Packing a Gregory backpack, like any backpack, involves strategic placement of items for optimal comfort and weight distribution. The core concept is to keep the heaviest items closest to your back and centered. According to the REI Experts video, there are four key things to remember when loading your pack for easier carrying.
Basic Principles of Packing
Here’s a breakdown of how to pack your Gregory backpack:
1. Heaviest Gear Placement
- Location: Place the heaviest items closest to your back, near your shoulder blades. This helps keep the weight centered and prevents it from pulling you backward.
- Examples: This includes items like your tent body, sleeping bag, food, and water.
2. Medium-Weight Gear
- Location: Put medium-weight items such as cooking equipment, clothing, and rain gear just below your heaviest items and towards the outside of your pack.
- Examples: This can include layers of clothing, cookware, and your first-aid kit.
3. Lightweight Gear
- Location: Place light gear around the rest of the pack, filling in empty spaces.
- Examples: This can be clothing you don't plan to use immediately, such as your extra socks or a lightweight jacket.
4. Accessibility
- Location: Items you might need during the hike should be readily accessible, often placed in exterior pockets or on top of other items in the main compartment.
- Examples: Snacks, rain gear, map, and compass.
Step-by-Step Guide
| Step | Action | Gear Examples | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pack Heaviest Gear | Tent body, sleeping bag, food, water | Closest to your back, centered, near your shoulder blades |
| 2 | Pack Medium-Weight Gear | Cooking equipment, extra clothing, rain gear | Around the heaviest gear, towards the outside of pack |
| 3 | Pack Lightweight Gear | Extra clothing, sleeping bag | Throughout the rest of the backpack, filling in gaps |
| 4 | Pack Accessible Items | Snacks, first aid kit, map, rain gear | Top or exterior pockets |
Additional Tips
- Use Stuff Sacks: Organize your gear into stuff sacks or packing cubes. This helps with organization and prevents items from shifting.
- Distribute Weight Evenly: Ensure weight is distributed evenly on both sides of the backpack for balance.
- Utilize Compression Straps: Use the pack's compression straps to compact the contents and prevent shifting.
Packing your backpack effectively makes a big difference in your comfort and overall enjoyment when hiking. By following these simple guidelines, you'll have a balanced and easier load on the trail.
