Backpacking takes all shapes, sizes, and forms. For some, it means putting everything you need in a pack and hitting the literal road in your car. For others, it means fitting the essentials in your bag and flying across the globe. No matter where you’re headed or what you plan to do when you get there, learning to pack a backpack is essential to having a great trip. Check out this quick guide to maximizing your backpack space and become a backpacking pro!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s super easy to overpack for any trip. There are times I’ve found myself with three bags for two nights of travel and had to reconfigure my plan before walking out the door. There seems to be this primal urge to take everything we own with us on our journeys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While that may be possible for a few nights in the car, when it comes to overseas travel or travel that requires us to carry our pack with us at all times, our options become limited (unless we want to pay huge fees to fly with our closets or carry our weight in gear). To avoid that fate, there are two important questions when it comes to packing: where are you going and for how long?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your location is important for obvious reasons, as it will ultimately determine what you need to pack. There are a few things to consider when researching the location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you determine a location, you need to consider how long you’ll be away. There’s a huge difference between a one-week trip in a single location and a month-long backpacking trip that will include multiple countries. More days on the road means more days in the same clothes. Will you have access to laundry facilities? Are you planning on buying certain items during your journey? Can you keep it casual, or do you need a fancy outfit? These are important questions to consider as you map out your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n