Hiking Backpacks

What Type of Hiking Backpack do You Need?

Are you ready to buy a new or your first hiking backpack? You can use it to visit the outdoors or even on your daily city commuting. Hiking rucksacks vary by their volume capacity, fit and features. Depending on your intent of use, you will be able to choose the right one for you.

Hiking Rucksack Capacity

Choosing the right volume for your camping rucksack can make or break your trip. If you are going on a week trip, you shouldn't buy a 30l camping bag. You don't want to buy one that can fit too many litres either because then the rucksack can be too large for you to ever fill up.

• Up to 30l: Ideal for day trips or even when travelling throughout the city. If you pack very lightly during the warmer season, they could even fit your items for one or two nights.
• 30 - 50l: Ideal for one to three nights, or a weekend trip in the mountains. This camping bag should carry all your light essentials and some food. This gives you more leverage to bring more items, or when you naturally need more layers during the winter.
• 50 - 80l: Perfect for three to five nights, especially if you over-pack and want to carry your items on your camping rucksack instead of a suitcase.
• 70l +: Thes are for trips that last for five nights or more. If you are going for a month backpacking trip, go for this size. If you have children and need to carry their items too, this will fit everything much more comfortably. 

Camping Backpack Fit

There are a few sizing measurements that you should take into consideration when choosing a hiking backpack. 

• Torso Length: some camping backpacks come in various sizes, from XS to L. These sizes vary by brands, which usually have a sizing chart showing the suitable torso length for a given size.
• Waist Measurement: most larger hiking backpacks come with hipbelts to help support the rupsack's weight. Some camping rupsacks feature interchangeable hipbelts, which is ideal for those with a small waist.

Hiking Backpack Frame Type

• Internal: These internal frame backpacks keep the weight of the camping rucksack evenly distributed on the wearer by aiming most of the weight on the hips. These backpacks keep the weight stable even on rougher terrains.
• External: When dealing with a very heavy load, these camping bags with an external frame are more appropriate. 
• Frameless: This is often seen in smaller hiking backpacks, which don't require a heavy load.

Hiking Backpack Features

There are a number of special features to look out for when choosing a hiking rucksack. These can make your long (or short) trips much easier when carrying heavy loads or your sleeping bag. You should also always be ready for unexpected weather.

• Ventilation: If you are travelling during the warmer months, a hiking rucksack with a tension-mesh suspension will avoid having the bag sitting right on your back. There are also chimney ventilation that are built-into the back padding on some camping rucksack models.
• Raincover: When hiking outside, you might meet some bad weather. These moments are great for using a raincover to protect your belongings inside your camping backpack.
• Special Straps: If you use trekking poles, there are some hiking rucksacks with special tool loops and straps to attach such items.You can sometimes find gear loops around the hips for clip on tools, or a mesh daisy chain for your helmet (located on the outside of the camping bag).
• Sleepingbag Compartment: This is often located on the botton of the hiking backpack. This gives you easy access to your sleepingbag and can hold other items when it's not in use.