Gear Guide: Packing a Rucksack

A Few Things to think About When Packing a Rucksack

We thought that including some advice on rucksack packing would be a worthwhile, however when we brought our ideas together we soon realised that it would be closer to a book than an article!

The reason for this is simple, everyone has a knack of packing a rucksack which they like, and how you pack your rucksack will depend on the activity you are doing (e.g. fell walking, alpine climbing, adventure racing etc.) and on the design of your rucksack as well as the tactics you wish to employ doing that activity.

There are however some common tips that, by considering, most people can improve their rucksack packing.

Tip 1...Find what works for you and stick to it!

We have already said that packing a rucksack is a very personal thing, but by finding a way of packing a rucksack that you like and sticking with it, you will be able to reach for the right pocket or area of your rucksack immediately. A very useful skill when searching for a head torch in the dark!

Tip 2...Think waterproof!

The reason why Britain is so beautiful is because it rains so much, simple! To enjoy the beauty we therefore have to take precautions against the elements and waterproof your rucksack

When packing a rucksack it’s a good idea to consider what would happen if it poured down from the start of your expedition to the end...Those plastic bags protecting your sleeping bag and warm layers would likely disintegrate!

Invest in some decent dry bags! They don’t cost much and they last almost forever! One large dry bag is the minimum you should be thinking about... plus try a waterproof rucksack rain cover.

Tip 3...organise...organise...organise!

As someone who could now find a rogue piece of pasta in his rucksack easier than he could find his wardrobe in his bedroom, I have come to really appreciate this point!

This tip is really an addition to the first two tips. A really useful way to organise your rucksack is to use a number of dry bags and group items together.

For example waterproof jacket and trousers together in one bag and a little bag for wallet, keys and glasses is always useful.

Using a number of different coloured and sized dry bags will make remembering where you have put everything easier!

and remember...when you have found a method that you like, stick to it!

Tip 4...The heavy things matter!

When I was a youth it was always drilled into me that heavy items go in the bottom of your rucksack, I was never given a valid reason for this and so didn’t pay much attention!

Now, I am no expert, but from my experience and basic understanding, most humans centre of gravity is around their belly button (imagine balancing your body on top of a railing and taking your hands off like children do.) Your centre of gravity is roughly in the centre of your body between your belly and back.

If we put a great lump on our back, our centre of gravity moves backwards, this is why we tend to tip backwards when we have a rucksack on.

A lower centre of gravity has been linked with increased stability, (which could be why the old mountain goats insist on putting heavy items in the bottom of their rucksack), but this can feel like a lot of weight is on your hips and like your being dragged backwards by your bum!

Having heavier items higher up in your rucksack, will move your centre of gravity upwards reducing stability.

Next time you see someone with a heavy load on their back, note their posture, they tend to lean slightly forward. This is because this moves the centre of gravity into its natural position, over the person feet, rather than behind them!

This simple act of moving our centre of gravity over our base (feet) can make the load feel so much easier to carry. The load hasn’t actually changed, we have just moved our bodies into a more ergonomic position.

So to finally conclude tip 4, if you want stability then placing heavy items close to or slightly above your belly button (in your rucksack of course!) is recommended).

If you are not going to be on exposed or technical terrain, then placing heavy items higher in your rucksack could make the load feel easier to carry.