How do you pack your pack?

Not as experienced as others...or at all [two camping trips in the past 5 years, hope to really change that though], but I like to do small packs within the pack - each with their own purpose (ie: food, cooking/eating utensils, firestarting, toiletries, fak etc)
 
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I pack heavier items toward the inside of the pack (closest to my back) and near the top. Lighter stuff toward the outside and bottom of the pack. Pack the heavier stuff toward the outside (further from your back) and it will put more strain on your shoulders/back. It's a balancing act, so try not to get lopsided with more weight toward one side or the other. Once I get it packed, on and adjusted, I'll take it out for a short run, maybe 1-1.5 miles to see how well it's balanced. I can usually tell within about 1500 ft if it's off kilter.

Stuff I use often or may need RFN, I keep packed in the top or outside pockets; water filter, headlamp, work gloves and especially a poncho...being cold OR wet can be miserable...being cold AND wet can f*ck you up.

Like @HMP, I do 'packs within a pack' because I am a bit OCD regarding organization.
 
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Car camping, close to car or hiking? I don't do a lot of hiking in camping but with car or close to car camping, I do similar to HMP (packs with pack) and have bags/bins for specific purposes (all cooking items like pots, utensils, etc in one, food items in another, etc)
 
Tent goes in first, then sleeping bag and stove with fuel side by side. Next is food bag and clothes bag side by side.

Jacket, poncho, hat, gloves and inflatable pillow go on top.

Snacks, maps, water filter, tent poles, folding saw, flashlight, first aid kit and any other incidentals go in outer pockets.

Sleeping pad is lashed to outside.
 
My hammock setup is in a dry bag in a pocket on the bottom. One side pocket has Stanley pot With coffee and stove in it. Other side pocket has fuel canister. Middle has change of clothes, in a dry bag, food, in another dry bag. Poncho. Top pockets have water filter, snacks, utensils, paracord, drink mix. Inside top pocket has a 55 gallon trash bag. Cause if something happens I gotta cross water, it's getting tied up in that bag.
 
Heavy on the bottom or close to the back is the most accepted way to do it. Light stuff to the back and top. Anything you need access to during the walk to the top. Water filter, lunch, rain gear, hat, map. Sleeping bag on the bottom. Food or clothes next. Tarp against my back. Filter and lunch in the fanny pack top. Rain gear at the top of the main pack body. Assorted stuff shoved in the spaces I can find. Everything inside the pack if possible. Lashing gear all over the outside will just snag stuff.

Weight to the back will pull you backwards too much. Weight to the top will be less stable. Weight close to the hip belt and close to the spine is the most stable assuming it's an internal frame pack. External frames are a bit different. The idea stays the same but folks tend to lash stuff too the top and bottom on an external.
 
I've always packed heavy stuff up top ie military radios, extra ammo. Bottom gets stuff that you don't need immediately ie extra clothes, sleeping bag, rations. Course this was with an external framed large ALICE ruck weighing up to 150 lbs of gear. You don't move very far or fast with that amount. Normal load would be 55-80lbs to up to 12 miles for a weeks duration. Use the hip belt if your pack has one to distribute the load.

CD
 
The bottom isn’t always the best place for heavy things. I agree that the bottom should be reserved for the things that you need to get to last or the least. Like when you set up camp. The place were heavy things should go is directly above those items so that they land just above your hips in the small of your back. It all depends on the shape and size of your pack though of course (closest to your center of gravity).



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This guy is pretty cool. I like his thoughts on gear from TONS of hiking experiences (AT, PCT, etc)

Here is his vid on packing. Sleeping bag on bottom and heavy things in the middle near small of back.




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Now on to WHAT you pack in your pack. Again with Darwin. Items 3 & 4 in his list of WHAT NOT to bring should spark some convo here!




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and my cheap fixed blade Mora companion is sharp, light and strong. Cuts cheese, string and a stinky hipster if he gets too frisky

See here’s my problem... he’s right because I also carry a companion, a benchmade large griptillian and a folding Adamas..plus a multi tool... I think I can cut one or two.


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Only two things on that list not in my pack are 2 and 5.

Folding trowel...check
Good fixed-blade knife....check
Pistol......hell yes....check

Another misguided soul who believes "there's good in everyone".

No, there ain't.


Idiot.
 
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I carry barely anything these days. Hammock/fly, blanket and pillow, one pot, Altoids tackle tin, lighter, TP, trash bag and spare socks. Outside the bag I have an Estwing Camper's axe and maybe a short little fishing rod. On me, pistol, knife I made out of an Ontario kitchen knife, and an SAK. Some trips call for a few more items, but getting that pack down to 10 pounds or less sure is liberating, both in regards to mobility and packing the bag. As noted, heavier stuff closer to you and higher, but cut the crap and it gets super easy.

The axe seems silly to many, but I don't spend a night in the woods without one, period.
 
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I'd have to carry a gun! (Not that I'm going on a hike for months on end, I fervently hope!)
 
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