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