Picking the right backpack is an important part of any trip. Too big, and you’ll have too much extra weight. Too small, and you’ll never fit anything in. Wrong material and when it rains, and your stuff is soaked. I spent a good hour picking out my first pack, and that was also after hours of online research. Here’s a few tips to make your search go quicker:
Three Things to Consider:
Size: Your backpack should be both proportional to your body and comfortable enough to allow you to carry about twenty pounds. If your backpack is too big or too small, the weight won’t be balanced properly and will cause you back pain or maybe make you topple over. You don’t want a skyscraper rising from your back. Your bag should also be big enough to carry about 20 pounds because, in the end, you’re going to buy stuff and things shift and aren’t always packed well. (But remember- I’m a big proponent of “pack light,” so pack less, and your back will thank you.)
Style: Maybe I’m being vain here but let’s face it- you have to look at this backpack for a long time. Get something that you like looking at. Try out as many different styles as you can before you make your decision. But make sure you don’t sacrifice usability for style. Get something you like but also something useful. It sits in the hostel for most of the time anyways. Don’t get the best looking but most useless pack.
Material: While it does not need to be 100% waterproof, make sure your bag is made out of a semi-waterproof material so everything doesn’t get wet in a drizzle (many packs come with tarps you can put over them in case of a severe downpour). Moreover, make sure the material won’t stay wet either and thereby get musty and smelly.
Things your Backpack SHOULD Have:
Front Panel Loading. A lot of backpacks are top loading (you get in from the top), but when you need something in a hurry, this can be very inconvenient. Front loading packs are much more convenient as they zip around the length of the pack. This allows you to get into any part of your bag so you don’t have to take out all your stuff if you need something at the bottom.
Lockable Zippers
Make sure each compartment has two zippers so you can lock them together. If your pack doesn’t have two zippers, you can always get a Pacsafe, which is a metal mesh that wraps around your whole bag. (Though it is heavy to carry around)
Multiple Compartments
You don’t want to keep all your stuff in one part. Make sure your bag has multiple compartments so you can break up (and hide) your belongings.
Internal Frame
Who wants big, ugly rods sticking out? The majority of backpacks today are internal framed, but some are still external. Make sure you buy the internal frame. It looks better and the rods won’t get caught on anything.
Padded Hip Belt
Most of the weight you carry will be on your hips, so you’ll want a padded belt to make supporting the weight more comfortable.
Padded Shoulder Straps
These make carrying your load more comfortable as a lot of your pack will be pushing downward on your shoulders.
Chest Strap
This helps move the weight forward a bit and distributes the weight evenly among your upper body, making that walk up the hill to the hostel much more comfortable.
Contoured/Padded Back
A lumbar shaped pack makes carrying it more comfortable as it helps distribute weight more evenly.
A good places to purchase your backpack, as well as other supplies, is REI. Here are some examples:
Gregory Baltoro 70 Pack
Deuter Aircontact Lite
Gregory Deva 60 Pack – Women’s
Osprey Atmos 65 Pack
REI Venus 75 Pack – ‘08 Women’s
REI Galaxy Pack
REI Mars 85 Pack – ‘08
Osprey Ariel 65 Pack – Women’s
Gregory Z55 PackI purchased the mars pack from them and have loved it. It’s been great and is very durable. (Disclosure: I promote REI because I use their products. EMS is just as good but I’ve been using REI for years and really like the quality of their products.)
Well, after much consideration, we’re breaking some of the most important rules set forth by you and other travel packing experts. We’re going with toploaders without zippers. Gasp! I’ver heard all the arguments, but we’re settled. We’re both big backpackers (as in the hiking kind), and we love the packs we have. We also plan to do a lot of actual trekking (without the use of porters) and thus our packs need to do more than hop from hostel to hostel. I have to be happy carrying it up mountains and over glaciers, and I’ve yet to come across a frontloader that does well on extended hiking trips. We’ve found ways to compensate for the faults, and we’ve become so used to traveling with this style of bag through the years that we don’t even really consider them faults. I figure if I can get what I need out of my backpack in pitch dark in a forest, I can certainly get to it in a hostel.
@theresa: gasp! No!!!!! Ok, it’s fine. If you are an experience trekker/hiker and have your own system that works, that’s perfectly fine. In the end, you need to do what feels best for you.
Would you recommend that for a fresh on the trail backpacker?
For someone who is new to the game and doesn’t plan to climb over glaciers, I think the practicality of a front loader is best for them and zippers for security. But when you are up on Everest, I don’t think you need to worry about someone sneaking in to steal your stuff!
I really like this article, because choosing the right pack is essential. I noticed that you didn’t mention the choice between traditional weight and light or ultralight packs.
If you can live with the restrictions and don’t mind sacrificing extras the freedom is incredible. I can sling my golite pack on and go anywhere comfortably.
I too am a trekker so that may make the difference in my preference. Although I would want something more substantial on a glacier. Now that I think about it, maybe I will make a post about this on my own website.
