First, understand the characteristics of your gear and backpack. With a bit of thought, you’ll find that packing a functional and neat backpack isn’t difficult. The real fun lies in figuring out how to store all your gear in the limited space in the best possible way.
Generally, heavier items should be placed at the top to raise the backpack’s center of gravity, helping you keep your back straight while walking. For moderately challenging hikes, the center of gravity should be lower to allow better movement through trees. For regular walks, the center of gravity can be higher and closer to your back.
Weight
Heavier equipment such as stoves, cookware, heavy food, rain gear, and water bottles should go on the upper part of the backpack and close to your back. A low or off-center center of gravity will force you to bend forward, which is tiring. The tent can be tied to the top of the backpack, and fuel and water should be separated to avoid contaminating food and clothes. Medium-weight items like spare clothing (sealed in plastic bags and marked with colored straps for easy identification), personal tools, headlamps, maps, compasses, and cameras should go in the middle or lower sides of the backpack. Lighter items like sleeping bags (kept in waterproof bags) and air pads go at the bottom. Tripods and water bottles can be placed in side pockets.
Packing is also different for men and women
There are slight differences in how men and women pack due to body shape—men generally have longer upper torsos, while women have shorter upper torsos but longer legs. For men, place heavier items higher since their center of gravity is closer to the chest. For women, place heavier items lower, near the abdomen, keeping the weight above the hips.
In practice, there are many small details worth noting: before packing, loosen the external straps and compression straps to maximize internal space. After packing, tighten these straps to secure the contents. If the backpack material is thin or you’re carrying many external items, use a backpack cover to protect your gear. Losing a cheap cover is a small price to pay compared to damaging an expensive backpack.
Beginners often weigh every piece of gear and arrange them by size. Over time, they develop an instinct. The key to packing is understanding your gear (size, shape, weight), organizing it logically, and minimizing individual item volume. You can reduce volume when purchasing gear or folding it. For example, some compact cookware may look like a 12cm-diameter, 13cm-tall cylinder but can hold a gas canister, burner, sponge, and lighter. This is achieved through smart gear selection. Below, we’ll discuss how seasoned hikers pack, from top to bottom.
We recommend folding your tent like a quilt into a rectangular shape, slightly larger than the backpack’s dimensions, and securing it with a flat strap. Tent stakes can be tucked inside the folded tent (their protective covers prevent damage). Place the folded tent at the top of the backpack so it’s the first thing you see—this aligns with camping routines. We usually set up the tent first, then other things, and pack it away last. I’ve seen (including myself) people scatter everything before setting up or packing the tent, creating clutter and risking wet gear in bad weather. You might ask: does a tent on top hinder accessing other items? Slightly, but the tent stays intact and is easy to remove once you’re used to it.
Tent poles should be placed along the backpack’s side, near your back (loosen the compartment to slide them to the bottom). They can also hang outside, but it’s better to keep them inside for protection, especially in forests.
Packing Loose Items
Loose items vary in size, weight, and texture, so packing methods differ. Soft items (hats, gloves) can fill gaps around hard, bulky items (pots, water bottles). Small, irregular hard items (headlamps, burners) should go in containers like cookware or lunchboxes for protection and easier packing. Choose gear that fits well during purchase. Frequently used small items should go on the second layer, under the tent and with food.
Packing Water and Food
Food packing is similar to loose items and shares the same layer. Water, often the heaviest item, affects the backpack’s center of gravity and your comfort. While some cultures carry loads on their heads or foreheads, we prefer placing about 3 liters of water in the middle (third layer) for optimal balance. Use square bottles to save space.
Clothing and Sleeping Bag Placement
Winter clothing and sleeping bags take up similar space. While down jackets and fleece are compressible, avoid compression sacks—they make retrieving single items hard. Store clothing in the lower layers, above the sleeping bag (fourth layer), using the weight of upper items to compress them. The sleeping bag (fifth layer) should go in a compression sack to save space and can also hold extra clothes.