Backpack Styles: Which is best for you?

Whether you are an avid trekker or a student whose longest hike is across your college's campus, the backpack style that you choose can, quite literally, make or break your back. If you are in the market for a new backpack you will find yourself faced with hundreds of choices and styles. Between internal frames and external frames, padded straps and cubic inches of packing space, there is a lot more to consider than simply the aesthetic appeal of a backpack. The question is how do you decide which backpack is the best backpack style for you?

How does it fit?

Adjustable straps are all well and good, but some backpacks are a better fit than others. A backpack that does not fit comfortably can leave you with an aching back, or tire you out to the point where you have to quit hiking early. Some points to watch out for include:

Chest straps that can help stabilize a heavy backpack, but may not be comfortable for most women because they fit across the chest.
A foam padded back frame can fit the backpack snugly against your back, making it much easier to support.
A hip belt, waist belt, or both are musts, but it is important that the belts hit the right place on your torso.
When choosing a backpack, measure your torso instead of your full height. If you are planning on doing a lot of backpacking, be sure to get a backpack that has a fully adjustable frame.

How much packing space do you need?

What can you fit into 1,000 cubic inches? How about 5,000 cubic inches? In general, the following rules of thumb apply:

If you are selecting a pack for day trips or around the town use, then you should be fine with a day pack that has a capacity of up to 1,500 cubic inches. Kids' backpacks can be proportionally smaller.
If you plan on taking weekend trips or doing light backpacking and hiking, then you may want a backpack that's substantially larger. A capacity of 1,750 to 3,000 cubic inches will provide plenty of packing room for clothes and gear for one person on a weekend camping trip.
If you are carrying gear for more than one person, or for an extended trip, look for a full pack with over 3,000 cubic inches of packing space. A full pack with an external frame will distribute weight evenly and make your backpacking trip a pleasure.

Backpack - BK-1207-A