| Choosing the right hiking backpack is important. It | | | | a hiker that will be carrying a lot of weight, regardless |
| may seem like any pack will do, but this just isn't so. | | | | of terrain or length of time. |
| Hiking with the right backpack for the conditions, | | | | Other Features You Might Need |
| load, weight, your body type, etc can often make or | | | | Whether you choose an internal or external frame |
| break your trip. | | | | hiking backpack, you'll also want to look at the |
| Because of this, if you're getting ready to buy a | | | | additional features that the pack provides. Things like |
| hiking backpack, you'll definitely want to take a look | | | | the quality of the hip belt, shoulder harness and |
| at these tips to make sure you put your money into | | | | stabilizer straps are essential to a safe and |
| a pack that will help make hiking the fun and amazing | | | | comfortable hike. If you're a woman, there are also |
| experience it should be. | | | | packs with special belts, and harnesses made to |
| What Type of Hiking Do You Enjoy? | | | | accommodate contoured hips, shorter torso lengths |
| Are you a day trekker or are you planning a | | | | and straps that go around instead of over the chest. |
| backpacking trip? Regardless of how long you go out, | | | | You'll want to consider the pockets on the pack, |
| what type of terrain are you generally on; easy to | | | | especially if it's an internal frame backpack, since they |
| moderate hills, or are you out climbing the mountain | | | | are usually comprised of one main compartment, |
| peaks? How about the goal of your trip; are you | | | | which makes organizing your gear a bit more tricky. |
| heading out for a backcountry ski/snowboard trip or, | | | | With some good pockets on the outside though, you |
| maybe you're going climbing? | | | | can easily accommodate your more frequently used |
| The type of hiking you do will help determine what | | | | gear in either type of pack. |
| your backpack needs are. You're going to be carrying | | | | Additional features you might want to consider |
| more weight for a longer period of time if you're | | | | include daypack conversion (a removable lid or front |
| going on a week long backpacking trip vs. a day long | | | | pocket that you can use for day hikes or short hikes |
| journey. Also, if you're heading out climbing or | | | | from your base-camp), a hydration reservoir, and |
| boarding, you'll need special spots to carry all your | | | | special pockets, straps or cord configurations to |
| gear. | | | | accommodate ice axes, climbing ropes, or snow |
| There's a wide variety of backpacks on the market | | | | shoes. |
| and all of these needs can be accommodated with | | | | You'll also want to decide if you need your pack to |
| one pack or another, however, you've got to know | | | | be waterproof or not. This really depends on your |
| your own personal goals so you don't end up with | | | | climate as well as your plans, but if you can swing it, |
| more or less backpack than you need. Once you | | | | having a waterproof hiking backpack is always a |
| know where you're going though, you can move on | | | | good thing! |
| and look at the various features of the hiking | | | | Capacity - How Much Space Do You Need |
| backpacks on the market today. | | | | The following are some general guidelines to help you |
| The Basics; External Frame or Internal Frame | | | | decide what your capacity requirements for your |
| Backpacks | | | | backpack might be: |
| The main feature you'll need to decide on first is | | | | - Up to 3,000 Cubic Inches - You'll find enough space |
| whether the hikes you want to take will require an | | | | in this size of a pack for a day hike or even an |
| internal frame backpack or an external frame | | | | overnight excursion in warmer weather when you |
| backpack. Let's start with the internal frame packs. | | | | need less gear. |
| Internal frame hiking backpacks have the framework | | | | - 3,000 - 4,000 Cubic Inches - These packs are good |
| of the backpack built inside the pack behind the | | | | for a 1-2 night hiking trip and will hold all the essentials |
| shoulder harness. This frame is made of flat bars | | | | including gear, warm clothes and food. |
| called "stays". These stays are designed to conform | | | | - 4,000 - 5,000 Cubic Inches - With this capacity you'll |
| to your body over time, and many can even be bent | | | | have the space to pack for a 3-4 night backpacking |
| by hand into the desired shape. | | | | trip. |
| As a result of the way internal frame backpacks are | | | | - 5,000 - 6,000 Cubic Inches - You can pack for a |
| built, they end up being tall and narrow, and hug your | | | | week long backpacking trip in a pack this size. |
| body which makes them great for off trail hiking, | | | | - 6,000 Cubic Inches and Up - This level of capacity is |
| climbing, etc because they allow for increased | | | | either for those who enjoy trips longer than a week, |
| flexibility, maneuverability, and balance. | | | | winter hiking where you're carrying a lot of |
| External frame packs, as you'll probably guess, have | | | | equipment, or, for a parent who ends up carrying the |
| their frame attached to the outside of the backpack. | | | | majority of their family's camping gear. |
| These frames are more rigid and as a result, provide | | | | After reading this information, you should be ready |
| more support for heavier loads. However, this rigidity | | | | to start looking at hiking backpacks with a solid |
| also makes the pack stiffer and reduces the pack's | | | | understanding of what type of pack will suit your |
| ability to bend and move with you. | | | | specific needs. Then, you can confidently make your |
| These features make external frame hiking | | | | purchase and hit the trails! |
| backpacks a great choice for beginner level hikers, or, | | | | |