How I Pack My Backpack (Zone System)

Here I present "zone" system for how to best pack up a backpack - especially one of the "ultralight" layout (main body plus external pockets). It should serve you well even if we have different gear.
0:00 The Backpack
1:13 Two Packing Considerations
1:42 My Zone System
2:35 ZONE 1: Internal Storage
2:45 Sleep System
5:05 Down Gear
6:01 Food Bag / Cannister
6:48 Shelter (Soft Materials)
7:30 Sleep Pad
8:14 Ditty Bag
9:04 ZONE 2: External Storage (Unreachable)
9:41 Rain Jacket
9:59 Tent Poles and Stakes
10:32 Water Filtration Kit
11:11 Cook Kit / Mug
12:25 Camp Chair
12:40 ZONE 3: External Storage (Reachable)
13:17 Hydration, Nutrition, Health & Safety Items
14:31 ZONE 4: Pockets / Fanny Pack
14:45 Keys, Wallet, Phone, Knife
16:01 MISC.: Trekking Poles, Ice Axe, Umbrella, etc.
16:22 Final Tip
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[@Love2Wander]

Good info, Doug thanks for sharing. This should help new backpackers in loading their packs. Stay safe, my friend

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Thanks buddy!

[@frstesiste7670]

Excellent presentation in my opinion! Very well considered even if I don't do it exactly like this (there will always be some individual variations depending on how the gear fit in a pack). I've one additional requirement though and that is I want all the gear to fit inside the main body of the pack when needed. For example when checking in the pack travelling on a plane or when I dont want anything outside being lost or snagging in really difficult terrain.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yeah if using a backpack as luggage and or on a flight external storage is not good. :)

[@jeromebakerjr8617]

Good advice. Helpful. Thanks.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

You're very welcome!

[@shawnr6117]

Of course the size of your pack will play a part in how you arrange the load. Bigger bag- more inside, smaller bag - strap it to the outside 😁

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yeah I made sure to mention the bag size but functionally I pretty much follow the same system either way because its more about accessibilty. :).

[@nam_hn]

Thank you so much!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

You're welcome!

[@chili1593]

Good advice thanks

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@pimacanyon6208]

great video, I like your system, very logical. agree with you re compression stuff sacks. I don't use them for the reason you mentioned and also because I wonder how good it is on the down in the quilt or sleeping bag to be stuffed that tight. I also do what you do with the tent poles and stakes--they go into an outside pocket on the pack. I LOVE my zpacks "multipack" they call it. (I got it 15 years ago or, just looked at it online now and whoa! 75 bones for a little pack like that. I suspect I paid half that or less, but in 15 years the dollar has continued to fade away... but I digress...) I use it like a fanny pack but carried higher up. Put all my odds and ends into it, most of which I might need while hiking, things like pocket knife, trail snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, cell phone (for its camera and topo maps I've downloaded to it), etc.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yes compression is also bad for the insulation as well as some tent materials like Dyneema in some cases. Your zpacks sounds sweet! Chest packs are not something I have ever used but they might fulfill that function. Thanks!

[@pimacanyon6208]

@@BackcountryPilgrim just an FYI: Yes, I got it to try it out as a chest pack, but I didn't like messing with the attachment mechanism to my main pack. so I just use it as a fanny pack but turned around so it's in front. I used to use a fanny pack in reverse, but like the size of zpack better and it serves the same purpose.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

@pimacanyon6208 Understood! :)

[@flutingaround]

love your channel.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Thank you!

[@jacksteelo7989]

It's rare to find oneself agree with every sentence another person says. Great job, here.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

You're right about that! (See what I did there? haha!) Thank you. :)

[@RC-qf3mp]

In which zone do you pack your Glock and malt liquor?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Those go under my hat. (Shhhhhh....)

[@TheJkilla11]

Where's the Pilgrim part?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Sorry, what Pilgrim part?

[@TheJkilla11]

@@BackcountryPilgrim Dictionary Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more pil·grim /ˈpilɡrəm/ noun noun: pilgrim; plural noun: pilgrims a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yes I am aware of the word's meaning but I still do not know what you are asking. :)

[@TheJkilla11]

@@BackcountryPilgrim really?

[@n1nj4l1nk]

Bit pointless having a water filter if you're just going to store the bottle that holds dirty water in your mug.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

It would be if I drank out of the mug straight, but all I use it for is hot drinks made from boiling water. It's cleaned out first too. ;)

[@flutingaround]

bear spray?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Not much need in most of California (and it's illegal in national parks), but if I did bring it I have a cool magnetic clip from Minimalist Gear (bit.ly/4ciV3f1) or it goes in a shoulder strap holder. :)

[@flutingaround]

​@@BackcountryPilgrim Thanks, I'll check it out!