Is it your dream to backpack? It might be that you’d like to camp in a nearby state park, or maybe you want to strap on a pack and travel through Europe in this traditionally hands-free manner. Either way, you’ll want a backpack that is going to see you through your adventures. If you are backpack-shopping, here are some considerations to keep in mind:
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Capacity is important. You want to get the backpack that is big enough to hold whatever you’ll be carrying, but not so big that you will topple over because it’s so unwieldy. Capacity is measured in liters, and you’ll find backpacks that hold 20 liters, backpacks that hold 80+ liters, and everything in between. Depending on how light a packer you are, you should, in general, be able to use a 20- or 30-liter backpack for a day trip or maybe an overnight, but will likely need an 80-liter pack for a trip that’s longer than a long weekend. If you have a small frame, you might need to learn to pack lighter in order to make a smaller pack work. Remember, too, that backpacking during the summer, when lighter clothes are worn, requires less space than backpacking during the winter.
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Size matters. Torso size, that is. Have a friend measure you from your shoulder to the top of your hip. Your torso length will determine what size (height) backpack you should look for. You will also need to measure around your waist to figure out whether you can use the hip belt that comes with the backpack, or whether you’ll need to have it switched for one that is larger or smaller. Trying on the packs at the store will accomplish the same purpose, but it’s good to have measurements ahead of time so that you start off on the right track.
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Go for enough padding. You’ll wanted padded straps and a padded hip belt. This will make it much more comfortable to carry your pack around! While you might not notice the difference while walking around the store for a few minutes, you’ll most definitely notice if you start off on a three-day hike with a backpack that is not appropriately padded.
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Consider the logistics of packing and unpacking. If your backpack only opens at the top, it will be difficult to access the items at the bottom of the pack. You might want to look for one that has side openings as well, to make it easy to get to every area of the main storage compartment. Another thing to think about is the smaller compartments; these can be convenient, but they also mean that you have more zippers to check each time you load up your pack.
When you go into the sporting goods store to try on backpacks, it’s best to fill them with the available weights (30 pounds is a good place to start) and walk around for a little while. Do this with three or four different packs so that you can feel the difference before making a decision.
Remember that your backpack will be helping you to carry all of your belongings, so you won’t want to buy the cheapest one or the first one that you like. Put some effort into finding the one that fits you best to avoid injury and soreness, and also to keep your items in the best shape possible. Enjoy your backpacking adventures!
