You've chosen your destination for your next trek, you're mentally and physically ready… and then, a few days before departure, the moment arrives: packing your trek bag. We all agree it can be a little stressful and frustrating at times. So here are some tips to help you pack your trek bag in the most effective way possible.
We're assuming you're doing a trek with a full pack, but even if you're only carrying a day bag, these tips will still come in handy.
How to fit your trek bag correctly
The key principle is weight distribution. To ensure the shoulder straps of your trek bag sit snugly without exerting excessive pressure through a see-saw effect, the load must be carried mainly on the lower back and hips.
Here's how to achieve the right fit
• Fill the rucksack before making any adjustments.
• Adjust the distance between the shoulder straps and the lumbar belt of the bag. To do this, you have two types of adjustment (depending on the brand or type of bag):
o Velcro strap system: a Velcro strap adjusts along a graduated chest plate, allowing you to set the back height. This strap effectively wraps around the shoulder straps.
o Tube and sliding rail system. The shoulder straps slide along rails and lock at the desired height. This system allows for fine adjustment and better load absorption.
• Loosen all the straps and buckles on your trek bag completely.
• Put the bag on your back in walking configuration — that is, wearing your appropriate clothing and, crucially, your walking shoes.
• Fasten the hip belt around your hips. This section should bear the majority of the load: the strap must therefore be snug but not too tight (you still need to be able to expand your abdomen by a few centimetres without discomfort).
• Then adjust the length of the shoulder straps. They should rest on the shoulders so that the bag sits securely on your back, without the pressure felt at shoulder level being too intense. Ideally, you should be able to slide a finger under the strap without too much effort.
• On any good trek bag you'll find "load lifters": these small straps are located at the top of the shoulder straps, or sometimes at the bottom. Adjust them to pull the bag close to your back. Be careful not to over-tighten, as this will put too much strain on your shoulders.
• Finally, adjust the chest strap, which provides greater stability for the load.
Fitting your bag can sometimes be tricky: it's advisable to get help from another person and to test the fit on a short hike, then adjust based on how it feels. Once you've finished adjusting, you should have no pressure points that are painful or cause discomfort.
Filling your trek bag
Packing your trek bag correctly is essential for good weight distribution. First rule to remember: lay your rucksack flat on the ground to pack it, and place the heaviest items closest to your back. Also avoid lateral imbalances by making sure no single side carries too much weight. Finally, think about how often you'll need each item: things you'll need to access frequently should remain within easy reach.
• At the bottom of the bag: the lightest items. On trek bags that allow direct access to the bottom compartment, you can also store clothing you'll need during the day or things you'd want to grab quickly.
• Close to your back and above the base compartment: the heaviest items.
• In the upper section of the bag and in the side pockets: items needed during the day, distributing the weight evenly between each side pocket.
• Under the top lid: keys, documents… light items that need to be quickly accessible.
• In the top lid pocket: fragile items that cannot bear weight.
Finally, there are always items best attached to the outside of the bag: these are generally bulky but lightweight things such as a sleeping mat or groundsheet. Make sure they are securely fastened so they don't swing around while you walk.
Of course, it's up to you to keep your load as light as possible: you can find our tips on this here , but as a general rule, bear in mind that the ideal limit not to exceed is a quarter of your body weight.
A few final tips for packing your trek bag:
• Keep your belongings organised in compartments: a fabric bag for your clothes, waterproof bags for food…
• Use vacuum compression bags — extremely practical and great for saving volume.
• Bring a rain cover to protect your bag from bad weather, even if it's claimed to be waterproof: handling a wet bag at the end of a long day is never pleasant.
• Finally, when trekking in a group, share out common items and make sure you're not carrying duplicates.
As you can see, packing a rucksack isn't complicated. But it's very useful to know the basic principles — and above all, to avoid common mistakes. Yet you still see too many people carrying their rucksack exactly as they bought it, never questioning whether it's optimally adjusted, and risking some very unpleasant pain and injury as a result. These tips are, of course, general guidelines: it's up to you to adapt your trek bag to how it feels and make fine adjustments as you go out more. That's how you'll achieve a comfortable carry — and most importantly, one free from unnecessary pain!
