How To Pack a Hiking Backpack with Tent [Ultimate Guide]

Hiking is a sport everyone enjoys, and of course, it is best enjoyed with a couple of adventurous nights spent out in the woods under those cool shady tents. So today we bring you a guide on how to pack a hiking backpack with a tent.

Careful packing of the tent with the hiking backpack can prevent a lot of inconveniences when you go for an overnight hike. With the right management and space planning, your heavy tent can be a blessing for you instead of a nuisance.

So here are a few ways you can effectively pack your tent in your backpack so that you can pack maximum of your essentials and that too without overburdening your shoulders.

Preparing the Tent and Gear:

Before you embark on that hike of yours, a good start is to first check what kind of tent and backpack you are using. It is important to buy a tent that is neither too small for you to fit in during your hike but is also not so large that it cannot be put comfortably inside a stuff bag or just your backpack for that matter.

Inspect the tent by setting it up at home and looking for any weak points and loopholes. You can also make a quick guess about its size and how it will fit inside the backpack this way.

Organizing Your Backpack:

Once you are done with finding the right tent for yourself, now is the time to pack that tent in the backpack for that much-awaited hike. To organize your backpack, follow these things carefully.

Divide and Conquer:

Probably the best way for packing a tent in a backpack is to divide the components of the tent among your hiking buddies. This way the whole load of the tent can be distributed without being an inconvenience to anyone. If you are hiking alone, you can separate the poles from the tent body and attach them to the back of your backpack which can still create some space for you to put all the things appropriately.

Place Heavy and Bulky Items For Proper Weight Distribution:

If you don’t want to be disturbed by the additional burden of the tent then the best way is to distribute it properly. Your heavy essentials should be resting at the bottom and specifically should be close to your back. The distribution should also be maintained according to the volume being covered by the things.

Utilize Packing Cubes and Dry Bags For Organization:

Once you discover packing cubes, we promise you there is no going back. When it comes to arranging large voluminous things made of any type of cloth, packing cubes should be your top priority. Not only do they compress the material to fit in a small space, but also increase the organizability. So, our top advice is you can always carry your tent in a dry bag or packing cube and stuff it safely inside.

One precaution you should be following with this however is to not store your tent in a stuff sack especially during humid conditions as that can be detrimental to the quality and conditions of the tent.

Keep Frequently Used Items Accessible:

With the tent in the backpack, it is easier to ignore the other little things while you are scared about the space it will take. So it’s better to keep a checklist of items such as flashlights, umbrellas, etc and put them in after you have arranged the tent to get optimal space and keep them accessible.

Packing Techniques:

Now you know how to organize the backpack but here are some more packing tips that can optimize your packing for the journey.

1. Fold and roll the tent instead of simply stuffing it inside the backpack to create more space. Although in some cases putting the tent loose inside the backpack can help accommodate some of the additional things however if you are hiking for the first time, it is best to stay on the traditional and safe route and keep the backpack as organized as possible.
2. Utilize compression sacks and stuff bags wherever needed.
3. Keep the contents of your backpack and tent insulated and well-protected from damp conditions.
4. Layer your clothes based on their need and try to fold them up nicely so minimum space is taken.
5. If your backpack has a compression strap or flap for a tent, make sure to use it and attach the tent outside to ensure maximum space for your food and essentials inside the backpack.

Balancing Your Backpack For Optimal Weight Distribution:

Congratulations, you have stuffed your tent safely in the backpack and what remains is to wear it. Here are some tips you can follow so that wearing the backpack with that big tent does not seem as stressful!

1. Adjust the straps and hip belt for a comfortable fit according to your height.
2. Maintain a proper center of gravity by letting the bag rest comfortably on your back and all the weight distributed evenly
3. Waterproof your backpack and use rain covers. This will ensure a clean and dry tent when you need it and thus prevent any additional walking inconvenience for you.

Conclusion:

A good hike equals a safe, adventurous journey and an interesting camping spot. To ensure the best of both, you need to know how to pack a hiking backpack with a tent because, with a good hiking bag packed, you are bound to tire less and can enjoy the journey to the fullest.

Now that you have your whole guide on getting your backpack with a tent ready, we hope you take those days off from work and spend some time out in the wild exploring the beauty of nature.

Also if you are looking for some hiking backpacks, here are the best small hiking backpacks with water bladder. Stay safe and hydrated!

FAQ:

What type of tents are usually used by mountaineers during hiking?

Mountaineers prefer single-wall tents whenever they embark on their hikes because of the convenience it brings.

What to do with a wet tent when backpacking?

Although you should try to not let your tent get wet, if it does, you can first dry it out as much as you can and then put it in a dry bag to carry with you. This will ensure your belongings stay dry as you carry the tent.

How do you secure a tent to a backpack?

A tent can be secured to a backpack using compression straps which keep it in place outside of the backpack either below or on top of it.