Have you started stuffing gear into your hiking backpack only to realize you don’t know what you’re doing? This blog is here to help! We will cover everything you need to know to pack your hiking backpack like a pro.
From choosing the right backpack to demystifying weight distribution and explaining waterproofing, we’ve got your back. Let this post be your guide as you prepare for your next epic adventure.
Choosing a Backpack
Choosing your hiking backpack is one of the most important choices that you’ll make. There are many considerations when choosing a bag, such as carrying capacity, materials, features, overall fit, and weight. This topic deserves its own post, but here’s a quick crash course on hiking backpacks:
- Choose a pack between 40 to 50 litres in size for over 2 night trips. Depending on your backpacking kit, a 30L pack can work for a single night, but you’ll likely want more space!
- An ultralight backpack, like the CTUG Ultralight Hiking Backpack, helps you keep your overall weight low. These packs weigh less than 2lbs, where Osprey backpacks can weigh 4 lbs-6 lbs!
- Decide what kind of elements you’d want in a backpack. Are you searching for comfort and lightweight options or are you looking for something that can carry everything but the kitchen sink?
- Framed versus frameless: Which one should you choose? We recommend using a framed bag, since they offer more support, however, a frameless day-pack can work well for single night or day trips!
- Note: Backpacks have lots of straps to compress gear inward and maintain a tight center of gravity. Buckle and tighten them before you start hiking.
How to Pack Your Ultralight Backpack: Packing Zones
Packing Principles
Packing your bag comes down to two basic principles: weight distribution and frequency of use.
You want to have easy and quick access to items needed during the day part of your hike. Dumping half of your pack’s contents onto the trail as you search for your energy bar is never fun.
If it starts raining, you want to be able to get your rain jacket out of your bag and onto your body as fast as possible. On the other hand, camp gear (like your tent and sleeping bag) won’t be needed until later. Makes sense, right?
Weight distribution, however, is key. An improperly balanced bag can actually be a serious hiking hazard. For example, your bag can swing around as you walk and knock you off-stride. It can also pull you down if you lose your balance on an incline.
A well-packed bag, though, helps you maintain your center of gravity. This makes your bag safer and more comfortable to carry.
Hiking backpacks are divided into four internal weight zones to guide your packing, which we’ll take a closer look at now.
Zone 1: Bottom
The bottom part of your pack is the best place for the bulky, midweight items that you won’t need until you reach camp—basically, your sleep system! Your sleeping bag should go on the very bottom, or strap to the bottom of your pack, since it forms a nice foundation for the rest of your gear. We recommend packing your sleeping bag into a waterproof stuff sack.
What else can go in the bottom? Your sleeping pad, pillow, and camp clothes are all options. Packing your bag is a bit like playing Tetris, so use these items to fill any open space in the bottom quadrant of your bag. You may need to unpack and repack a few times to get it right!
Zone 2: Middle
The middle part of your bag that’s closest to the center of your back should hold your heavier gear. This helps maintain your center of gravity as you hike. Typically, your heaviest items are things like your tent, water, cookware, stove, fuel, and food.
Nearly all hiking backpacks have a pocket for a hydration reservoir between your shoulder blades. Water is one of the heaviest essentials you need to carry, and a hydration bladder helps distribute that weight evenly. If you’re using water bottles instead of a reservoir, tuck them into the side pockets. Having one on each side will keep your bag balanced, and make sure to have one up front on your shoulder strap for easy access, check out CTUG’s Water Bottle Sleeve!
Zone 3: Front
The front part of your pack is the area farthest away from your body. Store your lightest gear here, like lightweight clothes, a camp towel, and small toiletries. Putting clothes in this area can provide some helpful padding for all the precious items stored deeper inside your bag.
Zone 4: Top
The top part of your pack is the brain. Place your most used items here (or items that you need easy access to); just make sure that they’re not too heavy! If you place heavy items in the brain, your bag becomes top-heavy and can throw off your center of gravity. Snacks, a first aid kit, sunscreen, or rain jacket, however, are ideal. You can ease the weight in the brain of your pack by using a Shoulder Strap Accessory!
Packing Systems organization
Compression sacks, regular stuff sacks, and other organizational tools fall into the “packing systems” category. These really are a matter of personal preference. Some hikers swear by them; others would never dream of carting around all that extra weight. If you’re the type of person who adores organization in their daily life, then chances are you’ll bring this sensibility into the backcountry.
Nonetheless, keeping your bag as lightweight as possible is in your best interest. Investing in lightweight stuff sacks or dry bags (like the Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bags) lets you have the best of both worlds.
Here are a few more packing system tips:
- Compression sacks squish down clothing and sleeping bags, so you can fit more things in your pack.
- It’s a good idea to keep your sleeping bag and clothes in a waterproof sack for those unexpected (or expected) rain showers, river crossings, etc.
- Place electronics in a dry bag to protect them from moisture damage.
- Color coding your stuff sacks makes it easier (and faster) to find exactly what you need.
- Odor-proof bags are great for food and “smellables”, such as packing in and out toiletries.
- Compression sacks are oblong, so they can create some dead space inside your bag. Get creative and see what you can stuff into these voids!
Waterproofing
Wet gear isn’t just annoying; it can be dangerous. Down jackets and sleeping bags won’t keep you warm once wet. And wet electronics? Ouch! That’s why waterproofing is essential.
You need to have a waterproof rain cover for your hiking backpack that goes around the outside and cinches tight. There are also internal pack liners that go inside your bag to protect your equipment from the heaviest of rains. Honesty, we use our fair share of garbage bags to line the inside of our packs. Works just as well for a fraction of the price! Waterproof dry bags and compression sacks are another good option for those really precious items, like cameras and phones.
Managing Weight
The lighter your backpack is, the happier you’ll be. Don’t forget, you have to carry it on your back—often for many miles at a time! We recommend using LighterPack to get your backpacking list started. It allows you to track what you have and calculate how much your pack will weigh once you set off on the trail. We recommend having a pack that weighs 20-25 lbs for a ultralight pack, 25-30 for lightweight, and anything over 32 lbs might get a bit tough on the knees. Make sure to weigh your pack before you head out for a trek!
Pack the Right Way with CTUG Ultralight Hiking Backpack
You need a hiking backpack, but that doesn’t mean you need a heavy one. With your choice of pack alone, you can shave off considerable ounces to make your hike much more enjoyable.
Our Ultralight Backpack, available in 40 L or 50 L carrying capacity, weighs between 28 and 31 ounces. With a carbon fiber frame and lightweight but durable X-Pac material, you’ll be able to hike faster and farther.
To learn more about our Ultralight Hiking Backpack, reach out to Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear at info@chickentrampergear.com.
