10 Essential Tips for Preparing Your Trekking Backpack

With smart packing strategies, you can bring 'the entire world' with you without expending too much energy while hiking.

10 Essential Tips for Preparing Your Trekking Backpack

1. Estimate the weight of each item to distribute weight effectively

Heavy items like mini gas stoves, food... should be packed vertically against the back and on both sides of the backpack. This helps to balance the weight for the wearer. However, caution is needed with excessively rigid or sharp objects as they may jab into your back if the backpack lacks back padding.

Lightweight items can be flattened, such as raincoats placed on top or in the top pocket of the backpack if available for quick access. Other items not needed on the trail until reaching the campsite, such as sleeping bags, mini gas cylinders... should be placed at the bottom, also serving as a protective cushion for the remaining items in the bag in case of a fall.

2. Use soft, small items to fill in the gaps between hard tools, reducing impact when climbing mountains. Nobody enjoys the sound of 'clang' echoing while hiking, so use spare t-shirts or tent fabric... to wrap around cooking utensils, stainless steel objects, metal...

3. Organize frequently used items in easy-to-find places. Sunscreen, medication... stuffed in the side pockets of the backpack will help you retrieve them easily when needed. Clearly categorize each item, especially medication, to avoid confusion in emergencies.

4. Be careful when packing bottles or containers with water. Take a few seconds to check if the bottle cap is securely sealed to ensure no leakage. It's best not to bring bottles with spray nozzles. Keep these water bottles away from food.

5. Use nylon bags or waterproof boxes to wrap items that cannot get wet such as phones... During the journey, you may cross streams, traverse rivers... leading to the backpack inevitably getting wet. Using waterproof leather bags or boxes for electronic devices will be safer than transparent plastic waterproof bags commonly sold.

6. Vacuum-sealed bags for packing items to save space like sleeping bags are a great trick to save space. You'll save a significant amount of space in the backpack by using this item.

7. Always pay attention to continuous temperature changes because the higher you climb, the lower it gets. If trekking in snowy peaks, or even freezing, keep water and backup battery chargers, mobile phones... close to your body as batteries can drain very quickly in cold weather outdoors.

8. Securely tie up any items you attach on the outside. Items hanging on the sides like gloves, headbands, trekking poles... can get caught on branches or bushes, causing them to tear and items to fall out of the backpack.

9. Air dry everything before moving on if you get wet. Clothes, tent fabric... will develop an unpleasant odor when wet. Items made of sweat-absorbent materials like climbing hats, gloves... should be hung outside when not in use.

10. Rearrange your belongings before leaving at least twice to check if anything is missing. This is a necessary task to remember the positions of items in the backpack.

By Vi Yến/The Star

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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour