How to Pack a Lightweight Backpack - CleverHiker.com

[@slowfox532]

Hi David, thank you for all your videos, they are great! Ultralight backpacking is almost unknown in Germany, you lead me step by step to do everything right. Now I am verry happy to go ultralight - what a difference! Before, my pack weight was always 18-20 kg. Now I am going with less than half. Your vids are my ul school and prevent me to do lots of things wrong. Best wishes from Germany Robert.

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks so much Robert! What a wonderful comment. Happy hiking buddy!

[@edmaymortem525]

Hey Mr Colins, I'm a scout completing my ASM and your video's have thoroughly helped me and my troop. Thanks for the great content. its fast and informative. :)

[@TomsBackwoods]

Great Job! I use a trash compactor bag as a waterproof liner in my pack. It keeps my down Items dry in rainy conditions.

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks for that tip Tom! That's what I do too, but it looks like I must have missed that in this video. Great catch!

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Dave, Thanks for all the videos. BTW, you might want to invert your ice ax when carrying on your backpack as this can prevent a nasty and serious leg injury if you stumble on the trail. Although its non-intuitive, it is much safer. I have subscribed and an working my way through your videos! Thanks again,

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

Agree w/G Henrickson,,put ice ax handle thru loop from top ,flip handle up outside of pack and secure with tension overstrap from each side.Same idea if a need for a mid length chopping ax.Keeps everything compact,with nothing hanging.

[@mikemaners4411]

Thank you very much for the clear common sense! Going out soon with my son in Northern Quebec for a 3 day hike! Merci!

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks Mike! much appreciated.

[@agentp6621]

I use an old army backpack that has an aluminum frame. I initially chose it because it was cheap ($25 new). I later learned that pouches could be added to the outside for specific gear. I have a 1 quart canteen with a cup in a pouch attached to both sides at the top to balance the weight. Also it is best to put heaviest items at the top if possible. Water weighs 2 lbs a quart. By having my water in a pouch it makes it easy to access. I have canteens that are collapsible like a bladder that have a cap with a camelbak hose through the cap. My tent is strapped to the top (7lbs) my sleeping bag in a pouch at the bottom (10 lbs). The sleeping bag is rated to -30 and has a waterproof goretex bivy. Why so much you might ask. The sleeping bag has two bags. One is rated to 10* I think and the other is 40* I think. Combine them and it's -30. The bivy cover helps to ensure I stay dry in case I have to sleep outside. It allows for me to be prepared for any weather. Plus if I bring all parts even in the summer, it isn't a surprise when I do take a winter trip. I'd be used to the weight no matter the season. Nothing sucks more that packing more weight.

[@CleverHiker]

+Eric Piland Good tips! Thanks for sharing your system.

[@Oldsparkey]

I might of missed it but I like to line my pack with a trash bag , then pack it with the items and twist the top of the bag closed then fold the twisted area over and tucked in the side of the bag to waterproof the gear.

[@CleverHiker]

+Chuck Littleton Yup, I do that too. Great suggestion! Thanks!

[@chrismorris638]

Chuck Littleton what tent was he using

[@Oldsparkey]

Blogger.... In this video he does not say anything about a tent , only refers to it as a shelter.

[@alexsenst4912]

I saw that yellow bottle of heat tucked in there!! That stuff is the greatest fuel!

[@CleverHiker]

Useful stuff.

[@badvoodoo82]

What's the bottle of heet for

[@texmexia49]

My friend and I split up our gear. One person carries the tent and fuel in their front mesh pocket and one person carries the stove/meals and snacks for the day and the toiletry kit in their front mesh pocket. It really helps to split up the gear.

[@BrianLiles]

Good video and even better tips. Thanks Dave.

[@CleverHiker]

+Brian Liles Thanks so much!

[@cloudy9337]

I’m going on a long trip and we’re hiking up the mountains to a lake, I’m really exited but I’m trying to make my bag really light so my bag isn’t to heavy

[@ManuelSiliezar]

What's the brand of the gray pack? One is Zpaks and the other? Thanks a lot and great video

[@AdventureDad]

I hiked one day with items swaying off my pack. Completely threw off balance and was really irritating. So that is a great tip.

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks!

[@northcountryhermit5057]

Agree with everything! However! How to get my 75 lb winter GTFO Bug out bag down in weight? Carrying bullets, shotgun and shells, bow, arrows, slingshot, food, tent, white gas, first aid sack, CLOTHES!!

