Tips for Buying the Best Hiking Backpack

So you’ve decided to go hiking. You’ll need a good backpack to hold all your hiking essentials. When you’re shopping for a backpack, consider how much you plan to carry with you. This will help you decide which is the best hiking backpack for you. How much you will carry depends on how long you’re going to hike and what the conditions are going to be throughout your hike. If you’re planning an overnight hiking trip in a place where you can easily grab food in a snack bar or diner, a small backpack would most likely be sufficient, but if you’re going on a week long hike out in the wilderness, you’ll need a much bigger backpack, obviously.

On the average, you will need one gallon (3 to 4 liters) of water for each day you are hiking. Of course, depending on your size, activity and general conditions in the area, that number can vary. And again on the average, you will need 1 to 2 pounds of food for each hiking day. If you’re in shape and you’re planning to hike from morning until evening, you could probably get by without food, just water. Remember, though, that hiking is a calorie burning activity so you’re likely going to eat more food than you usually do. While hiking is a good weight loss activity, you shouldn’t forgo sugars, salts and other nutritional components. You’ll also need to up your intake of fluid while you hike as electrolyte imbalances can make you more exhausted than usual.

You should also consider your overall fitness level when you’re shopping for a backpack. If you’re truly fit, you’ll be able to carry more weight much farther. However, try not to go overboard; even the most experienced hikers aim to minimize the load they have to carry. This load is often referred to as FSO (From the Skin Out) weight, and includes the weight of a loaded backpack (which could be 20 to 50 pounds, even more), socks and shows (around 3 pounds), and so on. Then there is what’s called pack weight, which includes only the weight of an empty backpack. Pack weight can vary due to the material and how much aluminum tubing is used in the construction of the backpack.

How you plan on carrying the weight is another thing you have to consider when shopping for a backpack. Most backpacks have several internal and external flaps and pockets, loops and buckles for carrying add-ons. Some backpacks have flaps that flip over the whole pack, keeping out dirt and water. The smaller flaps in some backpacks cover the buckles and other components that could prove to be uncomfortable or are likely to snag. The loops and buckles let you carry bungee cords, hiking poles, water bottles, tenting equipment and such.

When you pack, make sure you put most of the weight inside the backpack; otherwise, the backpack will be out of balance and will be much more difficult for you to carry. In addition, your backpack is more likely to get caught on tree branches and bushes that way. When you’re packing for a hike, think light, tight and confined.

Don’t just buy the first backpack you come across or that happens to catch your attention. Try out a few backpacks. Your backpack needs to be comfortable for you to carry, as well as be the right size for your build and height. Remember that you will be carrying your backpack and everything in it for hours, and even days. Make sure the backpack has adjustable shoulder straps with plenty of slack, as well as belt loops.