How to pack a backpack: Organization & load distribution

There are two guiding principals when packing your backpack: load distribution and organization.

Your heaviest items -- like your food bag and shelter -- should be placed against the back, in order to minimize their effect on your center of gravity. Lighter items -- like your puffy jacket -- should be be placed in the "front" area of the pack.

Items not needed during the day -- like your sleeping bag and pad -- should be packed at or near the bottom of the pack. Items needed more frequently -- like your rain gear, today's food, and water bottle -- should be at the top of the main compartment or in exterior pockets.

Andrew Skurka is a backpacking guide, author, and National Geographic "Adventurer of the Year."

[toha]

Been a backpacker for a few decades now, and this was the best packing tutorial I've seen/read. I'm gonna adopt a 2nd bag too...thanks for sharing, Andrew.

[belindahugheslifestyle]

Thanks, Andrew! I really needed this. I've had a system for packing duffles, but not backpacking, and I've paid with fatigue, muscle soreness and inability to reach goal stops on time. Now I'll know what to do next time. Funny how one key detail can change everything. Have a great day! ^5

[tetsuo]

im watching this as a person who am glad to say i actually already pack just as you do... however unfortunately i had to learn on my own through homelessness and critical thinking... however i really really enjoy your style of video. . youre calm, informative and to the point without being too general. i loved the vid

[lfevxto]

i lived in a tent for two years in Florida. the most important lesson i learned is put everything in plastic.

[tandkplus]

Andrew, this was an awesomely efficient and helpful video. Thanks so much! I have a backpack from F-Stop Gear that's geared to carry easily accessible photo gear as well as a ton of other gear (70 liter bag), and your expertise has helped immensely. Again, thanks so much for doing this.

[bretthikez]

First time I ever saw someone use 2 compactor bags..great video man..

[priyamd]

All done inside 5 minutes. Cool! Liked and subscribed!!

[Hugo-eppo]

Seriously helpful. Thanks for the time you put into making this.

[jordangauger]

Nothing better than the sound of zippers in the dead quiet.

[wildbrigante]

Nice and simple. Must be effective too. Thanks for sharing.

[tetsuo]

also i use tyvek kitty litter bags for inner storage. the petco by me tosses out at least 25 every week and a half... i just wash them out real good.. but still it WAS new product so not much worry.

[wildwolf]

What brand and size compactor bags are you using?

[mradios]

Amazing how you made it simple in less than 5 minutes. So much learned from your video and your answers to the comments. Thanks for sharing. Do you use rain pants in rainy season?

[leewongisme]

Like the bag. But nowhere to attach sleeping pad & tent outside of the pack :(( Make it happen please

[chocolatedumdum]

I can't decide if I should put my down bag inside a waterproof bag inside of the compactor bag. Or just a regular stuff sack. The redundancy seems excessive but also makes sense if the compactor bag were to fail to waterproof such an integral part of the kit.

[georgelomas]

What's the name of the backpack and how big? Great video. Thank you for your time.

[matthewsgaming]

No bear container? Do backpackers normally not bring one? If so where would it go?

[vvs]

is that zipper on a top lid reliable?if it fails it would be big problem..

[aikirunner]

What happens if your Ursack gets wet? Do you still put it in with your sleeping gear?

[roebucksadventure]

what size are the trash compactor bags