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