What backpack do I need for Torres del Paine?

There is no doubt that when we are going to do a long trek (more than 2 days) for the first time, one of the most common questions is what equipment to take. How many liters of capacity should my backpack have, what tent to use, what type of footwear is more recommended, lots of warm clothing or little warm clothing, ugh... I'm already tired just thinking about that.

But the truth is, while there's no single, definitive answer to all these questions, we can provide a basic guide to help you make some decisions when you start packing your gear for your upcoming trip. We'll use the "W" circuit in Torres del Paine as an example. This circuit can be completed in 4 or 5 days and covers approximately 72 kilometers in total, combining rocky and muddy terrain in some sections.

The first question that usually concerns us is the backpack and its dimensions. If we're asked how big a backpack should be for a 5-day trek, our answer would be as small and functional as possible. Although it might sound strange, and knowing that there are certain minimum sizes we'll have to respect, our backpack should always aim to be as functional and comfortable as possible for us, as far as the situation allows. The best guideline is to try to keep the weight of the backpack close to 15% of our body weight.

But how many liters should my backpack be? The more experience we have, the better we'll be at packing a small backpack with everything we need, but until that happens, let's say that between 50 and 70 liters are the most common sizes for this type of trip, as they'll allow you to fit everything you need for each day.

As a first piece of advice, we recommend that you try to gather all your gear and fit it all inside your backpack. This means putting your clothes, tent (if you have one), sleeping mat, first-aid kit, food, etc., inside your backpack. It will probably seem impossible at first, but as you gain experience it will become easier, and you'll never risk your gear getting wet from unexpected rain or other events.

Secondly, consider the backpack size. This feature may not be available on all brands and is more common in high-end models, but if you're buying a new backpack, make sure the back adjustments are sufficient to fit your size. This is essential when putting on the backpack so the weight is properly distributed and the backpack sits correctly. This way, you avoid the most common discomforts and injuries on long treks. Don't make the mistake many do of thinking backpack size is unimportant; on the contrary, it's a factor that can completely change your performance on the trail.

Thirdly, we'll consider the order of things in your backpack. We know that when we talk about this, what many of us learned as children automatically comes to mind: putting the sleeping bag and tent at the bottom, then clothes and personal items, and finally anything bulkier and harder to avoid any injury or discomfort to our back.

This and many other ways to organize your backpack are valid as long as they suit you. Therefore, the description below is the one that meets our needs when heading out into the field, and it may not be the right one for you. However, the more techniques you try, the better choice you'll make.

Let's start with the most essential thing for us: putting a dry bag about half the size of your backpack at the bottom. This is where you'll put all your spare clothes and camping gear. Include towels (if they're dry) and any other items you only use while camping. We also put our sleeping bag in this dry bag to protect it from moisture. Alternatively, you can put the sleeping bag in a separate dry bag. While we're filling our dry bag, we should position the tent on one side of the backpack. Remember, we're organizing everything inside the backpack.

Once you've finished packing the dry bag, seal it, removing as much air as possible to eliminate weight and excess space. This way, you can always use the remaining space between the dry bag and your backpack to store smaller items.

Finally, on top of the dry bag and inside the tent, we place the food, and on top of the food (in another dry bag if possible), we place our first-aid kit, warm clothing (down or synthetic jacket, gloves, and hat), waterproof clothing (jacket and pants), and any other equipment we might need immediate access to, such as a sleeping pad. It's important to note that this order is designed to prioritize access to what you might need on the trail. This way, the clothing ends up at the back with the tent because it's the last thing you'll need when you reach camp. Once the tent is pitched, you move the dry bag of clothes inside, remove the sleeping bag to place it on top of the sleeping pad, and then you can access whatever you need.

If you manage to fit everything in this order, you will still have the outer pockets of the backpack available, among which you should distribute fuel bottles, water bottles, sandals or similar items for crossings and shelters, and all the snacks and UV protection you may need daily.

We hope this suggestion for organizing your backpack is helpful and helps you develop your own organizational method. It's very important to organize your backpack according to the activity you'll be doing. As a final tip, try to save space with clothing. Use one or two pairs of pants for hiking and another for camping, and distribute your space between underwear and t-shirts for hiking to reduce the weight significantly.

The more you repeat the process, the better you will be at choosing your load.

Heads up! If you can't get your hands on a dry bag, don't hesitate to use the oldest method of all: a simple plastic garbage bag or something similar. Have a couple of spares on hand in case one gets damaged, and you're all set.

Don't forget to visit us on our social media and our website and write to us to resolve any doubts or questions you may have about this article or the wonderful Magallanes region.