contactor bag. If you get caught up in a rain for say, it will keep all the items inside dry. Here’s the best part, the cost you will bear for this is less than a buck.
Moreover, there are times when you travel to areas that are relatively wetter than other locations. For these trails, you should consider making a small investment in a cover for the backpack.
Add as many protection layers to keep the backpack and all your gear safe and dry.
B – The Crucial Balance Factor
The B represents Balancing the backpack. How can you attain that? Well, its quite simple. You need to distribute all the weight in the backpack evenly. Make sure that the entire backpack has equal balance for easy carrying.
When backpacking, you can follow two crucial rules of thumb for maintaining balance.
- The heavy items should be close to the body. Also, in the midway all the up your back.
- Mid-weight gear should be distributed side to side evenly.
Your water and eatables can be considered the heaviest items in the backpack. You need to pay special care and attention when placing those in the pack.
When the heavy items are close to the body, the chances of outward pull reduce massively.
Another important thing to know is when there is balance, this will help in maintaining the center of gravity to a normal level. As a result, the easy maneuvering factor is increased.
Rough terrains mean you need a lighter backpack. Try to lower the weight as much as you can for such an area. This can help in the center of gravity factor. You will have a stronger foot feel.
C – The Compression Factor
Now, the C stands for compression and up till this point, all your gear will be piled up nicely and separated in three categories. The heaviest and the items you require quickly being the two out of three.
Its time for you to now put all the things in the backpack.
The Bricks & Mortar Technique
When you look at a wall, what do you see? You see heaps of bricks piled up and in between is a Mortar that keeps these bricks from falling. The mortar is squeezed within the cracks to keep the bricks in their place.
When you backpack for your trip, the Bricks and Mortar method should largely come into play. The packing that you do should mimic this technique. The large items like sleeping bag, tent, food items play the part of the bricks here. These large items are not that easy to squish.
However, your clothes and other similar stuff will be considered the Mortar as they can easily be fitted wherever you like. You can squeeze them and lay them in between the bricks.
Remember, at the start of your packing, the sleeping bag should be pushed right at the bottom of the backpack.
Final Words:
We have covered the ABCs of how to pack a camping backpack in this small piece. It gives you the best possible methods of packing perfectly; methods that are not going to have any negative effects on your back or you for that matter.
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