Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Pick the essentials
• Part 2 of 3: Think about how you will pack your things
• Part 3 of 3: Pack your things
• Tips

A regular backpack is usually larger than a schoolbag but smaller than a travel bag or suitcase. The backpacks are very comfortable and are used in all types of travel, whether it be camping or just cycling. However, assembling a backpack correctly is an art, so it is very important to develop a system that will help you accommodate everything you need.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Pick the essentials

1. 1 Find the right backpack. It doesn't matter if you are going to hitchhike around the country, or want to conquer the Himalayan peaks, your backpack should be capacious, load-carrying, protected from damage that you will encounter during your trip. The weight of the backpack and its color are also important factors. In addition, a good backpack should be the right size for you.
   • There are many types of backpacks, ranging from a travel backpack to a small backpack. However, the packaging process and principles described in this article apply to all backpacks.
   • Attach a luminescent object to the outside of your backpack so you can easily find it at night. Also include the owner's name on the backpack's label. This will help you quickly distinguish your backpack from others.
2. 2 Safe shelter, water and warmth first. You need to make sure you have all the essentials. First of all, you must take care not to freeze at night, not to feel thirsty during the day, and also, if necessary, to shelter from the bad weather.
   • If you are traveling long distances, water should be your priority. You must have an adequate supply of drinking water, or you must have a device to filter it. Everything else should fade into the background.
   • Also, you need to take care not to freeze while traveling. Even in a hot desert there are cold nights, so you should always have warm clothes, a hat and a light mylar blanket with you.
   • Ideally, you should have a lightweight tent and a good quality sleeping bag for low temperatures. Even if you plan on sleeping indoors, your backpack should have a multi-purpose tarp that you can use in emergency situations.
3. 3 Travel first aid kit. Keeping in mind your health, you should take care of a travel first aid kit so that you can provide first aid if necessary. Your first aid kit should have essential medications, but you can take more serious medications with you to be prepared for anything. For example, you can put in your medicine cabinet:
   • Bandages
   • Antiseptics (ointment or spray)
   • Ethanol
   • Pain medications
   • Iodine, drugs for malaria, or drugs to prevent the disease
4. 4 Moisture protection. Even if you are going to relax in a place with a sunny warm climate, it does not hurt to pack your things with the expectation that it will rain. You don't want all your things to get wet, do you? Of course, it would be better to use a waterproof backpack, but you can also purchase separate waterproof bags to store everything you need in them - phone, money, passport, etc.
   • Bring a light raincoat, good boots, and lots of socks to keep you dry for as long as possible in the rain.
5. 5 Take a change of clothing with you. First of all, you should take universal, durable clothes, but it is better to leave fashionable things at home. Again, if you're going to be outdoors, make sure you have clothes that you don't mind getting ruined or stained. It is advisable to take warm and waterproof things with you, which can be tightly rolled up so that they do not take up much space. Depending on the purpose of your trip, your travel wardrobe may look like this:
   • Lots of socks and underwear, at least four pairs. These are the most important things to change every day.
   • Warm shirt and thermal underwear that can be used in cold conditions, two or three T-shirts and a light raincoat
   • At least two pairs of pants and one pair of shorts. Alternatively, you can bring one pair of jeans with you.
   • Knitted hat and wool gloves
   • A coat if you are going to travel during the cold season
6. 6 Food. Whether you're going to cook yourself or not, it's a good idea to bring your own food with you on the road. Make sure you have everything you need to prepare a meal or start a fire.
   • You can also bring a small kettle and a camping stove with matches. You can also bring candles with you to keep the fire going.
   • Take with you only multifunctional items. Instead of bringing a plate or bowl with you, just bring a bowl that can also be used as a plate. Don't take a potato peeler, get a sharp knife that you can use in a variety of situations.
   • Depending on how much time you plan to spend on vacation, it may be helpful to bring along a few protein bars or more substantial ready-to-eat meals. Take food with you that you can survive for 48 hours in case of an emergency.

