What I learned about buying the right pack
I was recently looking at daypacks as I will be doing a longer hike in May and I certainly learned a lot about picking the right backpack. And I am not talking about multi-day hikes, but simply a long hike in a day. For me it will be 28 miles, for some it might be a bit more than that (I am quite slow, so you might be hiking more in a day), for others it could be less.
The 3 things that matter
Finding the right fit
Now this is an interesting one because I didn't even know that there is a difference between backpacks for men and women. Granted, those differences are not necessarily huge, it's more about the overall fit, but this is what it could look like:
Women's packs are made for
shorter torso range
more narrow and shorter shoulder straps
differently canted hip belts
different carrying capabilities
As a curvier woman with a short torso the fit was very important to me. So I ended up getting a backpack for women, and made sure to find something that
fits my torso
sits comfortably on my hips
has an adjustable sternum strap
To pick the backpack I went to REI, as they can help with backpack fitting. I also made sure to try on several models and brands to see what felt good and fit my body the best way. At the store they can even add the approximate weight you might be carrying so you can get a better "loaded" feel. And this brings me to the next important factor:
Choosing the right size
Again, I am talking about a long day hike, so sizes would be very different if you wanted to go backpacking for several days or if you just wanted to go for a short hike. But in any case, make a list of the items you will be carrying to determine the right size.
I knew for my long hike the following will be true:
I want to bring enough water. I have a 3L bladder and will have the opportunity to refill at several stations along the way.
Additional I need to carry some snacks, but no bigger food items because some food will be provided along the way as well.
As I will be starting early in the morning it will probably be cold, however later in the day it should warm up quite a bit. So I need to make sure I have space for the layers of clothing I will be shedding.
I want to make sure I can carry my first aid kit, headlamp and batteries, and sun protection.
Granted I don't just want to use my backpack for this one specific hike, so I might want to consider other situations where I need to carry a bit more water or food or other items.
Given all those requirements, I choose a 24L pack. This will give me plenty of space without being too bulky if I ever want to use the backpack for "shorter" hikes.
Lastly, which features do you want?
Backpacks come with all kinds of features. Some of them might be required for your use, others might just be a nice to have. So think about what you really want in your backpack and mark what's truly required. For me the list was very clear:
Hydration bladder compatible: instead of carrying heavy bottles I wanted to make sure I could use the bladder I already have. Plus this way I can just drink on the go.
Padding: as I will be carrying my pack for an extended period of time, padding was important. Especially with the hip belt, as most of the weight will sit on my hips.
Backpack frame: this was actually not a must but turned into one as I tried on backpacks and realized how a frame can distribute the load of a backpack nicely.
Pockets in the hip belt: there are some items I just like to have handy. For example my GPS or a chap stick. I really don't want to have to stop and take off my backpack every time I need something like that.
External loops for my hiking sticks: with having a busted knee, my hiking sticks are an important accessory on longer hikes. However, I don't necessarily want to use them the entire hike. Having the options to properly attach and secure my sticks to my backpack was also an important feature.
While this is my list of features, the full list goes on. If you are looking for a backpack you might be considering additional features like:
Ventilation to avoid a sweaty back
Side, front, or lid pockets to store items
Integrated rain cover if you need to brave the wet days
Insulated bladder pocket to make sure your water doesn't freeze or heat up
Once you found your pack
Well, once you found your pack try it out. Make sure it sits right (have someone in store help you with the fit), fill it up and go for a hike. See how it feels and don't shy away from talking to others. Sometimes things feel off and you just live with it because you don't know better. But talking to others will help you understand what is normal and what shouldn't be.
What I chose
I ended up choosing the Osprey Sirrus 24. As I tried it on at REI it just ended up feeling so comfortable in comparison to other backpacks. It is very lightweight, not too bulky and many ways to adjust it to my body type. I am excited to take my new pack out for an adventure!
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