How to Organize a Backpack

Good for starts but needs more details and more info!

Good for starts but needs more details and more info!

As a beginner, I think this article gives me a good starting point, I think everybody's methods very a little. I believe as long as it feels good to you go with it, organize how you see fit. These aren't laws there just suggestions from people that have been doing this longer than me.

I would like to say that I thought the article was a great start. I am new to backpacking and now have a great start to load distribution. It gets me thinking of where to put items and to test the load of my pack before going out on the trail.

I would like to say that I thought the article was a great start. I am new to backpacking and now have a great start to load distribution. It gets me thinking of where to put items and to test the load of my pack before going out on the trail.

to add to the actual content. packing the loose gear used freaquently i usaly have mesh bags to acess and find quickly ie...headlamps, spare chapstick seems to alwayse go missing, bic liters and other sorts that dont compres or retain water..

I wouldn't say this article is useless... just incomplete IMO.
This is a great START to an article. As someone stated REI has a very good article on pack loading. This piece needs to be finished with diagrams, ideas for when the weight doesn't fit where you want it to, some mention of different pack types effecting packing, etc.

@Gill
Actually REI has an excent article that better takes into account the fact that external and internal frame packs are loaded differently, and that basic weight distribution varies depending upon wither you are hiking on or off trail.
Sure people will develop personal preferences but this 'article' is still way to light.

Really people? The article is exactly what it should be, the basics on how to distribute weight. Anything beyond that is gonna be personal preference.

Struth - stop the moaning people ! Thanks for the articel BP. Brief, to the point and informative.

I figured out real quickly that the only way to learn to load your pack correctly is to load it, get out there and then figure out HOW to load it. This little article is a perfect way to describe fitting that inital load. Why do people comlain so much?

BP -May I suggest ya rewrite this article...a shout to the hater comments -yes...the article is disappointing...the write up could have a few more suggestions or illustration examples for various gear and pack types...Hey BP! We buy ur mags & read the website because ur a goto resource for generally good advise...please remember as everyday passes there's always another outdoor enthusiast of various skill level that wants good advise to up their knowledge... rewrite the the article for the complainers that obviously need help with there skills.lol-just a jab guys-don't whine some more-please consider a more constructive use of the commentary in the future...the rest of ya with useful comments keep on participating-it helps...BP please make this right.

I think if you took the time to say shame on backpacker.. you could take the time to find an article on how to get a life.

I don't think it is much more complicted than what they have described. Do you guys need a 3D diagram of the shoelace knot?

Maybe you guys should refer to wikepedia. There are no see through blow-ups or placement of items details, I guess you were too busy backpacking to write complete article.

Horrible article

I am dissapointed in the fact that they did not mention the best way to pack the electric razor and toaster.

u suck

Really disappointed in the info. There's more than one type of backpack out here and you assumed that everyone has the same type. Guess I'm a non-conformist, cause my pound and a half pack has no pockets. Not going to ask where I should put some of my some of my "frequent-use" items.

What they should have done is link to their own video on the subject: http://backpacker.com/pack_like_a_pro_pt_ii_week_trip/destinations/dvideos/45