Maintain your Centre of Mass with Good Rucksack Packing Techniques

You may be planning a once in a lifetime trip or just a couple of days in the country, which ever it is it is useful to master the art of rucksack packing.  Since you can fit a lot in a rucksack it is important to have some order in the contents.  Items which you may need during the day should be at the top, and the whole rucksack should be packed with comfort in mind.  Since rucksacks are quite large and you can fit a lot into them, it does not mean that you have to take the kitchen sink.  If however, you are determined to take everything you could possibly need, then rucksack packing is even more important for you.  If you are not sure what to pack a good technique is to imagine your trip and then you will be able to see what you think you will need.

Do not start to pack your rucksack until you have first resolved on all the items you are planning to take.  Once you have collected together everything you think you will need you should then lay them all out and then put to one side any which are ‘would like’ items rather than necessary.  Successful rucksack packing is being able understanding what to pack.  Some things are essential and cannot be skimped on, such as; snacks, waterproofs, food and spare clothing.  A book, which can be heavy and space hungry, will probably not be read, at the end of the day you will probably snuggle happily in bed and sleep like a baby after all the healthy fresh air in your lungs – it is unlikely that you will be reading to help you doze off.  When you choose your rucksack in the shop, it probably seemed very large and impossible to fill.  Don’t kid your self, it will fill up fast and you will soon understand the importance of rucksack packing.

When you are carrying your rucksack, if you have packed the heavy items at the top, you will move your center of mass and this will affect your balance.  The heaviest items should be at the bottom of the rucksack and the lighter ones at the top.  This means that the heavier items will be around your lower back, this is strong and close to your center of mass.If you put the weightier items at the top, they would be constantly pulling on your shoulders.It is always a good thought to keep a couple of soft smallish item to use as padding, you do not need anything hard against your back.  Also, if you have several hard items to pack it is useful to put some clothing in between them as any knocking together or clanking will be very irritating.  Remember that comfort is at least as important as content.

Before you pack anything you should consider what you may want en route.  Almost all rucksacks have a pocket which is easily accessible.  This should be packed with the ‘en route’ items.  Remember to leave some space in it there are bound to be a couple of last minuet items such as keys and wallet.

Finally, we hope that you have good weather and a great trip.  Most manufacturers will tell you that there rucksacks are waterproof, but this is not something you should rely on.  As a precaution it is a good idea to make sure that all your spare clothes are not near the outside.  If caught in a bad storm, you don’t want to find that your spare clothing is now damp!

You are now ready to go.  Have fun and be prepared.