Alright, so your gear is assembled and most likely laying all over the floor somewhere in a “semi-organized” pile… now what? (Oh wait… that’s just me? Cool, cool)
 It’s time to pack your backpack! I got with our camping and outdoor gear expert, Brad on the subject, since he’s been doing this for a teensy little while. Here’s the thing – he’s got real-life practice experience and has found this way of packing for excursions to work the best for him and his family. 

Side note: If you have all your gear and are in the market for a new backpack, be sure to check out this blog on how to pick the perfect backpack for YOU, including how to get the best fit.

• Plan on carrying no more than 20% of your body weight. That may mean that you need to get creative with the group and have some fun with math! For example, my husband weighs 60 pounds more than me, so he would carry our tent, while I carry our sleeping bags. This is also where smaller, single-person gear really comes in handy (like the MSR PocketRocket Stove and the GSI Dinnerware Set) – remember, meals look different when you are backpack camping vs. car camping.
• Pro Tip: Line the inside of your pack with a large trash bag to give it an extra waterproof layer!
• Pack your heaviest gear in the middle of your back. This way, it will sit right above the hip/waist belt so that the bulk of the weight is supported by the belt (which is exactly what you want!). Secondly, make sure the weight isn’t skewed to the right or left side. This may seem like an obvious point, but even a few ounces to either side have a massive impact over a day’s hike!
• Pro Tip: A lot of gear comes in stuff sacks, which makes my organizational heart get so excited… But sometimes keeping all of your gear in stuff sacks makes it tough to get into the pack – think at the end when you are failing Tetris – and that can also make it hard to balance the weight from right to left. Leaving your coat, vest, or sleeping bag “loose” makes it easy to fill negative space and balance things out.
• After ensuring that you pack the heaviest gear in the middle, pack in order of how you will use your gear. Least-used items should hang near the bottom (sleeping bag at the very bottom – its loose squishiness will also act as a shock absorber and tent), while most-used needs to be at the top! It is also really helpful to utilize side pockets and the brain of the bag (top lid pocket) to stash snacks, first aid items, etc.).
• Pro Tip: If your pack has a reservoir pocket, fill your bladder and insert that BEFORE you pack the rest of your gear! Because have you ever dressed an infant and tried to push their limp arms into the armholes of a long sleeve onesie? Yeah… this is similar to that. Don’t do that to yourself. Using a water bottle? Store it in a side pocket for easy accessibility.
• When loading up your backpack, first situate it onto your back, and then bend over to adjust the straps. Start with tightening the hipbelt – you want the majority of the load to sit on your hips! – then tighten down the rest (shoulder straps, etc.)

Still looking for a sleeping bag you love? Here's a breakdown of how to pick one that's right for you!

Have your own packing tips that people just must be aware of? Drop them in the comments below and be sure to share your pack pictures with us by tagging us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter… you might just find yourself #ScoutShopFamous when we re-share! For camping gear and outdoor apparel, visit ScoutShop.org—the official store of the BSA.