Part 2 of 3: Think about how you will pack your things

1. 1 Put in front of you all the things you are going to take with you. Thanks to this, you will not forget anything. In addition, you can check if all these things are really necessary for you. You can also put similar things together. Thanks to this, you can easily find what you need.
   • Again, think about the purpose of your trip. If you are going to relax in a lakeside house, it is unlikely that you need to bring a camping stove or a folding ax with you.
2. 2 Think about which things you will use more often. The items you intend to use during the day should lie together and, of course, not at the bottom of the backpack. Place your snacks, swimsuit, phone, or clothing so that you can easily reach them.
   • If your backpack has only one large compartment, the items you will use frequently should be on top, not at the bottom of the backpack.
   • If you're on a hike, place your socks on top so you can easily reach them.
3. 3 Use bags for small items. This will make it easier for you to reach them when needed. Also use bags for food, water bottles, and other liquids.
   • Put soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and other toiletries in one bag so you can easily get them out. In addition, your belongings will stay clean if something spills on them.
4. 4 Save space. Before putting things in your backpack, check to see if you can save space by putting some things in others. For example, you can put your phone in a loose pair of shoes or wrap your passport in jeans. If you are bringing a small saucepan with you, you can put a camp stove and other small items in it.
   • You can also hide fragile items and valuables. If you have extra cash, hide it in your backpack. It is unlikely that a thief will rummage in it. Try not to keep money in outside pockets.

Part 3 of 3: Pack your things

1. 1 Pack your heaviest items closer to your back, but not to the bottom of your backpack. Otherwise, you will have to constantly lean forward, maintaining balance.
   • It will be better if your backpack has an opening bottom. Thanks to this, you can easily get things from the bottom of the backpack. Many backpacks can carry a lot of weight, so pay attention to proper weight distribution.
2. 2 The weight should also be balanced against the sides of the backpack. Stack items evenly on either side of the backpack, trying to distribute the weight evenly from left to right. This will help you reduce fatigue and stress by loading evenly on both shoulders.
3. 3 The back of the backpack should be relatively flat. Place the flat pieces against the panel that will rest against your back. Avoid placing soft or bulky items in there, as they can deform your backpack, reducing structural integrity. Plus, it can lead to constant blows that will cause discomfort to your back.
4. 4 Use clothing to fill the empty space. Pack your clothes last if they don't take up a significant portion of your luggage. With clothing, you can easily fill the empty space of your backpack. Plus, you can always skip an extra pair of pants in case you run out of space.
   • Roll your clothes instead of folding them. This will save you space and your clothes will not be so wrinkled. Make sure you don't take on too much clothing to save space for other essentials.
5. 5 Keep the total weight of the backpack within reasonable limits. This is especially important if you are hiking or cycling long distances. Opinions differ on what should be the optimal weight of the backpack. But, as a rule, it should be less than half the weight of a person.
6. 6 Attach some carabiners. Very often, important items are hung with carabiners on a backpack.This will allow you to have quick access to a water bottle, wrench, knife, or other essentials.
   • Most backpacks are equipped with straps that can be found at the bottom of the backpack. This allows you to secure your sleeping bag, distribute weight correctly and save space.
7. 7 Make sure the backpack fits comfortably and check its weight. After you have packed everything, make sure that you are comfortable with this backpack so that you can easily get your essentials. Try walking with him for at least ten minutes.
   • Be careful not to be crushed by the straps of your backpack. Also make sure that the weight of the backpack does not pull you backward as you move. If you still feel uncomfortable, try arranging things differently to distribute the weight more evenly.
   • Inexperienced backpack owners, such as students, often do not tighten their belts. However, carrying a backpack in this way is not recommended, especially on long journeys. Therefore, it is very important that the straps are tightly tightened and the backpack is as high as possible.

Tips

• When choosing your items, keep in mind some of the items you may need in an emergency. A flashlight with an extra set of batteries and a raincoat are things you can't do without.
• Take only the things you need. You may not feel tired at first, but after walking a few hours with a backpack on your back, you will most likely realize that you have taken a lot of unnecessary things.