How to pack your backpack, is almost as important as what you put in it. It’s all about packing in a way that makes sense when you’re on the go. Some things need to be easily accessible – cue rain jacket, snacks and water. Others, like your sleeping bag and tent, you only need at the end of the day.
With that being said, here’s our quick guide on how you should pack your (65 litre) backpack.
At the bottom is where your sleeping gear should go. It’s well protected from the rain down there and seeing as you don’t need it until last – and this is the most inaccessible part of the pack – it’s best placed there. By sleeping gear we mean sleeping bag, sleeping clothes – preferably in a pack bag – toiletries and an inflatable sleeping mat.
Pack bags for dividing and conquering gear storage.
If your sleeping mat is of the more ridgid, roll-out variety, then we suggest using this to stabilise your backpack from within. You can fold it in half and wrap it around your gear.
Above this is your tent on one side. And just the tent. You can remove the poles and pegs. Those can be placed either side of the large pocket. On the other side is another pack bag of clean clothes. (It’s a good idea to take a spare pack bag for dirty items.)
Next is the camp stove, gas/other stove fuel and food. This goes at the top so it’s easily accessible as soon as you arrive at your rest stop and campsite for the night.
In the top pocket we suggest packing the rain cover for the backpack, a spork (or similar eating utensils). It’s also a good snack stash.
The side pockets should be used for storing your waterproofs and a warm jacket to put on as soon as you stop for a rest and/or to eat. There are usually separate pockets for bottles too. We suggest keeping cold water on one side and a thermos of hot water/tea/coffee on the other side.
Finally, the hip belt. This is a great place for those things you want really handy. Such as lip balm, your phone and additional snacks such as trail-mix, that you can eat on the go.
