Packing Your Rucksack

Weight Distribution – Concentrate on the five heaviest items of equipment. If you are walking on foot then these heavier items should be placed in the middle to top of the pack, in the section closest to your back. For other activities such as skiing then the weight may need to be distributed differently to ensure your correct balance is achived.

It is also important to distribute the weight evenly to prevent the rucksack from getting to heavy at the very top, the sides, or the rear.

The dividers and pockets all help to pack the rucksack properly and this helps in not only giving the most practical ways of packing but also proper distribution and stability.

External pockets – Larger rucksacks will typically have external pockets and compartments for ease of access. Use these for items that are needed during the journey. Otherwise, all baggage should be packed in the backpack itself.

How much can a rucksack weigh? The weight that a person can carry varies a lot from person to person but a rule of thumb is