The Ultimate Guide to Packing Your Backpack (and telling Murphy's Law to take a hike of his own).

The Ultimate Guide to Packing Your Backpack (and telling Murphy's Law to take a hike of his own).

You've been picturing it in your head all week in anticipation. The sun glinting through the pines at the top of the mountain peaks, birds serenading the forest, and the trail, flat and peaceful stretching out front is inviting you to explore the adventures ahead. 

Two hours in though, you start to feel it. Your pack has been sliding around, the straps are burning into the front of your shoulders, and you're feeling a twinge of pain at the top of your hip.

The sun is barely up, you're already getting sore, and you're asking yourself: "Who packed the dumbbell in here?" 

That's gonna be a long trip.

So before this little story becomes yours, let's unpack (see what we did there?) that crucial step that can make or break your journey: packing your backpack.

Packing your backpack is as much art as it is science. Not having a well packed bag is a sure-fire way to have a miserable experience on your next hike. So we break it down step-by-step to set you up for success on your next adventure.

Why Packing Properly Matters

A well-packed backpack is the foundation of an enjoyable hike. Packing efficiently helps:

Distribute Weight Evenly: This alone will prevent a significant amount of pain and fatigue. Distributing the weight evenly for your gear and time hiking, will make your pack feel as much a part of you as the shoes on your feet. Heavier items toward the bottom and middle parts of the bag, with your lighter items toward the top will keep your bag centered into your natural center of gravity, transfer weight to larger muscles and naturally align with the thicker and stronger bones of your back reducing the chances for muscle strains.

Stay Organized: There might not be a bigger frustration than searching through your gear like some drunk Barbary pirate. It feels like you lose at least half a day looking for that granola bar that is most certainly lost somewhere between your tent, your extra socks, and that 3rd grade spelling test with the gold star that seems to be in here too. Organizing your gear in a simple and manageable way in expectation of use and distributed weight will make your hiking life significantly more enjoyable.

Keep You Safe: Look, no one plans to have accidents and incidents on the trail. But if you are the unfortunate recipient of Murphy's Law (he's kind of a jerk like that), any time spent digging for safety or first aid items can get real serious, real fast. Prep your emergency kit beforehand, make sure it's stocked up sufficiently and stow it where you can access it quickly if you need it. That's pretty much the best way to tell Mr. Murphy to stuff it. 

When your pack is comfortable and efficient, you can focus on the beauty around you, not the strain on your shoulders.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Backpack

It's really easy to try to pack your backpack for every just-in-case scenario. Classic overpacking on a hiking trip is a little bit different than overpacking for your weekender beach trip to Miami. Overpacking your latest ALPS Mountaineering pack (like this one) could potentially lead to injury, and generally does lead to an overall poor hiking experience. Seek that healthy balance of weight versus luxury. 

As for the size, that could depend a little bit. Generally speaking, for a three-day trip, a backpack with a capacity of 50-70 liters is plenty. A good figure that we use as a rough estimate is 1 day of hiking equates to about 15-20 liters of space. 

And let's not forget how to size for your backpack. Overall, the best backpack for you is the one that fits your body the best. One of the keys to finding that right backpack is to get one that is the correct size (e.g., small, medium, large). Your torso length—not your height—is the key measurement.

In order to accurately determine this key spec, you'll need a friend and a flexible tape measure.

  1. Tilt your head forward and feel for the bony bump where the slope of your shoulders meets your neck. This is your 7th cervical (or C7) vertebra—and the top of your torso length.
  2. On each side of your body, slide your hands down the ribcage to the top of your hip bones (aka the iliac crest). With index fingers pointing forward and thumbs pointing backward, draw an imaginary line between your thumbs. This spot on your lumbar is the bottom of your torso measurement.
  3. Stand up straight and have your friend measure the distance between the C7 and the imaginary line between your thumbs. That's your torso length.

Just like a lot of online shoe brands do with your foot size, many manufacturers will equate your torso length to a specific backpack size, so this is a great measurement to keep in mind.

Step 2: Have "system" balance

One idea that has really helped us at Present Day Nomad to pack more efficiently is to think of each of your packed items as a part of a larger system.

For example, your sleeping bag, pillow, and sleeping pad are a part of your "sleep system." Water filter, purification, and water bottles are a part of your "water system," and so on. 

Building these smaller groups in your mind or on your checklist (like the one that we have here if you haven't grabbed it already) will help you add these items into your bag in their proper order and generally helps remind you for that one thing that is still on the shelf in the garage.

Here is a quick list of systems we like to use:

"Shelter system": Tent, over/underquilts, hammock or bivy sack.

"Sleep system": Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillows, teddy bear.

"Clothing system": Layers suitable for weather you expect to encounter, including rain gear. Base layers, socks, extra shirts, etc.