Unfortunatly another thing to consider now is the extra cost associated with checking even one bag on a plane. This makes choosing the right size bag even that much more important. For me, I always travel with a backpack that fits the dimensions of a carry-on bag and this not only forces me to limit what I try to pack but also lets me get right out of the airport and on with my trip.
i had to buy a pack when i was abroad, and unfortunately, i got the top loader one, too. but it does have a lot of extra pockets and a compartment on the bottom that i could somewhat easily reach up to grab things in other parts of my pack. i think my biggest suggestion is to get one that is not only right for your size but the straps should fit as well. i have a small torso so it was hard for me to find one that would distribute the weight evenly. i used my friend’s pack before i got mine, and i juggled constantly to keep the pack in place on my back.
@Chris: Nowadays, you are right. Airlines are charging a lot of fees for even checking one bag. I found cheap flights one RyanAir but after adding the fee of checking my backpack, it wasn’t so cheap anymore.
Sadly, the backpack I have, the mars, does not fit on carry on. With all the new fees, I’m going to be downgrading my bag once I leave Asia again next year. But I have a lot of things to stuff in their on the way over so need the extra size.
c est la vie!
but excellent point!
@Trang: Yes, size and weight distribution are important!! Like I said, it’s important you get one thats proportional to your body—otherwise you could tip over!! Ok, not really, but it is important to get a proper sized pack.
Excellent post, Matt. I spent plenty of time researching backpacks online and ended up going to the one store I thought I’d never go to: Bass Pro Shops. I purchased a Kelty Coyote 4750 at a reasonable price of $150. Its about 77 litres, bigger than I would now like, but I guess that is called inexperience!
Hopefully for my next uber trip I’ll be wiser about what to pack and the size pack to take.
Matt….you say you have the Mars pack? the 85L one? ’tis a monster non?
I’d have to second….or even third Matt’s recommendation for buying from REI and if you’re going to make more than one or two purchases from them in your life get the….what do they call it…membership? It’ll pay off huge. But DON’T buy a pack online….unless you’ve first been to a store and tried it on – preferably loaded – and the REI guys will help you fit it if you don’t know how a pack is supposed to fit.
Chris Cook or anyone else…what is the largest capacity pack that will go as carry-on? I have a 45L which I think is the perfect size…but unless I fill it only half-full it’s gonna have to be checked.
I agree with the reasoning for a front panel loader – I’m gonna stick with my top loader. They work good enough if they have both a top and bottom compartment…put the wet-weather gear in it’s own compartment and you shouldn’t have to dig through it too much while out and about.
Good post Matt…thanks for the tips!
I use a GoLite Speed backpack. I dont ever like to check luggage and this pack is small enough to carry on. ou do give up structure for an ultra light pack adn that limits your carrying weight capacity.
REI membership is a fantastic deal. I buy all of my climbing gear through them. REI is like a toystore for big kids. I looked at the Kelty Coyote pack as well but found it too big for my taste.
I have heard pretty good things about REI’s house brand UL series of packs.
Good advice!
Don’t forget the all important backpack waterproof cover. Not all come with them but if you get caught in a heavy shower they are invaluable.
Well, in India I don’t think so much variety on backpacks are available. Even if they are available, (I have not come across) they gonna be way too expensive. Only a select few can afford to spend $100+ on a backpack !!
I’ll go with Theresa, top loading is what I prefer. And for other points, yes I agree with you & always take care of those pts when I buy a new one.
First time post:
I like your website. I can relate to many of your topics since I left the rat race myself 10 years ago to live abroad.
Question: What packs would you recommend for laptops? I mean the one I have seems like the others available, small, good for a few days, but tough for long journies. Any larger size backpacks? I know checking in one isn’t advisable, any suggestions? Or best two just try to pack ultra light?
I look forward to your posts, people like you and Kirsty at Nerdynomad are inspirations for starting websites and working on the road.
Keep up the good posts.
This blog reminded me of my favorite backpack. Her name was Justine and then she got stolen. I was crushed…after spending so much time with it, you can get really attached to your backpack! Picking the right one is very important. Lots of little compartments are a must for keeping all your little things organized.
@will/sand: I love REI!!! I have so much stuff from them. Their in store brands are just as goood. Will, the mars pack is huge! WAY more than I need. I plan on downsizing soon. I just don’t need that much room….
@cuckoo: if a top loader works for you, go with it!!!
@david: Glad you enjoy the blog and hope to see you back more. I use my daypack for my laptop. That way it is always near me and I don’t have to worry about it getting broken as the big pack can get thrown around a lot, especially during travel. I’d suggest a small backpack. Most travelers have a large pack and a small day pack anyways and I think the smaller one is better for valuables since it is closer to you and get thrown around less.
@tanya: R.I.P Justine!
@quick: Very true!!!
very useful post..i wish I had read this before my trip to europe
great packs!