How to Pack Your Camping Backpack Like a Pro: The Ultimate SummitPro Guide
You've invested in the perfect camping backpack—the Feldacks SummitPro 90L Outdoor Backpack. With its massive capacity, waterproof protection, and smart compartment design, you're equipped for serious adventures. But here's the truth: even the best backpack won't perform if you pack it wrong. Poor packing can turn a comfortable hike into a painful slog, damage your gear, or leave you fumbling for essentials when you need them most.
This guide will teach you exactly how to pack your 90L camping backpack for maximum comfort, accessibility, and efficiency—whether you're heading out for a weekend camping trip or a multi-day mountaineering expedition.
Understanding Your SummitPro 90L Backpack
Before we dive into packing strategies, let's understand what you're working with. The SummitPro isn't just a big bag—it's a carefully engineered carrying system:
Key Features:
- 90L capacity - Enough space for multi-day expeditions (typically 5-7 days or more)
- Multiple compartments - Main compartment, top lid pocket, and side pockets
- Waterproof materials - Protects gear in rain and snow
- Adjustable padded shoulder straps - Comfort for long journeys
- Breathable mesh back panel - Reduces heat and sweat
- Waist belt and chest strap - Distributes weight properly
- Compression straps - Secures load and maintains slim profile
- Water bottle holders - Easy access on both sides
- Trekking pole attachments - Keeps tools within reach
- Reinforced bottom and seams - Durability when setting down
Understanding these features helps you pack strategically, using each element to its full potential.
The Golden Rules of Backpack Packing
Before getting into specifics, memorize these fundamental principles:
1. The Weight Distribution Rule
- Heavy items: Middle of the pack, close to your back (think fuel, food, cooking gear)
- Medium-weight items: Top and outer sections (clothing, sleeping bag)
- Light items: Bottom of pack (sleeping bag, extra clothing)
- Frequently used items: Top lid pocket and side pockets (snacks, first aid, map)
2. The Accessibility Principle Items you'll need during the day should be easily accessible without unpacking everything. Think: rain jacket, snacks, water purification, first aid kit.
3. The Balance Law Pack side-to-side evenly to prevent the pack from pulling you off balance on uneven terrain.
4. The Compression Philosophy Use your SummitPro's compression straps to cinch everything tight. A compact, stable load is easier to carry than a loose, shifting one.
5. The Waterproofing Strategy Despite the SummitPro's waterproof shell, use dry bags or plastic bags for critical items like sleeping bags, electronics, and extra clothing. Double protection is smart protection.
Step-by-Step Packing Guide for Your 90L SummitPro
Step 1: Prepare Your Gear (Before You Start Packing)
Lay everything out on the floor. This accomplishes two things:
- You can see exactly what you're bringing
- You can organize items by weight and frequency of use
Create piles:
- Heavy gear pile: Tent body, food bag, stove, fuel, water reservoir
- Medium gear pile: Cooking equipment, extra clothing layers
- Light gear pile: Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, down jacket
- Frequently accessed pile: Rain jacket, snacks, headlamp, first aid, map, sunscreen
Step 2: Pack the Bottom Compartment (If Your Pack Has One)
Many 90L packs have a bottom sleeping bag compartment accessible via a lower zipper. If your SummitPro has this:
What goes here:
- Sleeping bag (in a waterproof compression sack)
- Down jacket or puffy layers you won't need until camp
- Extra clothing or camp shoes
Pro tip: Stuff, don't roll. Sleeping bags compress better when stuffed loosely rather than rolled tightly.
Step 3: Pack the Main Compartment Bottom (If No Separate Compartment)
If your SummitPro is one large compartment, start at the bottom:
Bottom layer (light items you won't need during the day):
- Sleeping bag in compression sack
- Sleeping pad (strapped to outside or placed vertically inside along your back)
- Extra clothing layers
- Camp shoes or sandals
Why light items go here: They create a stable base without weighing down the bottom, keeping your center of gravity optimal.
Step 4: Pack the Main Compartment Middle (The Heavy Zone)
This is the most critical packing zone. Heavy items close to your back and in the middle third of the pack create the ideal center of gravity.
