How to Pack Your Backpack the Right Way | Outside

Outside editorial fellow Taylor Gee gives us the breakdown of how he packed his backpack for his thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail and, from bottom to top, where gear should go in your kit. Following these guidelines while backpacking will help make sure your load is balanced, which will help you hike longer and farther with less pain.
Read the full article here: bit.ly/2XMtVCF
Want more gear? Subscribe to our Gear Fix newsletter to get our latest gear stories and videos sent straight to your inbox twice a week: bit.ly/2EQSal2
Join our Gearheads group to get personal product recommendations from editors and other Outside readers: bit.ly/2wMI0QV
Like us on Facebook: bit.ly/2XqQ2tG
Follow us on Twitter: bit.ly/2EOVKMD
Follow us on Instagram: bit.ly/2IwvGeX
Follow us on Pinterest: bit.ly/2UonGyl
Subscribe to the Outside Podcast: apple.co/2HfHDnE
Have feedback on this video? Want us to review something? Just want to say hi? Drop us a line at [e-mail]

[@catlady8324]

Brief intro, no “Advertising” gear, everything covered. Excellent video! All of The KZbin should learn from this. 🏆

[@brothaman1685]

Except the obnoxious music of course

[@friendlymormon2209]

Except for sea to summit 😂

[@FaeTheMf]

@@brothaman1685 Wdym it's really "good" music... 💀

[@Tulelucki]

So very useful for a total beginner like me! No fancy equipment, just simple suggestions and principles. Thanks a lot!

[@stevebone88]

Quick and to the point. Loved it! I detest videos that start out with a long personal bio, or some story that we're forced to listen to before we finally get to what we came to hear. I didn't need to skip ahead at all. Fantastic!!!

[@MissDerpinaTrollsen]

Great video, but on the next one you should try to have the music slightly less loud. Liked it otherwise!

[@clb4947]

I didn't notice until I read your comment and now I can't unhear it 😂

[@Press2GetTheCookie]

Yes or even better, none at all. Way to distracting and annoying.

[@jacobfisher66]

Music was great, never noticed it and never distracted me. Thanks for the advice

[@indythedog1705]

I didn’t even notice the music lol

[@meisjeViv]

Agreed!

[@danthach]

I’ve always made fun of people who wear Crocs but after some mild research at 12am I bought some after watching this.

[@OutsideOnline]

Glad you found some useful info, Dan! Thanks for watching.

[@A-bone]

I have a pair, and still make fun of people that have them as I pretend like I don’t. #thuglife😎

[@ebukaomile]

​@@A-bone 😂😂😂

[@LinkRocks]

NIce informative video about weight distribution. I think some people are confused and thought this was a detailed list on things you should carry. It's not, it's a basic overview on how to distribute the weight so not to hurt your back and have what you need at your disposal.

[@BoshraAlkathir]

it was really hard to find a video that explains actually how should I put my big tent and here i found the answer! thank you

[@Eagervul]

Mine is already packed wrong, but I just wanted to know exactly what is wrong with the way I did it, so very useful, thanks!

[@jriver64]

Great job! Please continue to make more videos. I am a beginner to this new adventure of backpack hiking. Thank you.

[@Kay-oz2tk]

This video took a load off of me. Thank You!

[@clb4947]

😂

[@fortuneinternationalsemina3461]

Just an awesome video. You are.the real deal and what i love is the wear that your bag has and your gear has actually been with you on trail. Authentic video not just brand new eye candy gear. Thanks So Much! Damn Nice Video. Youtubbers take note of this guy right here. I love this video so much I swear that the good humble nature of this video almost makes me emotional. Way to keep it simple to the point.

[@nspinicelli]

Darwin on the Trail has some phenomenal tips as well for maximizing space efficiency.

[@Roy-pl4ye]

great - everything fits...so long as you have no shoes, socks, pants, trousers, or shirts

[@MisfitsFiendClub138]

Would also have been great if you let us know what size backpack you used 🤔?

