Trekking Basics: The Backpack

Before tackling a long-distance walk or a hike, you need to equip yourself as well as possible and choose your gear according to the activity and the place you’re heading to. Let’s start with a few tips on choosing a backpack.

What should you pay attention to when choosing a backpack?

• Size
• Back panel
• Shoulder straps
• Hip belt
• Accessories

Size

The ideal size of a backpack for a day hike ranges from 20 to 35 litres, depending on the season and the activity you’re doing. In winter, in fact, clothing will be bulkier than in summer, and likewise if we’re going on a via ferrata we’ll need more space for the harness and the rest of the gear.

For a multi-day trip staying in accommodation, about ten litres more will be enough, so 40 to 50 litres. Larger backpacks, from 50 litres upwards, are suited to self-supported trips, with a tent and the other gear needed for wild camping.

Back panel

For backpacks up to 40, maximum 50 litres, a back panel with a mesh that is taut and kept away from the back is advisable, because it reduces sweating by allowing better air circulation.

On larger backpacks carrying heavy loads, however, you need a back panel that sits more closely against your back, because it transfers the weight better.

Another feature to look out for, on higher-capacity backpacks that have to carry a lot of weight, is the ability to adjust the height of the back panel, because the better it fits the wearer’s body, the better the load will be distributed.

Shoulder straps and hip belt

Here too, the deciding factor is the size of the backpack and therefore the weight carried. For small backpacks, thinner shoulder straps and hip belt will be enough.

For heavy-load backpacks the padding will need to be thicker and the structure stiffer, so as to support the weight better.

Very important for both types of backpack is having a sternum strap to stabilise the position of the shoulder straps, and load-lifter straps.

Accessories

The accessories that make the backpack more comfortable to use in every situation and need are also very important. It’s important to:

• Check that there is a rain cover (or buy one separately), unless you choose a waterproof backpack.
• Having small pockets on the hip belt can be very handy for storing small items like your smartphone.
• Loops for trekking poles and/or an ice axe.
• Space for a hydration bladder.
• External side pockets for a map, water bottle or other items to keep within reach.
• On medium-to-large backpacks, having openings not only at the top but also at the bottom or in the middle is very handy for reaching the contents in the various parts of the backpack.

Features of a women’s backpack

There are backpacks designed for the anatomy of the female body.

They have an ergonomic curve on the shoulder strap and differentiated padding on the hip belt to best fit the structure of the female body.

Conclusions

When you buy your backpack, it’s a good idea to think about what kind of need it has to meet, so you can choose one with the right features and not carry unnecessary weight.

Always try it on, and try it on with a load inside.

If you’re not sure which model best suits your needs, rely on the advice of an experienced shop assistant and, if you don’t know how, get them to teach you the right way to adjust it and stabilise it on your body.

A backpack worn the right way is a game changer for your outings.