Choosing the right backpack can be a daunting task. Learn how to choose the best pack for you based on perfect fit, activity, capacity, trip length & more.
Table of Contents
Backpack Choosing Factors
Looking for the right backpack for you? You will need to find answers to the following questions to make the perfect choice for yourself.
- How long is your trip?
- Where and when are you going?
Backpacking Style
The style of backpacking you prefer has a lot to do with the kind of backpack selection. By determining what kind of adventure style you choose, you can focus on models that suit your needs and eliminate those that don’t.
Light and Fast
Are you the type of explorer who likes to move swiftly through the terrain? If you take pride in covering long distances by putting your body in the line and prefer to carry the bare minimum of weight, then an ultralight backpack with a smaller capacity will suit you.
This type of backpack comes with easy accessibility features like multiple pockets, zipper or lid access, and a lot of front pockets to allow you the freedom to access water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, and other essential gear without having to take off your pack while trekking.
Heavy and Relaxed
On the other side, are you willing to carry some extra weight to prioritize extra comfort in the woods? If you like to carry some extra stuff like camera gear, fishing rods, books, etc to enjoy your time in the bush, you will have to opt for a bigger bag with a larger capacity to accommodate everything you want to carry.
If you are the type of person who does not bother about how fast or slow you are moving through the trail and prefers to enjoy nature at a relaxed pace, larger packs with a good pocket assortment will be the right choice for your style of outdoor adventure.
Backpack Capacity and Weight
Determining the right capacity and weight for your pack depends on multiple factors such as the duration of your trip, activity types, weather conditions, amount of gear, and additional features. The longer the duration of your journey, the more gear you will carry and the larger bag you will need.
If you plan to do different activities like climbing or skiing, you will need a bigger pack to make space for additional gear required for those activities. if your plan is to explore high-altitude or island areas, you will have to carry a bigger pack to fit in extra clothing and layers to cope with the unpredictable weather patterns of those kinds of areas.
Packs with additional features can add extra weight but that is not always so bad as those features can make your experience smoother.
Day Hike Backpack: 10-25 Liters
For a day hike, a pack of 10-25 liters should be enough. With this kind of backpack, you will have enough space to carry essentials like water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, a mobile phone, and a jacket for all weather conditions. An ultralight pack like this will allow you to move quickly through the trails.
Overnight Backpack: 20-35 Liters
If you are going on an overnight trip, you will need a pack with a larger capacity of between 20 to 35 liters to accommodate the extra gear you will have to carry for the night. A pack of this size should have enough space for some extra gear like a tent, sleeping bag, cooking gear, water purification method, etc.
2-3 Days Backpack: 35-50 Liters
This kind of pack usually falls under the category of weekend rucksack. A 2-3 days weekend adventure would require a backpack with 35-50 liters of capacity to carry the extra gear to be carried for additional days. In weekend hikes like these, you are more susceptible to unpredictable weather patterns; you will have to carry more gear and clothing. A pack of this category will allow you to shoulder additional clothing and gear to endure for a few days in the wilderness.
Multiday Backpack: 50-80 Liters
An expedition for more than 3 days will require a larger and heavier backpack, usually around 50-80 liters of capacity. In a multi-day adventure, you will need more food and cooking gear, better first aid and survival kit, extra clothing, and layers for a comfortable sleeping setup.
A larger bag will also have space for extra activity equipment like fishing or mountaineering gear. If you are looking to bring along some extra gear to have some luxury on a shorter trip, a pack of this volume will be ideal.
Backpack Size and Fit
It is extremely important that your backpack fits properly to your body, to have a pleasant backpacking experience. If your pack is not a good fit for your body, you will struggle to haul the weight of your pack on the trail. Some of the most crucial components to consider to make sure the pack fits you perfectly are frame size, hip belt size and fit, shoulder strap, and suspension.
Backpack Frame Size
One size does not fit all, you will need to find the perfect fit for your body dimension. Pack fits depending on the length of your torso. To measure your torso length accurately, you will need to calculate the distance between your C7 vertebra and iliac crest.
If you lean your head forward and touch the base of your neck, the most prominent bone that sticks out is C7. To find the iliac crest, locate the line on top of your hip bones. You will most likely find a length between 16-23 inches range. To find a perfect fit, the distance between the shoulder strap and the hip belt of your bag should be the same as your torso length.
