Backpacking is always a good plan, and many now know it as backpacking—a chance to discover new destinations at a low cost, with nature as the main focus. Packing your hiking backpack properly and bringing all the essentials is crucial for fully enjoying the experience.
Learning how to distribute the weight within your gear is key to completing your routes without discomfort. To do this, we will divide the backpack into 4 parts: bottom, middle, top, and exterior pocket. Here is a guide to organizing your backpack for backpacking.
Bottom of the Backpack: For Items You Won’t Use Much
You will probably focus first on weight distribution when organizing your backpack, but there are other factors to consider. The bottom section is reserved for those items you won’t need during the hike, whether light or heavy.
Common items in this section include a sleeping bag, pajamas, or camping gear.
Middle of the Backpack: Where to Place the Heaviest Items
The middle of the backpack is the ideal place to put the heaviest items, kept close to your back. This is essential for achieving a comfortable hike and preventing excess weight from affecting the upper or lower parts of the backpack.
In this section, you should place items such as the water reservoir or bladder, the tent, cooking utensils, and the food you will bring on the route. To prevent these items from shifting too much during the hike, you can use additional clothing to cushion them.
Avoiding excessive movement of items in the backpack will help you maintain better balance during the hike, so use those extra elements to create a solid base. A trick that always works is to use socks, hats, or scarves to add that extra stability between the items.
Top of the Backpack: For Unexpected Needs During the Hike
This part of the backpack is reserved for placing items you might need during the hike, such as maps, an extra layer of clothing, or your mobile phone.
At the top of the backpack, you should avoid placing too much weight, as this could affect your balance during the hike. However, one essential item for this space is a rain jacket, in case you encounter rain on the way so you won’t have to unpack everything to get to it.
Exterior Pocket of the Backpack: For Items You Want to Keep Handy
If the top of the backpack is for items you might need during the hike in case of unexpected situations, the exterior pocket is for things you know you will use but don’t want to carry in your hands. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen… These essentials are that you will need midway through the hike and want to have within reach without unpacking your gear.
This is a good place to pack your RRAT’s sandals if you plan to use them once you reach the campsite. If you choose the RRAT’s Y-Minimal or T-Minimal model, you will have flexible, lightweight sandals that take up very little space—ideal for resting your feet at camp after a long hike
By considering this distribution, you will ensure that your gear stays stable throughout the journey, and you’ll have all the basics handy. The most important thing is to prioritize those items you know you will use during your trip, whether you are on the trail or camping.
What Shouldn't Be Missing from Your Backpack for Backpacking?
Many people choose comfort to rest their feet at camp with barefoot sandals, such as the Y-Minimal from RRAT’s. These sandals offer complete freedom to your feet thanks to their special width. Additionally, they feature an ideal toe adjustment to adapt to each foot’s needs.
Minimalist sandals to wear at any time with a high-quality thin sole, certified by the Vibram brand. Their Drop 0 design and adjustable straps ensure comfort even after a long hike. Moreover, being so flexible and thin, they will barely take up space in your backpack, making them perfect companions for your journey.