Getting the Most out of your Rucksack

For those venturing on an exotic trekking holiday, or simply going hiking for a few days around the Lake District, the need for a good rucksack is essential. However, even after splashing out on a top-notch rucksack, those who are novice to packing and trekking may feel frustrated with the burden of continuously carrying a rucksack, and the problems that entail with it. Subsequently, here are a few tips to enable you to get the most out of your rucksack and make your trek a comfortable and enjoyable one.

For one, it is important to keep your possessions dry whilst trekking, as drenched clothing and maps can affect the enjoyment of your trekking holiday. Whilst premium rucksacks tend to have waterproof covers attached to the bag, these are not always entirely waterproof. For inexpensive, additional waterproofing, try lining the inside of a rucksack with a durable rubbish bag. For those looking for a more technical version, waterproof liner bags measuring from 40-100 litres are available from most major camping retailers.

Weight distribution can equally have an affect on your trekking performance, as uneven distribution in the rucksack can cause back and shoulder pain. Admittedly, it is difficult to assess whether the weight in a rucksack is equally distributed, but one useful technique is to fill up the rucksack with all the possessions you plan on packing, fasten all attachments and then leave it to stand unassisted. If it stands upright without any support, it is approximately evenly distributed; if it falls over, it is a useful indication to make some adjustments.

When packing your bag, try placing your items in individual bags according to use, i.e. hygiene products, clothes, etc. Using colour-coded bags as well can also help in organising your possessions. Although many rucksacks provide a plethora of pockets, rooting around in these can become time-consuming and prevent you from accomplishing the full extent of your trek. By organising your items into bags, you can save time searching for that elusive item, and even prevent it from going astray.

Another factor that most people forget is adjusting the straps on their bag. Before setting out on your trek, loosen all the straps and readjust them to suit your comfort every time. This may appear pedantic, but there are a number of reasons why this could improve your comfort when trekking. Undoubtedly the straps would have loosened from their previous adjustments the day before. In addition to this, what your body would have formerly considered comfortable might change the next day, hence the need to adjust the straps on your rucksack. The change in terrain on your trek might change as well, and so will the adjustments on your bag.

Hopefully these tips provide a good starting point for those beginning to trek. The next step is to go out and find your own!