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Your backpack will probably be the single most important purchase
you will make before hitting the road. It can be your best friend or
worst enemy, depending on which one you pick. With that in mind, here
are a few pointers to consider when choosing a backpack.
Size IS Important
Before choosing a rucksak, have an idea of what’s going to go in it.
Visualise the contents, understand your needs, and shortlist a range of
rucksacks accordingly. The shortlist should contain rucksacks big
enough for the largest loads you will carry, but no bigger - as the
larger the backpack, the more you may be inclined to fill it. But don’t
go too small either, as an overloaded rucksack may feel uncomfortable
and unstable, and may force you to have to secure extra gear on the
outside thus increasing the risk of loss or damage.
The choices on offer can be put into the following categories:-
Daypacks (15 - 35L) - Small backpacks with minimal or no internal
frame to support loads, so all weight is transferred through shoulder
straps. Perfect for day trips and shorter outings.
Alpine Packs (35 - 55L) and Backpacking Packs (55 - 75L) – This will be
the area to concentrate in for a backpacking or RTW trip. If possible,
the smaller alpine pack. Both offer many of the comprehensive features
of larger rucksacks whilst keeping physical weight and size to a
minimum.
Expedition Rucksacks (75 - 100L) – These packs are huge. Possibly
necessary for trips involving many climate changes for those wishing to
carry all their gear from the word go, or for those wishing to practice
for SAS Selection! If you fill one of these remember that you may and
up carrying mucho, mucho Kilos…
Travel Packs - Essentially, these are like soft suitcases with
shoulders straps that can be covered (to avoid snagging when not being
carried). They are most certainly an option to consider, as these front
opening packs make it easier to access your gear compared to
conventional top-loading rucksacks. They may also engender a greater
air of respectability if checking in to hotels or at border crossings.
The downside is that they are generally a little more expensive and
also bulkier than their rucksack equivalent.
Fitting
Choosing a rucksack that is a good fit is of paramount importance.
If possible, try each rucksack with some weight in. It may feel quite
different. Fill the backpack with the approximate weight that you will
be carrying, and distributing it as best you can. After you have
achieved a good fit be sure to test drive the backpack a little. Lean
forward, backward, and also sway from side to side. The rucksack should
remain snug, and not swing wildly or throw you off balance.
Walk around with it - even up and down some stairs if possible.
Concentrate on ensuring yourself that the weight is being distributed
evenly. Be aware of any minor niggles, as these will become painfully
apparent after several hours on your feet with a heavy backpack on a
hot day.
What to Look For
Shoulder Straps - Focus on rucksacks with wide, well padded
(yet firm), shoulder straps. Ensure that the straps keep the rucksack
central and well balanced, that they don’t slip (a good, solid chest
strap should help with this), and that they keep the rucksack snug yet
don’t chaff or restrict arm and upper body movement.
Hip Belt – Often overlooked, a good Hip Belt is essential.
It should be strong enough to bear the main pack weight as it will,
when used properly, transfer the weight from your back to your hips,
thus considerably increasing comfort and reducing back strain when
wearing the backpack for prolonged periods of time. Ensure that the
band is semi rigid, and that it has soft, broad padding so to avoid
creating pressure points that will all too quickly become very painful.
On larger rucksacks, the hip belt is the main load-bearing component,
so remember to use it – it makes a world of difference.
Other Straps - Side compression straps come highly
recommended. After the rucksack is packed, these can be pulled tight to
further reduce the size of your pack. It may make the difference
between being able to have it as carry on luggage for flights, fitting
it overhead luggage compartments on busses, and actually being parted
with it on other such journeys. They also serve to increase pack
stability by holding the load closer to your back.
Pay attention to the types of adjustments on these straps, too. Can
they be adjusted whilst wearing the rucksack? Are they difficult to
adjust? Inversely, do they adjust too easily and will therefore change
when I don’t want them too?
Also look out for other types of adjustments. Although they may seem
surplus to requirements at the moment, they will enable the wearer to
further fine tune how the pack sits and feels at a later stage.
