The Lost Art of Loading an External Frame Backpack

 

How to properly pack and balance your haul for a comfortable hike.

Loading an external frame backpack takes some skill and practice to get right.

Many hikers today don't realize the nuances involved, as internal frame packs have largely taken over the market.

But for serious trekkers and thrifty shoppers, external frame backpacks still provide excellent load support and ventilation.

Follow these tips to load your external frame pack like a pro:

Start with the Basics

Lay out everything you'll be packing on the floor and evaluate each item. Anything you won't actually need or use should be left behind.

Choose compact, lightweight gear whenever possible to avoid overloading the pack.

Then separate items into "zones": stuff like clothing, sleeping bags, and shelter in one group; food, cookware, and utensils in another; etc.

This organization helps when it's time to load.

Pack the Heavy Stuff First

The ideal load places weight close to your body's center of gravity, which enhances stability on the trail.

To achieve this, start loading with your heavy gear, like your tent and sleeping bag. Place these items high in the main compartment, secured tightly to the frame.

Tip: Compress your sleeping bag as much as possible to minimize its size.

Cinch and Position Side Pockets

External frame packs have capacious side pouches, perfect for water bottles, rain gear, and other items you'll need easy access to.

Just be sure to carefully cinch and buckle these pockets so nothing falls out while hiking.

And position them for comfort based on how you like gear distributed between your shoulders and hips.

For me, storing my water on the right hip balanced best with my sleeping bag up top on the left.

Use the Lower Storage Wisely

The bottom compartment of an external frame pack can hold a serious amount of gear.

Use it for bulkier or heavier items, like spare shoes, tent poles, camping stove, fuel, etc. Just be sure of two things:

● Distribute weight evenly from side to side

● Keep your center of gravity high by not overloading this area

On a week-long trip I once packed so much food down low that I toppled backwards every time I set my pack down! Lesson learned.

Add Lighter Items Last

Now fill in the rest of the space with your lightest gear, like clothing, food, and electronics.

Burying these beneath heavier layers helps prevent damage.

And be sure to squeeze pockets of air out from stuff sacks and bags - any empty space diminishes overall stability.

I like to pack my cook pots and pans vertically between the frame supports.

Test Weight Distribution

Before hitting the trail, try the pack on fully loaded and take a test walk. See how the weight rides and make any final adjustments.

Does it feel balanced front-to-back and side-to-side? Are the shoulder straps supporting most of the load?

Getting this dialed in means a world of difference when you embark on a lengthy backcountry adventure.

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