[@seanmtactical6069]

I do my food and cooking equipment differently, and have found it to be more efficient. I pack every day's food into a gallon food bag ahead of time. Then I take out the bag for the day and put it into a stuff sack with my cook gear, fuel, garbage bag, toiletries, and utensils. The rest of the food stays in a waterproof roll top sack and in the middle of the backpack. The cook gear bag with just the day's food etc goes on the very top of the backpack main sack. Snack in the left hip pouch. Now I have the food weight in the bag in the middle where it packs more comfortably and yet only have to pull the single bag out for lunch or other stops. I hang both bags at night. YMMV, but it makes life easier and keeps the pack weighted correctly.

[@CleverHiker]

+Sean M Very good tip. I like that method. Sounds very organized. Thanks for sharing!

[@iayang2106]

what kind of back pack you have i need one of those.

[@MASViper]

If I have a tent and a sleeping bag but I can only attached it outside my backpack, which one should I tied it on the top of my backpack and which one that I can hang it on the bottom of my backpack?

[@calebmckenzie9372]

Very well done video, my wife and I have done many day trips, but this summer plan to do our first multi day. We have two 3 day, 2 night trips planned for this summer on the PCT. thank you for all the helpful info.

[@CleverHiker]

Happy to help Caleb! Enjoy the trail.

[@jerseyltd]

Great points

[@joachimjensen7435]

great videos! keep up the good work!:D

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks!

[@tomsnape2029]

Hi Dave, great videos, just wondering, here in London, what rucksack is it that you use and who makes it? cheers in advance Tom

[@sirawesomeo]

This is an excellent resources for beginners like myself! Thanks a lot Dave. Any first time backpacking suggestions in California you can recommend? -Thanks again, keep up the great work. It's appreciated!

[@CleverHiker]

Aaron Clore Thanks Aaron! Man, California is such a wonderful state with so many epically beautiful areas to explore. Unfortunately it's hard for me to recommend specific areas because I haven't been to them all. I will say this though, work your way up to a backpacking trip to Yosemite and put the JMT on your bucket list. Some of the most beautiful terrain I've ever seen.

[@thesoundpainterbkny3465]

I just hike 3 days in the Cheaha state park in Alabama. I'm a terrible packer but this really helps. I should have watch your video first. Thank for the information. What lightweight backpack do you recommend? My High Sierra is terrible.

[@CleverHiker]

+Marcus Miles Thanks so much! I actually have a ton of lightweight gear recommendations on my site - www.cleverhiker.com. Have a look through there and shoot me an email if you have any specific questions. Enjoy and thanks again for the comment!

[@esq_1346]

Where do you put the case of beer?

[@chrisprotzman6637]

At the top, for easy access

[@CleverHiker]

Lol, what chris said.

[@Outrighttomcat5]

I may have missed it but what pack are you using in this video? Is that the bag you use most?

[@CleverHiker]

+oxking8819 Have a look at this page for my top backpacks - 7 Best Backpacks of 2016 - www.cleverhiker.com/best-backpacking-backpacks/

[@ngc60]

Great vids Dave! Why do you recommend not using sleeping bag stuff sack? Seems like the bag compressed in sack would take less room, but I'm a novice, would like to know your reason. Thanks

[@rascal3042]

Likely because a bag in a stuff sack is a more or less solid cylinder and creates dead space around it. Not in the sack, is an amorphous blob like a cat and will form to the bottom of the pack better.

[@michellefrost7072]

Ive been wanting to change from my big drysack to smaller ones. How many liters is the drybags here in this video? Thanks ! 👊🏼

[@CleverHiker]

One of them is an 8L stuff sack and the other is 5L I believe. I have a range of different sizes that I use.

[@jamowallace]

Superb vid thanks for sharing!

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks Rookie Outside! I appreciate the support.

[@escabrosa1]

Good videos Dave. Thanks.

[@CleverHiker]

escabrosa1 I appreciate it!

[@hauskat9841]

What kind of bag so you use I'm currently planning a trip for this summer and I am looking for a good new bag

[@CleverHiker]

Haus Kat Thanks for the comment Kat. Have a look at my gear page for my recommendations - www.cleverhiker.com/gear Hope that helps!

[@maxschutte8607]

What kind of hiking bag do you pack your gear with ?

[@alexk6444]

What kind of backpack is that? I Know is Gossamer gear but do you know which one it is?

[@CleverHiker]

+Alex K Yup, right on. It's featured on my best backpacks page - www.cleverhiker.com/best-backpacking-backpacks/

[@davidkim4765]

Great Video! What's the name of the camera that you use in this video?