[@northernbeadle]

From the bag I can see in the photo, it would be around a 70L pack

[@The_Tradie_Trainer]

@@northernbeadleyeah looks pretty big. With less food you could get all that in a 40L imo

[@Plantaviousthe3rd]

Ya....... why is there no water bottle or 1st aid

[@chuck2703]

He just carries senzu beans in his pocket.

[@neinsager3236]

He is a camel.

[@______4790]

Water lmaooooooo

[@jxaretz]

thank you for this! this really helped me get ready for my summer camp.

[@georgecataulin907]

Do you have another video showing how to pack you backpack with a 2 liter hydration system?

[@smarthousetech8593]

One of the simplest and most informative videos out there. 👍

[@guanaca6622]

How do you do for the rest of your personal clothing?

[@The_Tradie_Trainer]

What else would you need?

[@ivywalker7989]

This was very useful and easy to follow thank you

[@Sparky-ov1ot]

Plain and simple, people get really worked up about packing, if you have the essentials anything else is preference, always good to be reminded.

[@TwoPlusTwoEqualsFive32]

More important then packing is the rucksack you use, you want one designed to put most of the weight on your hips instead of your shoulders and upper body. I am not endorsed but I've owned a couple tatonka rucksacks that do this very well and I can pack well over 20kg and get to my camp location without my shoulders feeling broken into dust. Personally I use a Lastenkraxe pack frame as I can also use it to transport water containers being here in Australia you can't just find a stream or river and get water very often.

[@HannahIrene719]

Putting the weight on your hips is default for backpacking backpacks. That's sort of just implied.

[@youcdtube]

Thank you my friend you freed me up a lot. very clear video. to the point too

[@brandonfoley7519]

Generally for videos like this I think it's best to leave the music either really quiet or not at all I want to hear you

[@joeconlon9661]

What size backpack is that? My sleeping bag is quite big.

[@skwerl81]

Beginner backpacker here! So I watched a couple of these packing type videos and nobody seems to mention bringing extra clothes, is this a thing?! Like, a couple of t-shirts and clean underwear maybe? Thoughts? 🤔

[@RealBoiJare]

I hear that its definitely good to bring a spare pair of underwear and socks along. Generally a hiking pair of each, and then a camp/sleeping pair of each. Depending on the length you can bring extra as well. I think most people use the same base layers each day. And a small variety of tshirt, long sleeved, or hooded shirt could be good as well. I’d probably focus a little more on variety of clothes rather than multiples of similar things if that makes sense

[@skwerl81]

@@RealBoiJare that's helpful, thank you!

[@RealBoiJare]

@@skwerl81 you’re welcome!

[@northernbeadle]

I have two sets of clothing when hiking - whether a single overnight or a full week - I have my hiking clothing and my camp clothing. When I get to camp and set up my tent, I immediately get into my camp clothing (pants, long sleeve hiking shirt, new socks, etc) and let me hiking clothes air/dry out or even "wash" them in a stream and then dry. I don't like sleeping in dirty and sweaty clothes and it feels nice to change. On top of that I'll have a fleece sweatshirt, puffy down jacket, and my base layer shirt and pants for sleeping in for added warmth (I hike in the Canadian Rockies, so not hot nights up here!). I used to bring more shirts and back-up this or spare that and then after a year or two realized I rarely if ever used them, or did because I packed them with me but didn't feel the need for them. Sometimes I'll bring an extra hiking shirt depending on the weather if it's a longer trip.

[@RealBoiJare]

@@northernbeadle nice, now that I’m trying back packing this year rather than typical camping I’m going to try using that type of method. I’m typically going up north in Sask or over to the Rockies, like you. So that’s some good advice to have. Going camping I would always load my SUV up with so much junk. Trying to minimize things

[@Luckypuk333]

How many litres is this backpack?

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

Tents have come a long way in 5 years. That thing is giant

[@IscoutAmerica]

Nice I have the same back pack

[@thelostlamb7560]

How many liter is you back packnthat youve used with this video??

