Packing Right for your Hike in WV

Even if you’re not planning a multi-day adventure, there are several things you should bring along, like extra layers, water, snacks, rain jackets, a flashlight (even if you’re not planning on being out late), a map, sunscreen (even for cloudy days), and bug spray

When you’re packing, it’s important to remember to pack so that you will enjoy the trek and won’t feel too much pull from your pack, and that things are easily accessible.

If you are camping, you can start with your sleeping bag and other items you won’t need until you stop to set up your spot for the night. If you aren’t camping, you can still use rain jackets or other soft materials as the base for your bag.

The most important thing is to keep the heaviest items centered: not too low or too high, and close to your spine, in the back of your bag. It’s a good place to store water bottles. If you have a lot of heavy materials, try to split them among your group so not too much strain is put on any one person.

Wrap those heavier items in softer ones, and fill around the pack to keep them in place. Some packs also have straps you can tighten to help.

You also want to make sure the pack is well-balanced, so that not too much weight is on one side. When you have everything in, it should feel comfortable and even.

If you need to save space, rolling cloth items takes up less space than folding. if you have cooking items for your trip, you can store utensils and food items inside pots, or make use of similar openings.

It might also be a good idea to carry a waterproof cover for your bag.

When choosing a trail in Southern WV, you can use our free trail guide, which highlights the best and most popular paths in the region.

What’s your best hiking bag packing tip?