Hiking Guide Part 5 Backpacks

Hiking Backpacks

All about Backpacks

On a hike, everything you need and want, you will have to carry. So if you feel it necessary to bring along that 6 pack of beer, bottle of wine, huge camera, tripod and the kitchen sink, remember you must carry it all the time. It is always good to keep in mind that you want to be as comfortable as possible.

There are so many hiking backpacks on the market today. They come in all sizes and colours, in a range of materials and with enough add-on extras to satisfy the most demanding hiker. I have found three sizes work well for me and this depends on the length of the hike, size of the group, weather and extra stuff (gear) for activities on the hike. After considering all of that, choose the smallest pack required.

·        Moon Bag / Waist Bag / Fanny Pack

These small packs are normally used to carry personal belongings on day hikes. These bags are normally carried in the small of your back, but most of us turn them to the front so that our belongings are easily accessible. Most of these are categorized by size (volume typically), measured in litres. But remember it refers to space, not necessarily the amount of liquid something holds. Be careful not to overload this bag, it could start bouncing around while walking and be very uncomfortable. For short hikes, they can do just fine. Then you should rather move up to the larger day hiking bag.

·        Day Hiking Bag

This bag only has shoulder straps and no waste strap. It carry’s more, so be careful not to overload this bag. It does not have a waste strap and can put strain on your shoulders. They are anywhere from 12 to 36 litres in volume and come in a variety of styles. Some have a chest strap to keep the backpack stable. Daypacks are designed for what the name suggests - to be used for relatively short hikes.

·        Back Pack

For a day hike you should not use a hiking backpack unless you are gearing up for cold weather, going a very long distance or helping others with carrying gear. These backpacks are from 35 to 70 litres in volume. If you use these packs correctly, you can carry quite a lot of gear. If you are training for a long hike it is good to carry this pack, fully loaded. Always remember YOU must carry this bag. You do get expedition type backpacks which hold over 70 litres of gear. These heavy-duty backpacks have all kinds of lumbar support, pads, special materials and well-engineered balance mechanisms. Many have special holders for sleeping bags, or even a small fold-up tent. They come in ultra-sturdy composite materials and are just about indestructible. Take time during your hike to adjust your pack to keep things balanced. An off-centre strap or pack, something hard pushing into your back can turn your hike into a nightmare very quickly.

Whichever pack you decide to use at the time, always make sure you keep the contents safe from the rain. Your Moon bag can fit under your rain coat and you get special plastic rain covers for the day hiking pack and the hiking back pack.

Remember! You are not trying to make a fashion statement, always make sure your packs fit you well and are comfortable.