Middle layer (heavy items, closest to your back):
- Food bags (use stuff sacks to organize meals by day)
- Cooking stove and fuel canisters
- Water reservoir (if using a hydration system, position it against your back)
- Tent body (if heavy)
- Bear canister (if required in your area)
Pack around these heavy items with:
- Extra clothing to fill gaps
- Cooking pot with smaller items nested inside
- Toiletries and bathroom supplies
Pro tip: Use your SummitPro's internal organization to your advantage. Place irregularly shaped items like your stove inside your cooking pot to save space and keep things organized.
Step 5: Pack the Main Compartment Top
The top third of your pack should contain medium-weight items you might need during the day or at your first rest stop.
Top layer:
- Tent stakes and guylines (in a bag)
- Tent rainfly
- Water filter or purification system
- Insulating layer (fleece or light puffy)
- Dinner ingredients or next meal
- Electronics (in waterproof bag)
Pro tip: This is where you'll be reaching first when you make camp. Keep your tent components and first-night essentials here for easy access.
Step 6: Utilize the Top Lid Pocket
The SummitPro's top lid pocket is prime real estate for frequently accessed items. Think of this as your "dashboard."
What goes in the top lid:
- First aid kit
- Headlamp and extra batteries
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Bug spray
- Toilet paper and trowel
- Map and compass/GPS
- Whistle
- Emergency items (emergency blanket, fire starter)
- Snacks for the day
- Multi-tool or knife
Pro tip: Use small stuff sacks or ziplock bags to organize these items so they don't become a jumbled mess.
Step 7: Use the Side Pockets Strategically
Your SummitPro has multiple side pockets—use them wisely.
Side pocket #1 (easy-access side):
- Water bottle (in the SummitPro's water bottle holder)
- Snacks or energy bars in easy-tear wrappers
- Trash bag (practice Leave No Trace)
Side pocket #2:
- Backup water bottle
- Wet or damp items that need to air dry (separate from dry gear)
Front/side mesh pockets:
- Rain jacket (compressed and ready to grab)
- Items that are okay getting wet
- Tent stakes if not stored inside
Step 8: Attach External Gear
The SummitPro's external attachment points are designed for specific gear:
Trekking pole attachments:
- Secure trekking poles when not in use
- Can also hold tent poles if packed separately
Compression straps:
- Sleeping pad (roll tight and strap horizontally or vertically)
- Tent (if too bulky for inside)
Bottom loops:
- Ice axe or additional gear
Daisy chains (if present):
- Carabiners for attaching gear
- Wet items that need to dry while hiking
Warning: Don't over-attach to the outside. External gear catches on branches, shifts your center of gravity, and can get lost. Only attach what won't fit inside or needs to dry.
Step 9: Adjust and Compress
Once everything is packed:
- Pull compression straps tight - This stabilizes your load and prevents gear from shifting
- Check weight distribution - Lift the pack. Does it feel balanced? Adjust if one side feels heavier
- Shake test - Give the pack a vigorous shake. If you hear rattling, items aren't secure enough
Step 10: Proper Wearing and Adjustment
Even a perfectly packed backpack won't carry well if adjusted incorrectly:
The proper sequence:
- Loosen all straps before putting it on
- Put pack on and fasten waist belt first (should sit on your hip bones, not waist)
- Tighten waist belt until it's snug—this should carry 80% of the weight
- Tighten shoulder straps moderately (not too tight)
- Attach and tighten chest strap (should be at armpit level)
- Adjust load lifter straps (straps from top of shoulder straps to pack) to 45-degree angle
- Take a few steps—adjust as needed
The SummitPro's breathable mesh back panel works best when the pack sits close to your back without excessive air gaps.
Packing for Different Trip Lengths
Weekend Trip (2-3 Days)
With 90L capacity, you'll have plenty of room. Focus on comfort items since weight isn't as critical:
- Full sleeping pad
- Bigger tent
- More clothing options
- Fresh food for first day
- Luxury items (camp chair, book, camera gear)
Multi-Day Expedition (4-7 Days)
Your SummitPro shines here:
- Efficient use of space becomes critical
- More dehydrated meals
- Careful clothing selection (layering system only)
- Larger first aid kit
- More fuel and food weight in middle of pack
Extended Trip (7+ Days)
You'll need resupply or perfect packing:
- Compression is essential—use every strap
- Choose multi-use items only
- Bear canister or bear bag system
- Extensive food storage
- Consider external water filter for less carried water
Common Packing Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Packing Heavy Items at the Bottom This creates a low center of gravity that pulls you backward. Heavy items belong in the middle, close to your back.
