18 years of backpacking before I figured out how to pack my bag right

Back in the spring I was helping a friend load up for a trip on the Long Trail and she asked why my tent was strapped to the bottom instead of inside. I told her that's just how I always did it. She laughed and showed me how putting the heavy stuff up near my shoulders changes the whole center of gravity. After 18 years of hiking with a wobbly load I felt like an idiot. Has anyone else had that moment where a beginner showed you something obvious?

3 comments

3 Comments

roberts.leo7d ago

Not so sure this is the universal fix everyone makes it out to be. Putting heavy stuff high up near your shoulders sounds good on paper but it actually makes the pack feel top heavy on uneven terrain. I've tried it both ways and prefer the weight distributed low and centered for stability when I'm scrambling over rocks or crossing streams. Your method might have been compensating for a pack that didn't fit you right in the first place. Different body types and hiking styles call for different setups, and what works for one person can be a disaster for another.

robert6597d ago

You're missing the whole point of why people do it. It's about keeping your hips from taking all the weight on uneven ground. When the heavy stuff is low you're fighting the swing with every step. Top heavy feels weird at first but once you get used to it you'll never go back.

samflores7d ago

Saw a physio article saying top heavy packs mess with your knees on steep inclines, @roberts.leo.