Now looking to buy an upgrade before heading to south-east Asia on a
three month trek I have decided to take a closer look at what actually
makes a good rucksack. If nothing else it will help me to understand
the long-winded jargon filled spiels of hungry salesmen which I'm about be subjected to.
Having
searched the internet for an hour or so it became clear that there
are several things to consider when choosing your backpack. This is
what I have learned.
With
prices ranging from as little as €40 to several hundreds there
certainly is the potential to spend as much as you want. While it can
be an expensive purchase in the long it is probably worth
coughing enough shekels to get a decent pack.
Before
going shopping it is worthwhile taking two measurements. The first
should be of your torso (i.e. the length of your back), using a
tailor's tape you should measure from the seventh vertebra (the
slight bump at the base of your neck) to iliac crest (the spine's
centre point between the tops of both hip bones). Secondly you need
to measure your waistline about 3cm above the iliac crest, as most
rucksacks now have adjustable waist belts this measurement is not as
important however it is still useful to have.
Once
you've taken the measurements it's time to decide on the size of your
rucksack. Sizes generally range from 35-90 litres and your needs will
be determined by the trip length, climate and accommodation
arrangements. Obviously if you're travelling in winter the heavier
clothes you need will take up more space. If you plan to camp, as
opposed to stay in hostels, all this equipment will have to be
carried on your back. Sierra Trading Post provide a useful table for
picking a size commensurate with the demands of your trip.
“Stays”
are the vertical metal strips which hold the backpack's shape and
also shift it's weight onto your hips. Some packs also have a
“framesheet”, this is a usually made of some high density
lightweight plastic and prevents any hard or sharp objects sticking
into you back. As both of these will affect the comfort and
durability of your rucksack they should be of a high quality.
If you're
not a fan of sweaty backs then make sure your rucksack is well
ventilated. As the majority of manufacturers have conducted a
considerable amount of research in this area, an effectie ventilation system shouldn't be too difficult to find. Be careful
though, while some of the more sophisticated designs improve airflow
and reduce sweating they do so at the cost of increased weight and
reduced storage space.
Most of
us need something to hold a camera, water, food etc. while out
sightseeing but don't want to travel with two backpacks, a small
detachable day pack is a nice solution to this problem. It clips onto the
outside of your main rucksack so you never have to worry about
carrying it in your hands while travelling from hostel to hostel.
If you
will be trekking in hot weather it is advisable to have rucksack
which accommodates a water reservoir, this will allow you to keep hydrated easily. A raincover is also essential for any
wet and rainy climates.
Happy Shopping!
Happy Shopping!
Links:
Sierra Trading Post:
Lowe Alpine:
Eastern Mountain Sports
– How to fit a backpack:
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