How to Organise Your Backpack for a Long-Distance Hike?

Strategic Food Placement

Your freeze dried meals should be packed in the middle section of your backpack, easily accessible but not adding unnecessary bulk against your back. Group meals by day and keep frequently accessed items like snacks and energy foods in external pockets or the top compartment. The compact nature of freeze-dried packaging makes them perfect for filling gaps between other gear without creating uncomfortable pressure points.

Store your cooking stove and fuel separately from food items for safety, typically in side pockets or the top compartment where they're easily accessible when you need to prepare your meals.

Personally, I use a 4L Sea to Summit Watercell reservoir. It's not a hydration bladder with a tube but rather a robust reservoir. Besides being durable, it doubles as a shower or tap for washing, such as cleaning your hands before cooking. This dual functionality is especially handy when preparing freeze-dried meals, as proper hygiene becomes crucial when handling food and cooking equipment during extended backcountry adventures.

How to Use the Remaining Space?

Next, still cushioned by clothing, I add a first-aid kit for small injuries, a hygiene kit, and possibly an electronics kit (rechargeable battery, cables, camera/video gear, etc.). I may also include a stuff sack with evening clothes (as a true Breton, I’m always wary of rain). Finally, at the very top of the backpack for easy access, I place my waterproof jacket.

Once everything is packed, I tighten the compression straps to reduce bulk, and that’s it

What About Exterior, Top, and Side Pockets?

Here, the keyword is accessibility! In general, I store a water filter in the side pockets. I alternate between several models from different brands: Katadyn BeFree, Grayl UltraPress, and more recently the Öko 1L. As mentioned earlier, these pockets are also used to store tent poles and stakes or even a camping chair.

In the top pocket, I place a snack or two, sunglasses, a cap or hat, a headlamp, a spork, my compass, and an IGN map—in short, all my small essentials. If the waist belt has pockets, I use them to store my phone and keychain

In Conclusion

To avoid unnecessary noise, I recommend not attaching carabiners to hang gear that will constantly clank against your backpack. The only thing I attach to my pack is my trekking poles. Of course, all of this is subjective, based on my personal experiences and preferences. I encourage you to test different setups to find what works best for you and refine your choices as you gain experience.

Also, don’t hesitate to write a gear checklist. After your hike, check off what you used and didn’t use to streamline your load for future trips.

Yves JEAN