If you're wonder what to pack, our packing list is probably a better place to start. Once you have everything you'll be taking, I recommend you lay everything out on your living room floor and follow these tips while packing.

1. Heavier items should go as low down in your pack as possible. This helps to lower your centre of gravity, making you less tipsy as you walk along. Placing heavy items closer to your body will also help to minimize the backward pull on your shoulders from your backpack straps.
   
2. Place larger items in your bag first and fill the left over spaces with small stuff. The first things to go into my pack are (in order) my tent, my sleeping bag, my sleeping pad, my stove/fuel and my mess set.
   
3. Save space in easily accessible compartments like the "lid" of your backpack and other small zippered compartments for items you use frequently and/or items you might need in a hurry. This might include items like a first-aid kit, a trail map, a flashlight, a knife, bug repellent and sun screen. Some of these items might even be lashed to the outside of your pack (eg emergency whistle, water bottle).
   
4. Keep items you are likely to need during the day's hike near the top of your main pack. This includes items like your lunch, toilet paper, rain gear,
   
5. Pack your clothes in a waterproof stuff sack. I usually bring two separate stuff sacks for my clothes and as the trip progresses, one becomes the "dirty clothes" bag.
   
6. Lash items to the outside of your bag only if necessary, as items on the outside of your bag are subject to more wear and weather. If you absolutely must lash something due to lack of space in your pack, I recommend either your tent or sleeping pad as their shape makes them easy to lash in a secure way. I also recommend avoiding lashing things onto the bottom of your backpack, as this will subject your gear to wear every time you put your pack down. Instead, consider lashing on either side of your pack or under the lid.
   
7. Keep food in a single water-tight sack. Nothing is worse than a package of noodles or dehydrated food that gets wet. You'll also need a sack like this for hanging up your food before you go to bed.
   
8. Keep breakable items away from the outside of your pack, especially the bottom. Small breakable items can be stored in your clothes bags while larger items might be better between your clothes and your sleeping bag.
   
9. Don't pack too tight! In the comfort of your living room, it's all too easy to jam something into every square inch of your pack. You won't be able to pack nearly as carefully when it's pouring rain and you're in a hurry!
   
10. If you have any items with sharp edges (eg cutlery, stove parts, etc), make sure you wrap them in something (eg dishcloth or sock) to prevent them from slicing through your pack or other items in your bag.
    
    I hope this helps with packing. If you find even with these tips you can't fit anything in, you may want to consider a new pack. Our article on choosing a pack will help you decide!