Backpack Storage Tips

Tent Camping Tips For Backpack Storage

One of the most common thoughts of tent campers is deciding what to bring on their camping trip.  Unfortunately, the size of your backpack’s carrying capacity often dictates the types of things you can and cannot do.  For this reason, it pays to know how to reduce your weight to allow for other activities.  Here, are some tips to do just that: 

1.  Try to choose items that can double for other things.  For example, use a poncho as a ground cloth or an unused cooking pot can double as a dinner plate. 

2.  Wash clothes in the field.  This will allow you to reduce the total amount of extra clothes you will need to pack.  Create a clothes line or use a piece of wood with many branches to dry out clothes and towels during the day. 

3.  Take food items in which the water is left out.  Pick dehydrated foods, drinking powders, and boxed foods without water in them.  This will reduce your overall food weight.  

4.  Opt for cooking supplies that fit within each other.  Cooking supplies that can be fitted into one another like Russian dolls work great for freeing up additional space. 

5.  Use your tetris building skills to fill pack.  Ideally, you will want to put the heavier stuff on the bottom, especially with an external frame backpack.  However, one way to use space evenly is to stack items in such a way that free space is minimized. 

6.  Plan to store food in several different areas for extended trips.  If the trip is long enough, consider dropping off food in certain areas along your camping trip.  Caveat: Food will need to be buried or well hidden to prevent other animals from getting into it. 

7.  Use the campsite or surrounding area for supplies as much as possible.  For instance, use wood at the campsite for tent stakes if needed or use railroad spikes to build a stand for your frying pan.  By using the forest for supplies, you will remove the need for bringing these items in. 

8.  Ruthlessly choose the lightest camping equipment possible.  A number of pieces of camping equipment can be purchased at very light weights whether it be ultra light sleeping bags or hand axes that have plastic handles.    

9.  Choose fun by sacrificing some comfort.  Determine your must have items.  After this has been decided, consider cutting out other items.  Possible items could include a sleeping pad, extra pair of shoes, or an extra towel.  By eliminating these items, you will find extra room to bring other things like maybe a collapsible fishing rod. 

10.  Share items with others in your party.  This could include sharing one cooking kit, one canteen, or one hand axe.  Essentially, pick items that you will both not need at the same time and you can substantially reduce your group’s overall carrying weight.  As a bargaining chip for this sacrifice you can carry an additional item your group will want to have. 

11.  Camp near a water source and use it.  By using water already at the campsite you reduce the carrying weight of one of the heaviest items for most camping trips, water. 

As you can see by making a few simple adjustments, you can reduce your overall pack’s weight and free up some space.  Whether you choose to add on additional gear or go with a lighter load, will be up to you. 

*To find out how best to be safe on the trail, give this article a read, Hiking Safety Tips.