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Choosing the right backpack  |
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Getting all of your gear into the outdoors and setting up camp can be a bit of a challenge for those who enjoy being well off the beaten trail. In this case, a backpack can be a lifesaver and make carrying your gear in and out of the hills and valleys a bit easier than it otherwise would be.
Selecting the right pack means a combination of research, planning, and an understanding of how your particular pack is supposed to function. Before you buy your next backpack read the guidelines below. You may just find that you have been suffering with the wrong pack all this time.
• Step One: The first step to selecting the appropriate pack is to determine your needs. Asking yourself a few key questions about your time in the outdoors will help you make the right decision on a pack. For starters you should determine the distance you will be traveling from your car or truck. If the trip involves overnight stays in the field you need to be clear on how many days you will stay and how much gear you will need to bring along. If you are planning for a long trip a good distance form your vehicle you will need a rather large and comfortable pack up to the task of carrying a lot of gear a long distance. On the other hand, if you are planning a series of day trips based out of a community campground you can get a way with a smaller day pack better suited for short trips where an extra change of clothes and a light lunch is all that is needed.
• Step Two: Once you have determined your needs as they pertain to your pack you can checkout a couple of different designs. There are two basic types of backpack frames to choose from each with their own place in the outdoors. The first design is called an internal frame and as the name implies, the frame, which is usually aluminum is built right into the pack. This type of pack will fit much tighter against your body that an external frame pack and can make maneuvering through tight spaces much easier. An external frame pack is the second design and simply means that the frame is actually on the exterior of the pack. The frame is strapped to your back and the pack itself is then tied down to the pack. These packs are the less expensive of the two and are better suited to distributing the weight of a large load.
• Step Three: The next step is to determine the carrying capacity of your pack. Obviously, the more gear you take along the larger the pack needs to be to accommodate it. However, the first consideration is really how much gear you need. Why burden yourself with a large pack if you don't use half of the items you bring along. This is a great time to streamline your gear and narrow it down to the essentials which will inmost cases mean a lighter and a smaller pack making your trip easier and more enjoyable. When shopping for a pack the capacity is measured in cubic inches, however this measurement will vary slightly between different manufacturers. A standard book bag is typically about 1300 cubic inches. Now keep in mind that a standard sleeping bag takes up about 3500 cubic feet of space in your pack. Plan accordingly.
• Step Four: Once you have determined the capacity of your pack take into consideration the size of the pack as well. The actual size of the pack is determined by your body size and how the pack will fit. A pack that is too large or too small may become uncomfortable on even short trips. Start by standing with your legs shoulder length apart and measure from the base of your neck to the base of your hipbones. This measurement is your torso length and will be helpful in determining the right sized pack to buy. As a rule, a small sized pack will measure 18 inches or less, while a medium pack will measure20 inches and a large pack over 20 inches in length.
• Step Five: With the proper sized pack selected you can concentrate on design. The most important feature on any pack beyond frame style is how it loads. Getting stuff into and out of the pack in a hurry can become very important. The standard pack is a top loading pack with one large hole at the top usually closed with some sort of tie down. These packs are stronger and more water resistant than their panel loading counterparts, but can be difficult to pack a well-balanced load in. The panel loading pack usually has a large front zipper in the shape of a "U" similar to a suitcase. This allows great access to any part of the pack at any time, but it typically will not hold the same amount of gear as a top loading pack. There are also combination packs that incorporate both styles of loading.
Taking into consideration all of the factors mentioned above along with your budget will hopefully find you with a good quality pack that meets all of your backpacking needs. The final step is actually trying on a number of different packs to determine which has the best fit to your body. Try the packs on empty and then again loaded to ensure they will be comfortable. You should have room between your shoulder and the strap itself, and the hip belt should ride high up on your hips. A carefully selected pack can make your trips into the outdoors much more enjoyable so take your time with this decision.
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