---
title: "The center of gravity matters – how to pack your backpack?"
description: "The way you pack your backpack fundamentally affects comfort, stability and fatigue on a trek. We'll advise you where to put what so your center of gravity sits right and your back doesn't hurt even after hundreds of kilometers."
canonical_url: "https://gramino.com/blog/how-to-pack-your-backpack"
last_updated: "2025-10-06"
---

# The center of gravity matters – how to pack your backpack?

Authors: Petra Kovalčíková

Date: 2025-10-06

The way you pack your backpack fundamentally affects comfort, stability and fatigue on a trek. We'll advise you where to put what so your center of gravity sits right and your back doesn't hurt even after hundreds of kilometers.

This is it – you're heading out on the trek of your dreams. You've got months of preparation behind you: fine-tuning your gear, reading reviews, counting every gram, testing boots and clothing. You picked your backpack with care, carefully adjusted it to your back, and the buckles are cinched – exactly as described in the article "[How to choose the right backpack size and how to adjust it?](/blog/how-to-choose-backpack-size)"... and yet after a few dozen kilometers your back hurts, your hips ache, the backpack pulls you backward, and one shoulder is overloaded. You think to yourself: "But I picked a great backpack – so what's wrong?"

Believe it or not, the mistake is often in the packing itself. The way you pack your gear into your backpack has a major impact on your comfort and stability, and in turn on your fatigue throughout the day. A well-packed backpack supports you on steep climbs, won't pull you backward in rough terrain, and helps distribute the weight evenly so your back won't hurt even after hundreds of kilometers. And that's exactly what we'll take a closer look at in this article.

*Packed Hyperlite Mountain Gear backpacks*

*A slightly different way to pack and distribute weight*

## Why does the center of gravity matter?

The basic principle is simple – the farther a heavy item is from your body, the more it tends to pull you backward and throw off your center of gravity. When your weight is poorly distributed, you might unconsciously lean forward, compensate with your shoulders, tense your neck muscles, or load one side of your body more than the other. All of this costs you energy – and you'll need that energy on a long-distance trek.

## Backpack load capacity

Load capacity refers to the maximum recommended weight a backpack should carry comfortably and safely. Manufacturers state this figure as a rough guideline – if you exceed it, carrying the backpack can become uncomfortable even when it's properly adjusted and well packed. Overloading it also risks faster wear or even damage – for example, seams tearing or the frame deforming. The total load includes not just your gear, but also your food and water. That's why it's important to always factor in the backpack's load capacity, i.e. its recommended maximum weight, when packing.

## Where should everything go in your backpack?

Let's take a closer look at where things should go in your backpack. For simplicity, we'll divide the backpack into several zones and give a few examples of suitable gear for each. Every backpack is different – some have a top lid, others a large stretch pocket at the front or a side entry to the main compartment. But the basic packing principles always stay the same.

*Basic diagram of the backpack packing principle*

*A well-packed ultralight Liteway backpack*

## 1. Bottom of the backpack – light and bulky items

The bottom of the backpack (near the hip belt) is ideal for gear that's light and takes up a lot of space. You also usually don't need access to it during the day.

**Examples include:**

- Sleeping bag or quilt (in a compression sack or without one)
- Sleep clothing
- Inflatable pillow
- Sleeping bag liner

**Tip:** If you use a bag liner or a large waterproof bag that fills the entire backpack, you can pack your sleeping bag loose, without a compression sack – it'll fill the bottom section, get compressed under the weight of everything else, and you won't end up with unused pockets of air in your pack.

- [Patizon G 400](/p/patizon-g400.md)
- [Cumulus Lite Line 300](/p/cumulus-lite-line-300.md)
- [Montane Dart Long Sleeve T-Shirt](/p/montane-mens-dart-long-sleeve-t-shirt.md)
- [NEMO Fillo Elite](/p/nemo-fillo-elite.md)
- [Montane Dart XT Long Johns](/p/montane-mens-dart-xt-long-johns.md)
- [Sea To Summit Breeze Liner Mummy](/p/sea-to-summit-breeze-liner-mummy.md)
- [Sea To Summit Ultralight Aeros Pillow](/p/sea-to-summit-ultralight-aeros-pillow.md)
- [Cumulus Quilt 250](/p/cumulus-quilt-250.md)
- [Patizon D 890](/p/patizon-d-890.md)
- [Enlightened Equipment Enigma Quilt 20°F (-6°C) – Draft Collar](/p/enlightened-equipment-enigma-quilt-20f-6c.md)

## 2. Middle of the backpack (closer to your back) – heavy items

This section is the main center of gravity and the most important packing zone – what you put here affects your comfort the most. Heavy items belong in the middle of the backpack, close to your back, so they stay as close to your spine as possible and have the smallest leverage pulling you backward.

