How to Pack a Backpack || REI

A well balanced and well packed backpack can feel a lot lighter than one that’s packed poorly. In this video, Miranda walks you through her guide to a perfectly packed pack. If you want to see what Miranda brings on her backpacking trips, check out our backpacking checklist video: • Backpacking Checklist ...
And click here to read our article on packing and hoisting your pack: www.rei.com/learn/expert-advi...
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At Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), we love to get outside and play, and we know first-hand the importance of quality outdoor gear. We stand behind all our products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and we design our own line of award-winning REI brand gear and clothing. Whether you're new to outdoor adventure or a seasoned pro, we gladly share our enthusiasm for our products-and the trails, slopes and waterways where we play.
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[@adamgfleming5397]

The "my spork!" comment at the end LOL so classic when you're packing even if you're quite experienced!

[@LydJaGillers]

and the whisper "it's important." as she stuffs it in the hip pocket lol

[@chantalrose1983]

Oh my gosh, it's my first year backpacking and I just bought a 65L pack. Tried getting all my gear in it, and it was stuffed completely full not even including my food! But I just repacked it with this method (only removed one thing that I realized I don't need) and now everything fits in (including a bear canister), with room to spare. It's magic!! Thank you!!!

[@robertw.7698]

Nice 👌 😉

[@MountainLife603]

By the title of the video, most of us say "well duhh" But upon watching, you point out the good common sense techniques that most people dont think about. 👍🏼

[@vleek07]

And I'm new to this, so this video was SO helpful for me! :)

[@anomalyp8584]

what techniques would that be

[@BlakeBillington]

MY SPORK

[@yupthatsmyusername3596]

HER SPORK

[@rowanfernsler9725]

Yup, that's my username I have literally no idea, auto correct must’ve changed the whole meaning, or I just didn’t sleep for days

[@xtreal1769]

@SimPilotX huh.

[@Jump2218]

She has a Mary Poppins bag! Where is she putting all that!? That bear canister was HUGE!

[@FesNaqvi]

@Aamey Playz That more looks like a 60 liter

[@ami4hc]

@@FesNaqvi it's a 75-85 l

[@scrumcaptain]

You don't need a bear canister (unless the gov. makes you take one). It's all fear-mongering.

[@gamersquidtv5000]

The bag is huge

[@L4mTr4n]

That’s definitely not a 40L. I have a Gregory Zulu 40L as my backpack and it’s smaller than that. The one in the video is at least 65L but it could be a 65-70L.

[@daleh.7711]

Holy Moly! Is that like a 100 liter pack? I like how she whispers secretly as she stows her Spork. Lol.

[@craigapelbaum1629]

Very good information for me to know. I'm a camper too. I always thought that heavy stuff goes on the bottom of the pack, and lite stuff goes on top of the pack. This sure taught me.

[@mikeghost7788]

Hi fellow hikers! Great video Miranda, like always. I use the same spork lol. I just had to purchase a new one. The old one lasted 10 years worth weekend hikes.

[@i2harry]

Just a paved road casual day hiker here. So very inspired by people I met in the national parks

[@rockclimber7456]

This girl’s great, she knows her stuff!

[@konger94]

I just found my dads 2013 adventurer 65l pack and this is gonna help me out a lot because we have a 10 day camp (the food is not brought in the backpack) and im gonna need this a lot. Thanks!

[@calvinmonroe2408]

Personal preference is always good for those who already have a PP . As for me i will rely on your experience until i have a personal preference of my own lol!!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge for us newbies

[@paulkolazinski1386]

this video was VERY helpful.

[@jasonclift7253]

Thanks Miranda - great info that we will use for Pike's Peak this summer :)

[@StevenTorrey]

What size is your backpack? Would have been nice to know from the get-go. At 5:27 -- a 60L bag. It also seems better not to have separate bags for things like clothes, toiletries, etc; fitting those things in as individual items, makes it easier to pack a backpack.

[@digger3578]

I just packed for my first five-day backpacking trip that begins tomorrow. I’ll be unpacking and repacking it now.

