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How to choose the ultimate backpack

Spend plenty of time researching backpacks – checking styles, materials and pricing. That way you'll find one that's perfect for you.

A backpack is designed for one thing: to lug your gear, food and water on your back, in comfort and with no risk of anything falling out or, more importantly, anything getting wet or damaged. Whatever form and size a backpack takes – and whether it is used for a day hike, an overnight (or multi-day) hike, or as a simple hydration pack – the basic design DNA is the same: a main compartment (sometimes accompanied by a smaller one at the bottom), a harness system designed to support said compartment when loaded with the weight of all your gear, and an internal or external holder for water/hydration. Backpacks differ in volume, fabrics used, how complex said harness systems are, and their specific design brief (hiking, cycling, paddling, travel luggage, etc.) It's hard to find a bad one, but is well worth spending a bit of extra research time ensuring you get the best one for your particular purpose(s).

Whatever a backpack is used for, the basic design DNA is the same. Whatever a backpack is used for, the basic design DNA is the same.

Styles

There are myriad backpack styles; a backpack used for lugging gear, food and water over seven days of hiking will, by necessity, have the best harness system to ensure that heavy load doesn't injure your back. A daypack (probably the most popular for vehicle-based camping) will  – sometimes, not always – have a top-end harness system, and most likely be made from lighter-weight fabrics and will be available in smaller volumes, reflecting the design brief for a day of adventure. (Packs are measured in litres; daypacks range from 10L through to 45L; hiking packs from 45L up to 115L monsters).

Finding a pack with a supportive, well-engineered harness system is a must. Finding a pack with a supportive, well-engineered harness system is a must.

When looking for a backpack for camping, as we've just mentioned, finding a pack with a supportive, well-engineered harness system is a must. Even for a daypack, where you may be just heading down to the river for a fish or swim, or tackling a short three-hour hike, a supportive harness means that gear you are carrying – often at least a few litres of water, food (snacks and/or lunch), and a rain jacket or fleece will still add up in weight, thus making a harness that has adjustable spine height, adjustable shoulder straps, adjustable hip pads and waist belt, an essential. The more hard-core packs, regardless of size, will also have an internal alloy frame – another near-essential. This, along with a comprehensive harness, will aid in attaining that perfect fit – a must when lugging gear on your back; there's nothing worse than straining something, or copping rubs or blisters, due to an ill-fitting backpack.

Some backpacks are very basic in design, and will comprise one compartment and – maybe – an internal hydration sleeve (for your CamelBak water bladder). Other packs will have two separate large storage compartments (often accessed via zips), and any number of smaller storage areas – zipped sleeves under the lid, external pouches, etc. – so just be sure to choose one that suits your needs, rather than one with all the bells and whistles.  And be aware that the more access points in your pack, the higher the chance water will get in through them.

Materials

Backpacks are available in synthetic material and also in more traditional poly/cotton canvas – both of which will have some type of waterproof chemical treatment applied to the outer fabric. The synthetic fabrics are pretty robust and can cop the odd scrape and drag without too much damage. These packs often incorporate a thicker canvas material at their base. Synthetic materials are also quicker to dry if you're caught in a rainstorm. (Note: throw away your pack's rain cover if it comes with one – they do not make your pack 100% waterproof. Instead, use a drybag to store your gear in, then put that loaded drybag in your pack.)

The more traditional poly/cotton canvas is almost always a ripstop poly/cotton canvas, thus making these packs close to bombproof, not literally, in regards to wear and tear. The poly/cotton canvas packs may be (slightly) heavier but the higher durability is worth the weight.

Synthetic materials are quicker to dry if you're caught in a rainstorm. Synthetic materials are quicker to dry if you're caught in a rainstorm.

Pros and cons

Cheaper backpacks are just that – cheap – so you will need to weigh up the pros (price, and that's about it) of these with the cons, comprising the use of cheaper materials, flimsy zips, a basic, less supportive harness system and a lower-grade build, reflected in the stitching and whether an internal frame is included.

The pros of spending more on either a higher-end synthetic pack or – this writer's preference – a ripstop poly/cotton jobbie are that you will score a well-tested and proved harness, stitching and joinery that reflects the pack's load limits (i.e., it won't fall apart if over-packed), and robust zips. It sounds amusing talking about tough zippers but you really don't want a zip to fail and gear fall out and/or water enter.

Be sure to try out as many backpacks as you can. Be sure to try out as many backpacks as you can.

Synthetic packs shed water more readily, are lighter, and don't ‘soak up' moisture like poly/cotton canvas packs do, but the assurance of canvas's ability to cop loads of punishment without tearing or failing give these packs the edge.

Summary

A good backpack will last years – if you select one carefully and it is fit for the purpose you need it for; there's no point lugging around a 60L pack for short day hikes, or that cycle ride. As with anything that fits on or around your body, be sure to try out as many backpacks as you can; the more reputable outdoor/camping outlets will even have dummy weights (usually large bags filled with a material of some type) that replicate different weights. Be sure to try a pack on with something weighty in it; a harness system only works at its best on a pack if it is set up while the (weighted) pack is on your back. You'll be surprised how comfy a pack can be – even when not loaded right up – if the harness has been set up for your spinal height, shoulder width and hip width. It's all in the fitment, folks.

A good backpack will last years – if you select one carefully and it is fit for the purpose you need it for. A good backpack will last years – if you select one carefully and it is fit for the purpose you need it for.

Price range

For vehicle based campers, a good quality daypack of around 30-40L capacity –from a respected outdoor brand – should set you back between $100-$200. It sounds like a lot of cash for a daypack but you are paying for the assurance of a perfectly fitted pack that has a fully supportive harness and is made from materials that will last you many years – with the added guarantee of not suffering from sore shoulders, neck or back. And you really can't put a price on that, can you?

What's that? You reckon you've got a stack of better tips on how to buy the ultimate backpack? Well, tell us in the Comments below then.

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