Even if you are a pro and experienced hiker or a novice, equipment is very important to a succesful trip. From short to long hikes, everybody needs a backpack - for food, technical equipment, first aid and water.
The aim of this article:
learn how to choose a backpack
learn how to wear correctly the backpack
learn the different proprieties of the backpacks for different purposes
On the market you will find a huge variety of backpacks. The question pops up: how do I choose the right one for me?
We made some classifications in order to choose the perfect fit for you.
The first classification would be the volume classification: backpacks start from 20 liters (for one day trips) to 80 or 80+ liters (for many days or expeditions).
20 Liter Backpack
50 Liter Backpack
70 Liter Backpack
The second classification is the gender one: these are for men and women.
The women backpacks are ususally a bit shorter , but keeping the save volume. Also, the straps are a bit smaller and curved at the chest zone, while the basin straps are wider - for a better support on the hips.
Women backpack
The third classifications would be season classification: cold and warm weather backpacks. The winter backpacks have a full padded back while the warm ones have a net at back that lets the body breath by keeping a distance between the backpacker direct back to the backpack.
Net of the backpacks for warm weather
Backpack characteristics:
Trekking ones - have special straps for one ice pick, trekking poles and a camelback pouch - for water
Rockclimbing ones - special straps for two ice picks, many hard straps for hanging equipment like carabiners, helmets, ropes; trail skiing hoops
Avalanche ones - special hoops for freeride skiing, airbag in case something happens
How to wear correctly a backpack?
clase the lower belt and thighten it around your hips - this will move some of the weight from your shoulders
pull the sides straps to adjust the lenght of the suspenders
the straps from your shoulders needs to be pulled in order to move the body of the backpack towards you
lastly the chest strap - usually when you havr a really heavy backpack it should always be closed; sometimes it has integrated a wisle for emergency purposes.
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