"Kitchen system": Packable pots, pans, and utensils as well as trash bags to leave no trace. Don't forget a packable stove if fire danger is high in your area or open fires aren't allowed. We love this Coleman stove here.

"Water system": Hydration system or bottles and a water filter/purifier.

"Safety system": First Aid Kit, Include blister care and any personal medications.

These are just a few for reference, but feel free to add your own and of course add to these for your own needs.

Step 3: Understand the Packing Zones

Similar to the systems that we visualize for all of your gear, it helps to break up your backpack into various packing zones. Visualize your backpack in five zones:

Bottom Zone: This zone is ideal for bulky, lightweight items like your sleeping bag, clothese, food, etc. Keep in mind that this is the most difficult section of your bag to access (even if you have side pockets), so don't store anything vital such as your first aid kit here.

Middle Zone: Heaviest items like your camp stove, tent or heavy hammock need to go here for balance. Also keep these heaviest items up against your back to prevent shifting and potentially pulling you during a scramble or technical part of any trail.        

Top/Lid Zone: Use this for all of the items you’ll need quick access to. Sunglasses, snacks, and first aid kit are some likely candidates for here. It also makes a good spot for your less crush resistant items like your camera or cell phone.

Side Zones: Smaller essentials and frequently used items. Sunscreen, lip balm, granola, keys, foldable Happy Meal Treasure Map...you get the idea.

Step 4: Packing Your Items

1. Shelter and Sleeping Gear

Tent: Pack the tent body and rainfly in the bottom zone. Poles can go along the side of the pack or in a side pocket.


Sleeping Bag: Compress it into a stuff sack and place it at the bottom. Never fold and roll a sleeping bag as over time, this will break down the internal synthetics and cause cold spots in your bag. Get a stuff sack and...well...stuff it in there.


Sleeping Pad: Roll it up and attach it to the outside of your pack if space is tight. This is especially useful if you're shooting for the authentic vintage Western cowboy look too, so bonus points and extra credit there.

    2. Clothing

    Use a waterproof stuff sack to organize clothing by type.


    Pack lighter layers near the middle and heavier items closer to the back panel.


    Keep rain gear easily accessible in the top zone.

      3. Food and Cooking Supplies

      Store food in bear-proof containers or odor-proof bags. Look for some future YouTube videos on how to hang a bear bag properly (hint, hint...).


      Place heavy items like your cook pots in the middle zone for stability. If possible, store items like your utensils with the for ease and to save some additional space.

        4. Water

        Use a hydration bladder in the backpack’s sleeve or store water bottles in side pockets.

        Keep your water filter or purifier accessible in case you need to refill quickly.

          5. First Aid Kit

          Pack this in an easily reachable spot, like a top pocket or outer compartment.

            6. Navigation and Emergency Tools

            Attach your map to a carabiner or store it in a front pocket. A dry pouch is great for this as well.

            Keep a compass, GPS, and firestarter accessible.

              7. Miscellaneous Gear

              Use small pouches to organize tools, toiletries, and other essentials.

              Secure larger items, like trekking poles, to the outside of your pack.

                Step 5: Optimize Weight Distribution

                Weight distribution is key to comfort:

                Heaviest Items: Place them close to your back and in the middle zone.
                Medium-Weight Items: Pack them around the heavier items for balance.
                Lightweight Items: Fill gaps with lighter gear.

                  Step 6: Adjust and Test Your Pack

                  Before hitting the trail:

                  1. Adjust Straps: Tighten the hip belt so most of the weight rests on your hips. Adjust the shoulder straps and sternum strap for a snug fit.

                  2. Test It: Wear your fully packed backpack and walk around. Make adjustments as needed.

                  3. Practice Access: Ensure you can reach essential items without unpacking everything.

                  Pro Tips for Packing Success

                  1. Minimize Weight: Only bring what you truly need. Aim for a base weight (without food and water) of 15-20 pounds.

                  2. Use Compression Sacks: Save space and keep gear organized.

                  3. Keep It Dry: Line your pack with a trash compactor bag and use waterproof stuff sacks.

                  4. Balance Is Key: Avoid lopsided packing to prevent discomfort on the trail.

                  5. Leave No Trace: Pack out all trash and follow Leave No Trace principles.

                  Ready to Hit the Trail?

                  Packing your backpack is more than just a practical step; it’s the beginning of your adventure. As you load each item, imagine the experiences waiting for you — the laughter around the campfire, the exhilaration of reaching a summit, and the quiet moments of connection with nature.

                  When you’re properly prepared, the trail becomes a place of freedom and discovery. So, grab your gear, pack your backpack, and we will see you outside.

                  You supply the adventure, we supply the gear!

                  Nomad

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