Packing the backpack
In addition, the tube mat moves the center of gravity deeper into the backpack, further from the tourist’s back. This is fraught with an increase in load. Every centimeter of shift in the center of gravity is equivalent to several kilograms of additional load. Read more about the center of gravity and backpacks in the wonderful article by Vladimir Geller.
The article, as I understand it, is addressed mostly to backpack manufacturers. However, we, ordinary tourists, also have something to learn from there. For example, I was very interested in the idea of laying the backpack in a horizontal, lying position and then tightening it tightly. To be honest, I can’t wait to try this styling method in practice. “In practice” means “on a hike”, not in the city, on your balcony. Only on a hike will it be possible to really evaluate the pros and cons. Another consequence of reading this article was my interest in accordion folding travel mats. I already have one of these - army German. But it is thin and suitable only for summer. Good rugs cost about $50, which I can’t afford now - I’m saving it for a new ultra-light tent.
Well, while I’m looking for my new style of packing a backpack, I’ll tell you more about the “old” developments. Every evening I completely disassemble my backpack and pack it from scratch in the morning. In this way, the packing turns out to be of better quality and denser than with lazy attempts to stuff things back into an unassembled backpack. Besides, I use almost everything I carry in my backpack every day. Otherwise why would I take it?
I lay the tent at the very bottom of the empty backpack (lying down). It makes the backpack flat and wide and defines its shape. Then I insert the rug rolled up into a tube and begin to fill it with things. First, a sleeping bag and warm clothes. I build a wall along my back using cans and other heavy objects. On the opposite, front side I stuff empty bottles (features of Crimean low-water hikes). At the very top I put food for lunch and a jacket in case of bad weather.
The flap traditionally holds a map, GPS, camera and a backpack cover (from rain). By the way, there is one more factor that maintains the correct flat shape of the backpack - at rest I sit on it.