Rucksacks, backpacks, day packs, they are an essential part of our outdoor kit. The word "backpack" originates from the 1910s USA, and the word "rucksack" was borrowed from Germany where "Rücken" means "back". Ötzi, the over 5,000 years old mummified man found in the Alps on the border between Austria, was found with the oldest known backpack, proving that they are indeed an essential part of our gear. We use them to carry our laptops, water bottles, school books and tents, but many of us don't use them to their full potential. Backpacks, especially the hiking ones, are often not packed correctly, chosen wrongly and not adjusted properly.
Here's our little guide to this essential piece of kit.
How big?
Backpacks come in different sizes. You will likely select one that will suit your needs. Day sacks are smaller than the weekend and trekking rucksacks, and are usually around 20-35 litres in size. You may need a bigger backpack in winter, when you will carry more clothing and gear. Smaller backpacks (5-15 litres) also exist and are often used by fell runners and for fast and light approaches that don't require bringing food and water or any bulky gear. Backpacking packs used to be quite heavy back in the day. My first through-hiking backpack was 85 litres and had a metal frame. These days we have plenty of affordable lightweight gear that allows you to pack for a weekend under the stars into a rucksack of 40-45l. You will need a pack of 50-65l for a longer trip. Of course everyone is different and it also depends on the nature of your journey, but this rough guide should hopefully help you decide what you need.
What frame?
Backpacks are also not all built the same. Smaller backpacks are often frameless, which means tat they are just a bag of fabric without a support structure. These are often used by school children and students, but on a long hike they may start rubbing or cause your back to become sweaty. Hiking day packs often have a padded back or an external frame that helps keep the pack partially off your back to prevent sweating. Larger rucksacks often have internal frames as well, to prevent the contents from moving and to give the rucksack more overall strength.
What extras?
Many packs these days are hydration packs which means that they have an integrated pocket where you can put your hydration pouch/bladder and a whole near the top to thread the pipe through for easy access. Backpacks can be quite minimalist, the best examples of these are the ultralight Z-packs and Granite Gear packs. Most backpacks do have some extras though for comfort and for easy access to the gear. Top pockets in the lid are good for stowing things that you may need on the go (headtorches, snacks, meds). In some larger rucksacks, the lid may be detachable and can be transformed into a smaller day pack. The chest strap secures your backpack shoulder straps and help distribute the weight evenly across the top of your body. In the modern backpacks it often includes n integrated whistle for emergencies, and a loop to hook your drinking pipe through. Load lifter straps are the small straps at the top of the shoulder straps - they help to centre the weight of the pack towards your body by allowing you to shift the top of the pack closer or farther away from your body core. A hip belt, as the name suggests, sits on your hips. It is really important especially in the larger backpacks, as the majority of the weight that you carry should be on your hips, with the chest strap providing extra stabilisation. This is why these belts are often padded for extra comfort. they can also contain handy pockets for snacks on the go, or a small camera. Hiking packs often also have loops or attachments for a pair of hiking poles, a loop to attach an ice axe, a rain cover, and an easy access pocket or a mesh where you can quickly stow away your fleece or wind-stopper and take it out when you stop for a snack.
What size?
Size does matter, and especially the size of the back on your trekking rucksack. The length of the pack from the bottom to the middle of the shoulder straps should roughly match the length of your back to ensure that the rucksack fits your body well. The length of your back is measured from the bony bit at the back of your neck to the height of the top of your hip bones. These days, many modern packs come with adjustable back length. Make sure to check if the model that you have your heart set on has this option - if not, it will be even more important to measure your back before buying it!
How to adjust it?
A new rucksack comes with all straps and belts set at random lengths. Before you set off on your first adventure, you need to adjust your rucksack to your body. This is best done with a packed rucksack as it will help you discover how the weight will lie across your back. The first and arguably the most important part of your rucksack to adjust is your hip belt. it will end up carrying most of the weight so it needs to sit above your hips (with the top of the hip belt sitting about 1" above the top of your hip bones). Adjust it by pulling the waist straps until you feel the weight of your pack on your hips. The fit should be snug but not too tight, remember that you will walk like this all day! Pull the bottom straps on the shoulder straps to bring the pack closer to your body and towards your back. your pack should feel secure but shouldn't feel too tight or restrict your movement. Adjust the top straps on the shoulder straps, to until just before you start feeling the weight lift off your hips. This will vary depending on the load on the day. Now you can close the chest strap and pull it in. You are all set to go!
Why "of men"?
One final point. Most standard hiking packs are made for men. However, female bodies are slightly different from male standards, with broader hips, shorter legs and longer torsos than men as a proportion of their heights. The outdoor industry is starting to recognise this and several manufacturers including Raab and Lowe Alpine produce female specific versions of their packs that are adapted to slimmer female bodies (often labelled ND - narrow design). If you are a female, shopping for female specific gear can be a game changer, specially when it comes to gear that you use all the time, such as a rucksack or a sleeping bag (but more of that in another post).
But now that you bought your rucksack, how to pack it? Read all about it in our next post.
Comments