"Bags are packed, ready to go" - or not?

**Chammocks** · 04-12-2013, 06:19

I have somewhat of a dilema. I leave a couple bags ready to go on river trips or car camping, everything but water, which would freeze in my garage where they're kept. I can toss them in the boat or car at a moment's notice. I have another pack, a G4, that is set up for UL hiking.
But I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't smarter to pack specifically for each trip and save bringing stuff you don't need. What do you guys do?

**Loki** · 04-12-2013, 06:35

If you have more than one setup - for different trip types - I'd say pack what will not get harmed by weather changes in that garage and maybe keep a few things inside like shoes, boots, foods, down. You know, anything that could be damaged by temperature extremes, long-term compression, or 'lil critters with 4 to 8 legs

**OldRagFreeze** · 04-12-2013, 07:11

Packing is half the fun for me so I like to spend a few days before a trip going over my gear and selecting what I'll take. I'm also always testing something out so different aspects of my kit tend to change a lot between trips. Basically I'm a gear-head for this stuff and the time I spend packing or unpacking for trips is second only to the time I actually spend on the trail.

**MAD777** · 04-12-2013, 07:25

I pack differently for each trip, so I like to keep all my gear stored in those plastic drawer sets sold at big box stores. All my empty packs are stacked in a box (don't ask how many).

First step in packing is to start laying gear out on the floor in separate piles for clothing, cooking, shelter, etc. Then I select a pack and stuff sacks and pack it all away.

**Northern Mike** · 04-12-2013, 08:34

Originally Posted by MAD777

I pack differently for each trip, so I like to keep all my gear stored in those plastic drawer sets sold at big box stores. All my empty packs are stacked in a box (don't ask how many).

First step in packing is to start laying gear out on the floor in separate piles for clothing, cooking, shelter, etc. Then I select a pack and stuff sacks and pack it all away.

This is how I pack as well.
What I bring changes from adventure to adventure and having everything layed out makes it easier to bring what I need, and leave behind what I don't.

**turnerminator** · 04-12-2013, 08:52

All my trips are different, so I pack differently for each.

I find it impossible to pack early unless I'm only using CCF. Down and synth insuluation suffers from loss of loft if stored compressed and the quilts needing to be at the bottom make packing a waste of time.

**OldRagFreeze** · 04-12-2013, 08:57

Originally Posted by turnerminator

All my trips are different, so I pack differently for each.

I find it impossible to pack early unless I'm only using CCF. Down and synth insuluation suffers from loss of loft if stored compressed and the quilts needing to be at the bottom make packing a waste of time.

Oh ya, I forgot this point... My obsessive tendencies won't let me compress my sleeping bag even a day early. Like you said that goes at the bottom of the bag so packing without it isn't really possible.

I'm (hopefully) going out for an overnight tonight and my small pockets on my pack are all ready to go, but my larger gear items are all laid out on the floor. When I get home I compress my sleeping bag and throw that in, then pile the rest on top (including some food from the fridge) and I'm off.

**hairsmith** · 04-12-2013, 09:37

Since I camp off my motorcycles and always seem to take different bikes depending on where I am going. I pack for each trip, and never can seem to load the bike the same way. I would love to get a system, but it seems like between tools, spare's, and gear changing for each trip stuff never seems to go where it was for the last trip. But hay planning for a trip is about half the fun !!!!

**creativeKayt** · 04-12-2013, 11:06

Like many who have already commented, I pack differently each trip. Packing is half the fun for me. It builds the excitement while giving my "chomping-at-the-bit" self an outlet.

Plus. I get to play while I pack. I mean, I gotta test everything to make sure it's all in working order, right?

**TallPaul** · 04-12-2013, 13:58

I'm still experimenting with this myself.
First round was an empty backpack and adding everything from a shelf and laying it all out.

Latest round was say 50% pre-packed in the backpack, the rest grabbed off shelves.
This seemed easier to me.
The pre-pack items are things like first aid kit, water bottles, purification, stove kit, etc.
Off the shelf items are clothes, TQ/UQ, tarp, hammock, etc.

I still checked off the pre-packed items from a list but it took me less time.