Choosing The Right Hiking Backpacks

Hiking backpacks are perhaps, the quintessential piece of hiking equipment. It is one of the items that holds most importance due to the nature of its function (i.e. allowing you to carry the rest of your things in a practical manner!). This is what makes it so important for you to have a backpack of sufficient quality to provide you with reliability and peace of mind wherever your feet take you. Unfortunately, there is such a gigantic range of backpacks on offer that it is practically impossible for beginners to sift the wheat from the chaff. Here are some criteria that might help you reach the right decision:

Weight: As a rough guide, any backpack for use on short hikes (a few days at most) will need to have a carrying weight of around 20-30 pounds. Backpacks for hikes lasting anywhere up to a week will need to carry at least 50 pounds. If you're able to do so, find a store that stocks your backpack and ask an assistant to provide weights so you can try it on at full carrying capacity.

Size: Your hiking backpack should roughly be in proportion with your body size. It shouldn't dwarf you, but neither should you have trouble stretching the straps over your shoulders. Most people should aim for packs somewhere between 40 and 80 litres in size, depending on your height. A backpack should not obstruct the movement of your head, so if the top of it comes higher than your neck then generally it should be discarded.

Price: The amount you pay for your backpack will depend heavily upon the amount of use you want to get out of it. Backpacks wielding more hefty price tags are only really necessary if you expect to be using them for the next ten years or more, regularly. For infrequent use middle and lower range hiking backpacks will easily suffice and save you from spending big money on what will amount to little more than a badge.

Features: There are many different kinds of strap, pad and pouch occupying the seams of backpacks everywhere. It's difficult for me to advise on which are the best without first knowing the activities you're planning and your requirements therein. What I will say is that you should check that all zips and adjusters are of a sufficiently heavy gauge to cope with the rigours of life outdoors. The last thing you want is for waterproofing to fail and soak your night clothes on a cold day!