How to Choose a Backpack: A Beginner's Guide

How to Choose a Backpack: A Beginner's Guide

Our beginner's guide to choosing a backpack will help you make the best choice for your backpacking needs and ensure comfort and reliability

Whether you're embarking on a day hike through rolling hills or an extended expedition crossing an ice shelf, knowing how to choose the best backpack for your trip will make it infinitely more enjoyable.

There are tons of options available and it can be a confusing proposition, but doing it right will ensure comfort and reliability day after day.

With that in mind, we've put together a comprehensive guide to choosing a backpack.

How to choose a backpack

We've divided our guide to choosing a backpack into the following subsections.

• Überlegungen
• Arten von Rucksäcken
• Größe und Kapazität
• Eigenschaften eines Rucksacks
• So passen Sie einen Rucksack an
• Zusatzfunktionen und Zubehör

Considerations

When choosing a backpack, ask yourself the following questions:

• Wo gehst du hin?
• Wann gehst du?
• Wie wird das Wetter sein?
• Wie lange gehst du?
• Wie viel werden Sie tragen?
• Welche Ausrüstung wirst du mitnehmen?
• Welche Aktivitäten werden Sie durchführen?
• Welches Terrain werden Sie abdecken?
• Wie stark bist du?

Types of backpacks

The primary purpose of your backpack will influence every part of the buying process. A winter mountaineer who plans to spend a month on the slopes of an 8,000-meter peak has different requirements than a round-the-world hiker who expects little more than a day hike.

Trekking backpack: My favorite backpack is an Osprey Exos 38 backpack, which weighs just over a kilogram. It is super light, spacious, durable and suitable for most camping and trekking trips, including shorter wild camping and winter mountaineering trips.

It offers enough space for a sleeping bag and light camping gear and at only 38 liters it also encourages me to keep the weight down. Another great option is the Levity 45, which only weighs 800g, although it holds more!

alt=”how to choose a backpack for hiking”>Atlas & BootsI use an Osprey Exos 38 backpack on hikes

Trekking backpacks are usually over 40 liters in size, strong and weatherproof, but also light, comfortable and stable. The backpack should be well ventilated and have plenty of stretch mesh and stuff pockets to squeeze gear in.

Daypacks: Personally, I don't tend to use a daypack because I usually have camera equipment with me and I prefer to use my trekking backpack because I need a little more space. Kia has an Osprey Tempest Pro 18 daypack that's cool and comfortable with enough space for your essentials.

It has some nice touches like attachments for sunglasses, safety lights, and trekking poles, as well as side pockets for water bottles, quick-access hip pockets, and a storage pocket large enough to hold a bike helmet.

Expedition backpack: For longer expeditions, it needs to be something larger and more durable. I use an 85l Osprey expedition backpack. It's large and comfortable enough to carry in high camp and can be easily packed up and used as a daypack for day hikes. The removable lid also means it can be further compressed and used as carry-on luggage during flights.

alt="expedition backpack">Atlas & BootsOn longer tours I use an 85l Osprey expedition backpack

The material used throughout is stronger, thicker and therefore heavier than previous options. However, it will be used for longer periods of time for heavier equipment, so the shoulder straps and hip belt will need more padding to provide additional comfort, as well as plenty of external accessory straps, storage compartments and storage pockets.

Alpine backpack: I have a different type of backpack for climbing trips. Alpine and climbing backpacks generally have fewer compartments but more distinctive features such as a finger grip strap, ice tool attachments, crampons pockets, a hydration system, and lighter, more flexible back support.

Adventure Travel: Adventure travel packages are excellent crossover backpacks with suitcases for active vacationers. The backpacks have many of the above elements combined with everyday features such as laptop and device compartments, a zippered shoe compartment and a separate compartment for wet/muddy gear. They often have a more rigid exterior, similar to that of a suitcase. Some, like the Osprey Farpoint Wheels 36, even come with wheels.

alt="Osprey luggage against a seascape">Atlas & BootsMy Osprey Farpoint wheels 36

Size and capacity

All of the above considerations will affect the size and capacity of your backpack. Preferences and requirements vary, of course, but the following is a good guide.

Weekend (1-3 nights; 30-50 liters)

If you're escaping into the wilderness for just a short break, your priority should be to stay light. If you're efficient, you can make the journey very easy on your feet (and back), cover more ground, and avoid unnecessary pain. You have to be disciplined and leave the luxuries at home while at the same time never ignoring the ten essentials.

Multi-day (3-5 nights; 40-70 liters) / long-term trip

These are the most popular backpacks and cover most eventualities. 40-70 liter backpacks are very versatile and can be used by backcountry skiers, day trippers and overnight guests. They're also ideal for long-term travelers who have more to carry than the average vacationer.

