How to Pack a Backpack More Efficiently

The comedian George Carlin, who recently passed away, arguably became most famous for his standup routine about 'stuff." According to Carlin, are homes are places where we store our stuff. Meanwhile, whenever we travel, we take some of our stuff with us. A conflict of interests occurs when we stay overnight at someone else's house, and we only have a small area to place our stuff.

After planning and purchasing the "stuff" we need for our next camping trip, the next step is to place the items into our backpack. However, just like packing a suitcase, we should never perform this task haphazardly. It is important that we maximize the space in the backpack and prevent smaller or more fragile items from becoming damaged. Here are some important tips for packing items into your backpack, including First Aid Kits:

1. Pack the heaviest items correctly

It is important to position carefully the heavy items in your backpack. For both external-frame and internal-frame backpacks, you should position the heaviest items near your back, and in between your shoulder blades. While hiking along level trails, the heaviest items should be situated at your backpack's top. This will help to center the load above your hips. Meanwhile, if you are traveling along an unbalanced trail or via cross-country, then position the heavy items near your backpack's bottom. This will lower your center of gravity, in order to provide superior balance.

2. Use a packcover

While backpacks are indeed constructed of waterproof fabric, water can seep in through the seams as well as the zippers. Thus, without using a packcover, the interior of your backpack could become quite wet within a few hours of heavy rains. As a result, the backpack will also be weightier.

3. Organize large and small items

The fairest way to haul the largest items, such as tents, is by splitting up the parts, so one person is not required to carry the whole item.

Meanwhile, you could bunch small items, such as utensils, in small sacks. Then organize the various sacks into a color-coded system, so you can easily spot them.

4. Waste no space in the backpack

It is important to fill every cavity in your backpack, when packing it. Group small items together so they will waste less space than they would if they were packed as single units.

5. Pack items that you need to access easily, in the right places

When hiking, you will need to get to certain items more easily than to others. For instance, if a downpour starts suddenly, you will need to access your rainwear. Here are some of the items that you should be able to access easily:

• backpack cover

• compass

• first-aid kit

• flashlight (with batteries)

• insect repellent

• map

• rainwear

• snacks

• sunglasses

• water bottle

6. Limit how much you strap to the exterior of your backpack

The reason is that overloading the outside of your backpack could throw off your balance while you are hiking. If you keep some items on the backpack's exterior, you should fasten them so they does not jangle or sway while you are hiking.