Packing a Backpack: Weight Distribution and Access
Two packs with the same weight can feel completely different on the trail. How you arrange the contents affects balance, comfort and how often you need to unpack everything to find one item.
Heavy items in the middle
Place the heaviest items, such as food, water reservoirs and cooking gear, close to your spine and roughly between your shoulder blades. This keeps the center of gravity near your body and reduces the pull backward.
For rough or steep terrain, carrying heavy items slightly lower improves balance.
Bulky and light items
The sleeping bag and other light, bulky items fill the bottom of the pack, where they also form a stable base. Camp clothes and the tent body can fill gaps around heavier items to stop them shifting.
Line the pack with a waterproof bag, since most pack fabrics and rain covers are not fully waterproof.
Fuel canisters and bottles belong upright and below food, so a leak cannot soak into anything you eat. Keep sharp items such as stakes and knives wrapped or stored in a side pocket.
Easy access
Keep the rain jacket, snacks, map, water treatment, headlamp and first-aid kit in the lid, outer pockets or top of the main compartment. You should not need to unpack to reach anything you use during the day.
After packing, tighten compression straps so the load does not sway, and adjust the hip belt and shoulder straps.