**Examples include:**

- Food for several days (ideally in a separate bag, a so-called food bag)
- Hydration bladder with water (in a dedicated back pocket, if your backpack has one)
- Stove and fuel
- Heavier electronics (power banks, etc.)
- Tent (the tent body, unless it's extremely light)

**Tip 1:** If you have an **ultralight tent**, you can also put it in the top of your backpack, in the mesh front pocket, under the top lid, or clip it under the top compression straps. This is especially useful if the tent is wet from rain or condensation in the morning – it's better to keep it away from the other things you want to stay dry. Heavier tents, though, definitely belong inside – as close to your back as possible.

**Tip 2**: If you have an ultralight **frameless backpack** that needs more careful packing, we recommend placing a folded inflatable sleeping pad or sit pad against your back on the inside. This creates natural padding and stops other (less shapely) gear in your pack from pressing into your back.

- [TOAKS Titanium 1100 ml Pot with Pan](/p/toaks-pot-1100-ml-with-pan.md)
- [MSR PocketRocket 2](/p/msr-pocketrocket-2.md)
- [Jetboil Jetpower Fuel 230 g](/p/jetboil-jetpower-fuel-230-g.md)
- [Platypus Big Zip EVO](/p/platypus-big-zip-evo.md)
- [Nitecore NB20000 Power Bank GEN3](/p/nitecore-nb20000-power-bank-gen3.md)
- [REAL Turmat Creamy Salmon with Pasta](/p/real-turmat-creamy-salmon-with-pasta.md)
- [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Roll-Top Food Bag](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-roll-top-food-bag.md)
- [Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3](/p/big-agnes-copper-spur-ul3.md)
- [Jetboil Flash 1.0 L](/p/jetboil-flash-1-0.md)
- [NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 2P](/p/nemo-dragonfly-osmo-2p.md)
- [Liteway Illusion Duo Tent (2024)](/p/liteway-illusion-duo-tent-2024.md)
- [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-unbound-2.md)

## 3. Around the center of gravity – medium-weight items

Place gear of medium weight around the center of gravity, in the middle section of the backpack, where it can act as filler between the heavy and light zones. The advantage is that these are usually items you won't need until the evening.

**Examples include:**

- Sleeping pad (if not attached on the outside)
- Spare clothing (down jacket, merino T-shirt, gloves, hat)
- Toiletries
- Sandals or camp shoes
- Cookware set

- [Curaprox Travel set](/p/curaprox-travel-set.md)
- [TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spoon With Polished Bowl](/p/toaks-titanium-long-handle-spoon-with-polished-bowl.md)
- [Sea To Summit Airlite Towel – Medium](/p/sea-to-summit-airlite-towel-medium.md)
- [NEMO Tensor All-Season](/p/nemo-tensor-all-season.md)
- [Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT](/p/therm-a-rest-neoair-xlite-nxt.md)
- [Sea To Summit Frontier UL Collapsible Bowl](/p/sea-to-summit-frontier-ul-collapsible-bowl.md)
- [Montane Protium Lite Hoodie](/p/montane-mens-protium-lite-hoodie.md)
- [Cumulus Incredilite Endurance Men's](/p/cumulus-incredilite-endurance.md)
- [Patizon Merino Beanie](/p/patizon-merino-beanie.md)
- [TOAKS LIGHT Titanium 450 ml Cup](/p/toaks-light-cup-450-ml.md)
- [Liteway Wash Bag Ultra](/p/liteway-wash-bag-ultra.md)
- [Montane Dart Lite Long Sleeve T-Shirt](/p/montane-mens-dart-lite-long-sleeve-t-shirt.md)

## 4. Top of the backpack – light items

The top of the backpack often serves as space for gear you want quick access to during the day – for example, when the weather changes, or when you reach camp.

**Examples include:**

- Rain jacket or poncho
- A warm layer for resting (down jacket)
- Headlamp, notebook, map, knife
- First aid kit (if not in an easily accessible pocket)
- Toiletries (ideally in a separate bag)

**Tip:** Always pack things you might need during the day in the rain in the top section or front pocket – otherwise you'll end up rummaging through your backpack in a downpour, risking getting everything else inside wet.

