How to choose a backpack?

When choosing a backpack, you want it to last a long time without complaints and become a real helper. First, you need to understand what you need it for. After all, there are no absolutely universal options. And you also need to know a number of important parameters.

Design

The design of the backrest should be well thought out. It is she who provides the necessary level of moisture drainage and ventilation of the back. Also from the design of the backrest and shoulder straps, adjustable for the anatomical features of the owner, depends on the correct distribution of the load and comfortable fit. In order to rationally distribute all the necessary things, there should be provided pockets of different size, purpose and location. For example, side mesh pockets can easily hold a drink bottle. And the organizer pocket will help to keep small things in order. It is good if the manufacturer has provided different ways to organize the interior space: compartments of different sizes, pockets and fasteners, a carabiner for keys, a place for documents. For all types of backpacks a useful addition will be a compartment with a rain cover.

Volume (liter)

All backpacks have a division by literage. It is important to orient and correctly choose the volume of the backpack.

1. In the category up to 40 liters include urban, trekking, assault (tactical) backpacks, fishing and hunting models, backpacks for snowboarding (freeride), skiing and cycling backpacks.

2. The category from 40 to 70 liters includes medium-sized backpacks for hiking. They will show themselves well in short outings in nature, fishing, hunting and mountain hiking. Medium-liter models are well suited as hiking backpacks for women and teenagers.

3. The last category from 70 to 130 liters. Hard-frame backpacks up to 100 liters are universal. They are used both in short hikes and for serious tourism. In the range from 100 to 130 liters are expedition models, which are designed for multi-day travel. They involve the transportation of serious cargo.

When buying a backpack, especially a large liter, it is better to try it on in a loaded state. With the help of this method, you can correctly assess its convenience in the subsequent wear in the field.

Materials

High-quality materials involved in sewing the backpack, determine its service life. The fabric should be durable, resistant to mechanical influences and non-marking. Now manufacturers are increasingly turning to synthetic fabrics (different types of nylon and polyester). Although for urban models often used leather, suede and denim. To backpack does not let moisture and things inside it were protected from getting wet, the material is often treated with polyurethane or silicone impregnation. The bottom of backpacks is made of corded kapron or reinforcement of the material with reinforced threads. For greater protection of the bottom it is covered on both sides of the water-repellent composition. It is also right to pay attention to the quality of the used fittings.

Scope

Types of backpacks in our time are many. There are highly specialized hunting and fishing, bicycle backpacks, tourist models (trekking, expedition) and sealsacks, as well as urban options. You can choose a backpack that will be relatively versatile and useful for fishing, for country walks and for everyday use in the city.

Fishing backpack

To choose a backpack for fishing, you need to consider your own needs. From this depend on its volume and design features. Models with a volume of up to 50 liters are quite capable of covering all the needs of the fisherman. Convenient location of necessary things provide different volume pockets, compartments for boxes with baits and tackle, as well as external and internal fasteners for elements of equipment and fishing tools. There are backpack chairs for walking fishing, winter backpack boxes for fans of ice fishing.

Hunting backpack

A hunter’s backpack should make as little noise as possible when traveling over rough terrain. Low-noise is achieved by a well thought-out design and specially selected materials. Another important characteristic is the coloring. For example, camouflage coloring, the so-called camouflage pattern provides the hunter with low visibility for game.

Tourist backpack

For a hike, especially a long one, requires a large amount of special equipment and equipment. Therefore, a backpack for tourism should be able to withstand heavy loads, assume a thoughtful arrangement of things, have a comfortable fit on the back. Modern tourist models protect the back from overheating and overstrain, thanks to a well-thought-out ventilation system, adjustable straps and a reliable frame. The use of durable, lightweight materials with water-repellent impregnations ensures the safety of things. Tourist models of large and medium liter often have a rigid frame.

Hermo-backpacks

In a separate category you can put hermorukpacks or germo-bags. They are used to keep things and equipment clean and, most importantly, dry. They are made of materials impermeable to moisture. Seams and zippers germo-bags necessarily treated with special water-repellent compositions. Backpacks will show themselves perfectly during river rafting, cave explorations, fishing, in different tourist outings. They can be taken on hikes in rainy periods or when the fall of large dews.

Backpack for the city

A backpack for the city should be compact, but still hold all the necessary things. It is good if it can accommodate a laptop or if it has compartments for a tablet or smartphone and other gadgets. As a rule, a volume of up to 35 liters is enough for everyday needs. In smaller travel models, a hydrator compartment can be used to accommodate a laptop, and the drinking tube outlet can be adapted for headphones. A useful addition will be reflective inserts, because the traffic in cities is saturated. In addition to the functional filling of the city backpack is important its design.

Bike backpack

Models of this group should fit tightly to the back with a reliable chest, as well as a waist tie, so as not to interfere during the ride. At the same time, it is necessary to have good ventilation at the contact points (shoulder straps, back pads, waist tie). Special inserts with coated mesh are used for moisture removal. There is often a pocket for a hydrator and a hole for a drinking tube. Thanks to this, the cyclist can drink directly while riding. A good addition will be separate mounts for a beacon, flashlight and helmet. Reflective elements are a must on bike backpacks for better visibility of the cyclist in poor light conditions.

Backpacks for skiing and snowboarding (freeride).

A backpack for freeride or skiing should have strong slings for carrying skis, ski poles or snowboards. This way you can free your hands while hiking to the place where you start downhill or skiing. Such a backpack should have a comfortable, secure fit. This requires adjustable straps, waist belt and fixation on the chest. Models for freeride often have avalanche rescue functions. For example, have a built-in avalung, allowing a person caught in an avalanche to breathe under the snow. The volume of such models ranges up to 30 liters. It is enough to place a first aid kit, avalanche sensor, shovel, dipstick, ski equipment items, thermos with hot drink.

Assault (tactical) backpacks

The models of this group have a number of features. In their manufacture, very durable materials are used – dense polyester, ballistic nylon and cordura. On the front side of the assault backpacks, as a rule, stitched special MOLLE slings for attaching different bags. There is also a Velcro panel for patches. The organization of the internal space should be optimized for all kinds of tasks. There should be a lot of internal pockets and compartments for various small items. Tactical backpacks are originally oriented for use in the army and special units. However, they can be successfully used for peaceful needs – hiking, fishing, hunting and wearing in the city.

Of all the variety of models of backpacks everyone can find the one that will be to his liking. You may need several different backpacks to meet all your needs, but using the information in this article you can choose one that will be a faithful companion for a long time.

Author: Bob Nudd is an expert fisherman with over 20 years experience and winner of many competitions.