What should you pack in your hiking backpack?

What should you pack in your hiking backpack?

Packing a backpack for a hike or trek. Do you know the best way to go about it? Here are a few tips to help you prepare.

The final step before a hike is getting your kit ready. It is never easy to predict which clothes and accessories will come in handy. The key is to plan ahead and select the essentials to take with you. Every hiker has their own habits when it comes to packing their backpack, and there is no fixed list to follow to the letter. However, there are still a few rules to bear in mind, and you will generally find the same essential items in most backpacks🎒.

We recommend breaking your preparations down into several steps. First of all, draw up a checklist of things to take, based on the weather conditions in the area you are visiting and the length of your trip. This should help you bring the essentials and avoid unpleasant surprises once you are in the mountains. Unnecessary items will be of no use and, worse still, will weigh you down!

1- CHOOSING THE CAPACITY

A visit to a specialist shop quickly reveals the wide range of hiking backpacks available. There are many brands, design features vary, and backpacks come in all sorts of sizes. You may hear terms such as volume, capacity or litre capacity. Generally, the “size” is given in litres. We will cover how to choose your backpack in another article.

The type of backpack you need depends on several factors, particularly the number of days you will be hiking, how self-sufficient you need to be, the type of climate and the type of accommodation. Naturally, a backpack that is too small will make life difficult whenever you need to open it to get something out. Conversely, a backpack that is too large will add weight and will not hold your belongings securely enough inside. As a general rule, choosing the right backpack is always easier when you know exactly what you are going to put in it.

2- CHOOSING CLOTHES SUITABLE FOR YOUR HIKE

The right clothing makes mountain activities more enjoyable, while a poor choice can turn a hike into a very unpleasant experience. Get into the habit of choosing clothes that suit your outing👕.

Have you heard of the 3-layer system? This method helps you get the most out of your clothing and stay dry throughout. Each “layer” of clothing serves a specific purpose. Without going into detail, here is a description of each layer and its properties:

1. The first layer helps wick away sweat and prevent you from feeling cold. This is often a “technical T-shirt” made from synthetic fibres or merino wool, which is the best of the best. Merino wool is odour-resistant, does not itch and is biodegradable too!

2. the mid layer, often called the insulating layer. Its role is to keep you warm. Modern fleece is a good example: lightweight and designed to wick perspiration outwards.

3. the outer layer (Hard Shell or Gore-Tex), which protects you from the elements (wind, snow, rain, etc.). These garments are waterproof and generally breathable.

So where does a “softshell” jacket fit into all this? This term refers to a type of garment that is flexible, breathable and very often water-repellent, meaning that water runs off the jacket, although the fabric cannot withstand heavy rain. You can use this type of jacket as a second layer, or even as a third layer, depending on the vagaries of the weather.

You do not always need to wear all 3 layers, but it is essential to have at least one garment from each layer in your backpack. Adjust which layers you wear, always keeping them in the right order, so you stay warm without overheating. Take the weather conditions and the intensity of your physical effort into account when adjusting your clothing.

3- HYDRATION AND FOOD

As with any sport, your water and food needs increase during a hike. Remember to fuel the “engine”, and in the mountains, shops are hardly on every street corner… or rather, every bend in the trail. You must carry a good supply of food (dried fruit, cereal bars, marzipan, etc.) and enough water for the duration of your outing💧.

Your safety and health are at stake! However, take care not to weigh down your hiking backpack unnecessarily with packaging that will later become rubbish you also have to carry. Choose zip-lock freezer bags to hold your food: they could hardly be more practical.

4- CLOTHES FOR THE MOUNTAIN HUT AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR BACKPACK

These are generally clothes you do not need during the day, so you will tend to place them at the bottom of your backpack. Here, we mean a change of clothes and a pair of flexible shoes, such as flip-flops or sandals, to slip on at the end of the day and give your feet some relief. This also includes gloves and a warm hat, which you should carry in every season, even though you are generally unlikely to need to take them out during the day in summer. And of course, you will agree that it is much more convenient to “unpack” your hiking backpack indoors, in the warmth, away from damp conditions and dust from the trails. That is why it makes sense to avoid putting something you might need, such as sunscreen, at the bottom of your backpack.