[@garrettmcguire6864]

This was a genuinely helpful video. 👍

[@vandalpaulius]

This is the video I show to all people if they ask about packing. Probably the best one out there

[@jwscheuerman]

Except for the advice that could get them killed, it’s great 😒

[@shearstrength8059]

@@jwscheuerman lolol i thought the same thing.. BS

[@jefdby]

@@jwscheuerman eeekkk. which advice is that? One needs to know!!

[@MrNight-dg1ug]

Remember to keep your spork readily accessible at all times

[@daniellai9370]

I'm more on packing all my clothing in vacuum bags first before I stuff it into the backpack in case of real bad weather. Someone did told me to put a big garbage bag in the backpack first as a waterproof layer before packing anything. Anything that I don't want to get wet will be in a plastic bag first.

[@heathenwolf4997]

Food. Always a must.

[@lilianalolasana410]

Very helpful thanks!

[@gabriellerivera7551]

What liter is this pack? I have a 48, and that bear canniest was huge haha!

[@lh457725]

If you look closely at 5:27 you can see it's an Amber 60 which is a 60L pack from Gregory.

[@robertw.7698]

Thank you Miranda!

[@jaymoore2959]

“My Spork!” 😂

[@mothoneer]

very useful content.. a sure inspiration for a newbie creator like me.. thank you..

[@zhyakoxalid6892]

Thank you for this video

[@billbertagnoli4226]

I really like the method of folding the extra clothes. Really

[@DrKeithMcNally]

Very helpful.

[@calvinmonroe2408]

I laughed when you exclaimed,”MY SPORK!”

[@TalkingHands308]

Nice video. My backpack is considerably smaller than that, didn't have the money to also buy another backpack, had to buy all of the other stuff, first time doing a big hiking trip. So I had to put a lot of stuff on the outside of my pack, like the sleeping bag, lol. If I put it inside it would take up pretty much all of the inside space... Mine is also considerably bigger than yours, maybe I should have looked for a more compact sleeping bag...

[@Tulbia]

Miranda is awesome.

[@thomasnugent7602]

Very good ideas. Thank you very much

[@jerrylance9351]

seen the vid before good one👍

[@tuboloco2]

This is one of your funniest videos Miranda. I had to watch it twice to realize the editing, but those packing noises added to the time lapse sections are so hilarious. It makes the video much less boring during those times where you’re not talking. Kudos to the all the backstage staff.

[@beckz4952]

Thank you so much!

[@vinniedayhikerb4977]

Awesome video! I wonder how many people put the heavy stuff on the bottom.

[@patrickcoyne1292]

you know i have like actually water shoes i use for playing in rivers and stuff. but i never once thought to bring them with me to use a crossing shoes to keep my hiking boots/socks dry. and i have room in my pack for them so thank you.

[@ozzygrunt4812]

Where did you put your food? I’m guessing that was all in the bear canister. We don’t have to worry about bear canisters here in Australia, but we do pack a lot of compression bandages, EPERBS and GPS on the outside of the back and in reach, just in case we do get bitten, lost and of course for navigation. I personally carry a compass and map of the area I’m going in to, as well as some sough of device so I can check the local weather etc. cheers

[@suetufts7918]

Very helpful video! What brand of camp shoes are those?

[@ericschwartz9982]

I've found that by not using a compression sack for my sleeping bag, I'll have a denser lower section of the pack that will not shift, has no empty spaces and a more comfortable fit on my back.

[@harrisonbrand8985]

interesting i will try that out, cheers

[@jefdby]

yeah, on my first time out for a weekend I shoved mine in the lower compartment which was only separated by a rectangle piece attached at 4 corners, but it worked really well rather than in the stuff sack which made it in to a hard, cannister shape and was hard to fit. do you have a divider in the lower part or you just stuff it down below everything else?

[@valerodriguez6854]

Huh! I thought it was best to put the heavier stuff at the bottom but doing light first, heavy middle makes sense now!

[@pk3]

Me: Looking at my backpack for a ton of outer packet storage. My backpack: Lol. Good luck, bro.

[@yung_lemon6314]

4:56 anyone else hear her whispering?