[@LiahusN]

I'm not some seasoned or accomplished hiker but my biggest requirement on a backpack(>30L) is a front opening in addition to the usual top opening. I just cannot have a bag without that front opening

[@1121mdcity]

Would a 50L backpack fit the sleeping bag, bed and tent or would I need bigger.

[@northernbeadle]

@@1121mdcity Hey, I use a 45L pack for up to two nights away... after that I find it hard to pack all the needed food. It really depends on your tent, pad, and bag - how well your sleeping bag compresses, how heavy and big of a tent you use, etc. But in my 45L pack I can fit a Marmot CloudBreak 20F sleeping bag, my Klymit Static V Insulated sleeping pad, small inflatable pillow, and my Marmot Catalyst 2p tent with room for food, cooking, and clothing and not needing to store anything on the outside!

[@stsome1166]

​@@northernbeadle wow, you manage and that in 45 l? I'd like a video about that!

[@northernbeadle]

@@stsome1166 lol, if only I did videos! I put my Marmot Cloudbreak 20 in the very bottom sideways (so that it's wide and covers the bottom, not tall). My Marmot Catalyst 2p tent goes inside on the right, so that it's sitting on the sleeping bag and stands up to the top of the pack. To the left of the tent goes a compression sack with clothing (camp pants, LS shirt, base layer shirt and pants, socks, underwear). Above that is my cooking set and fuel and then food sits in ziploc bags (one per day) inside a sack and that goes on the top. The brain has all the small stuff - first aid kit, bathroom kit (TP, hand sani, toothbrush, mini toothpaste), headlamp, power pack, deck of cards. I put my fleece sweatshirt and wind/rain jacket in the stretchy pocket on the outside back. Can do 3 days with that (I now own a 1p lighter tent that would actually give me more room) - anything past 2 nights though and I switch to my 75L.

[@Josh-pn4qb]

Thanks for the video! For some reason you remind me of a south park character! Love it!

[@mannyontrailPCT]

Thanks, Taylor. Good reminder for basic stuff! Did you go all 2650 and complete the PCT? How long did it take you? Did you document it?

[@calercr]

nice! i had trouble with packing up until i watched this!

[@JasonFerguson1283]

This answered questions and corrected misconceptions! Thank you!

[@mahma87]

Awesome vid. Thanks. What size is this bag?

[@northernbeadle]

From what I can tell it's around a 70L bag

[@MyRealisticToys]

I run a osprey back similar to that one

[@townfugitives2180]

Nice advices!! Important for everyone to build his own experience!! but its usefull to take ideas!!

[@mr.dr.k3148]

Dang, I need to get a smaller sleeping pad. Mine is extremely bulky-I have to lash it to the outside of my pack. Good Vid.

[@bridgetlolla-childs9968]

Me too! I have this huge Mummy sleeping bag, URRRRGGHH.....

[@paulzon3269]

I found this but I'm hiking 100 lbs of gear into a site .5 miles off the Appalachian trail. I need one that shows how to jam in and utilize every loop and hook off my pack fitting my clothes, speaker, weed, tent, electronics, bowl, knives, lights, chargers,

[@dajo2824]

Very helpful. I took notes.

[@whoever6458]

Well I've been making the mistake of putting all the heavy stuff at the bottom. lol I'll have to try this method instead whenever it cools down.

[@yourlocaldailyshitpost6328]

This was lobbed in with other videos on how to pack for a flight. Definitely not the same category at all!

[@earlelzy7243]

It makes pretty good sense to me.

[@mikehenthorn1778]

ok i get why everyone is doing this , i however am very old school and use an external frame pack. so my sleeping stuff are attached at the bottom on the outside. i also as i guy want the heaviest items to not be above my ribs / kidneys at that will over balance me as guys are top heavy. my tent is on the outside with my sleeping gear, heavy and low but it will be one of the 1st things i need at camp. i love the video set up and such, great job. i also noted there was no rain gear listed. that is one of the outside items for me. ( Ohio loves to rain on your camping trip lol )

[@low-keyrighteous9575]

Great video ;) thank you very much . Enjoy your hike bud God bless

[@HotelProductsDirect]

Well done - makes a lot of sense.

