Some of the most important things to get right in order to enjoy a backpacking trip include: have the right gear for you, staying dry (as much as possible), being prepared, and packing wisely. Packing your backpack well is important for your comfort and injury prevention while on the trail. Exactly what is meant by 'wisely' though depends on a number of factors; including your pack and where you plan to hike.

Major things to consider are the type of backpack (internal versus external frame) and type of terrain you'll be hiking (well maintained trail versus tougher terrain) and exactly what you need to pack. Planning for a day, out and back trip is obviously different from a week long trek. But a few simple concepts can help in planning across of these factors.

As most packs sold these days tend to be internal frames, this article will focus on them. First, it might help to think of your backpack as having three different axes running through it: 1) top to bottom, 2) left to right, and 3) inside (against your back) to outside (away from your back). Using these three axes, you can think about where to place the heavier and lighter items you need to fit into the pack. The basic concept is to try and keep the bulk of the weight so it helps you maintain your balance and center of gravity. As such, two of the axes are already taken care of: keep heavier items centered along axis 2 (running right up your spine) and on the inside of axis 3 (closest to your back). Depending on what the heavier items are, it might help to place a lighter object (t-shirt) between the heavy object and inside of your pack, so it can provide a little extra cushion between your back and the heavier item. Axis 1 takes a little more thought.

If your trip is mostly on well maintained trails, keep heavier items towards the top of the axis that runs top to bottom. If you plan to be on difficult, rough, uneven terrain (scrambling, etc.), keep the heavier items towards the bottom. For terrain somewhere in between, slide heavier items up or down the axis depending on the severity of the terrain (easier terrain moves up the axis, rougher terrain slides it down).

The main purpose for sliding heavier items up and down the vertical axis is to allow the pack to do its job, while also helping you maintain your balance. On well maintained trails, keeping the heavy items up high allows the harness and hip belt system to carry most the of the weight. For rougher terrain, you want to slide the load down to help you better maintain your center of gravity and balance.

Other Factors

Other than simple weight, there are other considerations for specific items of gear. For example, most packs have a sleeping bag compartment

at the bottom of the pack. After placing your bag in a waterproof sack (there is little worse than a night wet sleeping bag!) it would go into this compartment. You can often place other light weight items in here as well (depending on the weight and size of your tent, you might want to stuff it in here with the sleeping bag). Items that you might need quick/easy access to should go in top, front, or side pockets (e.g., sunscreen, compass, maps, rain suit, small stove for lunch on the trail, personal items, etc).

Most backpacks have loops and such on the outside, allowing you to strap gear to the outside. Again, depending on the terrain, you might want to adjust your use of these. For rough terrain or densely forested areas, you might want to consider minimizing their use. You don't need something flapping around, throwing off your sense of balance or getting caught up in trees, brush, etc.

Lastly, don't forget to make the most of space by nesting items inside each other. Clothing easily rolls up and can be placed inside other items.