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When I bought my pack, we were told to always pack the tent and sleeping bag in the pack. Since then I have seen a lot of articles and hikers doing the outside. What are the benefits on packing the tent and sleeping bag in vs. strapping the tent and sleeping bag to the outside of the pack?

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    when your tent is soaked, you might strap it to the outside...
    – Ryley
    Commented Mar 16, 2012 at 16:31

5 Answers 5

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Outside

  • more room left inside for other stuff.
  • More likely to rip a hole in your gear when you toss your pack down.
  • More options for weight placement (which can lead to off-blanced pack.)
  • More likely to fall off.

Inside

  • Better protection from the elements, rocks, branches.
  • Weight is closer to your center of gravity (and usually better balanced).
  • Less room inside your pack.
  • Will never fall off.

Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference, but I always encourage people to pack it inside -- and insist they do when borrowing my gear.

PROTIP: When forced to pack something outside (ie, external frame, or carrying too much stuff) always use closed loop tie-downs that are threaded through a closed loop on both your pack and your gear. That way, if the gear slides off without noticing, it will still be chained to your pack.

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    If it doesn't fit inside your pack, you have one of two problems: either your pack isn't big enough, or you are carrying too much! Usually it's the second of the two.
    – Greg.Ley
    Commented Mar 16, 2012 at 18:00
  • Also, having the tent parts separate in the backpack might help on the space.
    – Henrik Hansen
    Commented Mar 20, 2012 at 10:11
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    In the South West USA I often use my EXTERNAL frame pack and then there is little choice. Outside, but I can keep it close to my center of gravity and balance the pack perfectly.
    – MaskedPlant
    Commented Jun 5, 2012 at 22:51
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If it fits, it's better to put it inside. That way it stays dry and is protected. If you put down your pack on rocks or small limbs, it can poke holes in the tent cover or sleeping bag cover if they are strapped to the outside. (In some conditions, a wet sleeping bag can be a safety issue.) The more tired I get, the harder my pack seems to hit the ground. Odd, huh?

Also, it's more comfy if you have the weight of the pack close to your back. When you strap heavy stuff on the outside, it moves the center of gravity away from you, which pulls harder on the shoulder straps.

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One of my tents goes in my rucksack, but I have another one which has two carry bags which strap nicely to the sides of my rucksack, keeping the weight well balanced and close to me.

In dry conditions I'll strap the sleeping bag to the outside to make space, as it is light it doesn't affect the center of gravity much.

Center of gravity and keeping kit dry should be two important considerations. I have never had damage to kit from carrying it on the outside, but this should be a consideration if you are travelling in an area where there is a risk of snagging or tearing.

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For me, the sleeping back is the most important thing to be kept dry, so it would be the last thing I would decide to strap outside.

It may be not the case if you have very durable waterproof bag for your sleeping bag.

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I have the sleeping bag inside (must be kept dry, so there must be room for it).

And the tent under the pack in its stuffsack, (when wet I don't want it inside anyway) tied to the pack by running a strap through the drawcord and wrapping the tent and stuffsack inside my foam mat (if I bring it) and groundsheet to protect the tent.

Or in the outside net pocket if it needs drying.

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