[@StormLaker]

Compressionn stuff sacks are helpful.....just sayin'. I also use a white compactor bag as a liner inside my pack- makes it easier to find things as I am digging them out. I use a one compartment ultralight pack. I'm guilty of putting my tent at the bottom, it's the heaviest thing in my pack at 2lbs, then my sleeping bag (1lb), and air mattress (1lb), and my pot/stove are like 3-4 oz without the fuel cannister. Thinking about going with an alcohol stove, but I'm not too crazy about the prospect of HEET spilling all over my stuff in the pack.

[@rjeption]

goin on my firsr backpack next weekend!!

[@yagamilight64]

Great video. Thank you

[@sheilahenry7279]

I was wondering if I needed packing cubes but after this perhaps just 2 ditty bags. Neither did you show where you put them- the poop kit & first aid

[@HoneyWindbutton]

Why the music ?? WHY?

[@GemintheMud]

Really great: thank you! 😊

[@Vixenventures]

What size was this pack though?

[@adventurebythemile]

You didn't add any clothing for a multiday trip or tell us how big the pack is.

[@OutsideOnline]

Hey! This video is more for how to pack your backpack to best distribute the weight. If you're looking for a specific packing list for what Taylor brought on his thru-hike, you can read more here: bit.ly/2GrLhdp

[@SINYC02]

Outside HOW BIG IS THE PACK

[@RyanNichols90]

@@SINYC02 Looks like a 65L

[@millanferende6723]

Many suggest not to add extra clothing. That is just extra weight. And they say to accept that you will smell. Good tips are to wear a synthetic shirt (maybe sports shirt) and bring baby wipes.

[@rodrigogorosito4206]

@@SINYC02 is the Osprey Aether 60lts

[@joshuakidd2293]

Good video

[@nicolereadstarot]

Can you give tips on safe but compact sleep for toddlers for hiking/camping? I am downsizing to just an inflatable pad instead of air mattress so not sure what my kids should sleep on

[@northernbeadle]

Our toddlers sleeping on short-length inflatable pads inside a mummy shaped sleeping bag. I'm not sure what your concerns are in terms of asking about "safe" - toddler's brains/bodies have the ability to wake themselves up if they are sleeping into a pillow or sleeping bag and not getting air, and I'm assuming you're sleeping in an enclosed tent so rolling off the pad isn't going to hurt them and they would be bound by the tent wall - so I'm sure I didn't answer that part of your question!

[@ExodusEXOO]

Thanks for sharing

[@maxevo2.046]

What size pack is it?

[@IHurricane]

Looks like a 45l

[@onefootatatime263]

I get the impression it doesn’t rain over there If it did where does your wet gear go? A wet tent in the middle of your pack or do you use a dry bag for your tent? Cheers

[@millanferende6723]

If you want, you can just use a large bin bag inside your tent. Then smaller freezer bags for your side pockets. At least that is what I am gonna try and do.

[@northernbeadle]

I always carry one or two white garbage bags in the brain of my pack in case I need to isolate some wet or dirty gear. When my tent is wet I stuff it tight into it's sack and then take it out to dry in the sun/moving air somewhere on the trail. If it's just rain after rain with not break, I set up a tarp over my site so that I can set up and take down dry and use a light cloth to wipe any splatter on my tent.

[@erebys21]

How big is that bag in litres?

[@aditwito4293]

thanks so much for the informative video. where do you store your water, for those travelling with water bottles?

[@yadahahlayasharahla467]

This video was simple great advice!!!

[@Crispy_Pies9]

Extremely shocked no 1st aid kit was included or water bottle

[@friarrodneyburnap4336]

He thru hiked the PCT ...

[@guanaca6622]

How will be the way to acomódate the sleeping bag in the tes of the big bag . Will be long way or across way?

[@gregsantos9392]

No first aid kit?

[@myhrstei]

Anyone know what kind of crocs these are?