Long-term trip (5+ nights; 70 liters or more)

Longer trips of 5 days or more typically require packs of 70 liters or more. These are usually the preferred choice for:

• Winteraktivitäten, die länger als eine Nacht dauern. Größere Rucksäcke bieten bequemer Platz für wärmere Kleidung, dickere Schlafsäcke und 4-Jahreszeiten-Zelte mit schwereren Stangen.
• Längere Reisen in die Wildnis erfordern mehr Vorräte und Ausrüstung.
• Expeditionen in rauer Umgebung.
• Erwachsene mit Kindern. (Mama und Papa tragen am Ende mehr von dem Kit!)

Features of a backpack

Not all backpacks have all of these attributes, but they are the features you should look for when considering how to choose a backpack.

alt="how to choose a backpack features diagram">Atlas & BootsWhen choosing a backpack, pay attention to these features

Hiking Pole/Ice Ax Loops: Use these loops for your hiking poles and/or ice axes.

Zippered front panel: This can be opened for easy access to the main compartment.

Lid: The lid typically includes a pocket for easy-access storage on top of your backpack. The lid can also be partially removed to save weight or even be used as a small hip bag.

Load Lifters: These adjustment straps may look small, but they are essential for carrying loads as comfortably as possible. They connect the shoulder straps to the top of the backpack frame and can be used to change the angle and distance of the backpack from your body. This helps prevent a heavy backpack from being pulled away from you and keeps the load/weight of your backpack centered on your hips.

Chest Strap: The chest strap (or chest strap) attaches to the shoulder straps and sits across the chest when complete. Both the position and length of the strap should be adjustable. They improve the stability of the backpack and keep the shoulder straps stable by preventing slipping.

Shoulder straps: As with the hip straps, the thickness and type of padding on the shoulder straps changes with the size of the backpack. Thick padded straps provide comfort and support, while thinner ones provide better flexibility. Here too, mesh straps ensure better ventilation.

Back Panel: These should be contoured and padded for comfort. They should be adjustable and include foam channels to provide padding that also improves breathability. For warm-weather hikes, you may consider a backpack with a hanging mesh system that provides better ventilation.

Hip Belt: A properly fitting hip belt can ensure a great hiking experience. Conversely, if it's not a good fit, it can lead to a miserable experience. The weight of the backpack should be evenly distributed so that your shoulders don't hurt. The larger the backpack, the thicker the padding, which provides maximum support and comfort when carrying heavy loads.

Hip Belt Pockets: Quick access pockets ideal for snacks, phone, wallet, gloves and other small items.

Front Pocket: Great for changeable weather. Perfect for storing your jacket, guidebook, camera, rain gear, etc.

Sleeping bag compartment: Two compartments make organization easier. The base compartment, commonly used to store a sleeping bag, is usually separated from the main pack by an internal, sometimes adjustable, divider.

Stretch Side Pockets: Typically used to store water bottles; Often made from a stretch material for an easy and secure fit.

Roll Mat/Accessory Straps: These are often used to secure a roll mat, but can also be used as general tie down points. I usually set up my tent here.

Compression Straps: Use these straps to reduce the volume of your backpack. They are particularly useful when your backpack is not full as they help keep the load stable.

How to customize a backpack

This is arguably the most important aspect when choosing a backpack. If you do it right, you'll have a backpack that's comfortable, supportive, and stable in all conditions. If you do it wrong, shoulder, hip, and back pain will almost certainly be a problem.

Instead of bombarding you with diagrams and pictures of how to measure your back length, I'll turn you over to Osprey.

Additional functions and accessories

Below are some additional features and accessories to consider when choosing a backpack.

Waterproofing: Fully waterproof backpacks, especially large capacity backpacks, are rare as they require lots of stitching, zippers, and invariably have a hole at the top (so you can grab it!). Instead, robust and durable fabrics are used that offer a certain level of water resistance. These can be coated with a water-repellent treatment, or a far more popular option is a removable rain cover. Another (or additional) option is to pack your gear in waterproof dry bags.

Hydration reservoir: Many backpacks offer an interior pocket where you can attach a hydration reservoir (sold separately). These are ideal for hot hiking tours.

Security: If you're backpacking abroad and are likely to travel through many cities and transport hubs, it might be worth investing in additional security products. Impact-resistant mesh nets and padlocks are just one way to further secure your luggage.

Rationalization: Backpacks are not ideal for airports. They often end up on conveyor belts or in the bulky luggage area. A flight cover or protector for your backpack can make flying easier and your equipment safer.

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Main image: Cineberg/Shutterstock

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