Manufacturers may use different methods to calculate torso length, so you need to make sure the frame size of your backpack matches your torso length before you make the purchase. Remember, torso length does not necessarily depend on your height. A tall person can have a short torso and a short person can have a relatively tall torso.
Hip Belt Size and Suspension
Your perfect hip belt size will depend on the size of your waist. The heavier the pack, the more hip belt size and padding become a factor. Ideally, more than 80% of the pack’s weight should be on your hip; so that the larger bones and muscles can carry most of the load.
For larger packs, make sure you have adjustable hip belts with enough padding; unless you will have back pain because of inefficient weight distribution. Make sure your backpack has adequate padding and suspension to distribute the weight properly.
Shoulder Straps and Back Panel
Shoulder straps should anatomically go up and over the shoulder, leaving no space between your shoulder and the straps. Straps have to contour around your shoulders for a comfortable experience without any kind of itching or pinching. Make sure your pack has adjustable load lifter straps and sternum straps to balance the weight evenly. The back panel of your backpack should have enough padding to make sure nothing is poking you on the back.
Additional Features
Backpacks with extra features usually come along with additional weight, costs, and functionalities. If an extra function of your bag makes your journey a little smoother, it might be worth it to carry that little extra weight and spend a bit more.
All the features might not be useful for everyone. For instance, if you mostly hike in deserted areas; an integrated rain cover might not be as useful to you compared to those who hike in high-altitude regions with frequent rainfall. So, pick the pack that comes with the features that you need.
External Attachments
External attachment options like loops, clips, and daisy chains on your pack will let you tether additional gear like ropes, and trekking poles to the outside of your pack. This feature will also enable you to expose some of the gear like solar grid, and wet jacket to sun and air.
Ventilation
If you are backpacking in warm weather, you would like to carry a backpack with a suspended mesh back panel to provide proper ventilation. This feature keeps the pack away from your back and creates space for airflow to prevent you from excessive sweating and the suspension mesh provides extra comfort.
Rain Cover
If you are hiking in unpredictable weather conditions, carrying a rain cover will be a wise thing to do. Even if your pack is waterproof, water can seep through seams and zippers. Some backpacks come with a built-in rain cover, while some have a separate compartment for it.
Hydration Compatibility
Some backpacks come with a separate sleeve to hold a hydration reservoir and hooks to keep it vertical. This feature includes extra clips and ports to keep the drinking tube accessible. This can turn out to be a convenience booster if you like to take a sip every once in a while on your trek. However, this convenient feature is more prone to failure than water bottles.
Accessible Pockets
A backpack with a lot of accessible pockets will make your journey smoother, you will be able to access things on the go. Accessible pockets in places like hip belts and shoulder straps will allow you to access many small essentials such as a flashlight, snacks, sunscreens, and your phone in a very convenient way.
Removable Daypack
Daypacks are convenient for brief excursions during the trip. For instance, small daypacks come in handy for shorter trips like from camp to the summit point. A removable daypack will allow you to carry the absolute essentials when you feel like leaving your pack somewhere.
Testing a Backpack
After you have found a backpack that has the right capacity and all the features you are looking for, you need to test the pack if it feels right on your shoulder, back, waist, and chest. You will also have to consider the materials used to produce the backpack and how durable those materials are.
Walk Around With the Backpack
If you are satisfied with the features and the capacity of the backpack, load it up with maximum capacity weight. Most retailers have pack weights to fill up. Wear it, and walk around with the pack for a while.
Check if the shoulder and hip belt straps are comfortable enough, and adjust the straps to examine any possible inconveniences. Consider how the weight is distributed around different parts of your body. You should feel most of the weight around your hips and be comfortable walking around with the pack.
Cost and Durability
The most expensive and feature-packed backpack might not necessarily be the best choice for you. Sometimes, you may be impulsed to buy a bag with fancy features that you will not necessarily need, you will have to choose a pack that is a perfect fit for your body type and your budget.
Check the quality of the materials and how durable the pack is. If you are a frequent backpacker, you will thank yourself in the future for choosing a pack with high-quality materials; even if you have to spend a little more.
Conclusion
Now you have all the necessary information regarding capacity, weight, size, fit, and features, you should be well on your way to making an informed decision for the perfect backpack for yourself. You are not likely not find every single brand and variation in one store. So, do not forget to explore the plethora of options available on the market to pick up the best one for you. Have a good trip!