- [Kula Cloth](/p/kula-cloth-pee-cloth.md)
- [Culo Clean](/p/culo-clean-bidet.md)
- [TheTentLab DirtSaw Deuce #2 UL Trowel](/p/thetentlab-dirtsaw-deuce-2-ul-trowel.md)
- [Deejo Black 27 g olive wood](/p/deejo-black-27-g-olive-wood.md)
- [Cumulus Inverse Jacket Men's](/p/cumulus-inverse-jacket.md)
- [Nitecore NU33](/p/nitecore-nu33.md)
- [Montane Women's Minimus Lite Jacket](/p/montane-womens-minimus-lite-jacket.md)
- [Liteway Poncho Simplex](/p/liteway-poncho-simplex.md)
- [Montane Women's Phase Lite Jacket](/p/montane-womens-phase-lite-jacket.md)
- [Sea To Summit Pocket Trowel](/p/sea-to-summit-pocket-trowel.md)
- [Nitecore NU25 MCT UL](/p/nitecore-nu25-mct-ul.md)
- [Sea To Summit Lightweight Dry Bag First Aid](/p/sea-to-summit-lightweight-dry-bag-first-aid.md)

## 5. Side pockets of the backpack

Side pockets are for long, slim items, water, and other small things you need to pull out regularly during the day.

**Examples include:**

- Water bottles
- Water filter
- Snacks
- Sunscreen, insect repellent
- Trekking poles, tent poles

**Tip:** If you carry water in plastic bottles in your backpack's side pockets, keep in mind that you'll be drinking it throughout the day – which shifts your backpack's center of gravity. This can affect your stability and cause uneven strain on your shoulders, hips, and joints.

- [CNOC Vecto 2 L 28 mm](/p/cnoc-vecto-2-l-28-mm.md)
- [Moonvalley Chocolate Dipped Protein Bar](/p/moonvalley-protein-bar-chocolate-dipped.md)
- [CNOC Vesica 1 L 28 mm](/p/cnoc-vesica-1-l-28-mm.md)
- [Freeze-Dried Ricotta Cheese – Doubravák 50 g](/p/freeze-dried-ricotta-doubravak-50-g.md)
- [Freeze-Dried String Cheese – Chilli 50 g](/p/freeze-dried-smoked-cheese-strings-chilli-50-g.md)
- [Liteway Tent Carbon Pole](/p/liteway-tent-carbon-pole.md)
- [Katadyn BeFree 1 L](/p/katadyn-befree-1-l.md)
- [Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter System](/p/platypus-quickdraw-microfilter-system.md)
- [Sawyer Squeeze SP129](/p/sawyer-squeeze-sp129.md)
- [Fizan Compact 4](/p/fizan-compact-4.md)
- [CNOC Hydriam 750 ml 28 mm](/p/cnoc-hydriam-750-ml-28-mm.md)
- [Moonvalley Nuts and Dates Bar](/p/moonvalley-nuts-and-dates-bar.md)

## 6. Front (stretch) pocket

The front stretch pocket is best for light items, so they don't pull you backward, as well as things you want relatively quick access to. You can't reach them while walking – you'll have to take your backpack off – but you won't need to rummage through the whole pack. If the pocket is mesh, you can also use it for wet items you want to dry out during the day.

**Examples include:**

- Rain jacket or poncho
- Tent body or rainfly
- Wet items you want to dry
- Trowel

*Shoulder strap pocket*

*Hip belt pocket for small items*

*Side pocket for a water bottle*

## 7. Hip belt and shoulder strap pockets

If your hip belt or shoulder strap has pockets, use them effectively for all the small items and snacks you want within reach during the day without having to take your backpack off.

**Examples include:**

- Energy bars, candy, and other snacks
- Phone
- GPS tracker
- Lip balm
- Small sunscreen
- Tissues
- Small first aid kit (e.g. a few bandages, pain or allergy medication)

**Tip:** If your backpack doesn't have hip belt pockets, you can replace them with a fanny pack. Shoulder strap pockets can also be bought separately.

