Rucksacks Part 2: Packing, Terminology, and Features

Part 2 concentrates on best practice for packing your rucksack so that weight is distributed well and that you can get to what you need quickly. Then features and the accompanying terminology is discussed with the hope that it makes plain what a rucksack has and what you can expect it to have. This is information found on my quest for a new reasonably priced rucksack

Packing the Rucksack

Heavy items go in the middle, the prime example being additional water. Items not needed until setting up camp, for instance, being stored at the bottom (sleeping bag), and things that will be needed throughout the day or things that you need to get to quickly, like your first aid kit, stored at the top.

It’s very important that you remember where everything is stored in your bag. You never know when you might need a bit of kit with urgency, there’s no need to fully unpack your bag if you don’t have to. Also this way you’ll the quickest entry to get to the equipment, for instance, side pocket, top lip, or base opening. If you need to write an inventory stating the area of the rucksack each bit of equipment is stored. This will also help when it’s time to repack the bag in the morning!

If you can, store clothes in bags to keep them dry. I use a vacuum bag for mine and just squeeze the air out by resting on it with my knees.

So to recap:

Top: Items you need access to quickly or regularly

Middle: Heavy items

Bottom: Items you don’t need access to quickly or regularly



Rucksack Terminology and Features

Hip Belt – Quite often reported to be padded and / or shaped. This is the belt that is worn around the hips to direct the weight in the bag to the lower back for safe carrying.

Sternum Strap – The strap that goes across the chest to assist with weight distribution.

Compression Straps – These straps allow the rucksack to be compressed to make it less bulky and more comfortable to carry.

Adjustable Back System – This allows the shoulder straps to be moved up or down to fit the length of the wearers back. This may also allow for the hip belt to be adjusted.

Grab Handles – Handles that allow you to carry the rucksack easily when not being worn on the back.

Air Flow System – This means that the bag has been shaped to allow a space between parts of the rucksack and the wearers back. The intention is to minimise the points of contact on the back and to keep the back cool and sweat free.

Hydration Compatible – A rucksack with this feature will have a separate pocket for a water carrier, a drinking straw hole and it should have a fastening to allow a mouth piece to be attached.

Rain Cover – This is the cover that it normally integral on the rucksack, sometimes stored in a small pocket at the bottom of the rucksack. This allows the user to ensure that the rucksack and contents remain dry during rain, as most rucksacks are only shower proof. Most rain covers are a very bright colour, for instance, orange. This is a great feature if you need rescue, not so great if you’re trying to blend in with your environment. Separate rain covers can be purchased.

Wand Pockets – These are normally mesh pockets on the side or back of the rucksack. They hold the items stored there by elastic for quick retrieval.

Top lid access – The bag is accessed by a lid at the top of the rucksack.

Expansion Pocket – This is material at the top of the bag that allows additional storage capacity. This pocket is held in place by the straps on the top lid. When you see a rucksack state that it is 65 + 10, for example, it normally means that these pockets allow an additional 10 litres worth of space.

Base Opening – This allows the equipment at the bottom of the bag to be retrieved by a hand zip at the bottom of the bag.


I really hoped that this helped clarify some things. Finding this information definitely helped me, as a lot of it is common sense, but it's always helpful to take a minute and really think about a thing and understand why you're packing your rucksack this or that way. Most of the features above will come as standard with most rucksacks, from what I've seen, it's mainly hydration compatibility and air flow that cost a few quid more. As with most things it will depend on your budget and expected use of the equipment which will be the decider on whether they're worthwhile or not.