Whether you're heading out for a day hike or embarking on a world tour, properly organising your hiking backpack is essential. A poorly balanced pack can cause discomfort, affect your stability, and make it harder to access essential gear. On the other hand, a well-organised backpack will allow you to hike more comfortably and efficiently. Here are our tips and practical advice to optimise backpack packing, distribute the weight the right way, and ensure quick access to your essentials.
The Best Way to Organise the Gear in your Hiking Backpack
Sort Your Kit by Category
Efficiently packing your hiking backpack starts with a well-structured organisation. To avoid mixing everything together and wasting time searching through your hiking pack, it’s essential to separate items into different categories. Use plastic bags, compartmentalised pouches, or compression sacks to keep everything organised. For example, store your spare clothes in a waterproof bag to protect them from moisture, keep your food and energy bars in a separate pouch, and ensure your first aid kit is easily accessible in case of an emergency. This system not only improves backpack organisation but also helps distribute the weight more evenly.
Make Use of Empty Spaces
A hiking pack has various compartments that can be optimised for extra storage. Between heavy items, there’s often room to fit small objects like packets of dried fruit or a cap. The mesh pockets and external compartments of your backpack are perfect for items you need quick access to, such as a windproof jacket. Many backpacks also feature a dedicated bottom compartment for a sleeping bag, freeing up space inside the main section.
Tip for Avoiding Damp Clothing
Keeping your gear dry is essential on a hike. To prevent rain or sweat from dampening your spare clothes, use a waterproof bag or resealable plastic bags. If your clothes are already wet, avoid sealing them in an airtight compartment, as this can cause unpleasant odours. Instead, place them in a mesh pocket on the outside of your backpack so they can dry while you walk. Another useful trick is to clip a damp T-shirt to the back of your pack using small carabiners.
Where to Keep Items Essential During the Hike
The items you use most often should be easily accessible without having to unpack your entire bag. Store your water bottle, energy bars, or sunscreen in the side pockets. If your backpack has a hydration sleeve, place your water reservoir inside. The top pocket is an ideal place for keeping a head torch, compass, mobile phone, or gloves. Also, make use of the hip belt pockets to store small essentials like a lip balm or a pack of tissues.
How to Distribute the Weight in a Hiking Rucksack?
A poorly balanced hiking backpack can cause back pain and lead to quicker fatigue. To optimise the distribution of your pack weight and its center of gravity, start by placing heavy items as close to your back as possible, at shoulder level or just below. This includes your water bottle, food, stove and cooking equipment if you’re camping. Medium-weight items such as a sleeping mat, tent, or sleeping bag (your sleep system) should be stored at the bottom of the pack for better stability. Finally, the lightest items, like a windproof jacket, a cap, or a survival blanket, should be packed at the top. Properly adjusting the hip belt will help distribute the weight onto your hips rather than your shoulders, reducing fatigue.
How Much Weight and Equipment Should You Carry?
The weight of your pack plays a crucial role in hiking comfort and performance. Carrying too much can cause back and muscle pain, as well as excessive fatigue. Here are general recommendations based on body weight:
- For adult men, it is advised not to exceed 20 to 25% of body weight. For example, a man weighing 75 kg should keep his backpack weight between 15 to 18 kg.
- For adult women, the recommended limit is 15 to 20% of body weight. A woman weighing 60 kg should carry no more than 9 to 12 kg.
- For children or teenagers, the load should be even lighter, staying within 10 to 15% of body weight. A child weighing 30 kg should carry no more than 3 to 4.5 kg to protect their growing body.
These values are indicative and should be adjusted according to fitness level, terrain difficulty, hike duration, and weather conditions. In any case, it’s best to keep the hiking backpack as light as possible and only bring essential gear for a comfortable and safe experience.
Essential Hike Gear List: What you Should be Packing?
For a complete hiking checklist of essential gear for a day hike, check out our dedicated guide on what to pack for a hike. You’ll find all the tips you need to prepare your hiking pack based on your route and weather conditions.
How to Pack a Backpacking Bag?
If you’re setting off on a trip around the globe or a multi-day hike, managing your hiking backpack becomes even more crucial. Organise your belongings into separate compartments to save time and maximise space. Pack your spare clothes in a compression sack, and store your electronic equipment, such as a camera, in a hard case to protect it from shocks. Leave some space for potential purchases and souvenirs. Lastly, avoid filling your backpack to 100% capacity at the start—leave room to adjust your packing as you go.
Which Backpack Is Best for Travelling?
The right hiking backpack depends on the type and duration of your trip. To find the best model, check out our top hiking backpacks. If you need guidance on choosing one, we also have a comprehensive hiking backpack buyer’s guide that explains everything in detail.
With these tips, your hiking backpack will be perfectly optimised for a comfortable and stress-free adventure. Thanks to this article, gone are the days of uncomfortable packs and shoulder straps that make you feel pain. Happy hiking!