[@kylendmiller]

sounds like she says "pizza bread"

[@rowanfernsler9725]

Kyle Miller you’re actually right that’s what she sounds like

[@sethperkins1440]

@@kylendmiller haha no she def said "its important"

[@sarahdresler9776]

I thought she said “hi spork”

[@adventureswithbecketandxena]

I think she said "that's a boy" lol

[@cmcer1995]

I must agree with all of your advise on how to pack for overnight backpacking, along with minor adjustments, as you say, personal preference. My pack is often 45-50 lbs. for 2-3 night mountain backpacking. I still waiver on my 4-Season Tent placement still, bottom outside or top outside. But, I do like the small packs on the waist belt for quick access while hiking. But, I usually pack my spork mid-pack Miranda.

[@justalurkr]

Miranda before she went into the wild :D

[@Azrealophion]

Water filtration system seems buried in there...

[@towermonkey2000]

I want my water filter accessible, I may need to resupply my water while on the trail and don't want to unload 1/2 The pack to do it. The rest is pretty much the same. I don't use a bear can, I pack mine in a bag. I dig my lunch out when packing up in the morning and place it on the top of the pack, again so I can get it without needing to empty out anything else. I also use a pack liner.

[@mbuch6825]

nice video but it would be nicer if you had told what everything was as you put it in the pack. I don't know what most of that stuff was. If the 2nd item you stuffed into your pack was the sleeping pad, it's about half the volume of mine. What is it and is it any good?

[@3tacoman]

You are the best 😍🥰

[@TAHwithMike]

Refreshing the basics is always good. Sometimes you get into a rhythm, even develop some bad habits without realizing and small changes sometimes make all the difference.

[@cindyneely6087]

thank u

[@jonahjonah000]

Which Gregory pack is that? Looks great!

[@annamartin9840]

the bear canister just disappeared bahaha

[@maryjzanellecapacio7219]

Can you please make a video about a mix of hiking+ travel? I know Osprey has a hybrid travel+hiking pack and I would really love how you would pack gear for that.

[@rei]

Thanks for the suggestion, Mary!

[@grapplergirl10]

Where are your tools like map/compass/fire kit/knife/multi tool ? Or toiletries?

[@ZackSeraphicOFFICIAL]

Toiletries with a scent go in the bear canister.

[@MissTrixie29]

@@ZackSeraphicOFFICIAL First time I was watching one of these I heard someone say bear canister and I was like WTH is a bearanister? Yeah, we don't have bears here.

[@FesNaqvi]

@grapplegirl10 toiletries are in the bear canister. Multitool/fire kit and map and compass from her other video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqbKimmKaKmpntE) in the outside pocket

[@Arbeedubya]

Some items can be carried other places than in the backpack. A knife/multitool and bear spray on the belt, for example. In fact, I think she's making a mistake carrying her spray anywhere else. Any cordage can be woven into a hat band. A container or containers of matches can be put in pockets. Not everything has to go in the backpack.

[@user-ft1xf8wk9m]

THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheFrog767]

Thanks 🥂

[@rei]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@HelloWorld-zg3gs]

Miranda, I put my hiking poles into the water bottle pocket and it seems to be tearing a hole there. Is this normal, and is that one of the reasons why you don’t put your poles there?

[@cody6685]

Why does my sleeping bag take up my entire 60L pack?

[@lightwarriors7778]

Because you probably don't have a compression sack for it. There is a storage bag for home and a compression sack for backpacking. Don't roll it up like a cinnamon roll though, watch the videos how to pack a sleeping bag. Lol

[@JorgePille]

She didn't mention where she puts her TV and boom box. I guess that's personal preference as well. 😂

[@bobbykin4710]

Bear canister, have fun!

[@Soliskaa]

Great video! Can I ask what tent you're showing in this video?

[@rei]

Thanks! For the most up-to-date 3-season backpacking tent options, check out our inventory here: bit.ly/3srb1x7

[@davidanderson4575]

You mentioned that your backpack had a built-in reservoir. If not, and you are BP’ing in arid regions, where in your BP do you pack your water bladders/containers?

[@jefdby]

she put those in the same time she put in the bear canister

[@aulii11]

Would you pack an external frame pack any differently? Asking for a friend...

[@violinpracice6440]

I always have bags for clean/dirty clothes, and that occupies most of my backpack lol~

[@bkbland1626]

I don't think it's about heavy or light but rather just good balance. The terms one uses can be somewhat important.

