Things You'll Need:
- Emergency supplies
- Windbreaker
- Food
- Water
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Step 1
Place the items you probably won't need on the bottom of the backpack. This might include emergency items, such as a blanket you don't normally use on a short day hike or an emergency signaling device.
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Step 2
Put any bulky items on top of your emergency items. These items should provide the majority of the backpack's fill, such as a windbreaker.
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Step 3
Add your food items to the top of the backpack. This prevents other items from crushing your food and allows you to reach it easily.
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Step 4
Pack your keys carefully. You must put them in their own pouch, so that you don't accidentally dislodge them and lose them on the trail when you pull something else out of the backpack.
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Step 5
Position any hard or flat items, such as books or maps, flat against the inside part of the backpack. This saves space and prevents the corners from shifting and poking you as you hike.
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Step 6
Save ample room for water. Always pack more water than you need for the duration of your hike and keep your water bottles easily accessible in the outer pouches of the backpack.
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Step 7
Fill every available pouch and compartment in your backpack. If you feel you've packed everything you need for your hike, take additional water or additional supplies for unforeseen weather or emergencies.