Pockets - Ensure there are enough pockets on the rucksack
for all your needs. Lid pockets are especially useful for carrying
items that need to be accessible in a hurry - such as guidebooks, for
instance. Mesh pockets (usually located either side near the bottom of
the backpack) are great for holding wet gear should you be fresh out of
those handy plastic bags. Outer side pockets are also exceptionally
handy for storing items that you want quick access to whilst travelling
– or when your rucksack is half buried in other luggage - and are large
enough to accommodate substantial items such as water bottles and tasty
road-nibbles. In general, pockets allow for a better separation of your
gear. If you like a modicum of organisation, including somewhere
separate to put your skanky pants, you can never have too many pockets.
Compartments – If you opt for a top loading backpack then
it’s advisable to choose one with at least two, separately accessible,
compartments - thus providing access from both the top and the bottom
of the backpack. This arrangement is ideal if packing/unpacking is a
regular occurrence, as you can put your most used items in one
compartment, and makes for a good compromise if you were also
considering the purchase of a Travel Pack. You may also find that
internal diaphragms separating the two can be unzipped to accommodate
larger items if need be.
Top Flap – If opting for a top loading pack then look for a
top flap that will extend if need be. It’s a must-have for those
temporary overloads and can always be used to stuff extra little bits
under when your rucksack is already packed and secured.
Back Pads and Stays – These days, rucksacks generally come
with a padded back piece as standard, although better quality versions
will also have ventilation features built in. Ergonomic, raised ribs of
foam will allow better airflow between the carrier and the rucksack.
This airflow means greater comfort, less sweat, and a smaller laundry
pile after a few days of overland travel.
Lightweight, aluminium stays fitted in the rucksack (sometimes
removable) maintain backpack shape and ensure good weight transfer
between the shoulders and the Hip belt. Some versions are smaller, and
therefore less intrusive, than others and will come pre-curved thus
providing greater comfort.
Durability – Take a closer look. Check for durable,
waterproof/water resistant fabrics and tightly stitched seams. Pay
particular attention to where straps fix to the main body. Pull the
seams apart, and be wary if stitching becomes clearly visible. Ideally,
internal seams should be covered by fabric as it will make them less
prone to wear. The base should be constructed from an incredibly
durable material – or at least the same material as the body of the
pack but double lined or double thickness - as that’s the part of the
pack which will be most prone to being scuffed and torn.
Ensure that all zippers and catches look up to the job. Try them all
several times to get a feel for their durability and functionality. Are
the zipper handles too small? Can I fit a padlock through them? Are
there double zippers that meet in the middle in case one breaks? These
are all things to consider.
The benefits of hitting the road with the right backpack cannot be
underestimated. Sure, you can travel with almost any bag – I used to
borrow backpacks, in fact. But a comfortable, well-fitting rucksack
will not only be physically beneficial, but will make life a little
easier in the long run.
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You wrote this so now I don't have to! I can just link to you through my travel gear page and it all will be just as well as if I wrote it myself. I think you covered your bases here, man. My only advice here is to avoid the top-loading rucksacks. I do not know what monkey invented these things, but to getting anything out of them requires dumping everything out. I know, I traveled with one of these bags for three years before I got so sick of it that I had to mail it back to my folk's house. I have since found the Kelty Redwing bag, and I have no complaints. Read The Kelty Redwing 2650 My Backpack to get a small dose of my somewhat annal approach towards travel gear. Graig from Travelvice.com also uses one of these bags and he has come up with an ingenious way of mending its main design flaw, read Lockable Backpack Zippers Kelty Redwing
One more thing to add here: I have found that when selecting a rucksack, choose one that is slightly smaller rather than larger than what you think you will need. I have found that you will fill all available space with junk when traveling, and the less space you have, the less junk you can carry. I have thanked myself a dozen times on hikes up mountains and across cities that my backpack is only slightly larger than a school child's. (then comes a time when my clothes are way too dirty to wear and I realize that I do not have an extra set because I could not fit them into the bag haha)
Walk Slow,
Wade