What To Look For In A Backpack

So with a little over a month before i head on my First big 'Back packing' Trip, i thought i'd write about one VERY important thing to do with Travelling and Backpacking.... YOUR BACKPACK. Picking the right backpack is an important part of any trip. Too big, and you’ll have too much extra weight. Too small, and you’ll never fit anything in. Pick the wrong material, and when it rains, your stuff will be soaked. There are so many options out there that it can be very confusing.

What to look for in a Backpack?

Water resistant material – While your pack does not need to be 100% waterproof, make sure your bag is made out of a semi-waterproof material so everything doesn't get wet in a drizzle. Many packs come with tarps/ waterproof covers you can put over them in case of some rain.

Multiple Compartments – A good bag must have multiple compartments. This way, you can break up your belongings into smaller sections so it’s easier to access and find the stuff you need. For example, my clothes are in the main compartment of my bag, my shoes in the bottom, toiletries in the front/separated small bag, and miscellaneous in the front/separated medium bag. It saves time from having to dig around your bag to find what you are looking for.

Padded Hip Belt, Shoulder Straps, & Back – Most of the weight you will be carrying around will be pushing down on your hips and shoulders, so you’ll want a padded belt to make supporting the weight more comfortable. The belt will help provide support and distribute the weight load more evenly on your back causing less strain and problems. Make sure the padding is very thick and made up of a single piece of material as it will be less likely to split and thin out. The hip belt should also be adjustable so you can tighten it for extra support. A lumbar-shaped pack makes carrying it more comfortable, as it allows for a more natural arch to ensure no back pain. Another bonus, this type of pack creates a small space between your back and the bag allowing air to move through which is a fantastic way too keep you cool after you've been lugging your bag around in 40+ degrees Celsius.

Does size matter – No one backpack size is better than another. What matters is that your backpack is the right size for what you need, and the right size for you. It should be proportioned to your body, so that might mean a backpack that is 40 liters or 80 liters. If your backpack is too big or too small, the weight won’t be balanced properly and will cause back pain or make you unsteady when carrying it. You don’t want a bag too big in comparison to yourself, it can leave you feel vulnerable and an easier target for someone to knock over/or take your things. But, you also don’t want a pack that is clearly too small and overflowing with all your stuff. When you are at the store (and any good camping/outdoors store will do this), they should be able to stuff your backpack with the equivalent of 30 pounds (15 kilograms) so you can see how that much weight feels on your back.


- Danie J