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Next week, Kate and I will be joining a friend in Colorado for a backpacking trip. We’ve gone on a few trips in the past few years and each time we go, we figure out something new to make the next excursion more enjoyable. 

One part of the backpacking pursuit that I’m constantly refining is how to pack my backpack so it feels as comfortable as possible while I’m hiking.

Below I share what I’ve learned on that score, as well as other packing tips that make a backpacking trip go smoother. 

How to Pack a Backpack

Pack a Backpack 2

Light Stuff on Bottom, Heavy Stuff on Top (And Close to Your Back)

This is probably the most life-changing and counterintuitive tip that I’ve come across. When I first started backpacking, I figured it would be best to put your heavy stuff on the bottom and your lighter stuff on top. For some reason, that weight distribution just seemed to make sense; it’s how I pack stuff in my shopping bags (don’t want to break those eggs!) and how I learned to pack a truck when helping someone move. 

But when you’re backpacking, you actually want the lighter stuff on the bottom and the heavier stuff towards the middle/top of the core of your pack (the actual top of your pack is invariably a separate compartment that we’ll discuss in the next section). What’s more, you want the heavy stuff to be as close to your back as possible. Distributing the pack’s weight this way directs the load downward rather than backward, providing more comfort and stability while you’re hiking. 

Following this guideline, a general packing order for your backpack would, from bottom to top, look like this:

Sleeping bagClothes (clothes can also be wrapped around various loose items to fill in gaps and keep things from shifting around)Sleeping padStove Water bladder (if your pack has a special bladder compartment it will probably reside in this core area of the pack)TentFood (food ends up being the heaviest stuff on a backpacking trip)

Remember to not only pack the heavier items near the top, but close to your back and in-between your shoulder blades. This will help you maintain your center of gravity and provide a more balanced and comfortable hiking experience.

Finally, make sure one side of your backpack isn’t heavier than the other. You don’t want to be pulled to the left or right as you move.

Pack for Convenience 

After you’ve packed the big stuff with light on bottom and heavy on top, use your backpack’s many pockets to pack items for convenience. That is, you’ll want to place the stuff you’ll use first/most in easy-to-access pockets. You don’t want to have to rummage through your whole pack to find the items you’ll reach for throughout the day. The bulkier amongst these items can go in the top compartment of your backpack and include:

Water filtration systemSnacksSunscreenHeadlampToilet supplies (shovel, toilet paper, hand sanitizer)First aid kit (hopefully you won’t need it, but you might)

My pack has hipbelt pockets that I use to store smaller on-the-go essentials like my knife, compass, emergency whistle, and maybe some additional snacks too.

My pack also has an external pocket on the outside of the main compartment. My rain jacket goes in there for quick and easy access. Stashing it there also keeps my other stuff from getting wet when I put the jacket back in the pack after wearing it in the rain. 

Most modern backpacks also have pockets where you can store water bottles. Use them. Proper hydration is essential while hiking.

Use Those Straps to Tighten Everything in a Compressed Package

Your backpack will likely have a bunch of straps running this way and that. After you’ve gotten everything packed, tighten those straps as much as you can. This will ensure everything stays close to your center of gravity and will

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Odds & Ends: October 27, 2023

Why Note-Taking Applications Don’t Make us Smarter. I like the concept of creating a super-powered cloud-based brain by capturing my thoughts and readings in a central note-taking application. My note-taking application will unleash an untapped torrent of creativity, I dream. Every time I try to put the idea into action, the results are always disappointing. This article will explain what could be causing the lack of enthusiasm. You can’t really outsource the old-fashioned way of thinking to a machine. Not yet, at least.

Clive Barker’s The Thief Of Always We have just finished reading it aloud to our family and everyone enjoyed it. Clive Barker is a prolific horror writer for adults. He also wrote this book aimed towards children. The story revolves around young Harvey Swick whose boredom drives him to the Holiday House where he spends each day experiencing all four seasons and major holidays. What could be more fun than celebrating Halloween and Christmas each day? There is a price to pay for all the fun. The second half is weaker than the beginning, but it’s still a good book for a pre-Halloween quick read.

Peak Refuel Backpacking Meals. Last week, the McKays backpacked in AR and ate these freeze-dried foods during our trip. These are the meals we like to take with us when backpacking. These meals are delicious and contain more calories (and protein) than most other backpacking foods. Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Pesto Pasta and Beef Stroganoff are two of the best.

WoodWick Candles Hygge is in order as the weather gets colder. Hygge, a Danish concept, is the idea of creating an atmosphere of coziness and relaxation in your home, especially during the darker and colder seasons of winter and fall. Hygge is a Danish concept that emphasizes the importance of candles. WoodWick makes one of our favourite candles. The wick, as the name suggests, is made of wood. When lit, it looks like a fireplace fire. It’s soothing. It’s great for meditations with fire.

