A rucksack is a bag that is larger and stronger than a school bag or backpack, but not as big as a backpack used for mountaineering. This bag is a versatile bag that can be used for overnight trips, from cycling, camping, adventure. Rucksack can also be used for various situations. Learning how to pack using rucksacks properly is an art, so it's important that you develop a system that is logical for your purposes and can leave you with room for everything you want to carry.
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Part 1 of 3: Bringing the Basics
Step 1. Find a suitable rucksack to use
A good rucksack needs to have the proper space, weight, and protection you'll face when you're traveling, whether you're driving your car overseas or braving the winds in the Himalayas. The weight and color of the rucksack are sometimes important considerations. A good rucksack is also measured to fit your body, with an inner frame for support.
- Rucksack and backpack are sometimes distinguished and the two terms are used differently in different places. However, the process and principles for packing a rucksack or backpack are essentially the same.
- Place something that reflects light or glows on top of the rucksack so it's easy to find at night. Put your last name or badge on your rucksack which can quickly distinguish your rucksack from other rucksacks.
Step 2. Secure shelter, water, and heating first
If you're going to be traveling in unpredictable weather and your life depends on what's in your bag, you need to make sure you've got the things that matter right, wherever you're traveling. Keeping warm at night, hydrated during the day, and safe from any temperature should be a priority when you pack before thinking about other luggage.
- Packing water or a water filter should be a priority if you are traveling to remote areas. Everything else has to come second when compared to providing yourself with enough water.
- Are you traveling to a place that will be cold? Even desert climates can get very cold at night and you should always travel with at least one layer of heating, a hat, rain protection and a light emergency mylar blanket.
- Ideally, you should bring a lightweight tent and a good quality but lightweight sleeping bag designed for cold temperatures, if necessary. Even if you'll be sleeping indoors, a good rucksack should have a versatile tarp that can be used for ground protection or temporary emergency shelter.
Step 3. Bring a first aid kit
If you're going to rely on your own supplies and your own ingenuity to stay healthy and safe, it's important that you keep basic first aid kits in your rucksack. If the place you're going to requires you to bring a first aid kit, more first aid products may be needed to make sure you're ready for anything. You may need to include the following equipment in your rucksack:
- Bandage
- Antiseptic ointment or spray
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Drugs
- Iodine capsules, malaria treatment, or other disease prevention drugs
Step 4. Be prepared for muddy conditions
Even if you're going to a place with a sunny climate, it's wise to pack as if it's going to rain every day and you'll be wet and cold. You don't want to be caught in a flash flood without your equipment protected by rain protection. It's best to use a waterproof rucksack, but you can also purchase a separate waterproof rucksack that you can use to store important items inside, such as your cell phone, money, and passport.
Bring a lightweight raincoat, sturdy shoes, and plenty of socks to change out of when you get caught in the rain. It is important that you always keep it dry
Step 5. Bring a change of clothes
Prioritize the most versatile, durable, and strong clothes and leave stylish clothes at home. If you want to hit the road on your trip, make sure you bring handy clothes that you don't mind wearing all day and getting dirty. Rainproof gear may be required, as can a light heating layer that you can roll up tightly. Depending on your destination, a good travel outfit might look something like this:
- Bring plenty of socks and underwear, at least four spare pairs each and patches to make minor repairs. This is the most important thing to replace every day to keep you healthy.
- Thick clothes and underwear that you can wear in cold weather as well as two or three T-shirts and light raincoats.
- At least two trousers and one sports shorts or swim trunks. Alternatively, you can wear one pair of jeans and bring a spare for long trips.
- Beanie hat and woolen gloves.
- Thick coat if you will be traveling to cold conditions.
Step 6. Bring extra cooking utensils and food
Whether you'll get food or not on your trip, it's best to take extra cooking utensils and food with you on your trip. Make sure you have the ingredients necessary for cooking food in an emergency and enough to start a fire.
- Try bringing a small kettle and a small gas stove, commonly known as a “hobo stove,” along with a waterproof lighter and lighter. It's best if you have a box of regular candles to keep the fire burning for a long time.
- Bring only all-purpose equipment. You don't need to carry an onion cutter in your rucksack. You don't have to carry plates and bowls together. Bring just one bowl that you can use for anything that requires a plate. Don't bring a potato peeler, bring a sharp knife that you can use for a variety of situations.
- Depending on how long your trip is, you may need to bring a bag of granola and mixed nuts, or you may need to bring ready meals, protein snacks, and richer meals. Always stock up on emergency rations, at least enough to sustain you for 48 hours in an emergency.
Part 2 of 3: Before Packing
Step 1. Put all the previous items first
This will minimize the chances of you leaving something important behind and allow you to evaluate whether everything you want to pack is really important. In addition, putting everything together in front of you first will make it easier for you to group similar items and pack them in equal parts in rucksacks, keeping your rucksack contents organized and efficient.
