How to Pack a Backpack for a Short Hike

April 13, 2022

Caucasian male traveler standing near backpack while traveling in forest. Travelling concept.

Can the way you pack your backpack affect your hike?

The short answer is yes! Heavy and awkwardly packed items can pull on or poke your body in uncomfortable ways after only a few minutes on the trail. Stashing items like bear spray and water in your backpack creates a hazardous situation in an emergency. Always have those important items within reach, stashed in a place you can access without removing your pack.

As someone with serious back issues, I take packing my small daypack very seriously. Some of these tips I first learned from backpacking across Europe and Australia before my injury. All these packing tips will help you to feel safer, stronger and less sore on a short day hike.

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Alison Karlene Hodgins

Alison Karlene Hodgins is the Editor of Explore Magazine. She's been sharing her love of adventure and writing for Explore since 2016. As a freelance writer, she has been published by The Globe and Mail, CBC, Paddling Magazine, HI Hostels, Business Insider, Fodor's and The Huffington Post. She has a Writing and Publishing Diploma, a Bachelor of Journalism and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction. You can find her on the top of a mountain, reading travel literature on the beach or sipping a coffee in a quirky cafe, especially if there's a band with a banjo playing. She is passionate about ethical tourism, outdoor adventure and learning to appreciate your own backyard. Follow her adventures on Instagram: @alisonkarlenehodgins