One of the best ways to experience the outdoors during the summer season is backpacking. In contrast to car camping, backpacking requires carrying all of your gear with you as you hike through the wilderness on foot. Therefore, it makes sense that selecting the right backpack is imperative.
As with many other gear selections, the right backpack for you depends on a wide variety of variables that are specific to you and your purposes. Here are some of the most common questions to ask when it comes to backpacks:
1. How Long Will My Trip Be?
The right backpack for you depends largely on how long your trip will be. Obviously, longer trips require more gear, and therefore, a larger carrying capacity. For day trips or staying one night outdoors, the recommended capacity is 20-50 liters. Weekend trips usually require 50-60 liters while 60-80 are good for multi-day trips of two to five nights. Trips longer than that or trips during the winter require a backpack with a capacity of more than 80 liters.
2. How Long is My Torso?
Packs for backpacking are usually classified according to gender and torso length. Torso length and not overall height is used to determine sizes of backpacks. Torso length runs from the C7 vertebra at the base of the neck to the hip shelf, the place between your hip bones. You can measure your torso length at home with the help of a friend or have a salesperson at any sporting goods store measure it for you.
The best way to determine if a backpack fits your back is to try it on and wear it with weight inside. The good news is that most backpacks today come with sternum straps, load lifting straps, and hip straps that can be adjusted for fit and stability.
3. How Does the Pack Open?
The right backpack for you also depends on your preference for accessing your gear. The main compartment on many backpacks use zippers while others use a string to pull the compartment tight. Almost all backpacks provide outside pockets for easy access to essential gear like maps and compasses, headlamps, keys, and more.
4. What Accessories Do I Need?
Depending on what gear you need to bring, backpacks offer a wide array of accessories including a sleeping bag compartment, a top lid, a sleeve for a hydration pack, hip belt pockets and pouches for water bottles. The trick is figuring out which features are absolutely essential for you and your trips and which accessories are not that important. Keep in mind that many features, like straps for sleeping bags and hydration packs, are sold separately.
5. How Much Am I Willing to Pay?
Your budget plays a large role in what kind of trips you take and what kind of backpack you get. Good quality multi-day backpacks are available for around $100-$200 brand new at most sporting goods stores but there are other options when it comes to finding affordable gear like online used good dealers and consignment shops.
