Whether you’re planning a vacation, or a weekend in your hometown, hiking and biking are great ways to take in an area’s natural scenery. And, autumn is a spectacular season for an outdoor adventure in your local valley, park or mountains.
For your trip, there are many options to carry your belongings. How do you sort through all of the outdoor backpack choices to find the one that will properly suit your needs? Below, are some tips that answer shopping questions when choosing an outdoor backpack.
Assess the Length of Your Trip
This may seem obvious, but for first-time backpack buyers, it is important to consider the planned duration of your hike or ride. While shopping, you can become overwhelmed by the wealth of outdoor backpacks, and go straight for the ones that simply look the part. Most likely, these larger bags provide too much space for a one-day trip, which will leave you with unnecessary, added weight.
Choose something that reasonably fits your necessities for the length of the hike. If you plan on hiking or biking for one day or less, you’ll probably need space for strictly the essentials: food and water, maps, sunscreen, extra clothing, weather gear, etc. Many outdoor backpacks are made for longer trips and overnight adventures, and chances are they are too big for your needs.
High Sierra’s line of outdoor backpacks range from versatile daypacks to larger backpacks for extended trips.
Size Matters
It’s all about weight distribution. If your bag is too big or too small for you to carry, the weight will not be properly balanced, which can cause back pain during your trip. Choose a bag that stays in proportion to your body, as to not cause discomfort, and maintain manageability. Backpacks that are also lightweight and ergonomically designed will keep you comfortable, and in balance.
Eagle Creek’s Deviate collection includes backpacks in a variety of sizes for beginning hikers to experienced adventure-seekers.
Prepare for Precipitation
Even if weather conditions look sunny, it’s beneficial to have a backpack that protects against water to keep your gear dry. Be aware that different terminology regarding water protection can be confusing. For example, a product labeled as “waterproof” usually means it can withstand water submersion. In contrast, “water-resistant” means it can withstand the effects of wet weather, such as rain or snow, but if you drop that bag in a puddle, you may be in trouble.
Look for bags that are made of ballistic nylon, laminated cordura, PVC and other waterproof materials. A good choice is a backpack made of nylon with an extra, water-resistant PU coating, and has additional lining inside for extra protection.
Briggs & Riley's BRX Excursion Backpack is made of high-performance, water-resistant, ripstop nylon, and has additional moisture-wicking mesh nylon to keep your belongings dry.
Invest in Comfort
Additional comfort features are definitely worth the price, especially if you’re going to be carrying this bag on your back all day, or possible longer. Once you’ve found a bag that fits your needs and your size, try it on, and make sure it’s comfortable. Just like shopping for clothes, a backpack can look stylish, and appear to do the job, but it doesn’t feel quite right once you try it on.
As mentioned above, backpacks that are ergonomically designed and contour your back help ease any discomfort. Padded straps and hip belts can make a world of difference, and take a lot of added pressure off of your shoulders. Invest in a bag that works for you, and is comfortable, so you can focus on the main attraction — the beauty of the outdoors — and worry less about what’s on your back.
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