which way is up? why put sleeping bag on bottom??

[sidvicious]

i've always put mine from the mid to near the top for weight distribution, i.e., heavier dense items go nearer the bottom.

i pack my tarp and hammock, or tent on the bottom. generally i don't compress them into a tight ball. i go for a loosely flattened shape if possible. i get tons more room that way and the weight works so much better. sorta like stacking handkerchiefs.

every pack i have allows quick access at several locations, including, of course, the bottom.

works for me. fwiw.

sv-

[Aardvark]

For me, it is the normal unload sequence. The only thing left in my pack after hammock and tarp is set up, food is cooked, and food bag hung is the top quilt/underquilt bag. Since I compact it into the bottom, it basically fills the shape of my pack.

[kayak karl]

food being the heaviest i try to make it pack between my shoulder blades for balance. all else is packed in order for use as the aardvark said.

[MAD777]

I have two reasons for putting the sleeping quilts at the bottom.
1. That is the last item I need from the pack.
2. I actually want the heaviest item centered vertically, right up against my back.

But, everyone is built differently and this may not be best for all.

[Bubba]

I too like the heavier items nearer to my upper back. I have found in the past that my pack was less comfortable when the heavy stuff was on the bottom. Whatever works though is what I say.