Backpack Basics- Choosing a Backpack
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Note: Any links to products are for information and research and do not constitute an endorsement.
What kind of backpack (knapsack is often used interchangeably) should you get? It's one of those "It depends..." answers. It depends on where you will be backpacking and for how long. If you are going to be gone several days obviously you will need more space in your backpack than for a "day trip' of a few hours. But let's start with a Day Pack. Most of what applies to day packs also applies to larger knapsacks.
What is a Day Pack? It's a backpack that will hold enough gear and have enough compartments to hold your clothing, drink and food needs for about eight to twenty-four hours. (The term "technical" day pack or backpack is used for one that is designed specifically for your needs and activities.) In practice it may be the leftover school knapsack with the rip covered over by duct tape and the name of your ex-girlfriend in faded blue ink on it. And many times that will certainly be fine - if you are planning on going to your local park. It is possible to get well built - and correspondingly more expensive - day packs. The longer you will be walking up and down trails, stepping on rocks and bouncing down hillsides, the more you will want a knapsack that doesn't chaff and slip, drop items or rub you the wrong way.
Here is a good article from rei.com that makes these main points about a day pack:
- The best size for "hiking and multisport daypacks is 30 liters". A leader may need more space though; extras like first aid kit, medications, etc, will take more room. Or if you expect to need warmer clothing during your trip, you'll need room for it.
- The familiar panel back knapsack, with the zippered flap(s) that open wide from the front of the pack are great for finding stuff fast. It may have compartments which helps with organizing items.
- A top loading pack opens only at the top and often has drawstrings and a "neck" of fabric that allows over-stuffing. They also tend to be slightly lighter than the panel packs since there are no, or few, zippers and panel covers. Compression straps (which simply snug up your load inside the bag) may be a feature of a top loader. The drawback? You may have to root through all the others stuff on top to reach the stuff on the bottom.
Also look for pockets on the side, often mesh, that hold a drinking bottle.
Some day packs and knapsacks have front straps that are designed specifically for women's shapes. This short article has more hints on fitting a backpack for a woman.
Some Daypacks and full sized backpacks will have sternum straps, lumbar straps/pads as well as compression straps. Sternum straps go over the chest and help distribute the weight away from the shoulders. Lumbar straps or pads help the load fit on and distribute the weight around your hips rather than the lower back. It may be worth it to have a professional at an outfitter store fit you. You don't want to be in the middle of a two day hike and wish you had a pack that fit you properly.
Some packs will offer a ventilated back; the surface is suspended away from your body a bit, allowing air to circulate and keep the sweating down. This is not always the best approach though- if you often carry heavier loads, having the centre of gravity off-set, even a little bit, may affect your balance and therefore add to fatigue.
Backpacks:
Most of the advice above will apply to backpacks. You will need more space for longer trips or for specialized trips like taking camera gear or needing a wider range of clothing. It almost - but not quite - goes without saying that you want to pack as little as possible but still try to anticipate what you will need. It seems that the Scout motto, "Be Prepared", is sometimes tempered by the comment afterwards: "Why did I bring all this stuff!?" You may be able to wash clothing and expect to dry it every day or two so you may not need as much daytime clothing; but don't forget that it sometimes rains and nothing dries in the rain.
The site backpackeurope.com adds this advice:
- "Ask the sales person to put 25 to 30 pounds of wight in your knapsack to estimate the maximum load you should carry. "
- That's a subjective weight of course, depending on your body's build. Also keep in mind that whatever that weight is made from, it likely won't be weights you are carrying around the countryside, so the way the load actually feels may be different form the weights in the store.
- Limit yourself to 45 to 80 litre sizes.
- "Drat! I packed my toothbrush at the bottom!"
- Shop around; try various models and styles. You will likely want to spend a decent amount of money but you don't need to spend a ton on something you will only use periodically. If you go to an outfitter, expect to pay a bit more for both a quality product and the expertise to fit you with a backpack that is right for you, not the big box store clerk's idea of what you need. If money is an issue and you don't need it right way, ask when the item may come on sale; you may get a bargain on the spot.
Features to look for:
Again, much depends on where you are going and what you are hauling.
Strong stitching. The more stitches per inch, generally the better. Watch for threads hanging loose. They may be a sign of poor quality.
Some backpacks have a detachable day pack which you can use for short day trips. If you are slogging around with the heavy backpack and the attached day pack on the back of it, consider wearing the day pack on your front if it fits. It may look unusual but it may also help distribute the weight better. Test it.
Panels: Similar in design to school knapsacks, panel knapsacks can help you stay organized and give you faster access to your stuff. But a school knapsack won't last long in a hiking or camping situation. On the other hand, if you are attending a light duty camp for younger children or if it's only a day trip, a school knapsack may be perfect.
Lockable zippers: Zippers that can be locked are no protection against animals or humans who really want at your stuff but they will discourage the occasional "theft of opportunity" where someone decides on the spur of the moment to nip into your knapsack that you left as you portaged or answered nature's call.
Padded shoulder straps are a must. They should fit you well, offering easy upper body movement but still being snug enough to not let the load shift as you move. Women may want to get a woman's pack with straps that fit their chest comfortably or slope to the sides as well as accommodate their generally more sloped shoulders.
Padded hip belts will go a long way towards a more comfortable hike. Those with well thought out lumbar support are worth seeking out. After 20 minutes of hiking you'll definitely feel the difference.
A sternum strap connects your shoulder straps over your chest which helps alleviate shoulder pain. You may have already unconsciously created that effect by holding the shoulder straps of a knapsack together in front of you; remember how it helped?
Adjustable back systems generally will cost you more but they allow you to change the centre of gravity. Ideal for those who are not of average height, either direction.
"Bum bags" attach to the backpack and, from the name, you pretty much know the location! They may be useful for carrying that little bit extra but you don't want it to through off your centre of gravity or slap against your legs.
Water protection. Sooner or later it will rain on you,
from a light drizzle to "Did I just see Noah?" A good pack will have a waterproof fly just like a tent has. Eventually the waterproofing wears off. Consider a product like Nikwax or McNett.
External frame or internal frame pack? There is no right or wrong answer for everyone. I have one of both, depending on where I'm going. The internal frame I bought was fairly pricey even on sale. The external frame pack I've used for over 10 years was left over after a church rummage sale.
External frame: These are made of aluminum or other lightweight but strong material and are obvious, around and under the backpack. They can be useful for heavier weights (up to 40 lbs or 20 kilos) as they allow the wearer to distribute weight across taut straps. These straps leave the load a bit further away form the body so there is better cooling, though some people may find their centre of gravity a bit "off" . External frame packs tend to hold a little less than internal frame packs though they tend to be able to have more accessories hung or otherwise attached to them.
Internal frame packs may feature complex strapping made of lightweight metal and/or plastic inside the fabric. This distributes the load and keeps it in place. It is best when you are moving over difficult terrain as it tends not to snag on trees and offers better upper body movement when hiking or skiing. A drawback is that it fits so snugly, there is little or no air circulation on your back so it can get sweaty. Some internal frame packs do make an attempt in their design to offer a bit of cooling there.
Internal frame packs are becoming more popular in quality backpacks. Unlike the external frame pack, there are no rods or clasps to catch on branches or other gear. They tend to be slightly larger, but you may not be able to carry as much weight as with an external frame pack. However, a well fitted internal frame back pack with lumbar support pads/straps and well placed sternum and compression straps, can make for a great day on the trail, balancing weight carrying capacity and comfort. This is one area where it may be well worth it to go to an outfitter to get a quality pack for your body.
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