How to find the right backpack

If you’re shopping around for a new backpack, you might feel overwhelmed by the vast array of choices in every size, shape, colour and price range. Whether you’re looking for a purpose-built pack or something more generic, it can be challenging to choose between dozens of models or know how much to spend. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for the right pack:

Consider the primary function of the backpack. Are you planning to backpack around Asia for a year or are you going on a two-week organized tour? Are you trekking in the Himalayas or chilling out on a beach in the Philippines? Are you bringing along a sleeping bag or staying in hotels? Do you have to carry any gear with you, such as climbing or mountaineering equipment? Or are you planning to hit the souks in Morocco and need room for all those carpets?

Backpacks come in a range of sizes, measured by litres or cubic inches (depending on your country of origin), though I’ve never been able to visualize what that actually means. Personally, I tend to lean toward mid-size packs regardless of the length of the trip, since the larger the pack, the more likely you are to cram it full of stuff you won’t need (when fighting your way through the crowds at a Calcutta train station in 40-degree heat, you’ll be ready to ditch half the stuff in your bag anyway). However, if you’re doing some serious mountaineering, trekking or camping where you require a tent, sleeping bag and gear, you may want to opt for a larger pack. Remember, though, it’s not your height but the length of your torso that determines the right size of pack.

Backpacks range in price from $100 up to $500 – but you really do get what you pay for. While I don’t believe you need to spend a lot of money of travel gadgets, it’s worth investing in a reliable pack, since solid stitching and strong zippers will make life considerably easier when you’re on the road.

One of my most treasured possessions is my Arc’teryx backpack – it’s been with me everywhere and it’s held up remarkably well over the years, from monsoon rains to being tossed around on top of chicken buses, even being left to sit in a pool of diesel fuel when I had to check my luggage on a ferry in Honduras.

Once, however, I thought I’d travel light with a cheap daypack on a month-long trip to Thailand, and even though I was only carrying it from Point A to Point B, the flimsy shoulder straps kept digging into my shoulders and straining my back. Small things like padded shoulder straps can make a huge difference in your level of comfort, especially when you may find yourself in a lot of uncomfortable situations.

Here are a few things to consider:

-An internal frame is built inside the pack – it’s made of “stays,” which conform to your body (by hand or naturally over time). These packs fit close to the body, providing better balance and agility, and are typically the choice for trekking, mountaineering and skiing. They typically cost from $200 to $500.

-External frames are cheaper (under $200), so they’re often the choice of the budget-conscious or occasional traveler, but they can sometimes be a better option for heavy loads.

-Some packs offer an adjustable torso length, and some are specifically designed for women with contoured hipbelts and shoulder straps that go around (instead of over) the chest – as a woman, these packs can be significantly more comfortable and ergonomic than standard options.

-Some packs have a compartment at the bottom for a sleeping bag, providing more convenient access (since you typically want to pack your sleeping bag at the bottom of your pack for weight distribution). Some also include a hydration sleeve, which is another handy feature.

Photo Credits: Gregory; Deuter USA