[@nk6197]

@REI I am dying of curiosity for some reason what did you whisper to that spork?

[@ewoksalot]

The spork felt forgotten & she whispers, "I'm sorry" (lol!)

[@KassieJane]

I can't get my sleeping bag to lay flat/horizontal in my bag. It's too wide. I have an REI brand 65L pack. The sleeping bag is already very lightweight and very tightly rolled up and cinched. It'll only fit in vertically and even then it's almost as wide as the pack!! It eats up well over half my pack space.

[@decentdiversions]

Vintage Miranda!

[@andreanibal5284]

Ok yeah thats cool and all but i had a question that hasn't been answered since i started saying it sooooo what do you do when your done with a trail do you walk back?

[@raynegoins]

Yes. Some trails are loops so you end up where you started, but most are “out-and-back” where you have to turn back around and walk back to your car

[@attitudelover2888]

Nice

[@Mote.]

Nice video

[@rei]

Glad you enjoyed it. 😄

[@bobabooey4537]

A lot of people don't mention the size of the pack they are using for the demo.

[@KallyJones]

I wonder what her loadout weighs (pre food&water)?

[@iannicely1]

Spork is important as heck when hiking.

[@amelie5091]

Bag Amber 60 from Gregory : 60L

[@MarkSweeting_]

What size rucksack is that please?

[@rickydharma701]

Do you think 60l bag is sufficient enough to carry an AK47, few grenades, magz and some other stuffs? Thanks - guy from Syria

[@rickydharma701]

@@alisyed6809 dont forget to mention that apparently he loves Jordan's too

[@mikee5208]

No. Ak47 is very cumbersome to put in Any pack. Just carry it. That way you can store more grenades mags and other stuff in the pack.

[@TheChuckwagonLite]

Drone inbound

[@JamieHitt]

Hi Miranda. You mentioned stream crossings. I could use some advice and your opinion. I do the sock liner/wool sock/GTX "thing", ...and switch into water shoes or trail runners to cross water that is over my boots. My favorite trail is an in-and-out. 5.2 miles one way, ...10.4 miles altogether. 7 water crossings, ...14 altogether. That's a lot of boot/sock changes, ...pack on and off's, ...etc. How do you feel about carrying over-boot waders? Light weight ones like the Wiggy's? Or garbage bags? Lol. What would you do? Thanks in advance.

[@rei]

Hey Jamie! Wow - that is a lot of stream crossings. I’ve never used over-boot waders, and this is a tough one to answer without knowing the trail. If I’ll be crossing deep water multiple times, I choose to wear water shoes for the entire hike and avoid the shoe swaps altogether. If it’s too cold for that, I’ll use waterproof gaiters that go up to my knee; but these only work for quick, several-step crossings in less-than-knee-deep water. Anything more than that, and you’re likely to get soaked. Great question, and sounds like this trail is a special case! - Miranda

[@JamieHitt]

Thanks for the reply. It's just the Seneca Creek Trail (below Spruce Knob) in the Monongahela National Forest (WV). To get in to the big falls and back to the trailhead (with any speed), I use GTX boots and trekking poles to prevent injury. Depending on recent rainfall, ...the crossings range from mid-boot to mid-thigh. I would just purchase and slip on the Wiggy's, ...but I have no idea how effective/durable they might be. Thanks again.

[@bradmoulton138]

Jamie Hitt if its summer time, wear non waterproof boots (I prefer the Vasque Breeze). I hike a similar trail with several stream crossings...I did the footwear change thing once! I wentvand got the non waterproof boots the next day.

[@kimj7853]

Gregory backpacks r the best!

[@Oddball5.0]

Second that!

[@bradmoulton138]

kim J I'm a fan of Mountainsmith

[@deifor]

Hi, I'm shopping for a daypack and need advice. I usually do long day hikes and I would also like to use the pack for traveling. I want a good comfortable one since my cheap Easton daypack is too small and uncomfortable but I want a jack of all trades kind of backpack. Any advice, specially on capacity? Thanks

[@itzpayday1238]

Try the Osprey Skarab 30 or 32

[@rowanfernsler9725]

Make sure you go to the store to get your pack, don’t order online unless you know what you want

[@bradmoulton138]

Hatuey McFarland Mountainsmith Mayhem 30

[@tdg223]

Which tent do you have?