Quote of the week

In a certain sense, a person who looks at the present through the lens of the future and takes into consideration his entire being, can be satisfied with his lot. . . If a person reaches the point of being so satisfied that they say, “I don’t want to learn any more or do anything more or be any further,” then he should be turned into a mummy. A mummy, of all things hideous, is the most hideous. And the most hideous mummies are the ones that run around the streets talking.

–H.W. Beecher

The Art of Manliness published Odds & Ends – October 27, 2023 first.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://mansbrand.com/gifting-ideas-for-the-upcoming-season-thanksgiving-edition/

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Gifting Ideas for The Upcoming Season – Thanksgiving Edition

This article originally appeared here: Gifting ideas for the Upcoming Season, Thanksgiving Edition

Thanksgiving is not just about turkeys, pies and parades. It’s also a time to celebrate the warmth and joy of family and the expression of gratitude. The hearty meal may be the highlight of the day, but it is the thoughtfulness and care that goes into the gifts that we give to our loved ones that really embody this special occasion. The festive season is fast approaching, and there’s never been a better time to think about thoughtful gifts to show our loved ones how much we care.

Host/Hostess gifts

What do you give to the person who does all the work in the kitchen, if anything?

When in doubt, choose the classics. The combination of a fine bottle of wine and artisanal cheeses is always a winner. It’s the ideal gift to express your appreciation to your Thanksgiving host, offering a sophisticated touch to the festive celebrations.Customized Serving Trays: If you want to add that extra personal touch, consider gifting a customized serving tray. It can be engraved with a family name or special message. This keepsake will make their Thanksgiving spread a memorable one.

Gifts for Family

The best family gifts involve sharing experiences, making memories and cherishing our time together.

Board Games and puzzles: There’s nothing that brings families together more than a friendly competition. These gifts are sure to bring hours of enjoyment and engagement, whether it is a strategy game that tests the mind or a picture puzzle with a scenic view. They’re also a great way to bridge generation gaps, so everyone, from the grandma down to the youngest relative, can have a good time. DIY Craft Kits: Let your creative juices flow! These kits aren’t only for children; they can be used by the whole family. These kits are great for anyone who wants to get their hands dirty. They can be used to create Thanksgiving decorations, paint, or do any other crafty project. Who knows? Who knows?

Fashionable Gifts

Dressing up is a part of the holiday spirit. Why not give a gift that will add a little style to your celebration?

Varsity jackets are cool. It could be the nostalgia that they bring back, or their effortless style. These jackets are versatile and trendy, making them a wardrobe staple. These jackets are versatile and can be worn with anything. They’re a wardrobe essential. These unique designs are not only beautiful but tell a tale. These pieces make the recipient feel valued and remembered. They are a great choice for the holiday season.

Tech and Gadgets

Tech gifts today are not just flashy gadgets. They’re also tools that can enhance our everyday experiences.

Smart Home Devices – The future is intelligent, so what better way to enter it than by using smart home devices. These devices, whether they’re voice-controlled assistants or smart lighting or thermostats that can be controlled by a smartphone, not only make your life easier, but also modernize any home. These are the perfect gifts for those who want to stay on top of their game. They’ll elevate your living space. What’s a good party without some tunes? Portable Bluetooth speakers allow you to take your music with you wherever you go. Compact, powerful and boasting impressive

Did you miss our previous article…
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Reviewing The Black Label Trading Co. Royalty Cigar

Black Label Trading Co. Royalty Cigar

Black Label Trading Co. Royalty Cigar

While scrolling through CigarPage’s catalog, I came across Black Label Trading Co.’s aggressive macabre branding and was immediately curious.

I am the target demographic for this brand; I have a black cat, my first concert was Iron Maiden, and I have a 12-foot skeleton in front of my house that stands year-round, scaring children and squirrels alike.

If the branding doesn’t pique your interest, knowing that this cigar won the 2023 Cigar Journal’s Best Boutique Nicaraguan Brand award should. Come along as I review the Royalty corona via the following categories:

Cigar FormulaCigar OverviewLook & FeelFlavours & BurnIdeal PairingsOverall Experience

You can use the links above to jump ahead or scroll down to learn more.

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Download the Black Label Trading Co. Royalty Cigar Matrix as a PDF.

Black Label Trading Royal Cigar Review Formula
Learn more about the Bespoke Unit Cigar Formula

Cigar Overview

Brand: Black Label Trading Co.Range: RoyaltyReviewed Vitolas: 5.5 x 42 CoronaWrapper: Ecuadorian CorojoBinder: HonduranFiller: NicaraguanFactory: Oveja Negra, EstelíHandmade: YesBody: FullEstimated Smoking Time: 60  MinutesPricing: $132 / Box [Buy Now]

The Royalty range uses an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper, Honduran binder, and long Nicaraguan filler tobacco. The cigars are hand-rolled in Estelí, Nicaragua, at the Fábrica de Oveja Negra, which translates to “black sheep factory.”

Black Label Royalty Cigar with Box & Formula

Shop The Black Label Royalty Online!

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