If you want to hit the bull’s eye, you need to perfect your aim. For that, practice and knowledge are a must. Likewise, in buying the best backpack there is no alternative to have some knowledge and precautions. They will save your time and help you make the decision wisely. So, let us see the 5 things we should know before buying a backpack.
Related: 10 Best hiking backpack under 100 dollars.
Weight:
Everyone prefers a lightweight backpack. But the things you are carrying may increase the weight of it. So, if you are going for a day hike then a regular lightweight backpack will be fine for you. Again, if you are planning to do a long hiking trip then look for a backpack with a sturdy internal frame to support the weight of all the essentials. However, a backpack with a durable internal frame is heavier than a lighter internal frame.
Related: Mountain top backpack reviews for hikers.
Durability:
If you decided to use a backpack for the long term then you better focus on its durability. Material plays a key role here. Typically, a lightweight backpack is made of two common material Nylon Ripstop or Cuben Fiber. Nylon Ripstop is slightly heavier than Cuben fiber but cheap. Whereas the Cuben Fiber is lighter but expensive.
Moreover, nylon is known for its strength and wear resistance for a long time. However, the cuben fiber is not so durable and has poor resistance to abrasion or puncture. Polyester is another common material used for backpack manufacturing. It is durable and has good resistance to tear. But it is thicker and bulkier and used for heavy backpack construction.
Another thing to measure the durability of a material is knowing is Denier (it measures the thickness of the fabric). So, fabric with higher denier is warm and durable where low denier fabrics are tender and fine.
Volume:
The volume of a backpack decides how much you can take on your hiking trip. So, you have to choose the backpack volume depending on the duration of your stay. For 1-2 days, you may need a 20-liter to 35-liter backpack. Osprey exos 38 can be ideal for a short trip. Again, for more days, you might be needing a backpack with a volume of 50 to 70 liters. Osprey xenith 88 comes with a large storage capacity of up to 96 liters.
As simple as that. But things get complex when you take a backpack with excess volume thinking you might need that space afterward. Don’t fall into that trap. It just increases the weight and does no help. Because if you need something you would have packed it already. Your backpack volume will work fine for you.
Comfort:
What does comfort in a backpack means? It means you can wear your backpack comfortably despite carrying all the heavy essentials inside. How to fit a backpack properly with you is a major part. There are some factors you should not miss when looking for comfort in a backpack. Such as breathable meshed back, padded- shoulder straps and hip belts, compression straps, a separate sleeve for a hydration reservoir, etc. Remember a comfortable backpack will not agitate your neck strain or back pain rather it will provide balanced comfort to your body.
Weather Protection:
There is no guarantee of the weather. One time it is a sunny and nice day and suddenly it starts to gloom and rain begins. So, if your backpack is not waterproof then you will be in a huge mess. Everything inside the backpack will get wet and your electronics may get damaged. So, to save your essentials get a great quality bag with 100% waterproof material. Better to leave water resistance backpack behind because it just offers resistance from rain up to a certain level. Consequently, it will make things wet too after a time. So, these are the top 5 things you keep in mind before buying a backpack. It will be helpful for you. Alright, its time to see the backpacks we got for you. Here you go!
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