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Weekly Wellness Tips – Packing Your Backpack

09/07/2022

By Alison Wilder

Summer may be almost over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy our time outside. In fact, now that the heat is dying down, activities like camping and biking are far more enjoyable. So, what do you pack for your next weekend getaway?

Be Prepared Without Over-Packing

The trick to avoiding overpacking is to make sure that you’ve got the right size bag.

For an individual heading out on a day trip or a brief hike, a 20-30L bag will suffice. Be mindful of how much you can carry (and for how long).

For a weekend trip, you’ll want to double in size to 40-50L. Families may need to go even bigger to make sure they’ve got all their food, equipment, and other essentials packed.

For a trip that can take as long as a week, a 50-75L bag should be enough to cover all your bases. Anything longer may require a 75-110L bag.

The Essentials

You’ve likely got a good idea of what you’ll need for your next adventure, but just in case, here’s a checklist to run through.

• Snacks
• Flashlight
• Maps
• Sunblock
• Insect repellant
• Medications, including over-the-counter pain and allergy relievers
• Topical ointments, including sunburn and itch relief
• Phone charger and an external battery for on-the-go power

Nice-to-Haves

Some of these may be promoted to essentials depending on your weekend plans.

• Maps
• Flashlight
• Binoculars
• First aid kit 
• Walking stick
• Travel-sized toiletries
• Extra clothes