Quick overview: When packing for a hike, organising the hiking pack is crucial for maintaining balance, comfort and back health. Using a gear checklist, pack items according to weight distribution – light items at the bottom, heavy items at the back, and medium or bulky items at the front and top. Ensure smooth items cushion any sharp objects, protect delicate items, avoid packing food under potential spillables, evenly distribute weight, keep your pack organised, and reduce weight by repackaging items and carrying only necessary amounts.
When heading out on a hike, never underestimate the importance of pack organisation. It can affect your centre of balance, comfort and back health if wearing for extended periods. Use this ‘how to fill a hiking pack’ guide to ensure you’re packing smart to get the most out of any adventure.
Firstly, make a checklist of all the items that you want to take with you (using the Gear Lists feature of the Mountain Designs App will help with this!). Collect those articles and spread them on the floor in front of you. Identify items that will require quick access afterwards (map, flashlight, water bottle, etc.), as they belong in easy to reach areas like external pockets. Then start packing by the following rule of thumb:
- Light items at the bottom
- Heavy items at the back
- Medium items (or bulky equipment) at the top and front
Packing that way will put the heaviest items close to your centre of gravity (your back) and make it easy to keep your balance afterwards.
Hike Light
Keep your pack as light as possible. I’ve hiked with a range of pack sizes carrying a range of heavy packs and light ones, and I’m convinced that carrying a heavy pack takes a harder toll on me physically than carrying a light pack twice as far.
During Packing
- Use smooth items to cushion cornered objects that might otherwise pinch against your spine
- Partly filled stuff sacks can be squeezed into gaps (when differently coloured, they can help you find things and stay organised
- Protect delicate items by packing them inside hard objects (pots, shoes)
- Don’t pack food underneath containers that might spill (liquids, powders)
- Pay attention to even weight distribution between the right and left sides
- Keep your pack organized and put items back where you expect to find them
- Repackage to reduce weight
- Pour liquids into smaller containers
- Don’t bring the whole plastic-wrapped box of 12 energy bars when you’ll only eat 2 and need one more just in case.
Keep your gear dry
Water is critical for staying alive, but it is also deadly when mixed with cold or saturates your gear on the trail. Put items in zip-lock bags, sleeping bag and clothes in waterproof stuff sacks. Carry and use rain-gear.
Contributed by: Mountain Designs
Explore more from the blog
About the Author
Darren Edwards is the founder of
Trail Hiking Australia, an avid bushwalker, and a dedicated search and rescue volunteer. With decades of experience exploring Australia's wilderness, Darren shares his passion for the outdoors, providing practical advice and guidance on hiking safely and responsibly. He was interviewed on
ABC Radio and
ABC News Breakfast to discuss bushwalking safety, highlighting his commitment to promoting responsible outdoor exploration.
What’s your go-to item for keeping your pack organised while hiking? Any tips for packing hacks you swear by?
Trail Hiking Australia IKEA Parkla shoe bag. $1.
The poor man’s DCF packing cube. I use one to carry my quilt inside the pack, and at night, I stuff my down jacket and whatever else I’m not wearing into it, and then use my buff as a sleeve/pillow case and use the thing as a pillow.
Media: https://www.facebook.com/10163194236853900/videos/1405301497517821
Rob Margono nothing wrong with a poor man’s cube. That’s a great idea. I use a stuff sack for my pillow too.
Rob Margono Ooo that’s pretty 😎 cool!
Murky Murk and it’s a dollar. No harm in trying it out.
Darren Edwards it’s actually the best pillow I’ve used so far. Adjustable firmness, etc.
Rob Margono I agree, better than an inflatable pillow.
Can we get a blog on how *not* to fill a backpack (or, how I learned to love hiking with less)?
Matthew White sure, like this one? https://www.trailhiking.com.au/hacks-and-tips/packing-light-guide-minimalist-camping/
Trail Hiking Australia Ugh, I /guess/ that will do! 🤣😝
Matthew White hahaha.
A ditty bag for food and one for “hardware”
Hardware being.
Swiss knife (bare bones version), firelighters, cordage, scissors, line tensioners, lighter, repair tape and a zip lock bag with TP in it.
Peter Jolly sound like a good kit