1. Keep It Simple
A backpack is a necessity for a hike or long walk, but stick to the necessities when packing your backpack. Take only the items that you will need to stay safe and coordinated on your hike. Items like makeup or an extra pair of sunglasses would be nice to take along but they aren't vital for survival; they will take up room in your pack and weigh you down. Limit yourself to one extra pair of socks instead of three and just take one or two energy bars instead of a whole package.
2. Pack Necessities Within Easy Reach
Having to stop and take your backpack off every five minutes for bug spray or water will slow down your hike, so pack necessities you will need frequently within easy reach. Stash your water bottle in an outside pocket of the backpack so you can retrieve it by reaching over your shoulder. Keep your cell phone in your pocket or jacket so you can easily call for help if you fall or become separated from your backpack. Store fragile items like cameras and miscellaneous items like maps or extra clothes inside the pack in case you need them.
3. Chill Out
Backpacks equipped with cold packs are great for keeping water and food cold until you stop for lunch on the trail. Pack enough cold packs to keep any perishable foods safe without weighing down your backpack. Store cold packs in a separate compartment of your backpack if possible so exposure to warm air and sunshine doesn't occur every time you open your pack. Make sure you keep cold packs away from cameras, phones and flashlights to avoid damage from the cold or any leaking liquids.
4. Small Pockets for Small Stuff
Keep small items like gum, lip balm, compasses and extra batteries in small compartments of your backpack to make them easier to find. This way you won't have to unpack everything else out of your backpack to find one small item that has sifted to the bottom of the main compartment. Designate one small pocket of your backpack for little necessities so you can always find them easily.
5. Weigh Your Options
Once you've packed all the essentials for a day of backpacking, try wearing the backpack before you go hiking to see if you can handle the weight. Wear the backpack around the house for a few hours and evaluate whether you will be able to carry all the items in the pack once you're hiking outdoors. If the pack is heavy, look for items you can leave behind. Make sure the weight of the backpack is light enough for you to carry on a long hike.
