How to pack your bag correctly for an overnight stay in the forest

How to pack your bag correctly for an overnight stay in the forest

Going on a trip, never feeling grumpy? It helps to be able to walk without getting back pain! When you're going on longer trips, the question is always – what to bring, and how on earth are you going to carry it around with you?

Having carefully planned how to pack your backpack will make your trip so much better. Need a refresher on how to avoid straining your back and shoulders and not having to rummage through your entire backpack every time you need to take something out? Then we have the guide for you.

Planning

The first step before going out and enjoying the fresh air is of course to figure out exactly where you're going, how long you'll be there, and how many pairs of panties you actually need.

If you're going to be walking for a long time, it's important to carry as little as possible. That's why it's a good idea to answer a few simple questions before you go.

• How long does the trip last?
• Have you remembered to check the weather forecast?
• What sleeping material do you need? Will you sleep in a tent, a shack or a hammock?
• How much water do you need before you can fill up?

Once you have answered these questions, you can start sorting out what you actually need. Often you don't need as much as you think – the less excess luggage, the easier your trip will be.

Remember that the weather can change at any time – even if it looks like you’re going out on a sunny summer day, showers can suddenly arrive. So always think about staying dry – wrap your clothes and sleeping bag in plastic so you don’t get wet and cold when you finally arrive. Feel free to bring rain gear no matter what the weather forecast says!

Organize your bag wisely

Before you start stuffing your bag full, it's important to figure out the most efficient way to pack so you can utilize the bag's full potential.

It may be a good idea to divide your bag into three parts, and pack based on the balance and frequency of the things you use.

Part one is the bottom. Here it is a good idea to pack the things you don't need to take in and out of the pack on time and in the dark. Here you can safely put your sleeping bag, your big wool sweaters and extra clothes, sleeping mats and other things you will need to use first when you arrive at camp.

Pack the largest, but not the heaviest, items at the bottom of the pack. If you pack heavily at the bottom, you risk the pack tipping backwards, which can put unnecessary strain on your lower back. It is best to keep the pack close to your back. This will improve balance and avoid strain.

So, pack your heavier items in the middle section. This is where you can pack your food, water, and cooking equipment. Other heavy items should also be placed here, high up in the pack so you can keep the pack close to your body.

Finally, pack the top, and if you want a more practical trip, it's a good idea to pack the things you use most frequently at the top. Anything you need to get to quickly, without having to dig through the entire pack, go here. This could be a first aid kit, toilet paper (remember not to leave any traces in nature!), smaller water bottles, snacks and other things you might need along the way.

Use all the space you have!

Now that you've packed the main compartment of your backpack, you may still be left with a few small items you wish you had found room for. Luckily, most backpacks have multiple pockets!

The top, front and side pockets allow you to store smaller items, freeing up space for larger items in the main compartment. Here you can store, for example, your scout knife, mosquito repellent, toiletries and all the other small gadgets you have with you.

Test your bag before you leave

Before you leave, it might be a good idea to test out how the backpack fits on your body.If you don't do this, you may soon discover too late that the backpack sits too low, gives unstable balance, or is simply too heavy.

To avoid this, it's not a bad idea to take a quick look at what you actually need to bring with you. Lay everything out on the floor and go through what you've packed – we often pack more than we need. Do you actually need all those extra changes of clothes and cans of canned goods? Find smart solutions with smaller, lighter items. Can you sort out about 30% of what you've packed?

Packing list

Of course, you know best where you are going, when you are going out and how long you are going to be there, but we have put together a suggested packing list for a night in the woods. If you suddenly realize that you have forgotten something essential, you will find everything you need on the game-on.no!

Clothes:

• Wool underwear, rainwear, hiking pants, sweater and warm socks, hat and mittens.
• It can get cold outside at night even if you're out in the summer! It's always a good idea to pack an extra pair of regular socks too – it's boring to walk around in wet shoes.

Cooking:

• Storm kitchen that includes pot, pan and cutlery.
• Ignition sources such as matches or lighters – do not use lighter fluid to make a fire!
• Choose foods that weigh less – freeze-dried foods, oatmeal, energy bars, etc. Choose foods that provide a high energy yield.
• At least 1.5 liters of water, both for drinking, but also to put out any fires safely and securely.

Useful items:

• Flashlight or headlamp
• Hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste and toilet paper
• First aid kit – very important to have!
• Mobile and charged power bank
• Map and compass
• Small knife (remember to check the rules for permitted knife use!)
• Garbage bags
• Seat pad

Now you are ready for the trip!

Once you have packed your backpack in the correct order and with the correct weight distribution, you are ready to go. Before you go, it is important to remember a few simple rules:

Don't leave anything behind that wasn't there before you arrived! Always bring trash bags, and bury your toilet visits if necessary. Make your backpack as waterproof as possible for the best hiking experience, and be sure to help your back stay comfortable so you can hike for years to come!

Good luck, and remember that everything you need for your trip can be found at game-on.no!

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