I get asked this question often, Why would anyone need more the one pack for hiking?  

We discussed picking a bag in a previous post, and I also mentioned that depending on the environmental conditions or activities you’re doing you may need a larger size pack. Well, that is one of the reasons. 

When you get into backpacking and overnight camping, and I bet you will because who doesn’t want to spend the night outdoors and get up to experience a more remote sunrise, the size of your pack will also be affected by the duration of your trip. There are exceptions such as the ultralight trekkers on the PCT or other continental trails, but let's stick to something less strenuous to start.

Before we discuss how to pack your gear let's gather around the campfire to share a story.

During my time in the military, we used basically one backpack and that was the large A.L.I.C.E. rucksack, Alice standing for All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment.  Now this rucksack was designed to be able to carry up to 70 lb with the external frame, and our typical “overnight” missions were short duration less than 24 hours. So I’ll equate that to packing for a day hike.  

Because we didn't have any other choice of packs,  most of the time you were overpacked, occasionally you were packed right, and for a small portion you were under packed. Military gear, especially early on when we were still working with Vietnam-era equipment, was bulky, big, and a lot heavier.  It didn't take much to overpack your bag.

Three Types Of Packed Bags

Under Packed Bag 

This pack is too big for the amount of gear, or you tailored too much equipment out.  

Over Packed Bag

This pack is too small for the amount of gear, or you’re bringing too much extra gear for the trip. 

Goldilocks Packed Bag

This one is just right, your gear is packed and comfortably carried. Even a heavy pack feels lighter when it fits right. 

How Do I Get A Goldilocks Packed Bag?

General “guidelines” recommend that you not carry more than 10%  of your body weight for a loaded day hike pack and 20% for a loaded backpack. But other factors such as trip duration, the season and/or weather, and personal preference play a role in the weight of your pack.

One of the reasons.

As a reminder, it starts with a pack that fits you. Here’s a video on how to size and fit a pack.  If you don’t currently have one use what’s available.  The longer the trip duration, the better off you’ll be using a properly fitted pack.  A poorly fitted backpack can be uncomfortable, unstable, inefficient, and painful which can ruin your trip or put you in danger.

Get all your gear together and lay it out next to the pack or bag you want to use.  Using a gear list can help with gathering and grouping the items. Separate them into groups such as essentials, conditional, and nice to haves.

Let’s start packing them. Packing can be broken down into three zones, plus peripheral storage:

Packing Zones

Visualize stacking cordwood. You’re laying down rows, not building columns: Fill nooks and crannies until you have a solid, stable load—and be sure weight is equally balanced on each side. Tighten compression straps to streamline your load and prevent it from shifting as you hike.

Bottom Zone

Good for bulky gear and items not needed until your destination. Packing kind of soft, squishy gear at the bottom also creates a kind of internal shock-absorption system for your back and your pack.

Core Zone 

Packing heavy items here helps create a stable center of gravity and directs the load downward rather than backward. Placed too low, heavy gear causes a pack to sag; placed too high, it makes a pack feel tippy.

Top Zone

Good for bulkier essentials you might need on the trail. Items such as an Insulated jacket, Fleece jacket and pants, Rain jacket, First-aid kit, Water filter or purifier, and Toilet supplies (trowel, TP, used TP bag)

Accessory Pockets

Check your pack and see what it provides in the way of lid pockets, front pockets, side pockets, and hip belt pockets. Some pockets even have a lot of smaller pockets inside. All of these options help you organize smaller essentials

Tool Loops and Lash-On Points

Many packs have special tool loops, fasteners, or other storage solutions for gear that simply can’t be carried in any other place. Trekking poles and camp stools or chairs are some of the common items you might carry externally.

It might take some trial and error on the trail to see what needs to go where but this is a good start. 

If you have questions about packing your bag or anything else send them to me and I can answer them.