BAG PACKING

METHOD
 How to Pack a Backpacking Pack
Even with a lot of gear, it’s possible to feel like you are
carrying a light load when you have a well-packed bag. Not only
do you want to be strategic in where you place specific items for
organization, doing so can truly increase your comfort on the trail.
I’ve come a long way in learning how to pack a backpack since
my first major backpacking experience on the John Muir Trail –
can you believe this is what my backpacking pack used to look
like?
 How to Pack a Backpacking Pack
A good rule to follow when you pack your backpack for
camping and hiking is to pack in three parts: bottom, middle, and
top.
Always pack the bottom first, balance the load by keeping
heavy things in the center, and stash your essentials for the trail on
top. This way the things you need are always within reach and
don’t require taking off your pack and digging through the whole
thing.
Below I share my system for how to pack a backpacking pack.
The list of items may be a little different than yours, but it should
serve as a handy guide when you’re organizing for your next trip.
LAY OUT ALL OF YOUR BACKPACKING
GEAR
Before starting with the 3 parts of packing a pack, the first step is to lay
out all of your gear to see if you can cut anything out, then organize your
stuff into piles:
•Shelter/Sleeping
•Clothes
•Food
•Cooking gear
•Small stuff that you need easy access to during the day

Getting organized before you put everything in your backpack will:

1.Allow you to go through your backpacking checklist and make sure you
haven’t forgotten anything, and
2.Prevent you from packing extra items that you don’t really need.
BOTTOM OF PACK ITEMS
This section is reserved for things you won’t need until you get to camp. Anything
big, bulky, and relatively “squishable” that can be compressed into the bottom of your
pack goes here. Think of it as the non-essentials while you’re out on the trail.
•Sleeping Bag
•Sleeping Pad
•Pillow (if you use one)
•Loose Clothing: extra layers and clothes
•Other items for camp
First, I usually pack my sleeping bag in a compression sack and put that at the very
bottom. Then I use loose clothing that I won’t need during the day to fill in the gaps on
the edges.
Some people like to put their clothes in a separate sack, but I like to keep my clothes
loose. By keeping my clothing loose, I can use individual items of clothing that I don’t
need during the day to fill in the gaps
MIDDLE OF PACK ITEMS
The middle section of your pack is designated for heavyweight items. By
placing cumbersome things in the center and as close to your back as
possible, you relieve your back of unnecessary stress. Plus, it keeps things
from shifting out of place and forcing you to carry an awkward, uneven
load.
•Stove & fuel
•Food – generally the heaviest thing in your pack aside from water
•Bear Canister (centered in your backpack) – stuffing clothes and other
small items around your bear canister can help stabilize an awkward-shaped
canister and keep it centered.
•Camp Mug
•Camp Shoes – sometimes I’ll strap these to the outside of my pack if there
isn’t room inside.
TOP OF PACK ITEMS
The top of your backpack includes the uppermost portion inside the pack and “the
brain”, the part that’s on top when you close your pack. It’s typically a zippered
compartment that can be removed and used as a daypack when you hike.

Here’s what I like to keep at the top of my pack:

•Rain Gear – If there is any chance of rain, you want your rain gear accessible at the top
of your backpack. If it’s 100% sunshine and you know it’s not going to rain, you can
stuff this around your bear canister.
•First Aid – This is important to keep easily accessible so you’re not digging through
your pack if you need something.
•Snacks for the trail – As long as I’m not in serious bear country, I usually take my
food for the day out of my bear canister and store it at the top of my pack so it’s easy to
access.
•Water Filter
•Bathroom Kit (Shovel, Toilet Paper, Hand sanitizer, and a bag to pack out used toilet
paper)
BRAIN/LID PACK ITEMS
These are the items I like to keep in the brain/lid of my backpacking pack for the easiest
access:
•Travel-sized bug spray
•Travel-sized sunscreen
•Map
•Headlamp
•Phone
•Camera (Read how to great photos while hiking)
•Quick snacks
•Spork
•Multi-tool
•Lighter
Hip belt pockets are also a great place to keep things that you want on hand
like chapstick, snacks, sunglasses, and other small items. For other miscellaneous items,
decide whether you need to access them during the day. If not, put them closer to the middle
and use them to fill in gaps. If you do need them, keep them closer to the top.