[@chord972]

Thank you!

[@clareinneprefnahmoukolo6940]

Interesting, thanks

[@JeffDearman]

what brand backpack do you use?

[@evandorco5193]

Nice work thank you

[@markwaple3186]

I've watched a few of these tutorials and must have missed the part that states the size of the pack.

[@Redheadsailor]

Thanks 😊

[@killamb]

what size backpack?

[@TerrorFahrer]

its 60 liters you can see at 5:37

[@millanferende6723]

5:00 - can somebody please help me? What is that thing? Is this used for clearing camp ground and for burring one's waste?

[@MrCaddySlash]

They’re typically used to dig scat holes.

[@Lostitboi]

It’s for digging holes to do your business in

[@yagamilight64]

Anyone knows the name of the equipements in this video?

[@tdg223]

What about the very bottom sleeping bag compartment?

[@baseball1090]

question for anyone that knows I am new to hiking and backpacking just started this year and ive seen some people with their sleeping bags or pads attached to the outside if that something maybe I should try and how come people do that rather than putting it inside the pack?

[@staticalphabetsoup637]

At times it’s due to space restrictions, others it’s due to balancing your weight. For me, my sleeping bag is always In the bottom of my backpack along with a few other lightweight sleeping items such as my Inflatable sleeping mat. When I’m packing my backpack for a trip but need to fly I have to make sure everything fits inside the backpack and is secure, when I land I’ll remove my tent and secure it to the bottom of the backpack if I need extra space inside for any reason. For winter trips you’ll need more space for clothing and cold weather equipment so in that situation I might also secure my mat to under the lid of my backpack just to make a little extra room inside. For lighter weight setups with smaller backpacks it’s common to secure both the sleeping bag and mat on the outside of the bag for space reasons, if you’re gonna secure your sleeping bag on the outside make sure you’ve got it in a waterproof stuff sack of some sorts, even a garbage bag will work.

[@mylagoslife]

@@staticalphabetsoup637 great advice! Tx.

[@richiewhaley4964]

Great video, except I still would’ve shown how to put the trekking poles on the backpack using the loops on the shoulder straps

[@Tylergrey272]

what jacket is the one he packed ?

[@friarrodneyburnap4336]

Please tell us what backpack you are using in this video....

[@edwardshell1289]

How big of a bag is needed? Yvonne

[@rulofmg]

you can tell this guy knows what hes doing by look at his worn backpack

[@Makemydayoutdoors]

How big is a backpack?

[@twosiciliansisters5747]

Thank you

[@timbabcock6018]

how many liters is your backpack?

[@TerrorFahrer]

its 60 liters you can see at 5:37

[@faded723]

Can u turn up the music I can’t hear it

[@MrRacheljoey]

what kind of crocs are those??

[@TheSkyAlight]

Hey! What is this thing you pack around 5:01, after the electroinics sack?

[@The_Tradie_Trainer]

Trowel (for digging shitter holes).

[@rc54]

He doesn't even need any lighting of any kind! Nice!

[@liamboggs]

I watched so many videos about how to pack your backpack for backpacking trip and at the end of the videos they never mention the weight they are packing! I think they just want the viewer to assumed is the magic number (26lbs)!

[@kingsgirl1182]

What kind of stove system is that?

[@emailjunk5864]

Its the jetboil minimo adventure.

[@adnanmahmud491]

1:41 What is this kind of bags are called?

[@stevenperret7481]

sea to summit dry bags.

[@acotrainingofficial3606]

good job

[@HannahIrene719]

What kind of backpack is this?

[@napndash]

That pack's fucking massive...

[@HiilandKew]

How large is your backpack in the video? 75, 115 litres or something else?

[@northernbeadle]

Looks to be around the 75L mark

[@tredudon]

Couldn’t bare the music.. looked like what I was looking for :(

[@GiuliaontheSummit]

great video :)

[@budzugan]

where do you pack your food? I definitely would starve on my trip with that loadout

[@LinkRocks]

The big sack he put in the middle was his food supply.