An incorrectly packed rucksack can turn even the most beautiful hike into torture. In this detailed guide, you will learn how to pack and adjust your rucksack optimally. Our tried-and-tested tips will help you stow your pack perfectly and maximize comfort.
Table of contents
How much weight can your backpack have?
What are the basic rules for packing your backpack?
How do you make the best use of the different compartments?
How do you adjust your backpack correctly?
Conclusion
How much can your backpack weigh?
Before you start, you should know: The weight of your backpack is crucial for your hiking fun. As a rule of thumb, your backpack should weigh a maximum of 20 to 25 percent of your own body weight. At 70 kg, that would be a maximum of 14 to 17.5 kg.
To be honest, however, it also depends on you personally. Are you in top shape and hiking on flat terrain? Then perhaps you can shoulder a little more. Do you go on challenging mountain tours? Then it's better to stay below the 20 percent mark.
Weight distribution plays a key role, especially on multi-day adventures. An incorrectly loaded rucksack pulls you backwards, strains your back and robs you of energy unnecessarily.
Many people underestimate this: Every extra kilo you carry consumes around 4-6% more energy when hiking. You will notice this on the third day of climbing at the latest! So do a little "rucksack check" before your tour and ask yourself honestly for each item: "Do I really need this?" Beginners in particular often pack too much - for fear of forgetting something.
What are the basic rules for packing your backpack?
Do you know what it's like when your backpack pulls and squeezes at every corner? That doesn't have to be the case! These simple basic rules will help you pack correctly:
- Heavy equipment belongs close to your back and at about shoulder height. Think of a cooking pot, heavy water bottles or food for several days.
- Medium-weight equipment goes in the middle section of your rucksack. This is where you stow clothing, lighter food or your sleeping mat.
- Light equipment goes in the outer sections and the bottom compartment. Ideal for a sleeping bag, light clothing or your rain pants.
The trick is to keep the center of gravity of your backpack as close to your body's center of gravity as possible. This allows you to carry the load efficiently and protect your back.
Our practical tip: Pack important items such as your rain jacket, water bottle or headlamp so that you have them to hand. Nothing is more annoying than having to unpack your entire rucksack when it rains!
Another trick from experienced mountain guides: use a bin liner as a backpack liner! This will protect your luggage even in heavy rain, even if your rucksack doesn't have an integrated rain cover. Distribute the weight evenly on both sides - a heavier side quickly leads to shoulder and neck pain because you have to unconsciously counteract it.
How do you make the best use of the different compartments?
Modern backpacks are true organizational wonders - if you know how to use them properly!
- The lid compartment is your best friend for everything that needs to be close at hand: Sunglasses, power bank, headlamp or snacks. In the event of a sudden downpour, you don't want to have to search for long - so your rain jacket also belongs in the lid compartment!
- Ideally, you should stow your sleeping bag or other bulky but lightweight equipment in the bottom compartment. This compartment is perfect for things you won't need until you reach your destination.
- The side pockets are made for your water bottle and small snacks. After all, you don't want to be constantly stopping to take a sip while hiking. Always keep your water bottle handy in one of the side pockets!
A pro tip: use small panniers in different colors! That way you can find everything immediately and don't have to rummage through your entire backpack when you need something.
Another insider trick: use compression bags for clothes - they save up to 30% space! Your change of clothes, towels and even your sleeping bag can be compressed to a minimum. However, make sure you pack your rucksack in a balanced way. Too much weight at the bottom will make the rucksack tilt, too much at the top will make you tip backwards.
How do you adjust your backpack correctly?
No matter how cleverly you pack - if your backpack is not adjusted correctly, it will still be uncomfortable. Here's how to do it right:
- Start by adjusting the back length. The hip belt should lie exactly on your hip bones - not above or below them!
- Tighten the hip belt firmly. It should carry about 70% of the weight.
- Adjustthe shoulder straps so that they fit snugly but do not cut in. They should fit loosely around your shoulders and stabilize the backpack at shoulder height.
- Fasten the chest strap so that the shoulder straps cannot slip off your shoulders.
- Finally, adjust the load control straps that lead from the shoulder straps up to the backpack. They ensure that the backpack stays close to your center of gravity.
A common mistake: tightening the load control straps too tightly. They should be at an angle of around 45° to the backpack. If they are too tight, the backpack will press on your shoulders; if they are too loose, it will pull backwards.
Make small adjustments regularly during the hike - your body and the backpack will "settle" over time. A minute of fine-tuning can save you hours of discomfort. Take special care to ensure that the hip belt does not slip and is really carrying the main weight. Your shoulders should only stabilize the backpack, not carry it.
A correctly adjusted backpack feels almost weightless because the weight is perfectly distributed!
Conclusion
- Pack a maximum of 25 percent of your body weight - your back will thank you!
- Stow heavy items close to your back and light items on the outside.
- Keep important equipment within easy reach in the lid compartment or side pockets.
- Adjust all straps and straps carefully for optimum carrying comfort.
- Pack important equipment waterproof (especially cell phone and documents).
- Use the various compartments systematically - that way you can keep an overview.
With these tips, your next hike will be pure pleasure - that's a promise! A properly packed rucksack makes the difference between "Never again!" and "When are we going again?".
By the way: even experienced hikers are constantly optimizing their packing technique. Make short notes after every tour: What did you miss? What could you have left out? What was difficult to reach? This way, your rucksack will be more perfectly packed from tour to tour.
So, what are you waiting for? Get out into nature!
Want to be even better prepared? Take a look at our other blog posts!
Lace up your hiking boots properly: how to avoid pressure points
First aid kit for hiking: Your guide for more safety on the trail
Training for hiking - your ultimate guide