Mistake #2: Not Using Compression A loose pack shifts constantly, throwing off your balance and creating sore spots where straps dig in.
Mistake #3: Burying Essential Items Your rain jacket belongs where you can grab it in 10 seconds, not buried under your sleeping bag.
Mistake #4: Ignoring the Waist Belt If your shoulders hurt after an hour of hiking, your waist belt isn't tight enough. It should carry most of the weight.
Mistake #5: Over-Packing Just because you have 90L doesn't mean you should fill it. Every extra pound makes the journey harder.
Mistake #6: Not Waterproofing Even with the SummitPro's waterproof shell, use dry bags for sleeping bags and electronics. Zippers can fail, and submersion can happen.
Mistake #7: Poor Balance Packing all heavy items on one side will pull you off balance on uneven terrain, increasing fatigue and injury risk.
Special Considerations for the SummitPro
Leverage the Waterproof Shell While you should still use dry bags for critical items, the SummitPro's waterproof material means you can be less paranoid about external pockets. Maps, guides, and trash bags can go in side pockets without worry.
Utilize the Reinforced Bottom The sturdy bottom means you can set your pack down anywhere without worrying about damage. However, still avoid sharp rocks that could puncture.
Maximize the Bright Color Design The SummitPro's bright red (or blue, green, orange) design isn't just aesthetic—it improves visibility in remote areas. If you need to leave your pack, it's easy to spot from a distance.
Optimize the Breathable Back Panel Keep the back panel contact area free of sharp or irregular items. The breathable mesh works best with smooth contact—pack soft items like clothing against the back panel.
Sample Packing List with Locations
Here's exactly where everything should go in your SummitPro:
Bottom Compartment/Main Bottom:
- Sleeping bag (compression sack)
- Sleeping pad (vertical along back or strapped outside)
- Down jacket
- Extra base layers
Main Middle (Close to Back):
- 5 days of food (stuff sacks)
- Cooking stove
- Fuel canisters (2)
- Water reservoir (3L, full)
- Tent body
Main Middle (Outer):
- Cooking pot with nested items
- Extra socks (3 pairs)
- Extra underwear
- Fleece layer
- Rain pants
Main Top:
- Tent rainfly
- Tent stakes and guylines
- Water filter
- Electronics (waterproof bag)
- Tomorrow's breakfast
- Camp sandals
Top Lid Pocket:
- First aid kit
- Headlamp + batteries
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- TP + trowel
- Map/compass
- Whistle
- Emergency blanket
- Energy bars (3)
- Multi-tool
Side Pockets:
- Water bottles (2)
- Rain jacket
- Snacks
- Trash bag
External Attachments:
- Trekking poles (when not in use)
- Sleeping pad (if too bulky for inside)
Final Pre-Trip Checklist
Before you hit the trail:
- [ ] All compression straps tightened
- [ ] Weight feels centered and close to back
- [ ] Frequently needed items accessible
- [ ] Sleeping bag and electronics in waterproof bags
- [ ] Waist belt properly positioned
- [ ] Nothing rattling or shifting inside
- [ ] External attachments secure
- [ ] Top lid pocket organized
- [ ] Water bottles full and accessible
- [ ] First aid kit in top pocket
- [ ] Pack weight feels manageable (test walk around your house)
The Bottom Line
The Feldacks SummitPro 90L Outdoor Backpack is engineered for serious adventurers, but it's only as good as your packing skills. By following these principles—proper weight distribution, smart organization, compression, and accessibility—you'll transform your backpacking experience from a painful ordeal to a comfortable journey.
Remember: heavy items middle and close to back, frequently used items on top and in pockets, light items at the bottom, and always compress. Master these fundamentals, and your SummitPro will carry you comfortably through countless adventures, from weekend camping trips to extended alpine expeditions.
Now get out there and put that 90L capacity to good use. Your perfectly packed SummitPro is ready for whatever trail you choose.
Ready to gear up for your next adventure? The Feldacks SummitPro 90L Outdoor Backpack features waterproof protection, multiple compartments, and adjustable comfort systems designed for multi-day expeditions. Available in multiple colors for high visibility in remote areas.