- [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shoulder Pocket](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-shoulder-pocket.md)
- [Liteway Fanny Pack](/p/liteway-fanny-pack.md)
- [Liteway Pokkie Pack](/p/liteway-pokkie-pack.md)
- [Liteway Lite Pocket](/p/liteway-lite-pocket.md)
- [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-versa.md)
- [Liteway Lite Pocket Ultra](/p/liteway-lite-pocket-ultra.md)
- [Liteway Hip Belt Pokkie X-Pac](/p/liteway-hip-belt-pokkie-x-pac.md)
- [Liteway Pokkie Pack Ultra](/p/liteway-pokkie-pack-ultra.md)
- [Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor Replacement Hip Belt](/p/sierra-designs-flex-capacitor-replacement-hip-belt.md)
- [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Bottle Pocket](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-bottle-pocket.md)

*Packing a sleeping bag into a Sea To Summit compression sack*

*The practical Liteway Wash Bag organizer*

## Waterproof bags and organizers

Waterproof bags and organizers are an essential part of any well-packed backpack. They help protect your gear from rain, moisture, and dirt, while bringing more order and clarity to your packing system. Thanks to them, everything has its place, and you can quickly find what you need even in bad conditions.

The basis is either **several smaller waterproof bags** (mainly to protect your sleeping bag, spare clothing, and electronics), or one **large waterproof bag** – a so-called **bag liner** – which acts as an inner protective layer for the whole backpack. As a bag liner, you can use a dedicated large waterproof bag (40+ liters, often with a roll-top closure) or a plain heavy-duty garbage bag. The latter is cheaper and more accessible, but it's also more likely to tear and leak.

Smaller **waterproof bags** (so-called dry sacks), **pouches** and **organizers** help you sort your gear by function and color-code it – clothing in yellow, food in red, sleeping bag in blue, and so on. That way you'll know everything stays dry and you can find it in seconds. Bags and organizers come in **various shapes and sizes**, so you can fill your backpack as efficiently as possible without unnecessary gaps. For small items like batteries, documents, money, or medication, **ziplock bags** (resealable plastic bags) also come in handy.

- [Sea To Summit Lightweight Dry Bag](/p/sea-to-summit-lightweight-dry-bag.md)
- [Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag](/p/sea-to-summit-ultra-sil-dry-bag.md)
- [Liteway Wash Bag](/p/liteway-wash-bag.md)
- [Sea To Summit eVac Compression Dry Bag UL](/p/sea-to-summit-evac-compression-dry-bag-ul.md)
- [Sea To Summit Hydraulic Packing Cube](/p/sea-to-summit-hydraulic-packing-cube.md)
- [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pods](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-pods.md)
- [Patizon Stuff Sack](/p/patizon-stuff-sack.md)
- [Sea To Summit Lightweight View Dry Bag](/p/sea-to-summit-lightweight-view-dry-bag.md)
- [Liteway Litebag With Dyneema®](/p/liteway-litebag-with-dyneema.md)
- [Hyberg PAKKID](/p/hyberg-pakkid-dcf.md)
- [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Side Entry Pod](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-side-entry-pod.md)
- [Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Stuff Sack](/p/sea-to-summit-ultra-sil-stuff-sack.md)

## Conclusion

One final rule – **no dead space**. It's a bit like playing Tetris – use every bit of space, including the gaps between larger items. Feel free to use soft gear (a T-shirt, socks) as filler and padding to protect more fragile items.

A properly packed backpack will save you more than you think. It's not just about comfort – it's also about safety and your ability to handle a tougher, longer trek. When your backpack has a good center of gravity, evenly distributed weight, and easy access to key items, you'll move through the terrain with more confidence, less effort, and no pain.

- [Liteway Gramless Pack 35 L](/p/liteway-gramless-pack-x-pac-35-l.md)
- [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-unbound-40.md)
- [Montane Trailblazer 44 (2024)](/p/montane-trailblazer-44-2024.md)
- [Liteway Elementum Pack 50 L (2024)](/p/liteway-elementum-pack-50-l-2024.md)
- [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 (2025)](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-southwest-55.md)
- [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction 40 (2025)](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-junction-40.md)
- [Hyberg ATTILA Lite](/p/hyberg-attila-lite.md)
- [Granite Gear Virga3 55](/p/granite-gear-virga3-55.md)
- [Big Agnes Sweetwater UL 43 L](/p/big-agnes-sweetwater-ul-43l.md)
- [Granite Gear Crown3 60](/p/granite-gear-crown3-60.md)
- [Hyberg ATTILA](/p/hyberg-attila.md)
- [Mountainsmith Scream 55 (2023)](/p/mountainsmith-scream-55-2023.md)

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