- Again, consider your goals. If you want to go to the lake house and take the rucksack with you, it may not be necessary to bring a camping stove and a small ax. Make your rucksacks as light as possible.
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Prioritize your most used items. Items that you will use throughout the day should be packaged in compartments that can be opened and closed easily. Snacks, swimsuits, cell phones, or a change of clothes should be easy to grab without having to remove anything else in the rucksack.
Pack a Rucksack Step 08 - If your rucksack contains only one large single piece, the items you will use immediately when you arrive at your destination and always use should be at the top and items you rarely use should be at the bottom.
- Generally, if you go hiking or adventure, you should keep your socks at the top of your rucksack so you can easily retrieve them to replace your socks with new ones.
Step 2. Consider using plastic bags for smaller items
Put small items together in a plastic bag with a top that can be opened and closed repeatedly to prevent them from dropping during the day and making them hard to find when needed. Use the plastic bag to store snacks, water bottles, or other substances that could damage equipment or stain clothes if they leak or open.
Generally, you will need to store soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and other toiletries in a plastic bag to prevent them from leaking and to keep them easy to pick up
Step 3. Find ways to collect items
Before you start stuffing everything in your rucksack, look for ways to save space by stacking items together. Keep your cell phone in your shoes or tuck your passport in your jeans. If you brought a small collapsible pot, put a camping stove, matches, and other small items in the pot.
This is a great way to cover fragile items and hide valuables. If you have extra cash, hide it where it's impossible for thieves to find it, in the deepest part of your bag. Do not store in the outer bag
Part 3 of 3: Making All Items Fit
Step 1. Pack heavy items in the center of the bag
Packing properly will allow the chest and waist bands to hold more weight and allow the weight to stay over your shoulders instead of pulling the strings onto it. It will be easier if you allow your legs to move as freely as possible. Keep the weight on the back of the rucksack, leaning against your bones.
Some rucksacks have an opening at the bottom that allows you to unzip and remove items quickly and easily from the bottom. These large backcountry rucksacks can withstand a large amount of weight, meaning you need to manage your weight distribution more carefully than smaller rucksacks that lean higher on your bones
Step 2. Balance the weight evenly on both sides of the rucksack
Stand your rucksack upright when you pack and keep the weight on both sides of the bag evenly distributed. Follow the same pattern as the other items when stuffed into their individual pieces, balancing the weight evenly from left to right. Doing so will reduce fatigue and tension between your shoulders.
Step 3. Keep the back of the rucksack relatively flat
If you have a rucksack with an internal frame or without a frame, place the most flat item on the part that rests on your back. Avoid placing soft or thick items in this section, as they can change the shape of the bag and reduce the structure's weight. When you are adventurous, this can cause uncomfortable lumps or bumps that can hurt your back.
Step 4. Use clothes to fill the space
Pack your clothes last, unless you pack the most clothes in your rucksack. Clothing is the easiest item to use as a space filler and put in the available gaps. Plus, you can always get away with cutting back one short in a pinch.
Roll your clothes tightly instead of folding them. This will allow the clothes to take up less space and not wrinkle. Just make sure you bring enough clothes for your trip, as this will make room for other essentials
Step 5. Keep the total weight of the load in the rucksack below a reasonable limit
This is especially important if you are going mountain climbing or cycling long distances. Opinions vary as to what weight is considered reasonable, although most rucksacks should weigh at least half of your body weight.
Step 6. Bring a carabiner
As a last resort, it's common to hang important items that are easy to grab using a carabiner on your rucksack. This tool will help maximize the load from your bag by hanging the carabiner on your bag and allowing you to quickly grab a water bottle, keys, knife or other essentials.
Step 7. Test and check the weight
Once everything's packed, check to make sure your rucksack sits comfortably on your back and you can pick up your stuff without having to remove anything else if needed. Always wear your i rucksack for ten minutes and walk around to feel it, mimicking the movement you would make when you were wearing the rucksack.
- Pay attention to where you feel the pressure on the strap and whether or not it makes you lose your balance. If so, you may need to reposition some of the items in the bag to distribute the load evenly.
- Simple backpack users such as schoolchildren sometimes allow the straps of the bag to stay loose and allow the rucksack to sag low on the back. Rucksacks that are loosely heavy and low will be torturous if used on long journeys. So it's important that you keep the straps tight and your rucksack as high as possible on your back.
Tips
- When choosing items to put in your rucksack, don't forget to include some simple items for emergencies. A flashlight with an extra battery and a raincoat are two examples of simple tools you need to bring with you.
- Bring what you need and don't exceed it. Although the excess weight will not be felt at first, but eventually you will be exhausted after a few hours of carrying things that are not important.