[@elijahrymar9891]

Whats all the main gear used in this video? Backpack, tent, sleeping bag, cookware kit etc

[@StevenTorrey]

Hiking the Grand Canyon, descending South Kaibab Trail, I carried my 3 Litre (6.25 pounds) at the bottom of backpack, horizontally. Had no problem carrying it that way. Put anywhere else, and it would crush what food I brought. Though, as I think about it, you take off clothing that you started with in the cool of the morning and put that at the very bottom and your 3 Litre water bottle on top of those,

[@oyahfftlisawsome]

"My spork! it's a plane" classic Miranda

[@rei]

🍴✈️😂

[@gamersquidtv5000]

I just became a member!

[@websterme3]

Welcome!!!

[@gamersquidtv5000]

@@websterme3 are you a member?

[@websterme3]

@@gamersquidtv5000 I sure am :)

[@cepenna2]

What do you have for camp shoes

[@mattmeyers3667]

What size pack is this in the video? What size pack do you recommend for the bare minimum weekend trip?

[@thethinkerism]

Looks to be a 60 liter, great for 3-5 days. I’ve always had luck with a 45 liter pack for a weekend. Not too big but enough room to fit in the extra creature comfort if you care for them.

[@bradmoulton138]

depends on the weather...in summer, I've used a 35 liter

[@bradjp3]

bet youll have time to drop your bag to grab the bear spray. lol

[@thunderbird1921]

And if she had her hip belt and chest strap fastened, there's no way to get it off quickly. Most gals especially will have to have it more accessible because of how tightly they usually strap their backpacks on.

[@iamrgenius]

I have a crush on Miranda 🥰

[@jeremiahfduhring2342]

can you help on how to put my 17 rifle on the side

[@DingoAteMeBaby]

real question is where did you get those boots

[@CheeseOnEverything]

anyone know what kinda pack would be good for a 3-5 day portage?

[@nameunorthodox3653]

Kroger bag plastic

[@jefdby]

what kind of pack is that?

[@cupofjohoe]

Great video, but you should always wear your bear spray on your belt. If you have to crane your arm around to scramble for it, it could already be too late. I assume the instructor in this video knew this, but did not mention it.

[@ClaesN1973]

I woudnt have my sleepingbag compressed. Theres a lot of air around it I think. I just have in the bottom of the bag - unpacked. It then shapes around the rest of the gear.

[@jspade3358]

external frame gang

[@andrewzhu5394]

internal frame gang

[@tonybarnett1158]

So at the end of the day, you have to empty your bag to get to your sleeping system? When I was in the Army, tent, tarp and sleeping system was always kept outside. Sleeping bag up top. I still do this to this day.

[@tonybarnett1158]

@@mirandawebster503 I have a 90 liter High Sierra with a bottom pocket.

[@tonybarnett1158]

@@mirandawebster503 In the summertime yes, when I am using a smaller bag. I do a lot of winter camping using a Browning(-30) bag. Not only is it bulky, it weighs 15 pounds and feels much more comfortable on the outside. The bottom pocket holds my teepee tent(9 pounds). Using this 90 liter pack, I recently did a 5 week winter adventure in the Adirondacks with zero resupply. Started with a pack weight of 82.3 pounds.

[@tonybarnett1158]

@@mirandawebster503 I wore micro spikes and carried extra rope and an ice axe. The first day, I carried in 3 liters of water, then realized it was unnecessary: not a lot of snow but enough to use as my water source when needed. Awesome trip.

[@Aestheticnerdlife]

@@tracesnyder2675 opposite actually keep the down in the bag away from water, cause wet down doesnt work.

[@Aestheticnerdlife]

@@tracesnyder2675 it handles compression pretty well actually. synthetics are worse about losing insulation over time than down.

[@alphabears6342]

I've noticed that she just put everything in her bag with no bag liner or any waterproof bags. In my experience, no bags are waterproof. They might be water resistant but not water proof. Also, if she puts her wet tent and clothes inside her bag, everything else will get wet and moist. Also, where is your compass, map, repair and fire starting kit?