February 27, 2023, 15:20 – BLiTZ – News
A backpack is an indispensable travel companion. In order for a hiking backpack to serve its owner for many years, one should responsibly approach his choice. The public news service looked into what aspects to look for when buying a hiking backpack.
The choice of a backpack depends on the specifics of the trip. There are models for one-day and multi-day trips, as well as mountain, bicycle and even children’s copies.
Varieties
Consider the types of backpacks depending on their design:
They are specimens with a solid frame on which the suspension and bag are attached. Previously, tourists used in most cases the easel version, but now it is almost never used, since the frame greatly increases the weight of the product.
The most demanded option in tourist circles. Here, the weight distribution is well balanced thanks to special plastic or metal inserts. Usually the plates are sewn into the product, but there are also removable samples.
There are no rigid elements in such a backpack, so it can be stored folded. To give the product rigidity, it must be properly laid, which is not an easy task, so it is not recommended for novice tourists to buy it.
Volume
The main criterion when choosing a backpack is its volume. A small backpack will not give you the opportunity to carry all the things you want, and a backpack that is too large makes it tempting to pack even what is not needed during the trip.
For an adult tourist during a weekend trip, a backpack with a volume of 40-65 liters is enough.
For longer trips, the following figures are more appropriate:
For a long trip on a flat road, a backpack with a volume of 80-100 liters is suitable for a man, 60-80 liters for a woman.
mountain tourism
To go on a trip to the mountains, a copy with a volume of 90 liters or more will be a more appropriate product for a man; again, 60-80 liters are enough for a woman.
Water and ski travel
For difficult hikes in a backpack, you will need to take away equipment and equipment, so men are advised to take a backpack from 130 liters, women – from 80 liters.
If in doubt about choosing the volume of a backpack, look at models with the ability to adjust the size yourself.
Weight
At first glance, it seems that a good backpack is a light backpack, but in fact, the lightness of the product is achieved by greatly thinning the material, minimizing and lightness of fittings and simplifying ergonomics, which means that a backpack that is too light will require more careful handling, which is not so easy to achieve. on a hike, and also will not allow you to put things heavier than 10–12 kg there.
In this regard, it is again recommended to build on the specifics of the trip and select the weight of the product depending on personal preferences. This means that if you have to carry heavy things during the trip, you will have to be prepared to buy a rather heavy backpack. Photo: freepik.com
Material
Basically, products for tourism are made from durable synthetic materials, for example, cordura, nylon, oxford fabrics. Experienced tourists recommend giving preference to a variety of Rip Stop fabric, which is a thickened thread. Such specimens are somewhat higher in price, but they endure a heavy load for a long time.
Choose a backpack with a waterproof film. It is unlikely that it will save from heavy rain, but it is perfect for protection from dew and moisture.
Size
The backpack should fit the anatomical features of a person without compromising the health of his spine, so when choosing a size, measure the distance from the ilium to the 7th cervical vertebra on your body and select the model of the appropriate parameters:
torso length up to 40 cm – XS; 40–45 – S; 45–50 – M; more than 50 cm – L.
