Get ready for the trip - part III - backpack
For many people, traveling with a backpack is associated with great spontaneity and going to the mountains ... However, for travelers who have trips in their blood, a backpack is the most personal item that allows you to take a substitute for home with you. That is why choosing the "one" is a challenge. And although the tourist forums are full of topics related to the selection of the right tourist backpack, the number of comments is so large that we are automatically discouraged seeing more than 20 pages of text read. Therefore, especially for you, we have prepared a list of the most important factors that you need to pay attention to when buying a backpack.
Capacity
The decision to buy a backpack is primarily related to its capacity. To simplify this process as much as possible, we've created a clear guide on backpack capacities.
Carrier system
| Element | Function and adjustment |
|---|---|
| Waist belt | - the entire weight of the backpack rests on it - extremely useful in trekking and hiking backpacks with a large capacity After putting on the backpack, it should be in the middle of the protruding pelvic bones. Adjusted first! |
| Harness | - allow you to provide adequate comfort when wearing the backpack and adapt it to the user's height - it is important not to pull the harness too much, because the weight is to rest on your hips, not on your shoulders How to check if the harness is correctly positioned? After adjustment you will be able to move your arms freely. Remember to never tighten the harness completely! Adjustable after proper hip belt adjustment. |
| Height-adjusting belt | - it allows you to adjust the backpack relative to your height Adjustable after adjusting the shoulder straps. |
| Chest belt | - acts as an additional backpack stabilizer - most useful when climbing, hiking or biking The chest belt adjustment is done at the very end. |
| Frame | - helps to balance the weight of luggage It is extremely useful in backpacks with large capacity. |
| Cushioning pillows | - additionally stabilize the backpack, which at the same time maximizes comfort of use - most often they are covered with breathable nets that increase the air flow between the back of the backpack and shoulder straps, and the user's back |
| Ventilation | - special designed breathing nets responsible for absorbing moisture and proper air flow between the body and the shoulders and back of the backpack |
Black Tourist backpack with fully adjustable carrying system.
Tourist backpack with advanced ventilation system.
Plecak trekkingowy ze stelażem wewnętrznym.Material
Many manufacturers decide to create their own material, therefore, due to the huge number of types of fabrics used in backpack construction, we will advise you on what properties to pay attention to.
| Parametr | Features |
|---|---|
| Rip-Stop | - strengthening the material, which prevents it from tearing and chafing - these reinforcements can be easily recognized by the characteristic grid |
| Denier (D) | - a unit that denotes the density of fibers, i.e. the material's resistance to mechanical damage - the higher the D value, the more |
| Interior lined with PU (polyurethane) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) |
- the use of these materials protects the inside of the backpack from moisture and water ingress |
| Cordura | - polyamide material made and patented by DuPont company - resistant to water and mechanical damage |
| Nylon | - a material with a strong structure and high strength and abrasion resistance - waterproof properties |
| Polyester | - a material with high resistance to moisture and UV rays (the fabric does not fade) - has less damage resistance than nylon |
Backpack components
Backpack construction elements - front side
Backpack construction elements - back.| Element | Function |
|---|---|
| Flap | - an integral part of the backpack - closed with 1 or 2 buckles with compression option - the best solution are flaps with a built-in pocket or expanders system, in which we can place additional equipment |
| Chimney | - a part of the main compartment that provides additional protection for the contents of the backpack - increases the capacity of the main chamber if necessary - the most popular are standard size and elevated chimneys with adjustable drawstring on the stopwatch |
| Compression straps (horizontal or vertical) |
- straps with buckles to reduce the dimensions of the backpack - are perfect for a heavily loaded backpack |
| Attachment of additional equipment |
- straps - allow attachment of additional equipment, e.g. ice ax, trekking poles or additional pockets or pouches - D-Rings - usually placed on the shoulder straps of the backpack, designed to attach things that you want to have at your fingertips, e.g. a rescue whistle, compass - expanders system - in most backpack models made in the form of a rubber string ladder; is designed for carrying, e.g. karmias, sleeping bag |
| External pockets | - fastened with buckles or zippers - allow you to always have the most important items at hand, e.g. a water bottle, a thermos or a set for the morning toilet |
| Bottom compartment/ Split main compartment/ Double bottom |
- additional place where you can hide the raincoat, backpack cover, sleeping bag, footwear or other things that can be useful during a necessary stop or sudden change of weather |
| Hydration system pocket | - a pocket / divider for storing special water cartridges or hydration systems - usually placed on the back side |
| H20 port | - a specially designed hole adapted for placing the hydration tube |
| Handle | - sewn on at the top or side of the backpack - enables carrying a backpack in the form of a bag or a suitcase |
| Rain cover | - some models have an integrated rain cover - most often it is placed in the flap pocket or at the bottom pocket |
Tourist backpack with a divided main compartment.
Trekking backpack with integrated rain cover.
Tourist backpack with attachment points for additional equipment.One backpack is not enough
As you have already noticed, there is no universal backpack that would meet all the requirements. Therefore, a good solution is to buy two backpacks - one that would work during one or day trips, and the other for more advanced trips.
Advice! Before you start packing, make 3 lists: put the first thing that seems useful to you on the first, write the necessary items on the second, and devote the third card to make a list (based on previous records) that will help you reduce the list of things by half. Thanks to this, you really take only what you need on a journey.
If you have questions about choosing a backpack in your head, write to us - our crew will be happy to answer all your questions;)
Author: Joanna Rassmus