| The
backpacking days of pinched muscles, chaffed skin and painful
pressure points are over. Use the following guidelines to
buy the new generation backpack best designed for you.
Decide whether or not to buy an internal-frame
pack versus and external-frame pack: Internal-frame packs
are ideal when you need to store all of your gear inside the
pack (to avoid snow or snagging), or when you need the weight
of the bag to hug your center of gravity, as with activities
like boulder scrambles, off-trail trekking and rock climbing.
Prepare to spend anywhere from $90 to over
$400 for a good internal-frame pack. Reputable manufacturers
carry packs for as low as $70, but these tend to be heavier,
smaller and have minimal features.
Prioritize comfort and weight as your primary
considerations when selecting a pack. Extra features are fun
(and expensive), but in the end you want a pack you can carry
with little effort.
Look for the following features to maximize
comfort when carrying a pack: lots of padding; a hip belt
which is "conically cut" (wide at the bottom); curved
shoulder pads which won't chafe the skin; an open-cell foam
pad in the back which breathes when you sweat; and a rod which
arcs across the back of the pack, meeting up with aluminum
stays to balance load and shift the weight to your hips.
Choose a bag big enough to carry all of your
gear, but not so big that it will be too heavy or have extra
room in it. Keep in mind the following considerations: if
you'll be using it for weekend trips or extended trips; the
size of your tent; if you'll be carrying winter clothing or
extra gear; if you'll be carrying gear for your hiking partner
or a child; how much weight you're able to carry.
Check the bag for durability by looking for
the following: solid stitching around the zippers, reinforced
bottom panels, reinforced straps.
Consider purchasing a backpack which includes
the following special features: adjustable length, water bottle
holster, dividable compartments, hydration bladder, "shove
it" pocket, spindrift collar, daypack conversion, and
fanny pack conversion.
Consider a waterproof pack with zipper pulls
that can be opened with mittens if you plan to be out in rain
or snow.
Try various backpacks on for fit at a reputable
outdoor store with a salesperson willing to spend a bit of
time with you. A salesperson will be helpful in suggesting
packs and adjusting these for maximum comfort.
Consult Web sites for outdoor magazines and
read their product reviews and buying tips before setting
out for an outdoor equipment store.
Consider renting a pack and trying it out
before purchasing it. Many outdoor stores offer a range of
rentals.
Avoid getting a pack that has too much space
for what you will normally be carrying. Packs fit best when
full, and if you have extra room you are bound to end up carrying
the extra loads of your companions.
Backpack
| Choose
a Backpacking rucksack | Load
a Backpack | Wear
a karrimor rucksack |
Buy
a Backpack for a Woman | Buy
a Child's Backpack | Buy
an Internal-Frame Backpack |
