Chances are, while you’re out and about, you’re going to be hauling some stuff with you. Right? Right! So you’re going to need something to put all that stuff in, and that brings us to backpacks.
I’ll be honest – picking a backpack is a pain. There are so many to choose from, and some of the features can be really confusing. What do you actually need? You need to consider several factors: where you generally hike, how long you’re usually out for, whether you need space for overnight gear, and whether you need to carry specialised gear, like climbing equipment.
First things first: you get what you pay for. Cheap backpacks that you find online from brand names you’ve never heard of tend to be less durable, less breathable against your back, and less comfortable than premium brands. I’m a big believer in avoiding the false economy of very cheap items: ultimately, if you buy really cheap stuff, you’re probably going to have to replace them quite soon. Whereas, if you invest in something decent, you’re likely to get years of use out of it, provided you look after it.
Considerations
Size: for an easy day hike, you can generally get away with a backpack under 20L in size. A pack this size can generally accommodate a water bottle/bladder, sunscreen, a packed lunch, a hat and a warm top, plus essentials like your keys, phone, GPS, and other small bits and bobs. For a weekend of hiking, you’re probably going to be looking at something more along the lines of a 35L bag, while a longer, epic trip may necessitate something like a 70L or bigger.
Weight: some bag manufacturers, like Montane, do specific ranges of equipment that prioritise light weight above other features; these bags are often aimed more at runners than hikers but are still worth considering even if you’re not a runner. These are generally going to be less durable than “regular” weight bags, but are particularly useful for day hikes in easy to moderate terrain where you don’t really need very much in the way of features or heavy duty durability.
Premium pack manufacturers do generally try to make their bags as light weight as possible, and this is definitely an area where you’ll notice the difference between very cheap packs and more expensive ones. You’ll be surprised at just how much a heavy bag can weigh you down after a few hours on the mountain, so this is an important factor to consider.
Straps: Chest and hip straps make a difference when you’re carrying a fair amount of stuff, as they help to distribute the bag’s load more evenly across your body. They may look like overkill but, like the weight of a pack, this is a feature that makes a big difference after a couple of hours. The main straps should have sufficient padding to avoid any strain or other injury to your shoulders when carrying heavy loads.
Pockets: being able to organise things into different compartments matters to some people, less so to others. However, when the weather gets a bit wild, it can be useful to have a separate “wet” compartment for stowing things that are wet separate from your dry gear. Personally I find the sort of “stash” pockets that a lot of manufacturers place on the outside of their packs very useful for quick access to small items like hats or gloves on the go, enabling you to quickly store or retrieve items without the need to stop and open the pack’s main compartment.
Hydration compartment: another one that’s more of a personal preference, depending on whether you like to have your water in a bottle or a water bladder, having a hydration pocket to accommodate a bladder is a useful feature. I’m a big fan of water bladders as they take up less space than a bottle and provide easier access to hydration on the go; additionally, packs that have a pocket for one will also have loops on the main straps to hold the bladder’s tube and nozzle.
Gear loops/attachments: some packs have loops or attachments for specific equipment like walking poles or ice axes.
Integrated rain cover: if you’re a fair weather hiker, this may not be an important consideration but generally speaking it’s good to have some protection from the rain, especially in the UK where we get a lot of wet weather! Most hiking backpacks aren’t inherently waterproof, so having a built-in cover can be really useful. Having said that, there are plenty of rain covers available in outdoor stores that come in a variety of sizes to roughly fit different sized backpacks, so this isn’t an essential feature, just a useful one that might save a few quid.
Like so much hiking gear, the best thing to do when buying a backpack is to nip down to your local outdoor specialist and try a few out. Ultimately you want to make sure your pack has the features you need and also feels comfortable on you. Of course, the true test of a pack is to take it out on a long trek but testing one in the shop gives you an opportunity to check the adjustment points and to feel how well it sits on your body.
