Hiking | how to pack your backpack?
It is essential to know how to pack your camping backpack correctly before starting a hike. The fit of the pack will vary depending on the clothes you wear, and even the strap adjustment, so it is essential to find the right balance to be as comfortable as possible.
Spend some time practising packing your backpack, practice will make perfect
Knowing how to pack your backpack is very important for camping and hiking; otherwise the backpack may lose balance and feel heavier than usual. Packing it well can greatly reduce the burden on your body! We have some simple sharing of packaging experiences for your reference:
Different gear for different positions
1. Medium gear and frequently used items - e.g sunglasses, headlamp, rain coat, army knife
2. Heaviest gear - e.g. tent, food, water, fuel
3. Lightest gear - e.g. towel and cloth for changing
4. Light gear - e.g. sleeping bag, sleep mat
Tips :
arge items like tents, you can pack it into your backpack separately. Inner and outer are fabric which can fold into smaller sizes. Tent poles can be put into the corner of the backpack, and can fully utilize the space inside the backpack.
Some tips on packing backpacks
Whether you are a new or experienced camper/hiker, keep in mind ABCS:- Access - Balance - Compression - Streamlined
Accessibility
According to its characteristics, they gear should be placed in different positions. Sleeping bags, slippers, etc. that are not used when hiking, can be placed at the bottom of the backpack. Raincoats and warm clothes that need to be taken out frequently can be placed on the top of the backpack.
Balance
Balancing is very important in all directions; left and right, up and down. The center of gravity of your backpack should be close to your back, but not higher than shoulders. Sleeping bag and sleeping mats are placed at the bottom, followed by the tent. Water and food are placed against your back. The side pockets can hold a small water bottle while the tent poles can be placed on the other side, balancing left and right.
Compression
Compress everything to save space. Loose items wobbling in your backpack while walking can be rather uncomfortable. When the backpack packs perfectly, the gears inside will not shake.
Streamlined
The packed backpack should be as wide as your body and fits against your back. Anything attached outside your backpack can get caught easily on branches or hit someone nearby, causing danger when walking. Remember that the width of the packed backpack must not exceed the body.
Adjust your backpack straps
Knowing how to pack your backpack is only step one for camping. Next, you will need to adjust your backpack straps. Follow the step-by-step guide to make sure the backpack fits your body perfectly.
Good to know!
Don't forget, never carry more than 25% of your weight!
Children should only carry 10 to 15% of their weight.
Now you have known the how-to, remember to double check the weight after you pack the camping backpack.
Even the best of bags, perfectly fitted, can hurt your back if too heavy.
2. Start by strapping the backpack belt
Place it on your hips over the buttocks and tighten it until it feels well supported. If the belt is tightened correctly and in the right position, you should feel that the weight of the pack is much lower on the shoulders. If you want to know how to save energy, this technique is the one when you pack a heavy camping backpack.
3. Adjust the backpack straps
We often make the mistake of setting our backpacks as high as possible. Thus the full weight of the bag will be on the shoulders but not shared between the shoulders and the hips.
4. Fit the pack back at the correct height
Some backpacks enable you to adjust the length of the back to fit your body size. (if not an EASYFIT backpack, adjust the back length before adjusting backpack straps)
5. Tighten the small straps on the top of the shoulder straps
They are also known as load tension straps. The load tension straps enable the wearers to bring the backpack closer to the shoulders for extra comfort and support.
6. Adjust and tighten the chest backpack strap
Be careful not to overtighten the straps as it will restrict your breathing. This strap is mainly used to stabilise the bag when you walk. Depending on the rucksack model, the height of the strap can be adjusted to free the chest and allow maximum comfort.
