Choosing the Right Type of Backpack
Backpacking treks offer an excellent opportunity for exploring the wilderness. There’s so much gorgeous scenery to see and a lot to do. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced backpacker, your selection of a backpack can either make or break your journey. After all, you need to have one that is going to allow you to carry everything that you will need for the journey.
Choosing the right backpack simply involves a little bit of essential planning. Since backpacks come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, you might want to have more than one if you plan to engage in a lot of backpacking trips. In general, backpackers need to decide which style of backpack fits their preference- lightweight, deluxe, ultralight, or minimalist.
Types of Backpacks
Lightweight: Designed with lightweight materials, this type of backpack is easy to carry and provides good balance. The majority of backpacks will fall into this category.
Deluxe: This type of backpack is designed for the serious backpacker. It is designed with comfort in mind rather than weight.
Ultralight: This type of backpack is smaller than most of the others. It provides storage for only essential items.
Minimalist: The minimalist backpack features an extremely low weight factor. It might bypass certain features such as durability, comfort, and convenience of the backpacker.
Backpacking Points to Consider
Number of Days: The number of days that are involved in your backpacking trip will partially determine the size of the backpack that you select. For shorter journeys, a smaller backpack will suffice. However, for an extended journey, a larger backpack is essential if you are going to have all of the room that you need to stow your gear. For trips that will last seven days or more, you should purchase a backpack that has a minimum of 4,200 to 5,000 cubic inches. If your journey is going to take between two and four day, a backpack with 2,400 to 4,200 cubic inches should be okay. For day-long backpacking trips, a daypack or hydration pack should be sufficient.
Sleeping Accommodations: If you want easy access to your sleeping bag, purchase a backpack that features storage for it at the bottom of the backpack. Typically, a number of different styles include a storage compartment designed for sleeping bags at the bottom of the backpack.
Size/Sex of the Backpacker: Since women and men are often much different in size, selecting a backpack for women is often different than selecting one for men. In general, women often have a smaller torso length as well as shorter legs than men. This would also be true of children or shorter men. Therefore, the backpack should be chosen carefully so that it has a shorter distance between the pack’s shoulder straps.
Used backpacks: Buying a used backpack is a great idea as long as you investigate its features first. Since most backpacks manufactured today contain an internal frame that offers freedom of movement and better balance, it is essential to check that the used backpack you want to purchase includes this feature as well as any others that you are interested in.
The Brain: Often referred to as the brain, the top of the backpack is often designed with a smaller section that is designed to hold those items that a backpacker might need during the day.
Extra pockets: These are designed to hold those items that are either easily lost in the jumble or might be needed frequently or in a hurry. Items that fall into this category include flashlights, water bottles, fuel bottles, medication, sunscreen, whistles, and first aid kit.