Choosing the Right Hiking Backpack

When choosing a backpack for hiking you must first consider the following:

*How long you will be gone
*The type of supplies you will be taking
*The type of terrain you will be hiking in

Naturally, the length of your trip and the season will determine the type and amount of supplies you will be taking with you. But along with that you need to consider whether you will be just hiking for the day or carrying everything into a campsite and then staying there. Perhaps will you be hiking to point A, camping the night, hiking to point B, camping, etc., which is called Trekking.

Choosing a pack is an individual decision. People are going to be different, with their own likes and dislikes. Try on different packs, if one does not feel good, try another. Make sure you have the pack fitted to you. If possible try it with weights in the store before purchasing, this will give you an idea of how it will fit under a load. If it does not feel good, you will not enjoy the experience.

DAY HIKING

This would be a one or two day hike. There is very little required in the way of supplies and equipment. Because of this a much smaller, lighter pack would be in order. This could be a non-framed pack, formerly called a rucksack, or a large fanny pack. They are made from everything from nylon to canvas with the rip-stop nylon being the lightest in weight. Match the size to what you are going to be taking with you and the pack materials to the weight of your belongings. That is, if you are taking only a sandwich and something to drink, you can get away with a lighter weight pack, than if you were camping over night and needed a tent, sleeping bag, etc. A good daypack will come with padded shoulder straps and some sort of hip belt. But, the ultra lightweight ones may not have that feature. Some packs come with hydration systems, or pockets for a hydration bladder. This is a great way to carry water without canteens or water bottles. To get a good daypack, expect to spend between $70 and $150.

HIKING TO A CAMPSITE