5- PACKING AND ORGANISING YOUR BACKPACK

The final step before setting off: packing your hiking backpack! Before putting everything into your backpack, there is a very useful technique that gives you an overview of what you are taking. It involves laying out all your items on a flat surface, such as a table or a bed. This lets you group your belongings and pack them logically, in order of priority. It is best to separate the items you need overnight from the equipment you might need during your hike. The aim is to keep this “daytime equipment” on you or within easy reach.

The second factor to consider is the weight of your various belongings. As a general rule, lightweight equipment goes at the bottom and top of your hiking backpack, while heavier items go towards the middle. Start packing by placing the heaviest items as close to your back as possible, against the back panel, and preferably between hip and shoulder level. Carrying a load away from your body puts more strain on your back. Poor weight distribution can throw you off balance while walking and lead to poor posture that is harmful to your body. It is therefore essential to distribute the load properly so that your backpack is balanced⚖️.

6- ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES IN THE SIDE POCKETS

Here, we mean those little “extras” that take up hardly any space but are still essential to a successful hike. Be careful: when you think of “small items”, all sorts of things can fall into this category, and you will find no shortage of shopping ideas in specialist outdoor shops. Take the time to assess how useful each item is. First on the list are a multipurpose knife, a lighter and a few plastic bags to cover your belongings or carry rubbish.

For medical needs, pack a basic first aid kit with the essentials for treating an injury out on the trail. Sunscreen and its companion, a cap, are also essential for protection from the sun. An emergency blanket should also be among the items you take: it is light and compact, and can be useful for sheltering yourself, signalling your location or helping other hikers. The last item to tuck into your hiking backpack is a head torch, which can prove to be a very useful piece of safety equipment if something unexpected happens, helping you find your way or locate shelter🔦.

One more small detail: how many hikers have found themselves rummaging through their entire backpack to buy a round for their companions on the trail? That’s right, we almost forgot the importance of keeping your wallet, along with your identity documents, close at hand.

7- NAVIGATION TOOLS

The classic hiker’s trio: compass, map and altimeter. Keep these tools at the top of your hiking backpack, as they may come in handy at any time. Familiarise yourself with your route on the map before your trip, take a look at the route guide and, if your navigation skills are not quite up to scratch yet, spend a little time learning how to use a compass and an altimeter.

Another tool that has found its way into outdoor sports is GPS. Hiking has, of course, jumped on board and now evolves alongside digital technology. Bear in mind that this device does not replace the basic navigation tools, as it can malfunction or even stop working altogether. So yes, it can be a useful addition, but it is essential to start learning with a map and compass. Once you have mastered those, you can use a GPS to follow a route, find your position or simply record your route🧭.

8- ADJUSTING YOUR HIKING BACKPACK

Once your hiking backpack is packed and ready to put on, remember to adjust it correctly so that it fits your body. Here is how: loosen all the straps and put on your backpack, then take the time to adjust each part in turn. Start by tightening the hip belt. Bear in mind that your hips carry most of the backpack’s weight. Next, adjust the shoulder straps so that the backpack sits neither too high nor too low in relation to your shoulders. Otherwise, your shoulders will carry too little weight or more than they should. Tighten the load lifter straps at the top of your backpack to bring it closer to your back. Finally, adjust the chest strap to limit the backpack’s side-to-side movement.

As you can see, when everything is adjusted properly, the backpack’s weight is distributed between your shoulders and hips. It is important to fine-tune every adjustment to make the backpack as comfortable to carry as possible, allowing you to (almost) forget about the load on your back.

To conclude, here are the key points to remember:

1. Choose the right backpack size for the length of your hike
2. Take the weather conditions into account when packing your backpack
3. Do not underestimate how much water and food you will need
4. Do not overload yourself with unnecessary items or gadgets
5. Organise your belongings into compartments and distribute the weight properly, while keeping the things you need for the day within easy reach
6. Adjust your backpack to fit your body before you start walking

All in all, a carefully packed, well-balanced backpack that is properly adjusted to fit your body is comfortable to carry. Your hike will then become a truly enjoyable experience. Get your backpacks ready, and good luck to everyone preparing for their hikes!