[@CleverHiker]

+David Kim That's actually a question for my film guy. I'm not entirely sure. Sorry! Thanks for watching though.

[@srockguitar]

you mentioned after market hip pouches for the backpack.how do they attach?

[@CleverHiker]

Most packs without hip pouches have straps so you can attach aftermarket pouches. I personally don't recommend going with a pack that doesn't have them built in though, because they tend not to be as good.

[@davidolcott486]

What sleeping pad do you use in this video? It's a lot smaller than any of the ones i have seen

[@CleverHiker]

David Olcott Have a look over my gear guide for my favorite equipment. It's listed in the sleeping section. Thanks! www.cleverhiker.com/gear/

[@cloudsrain8753]

Did I miss it? What was the actual bag you had on and the girl's also? thx in adv.

[@CleverHiker]

Have a look at my site for all kinds of gear recommendations. Thanks! - www.cleverhiker.com/gear

[@LorrS]

Can you help me out? I am not willing to sacrifice a sleeping mat but want to know how to carry one. I usually see people attach them to their packs, but how do they do it and which is more ideal. Thanks :)

[@CleverHiker]

I'd never attach my sleeping pad to the outside of my pack, because I mostly carry air pads. Here are my favorites: www.cleverhiker.com/best-sleeping-pads/ They're all small enough to store inside your pack easily. Hope that helps!

[@LorrS]

Thanks, but what if I have one that rolls up(I have the thermarest RidgeRest Classic) So it's a little hard to pack. I find it comfy and light, and I personally like it and don't want to invest into another mat. What do you recommend?

[@CleverHiker]

The two main ways are to roll it as tightly as you can and strap it to the bottom of your pack on the front (the side that faces behind you while you're hiking), or roll it up, place it inside your pack, and let it unroll to fill out the inside of your pack. That will give you a cylinder of empty space inside your pack for other gear.

[@sanction7627]

Who makes the shoulder strap pouch? Thanks.

[@CleverHiker]

ZPacks. Thanks!

[@RohitGeh]

what water filter did u use, I, looking into getting one.

[@CleverHiker]

Rohit Gehani Check out my water purification page - www.cleverhiker.com/water The Sawyer Mini is my fave.

[@RohitGeh]

aight thanks bro

[@garyantesr]

where can I get add on shoulder pouches for my pack?

[@melindamorrison575]

+garyantesr good question.

[@CleverHiker]

+garyantesr ZPacks makes the one I use. A few other lightweight gear manufacturers make them too.

[@johnbutler2231]

Wondering when Mt Everest and such climbers are going to be required to clean both their mess and those who proceded them?

[@alexjennings02]

How many logos at the beginning

[@CleverHiker]

Noted.

[@richardsjpark]

best place for an axe/hatchet?

[@TheFlorian321]

I use little straps on the back of mine. They're just little circle things, not really sure what they're for...

[@richardsjpark]

Florian eswein i would think it would be better if the axe head was facing down and closer to my body. tried using the axe head in my water bottle holder and handle sticking up linear to my back but it moves around too much even with some straps. idk i thought maybe backpacks came with a place for it but guess not.

[@CleverHiker]

+Richard Park Strapped to the outside of the pack in a safe place. Pointy side away from your body. If you fall you don't want to get impaled.

[@CleverHiker]

+Florian eswein Yup. Those are the ones to use.

[@timstadlmueller58]

Sleeping bag in the bottom with no liner (think trashbag dear reader), seems like a bad idea.

[@CleverHiker]

Good point Tim. I should have added that in there. I always protect my sleeping bag (and everything else) when conditions are wet.

[@Laufield]

If backpack is too heavy, it ruined your trip

[@nadiastewart30]

Love the info...hate his repetitive hand gestures...they aren't natural and very distracting.

[@billderinbaja3883]

Dave: Not being disagreeable, but you say "it's important to eat lots of small meals during the day". The new science on nutrition and fasting disagrees with that approach. Your body functions best when it is hungry, not when it is satiated. Metabolically, it is best to fast for 16 hours per day, which means after dinner till your first meal (say 6pm to 10am)... we get BIG benefits from skipping breakfast.

[@hackneyrachel9260]

The burly orchestra ideally welcome because ink virtually refuse around a superb virgo. roasted, smoggy silk

[@hackneyrachel9260]

The dizzy zinc phylogenitically possess because top previously bow vice a future futuristic margin. far-flung, wide roll