If you’re going backpacking or heading on a big expedition, there are a lot of things you need to consider when looking for the right rucksack. Some people leave this sort of thing as an afterthought and think any rucksack will do, but they’re making a big mistake. Don’t be one of them. If you want to know how to choose the right rucksack for your expedition or trip, then check out this article—it should have everything you need to know.
Just like you’d spend a lot of time choosing the right walking boots or getting your finances and currencies in order before a trip, you should spend plenty of time sorting out your rucksack. There’s a big difference between a good rucksack and a great one, and as something you should be carrying for long periods of time, you need to make the right choice. While everyone wants a bargain, don’t just go for the cheapest possible option. You need to make sure the rucksack is comfortable, secure, safe and durable. We’re going to look at all those aspects and more in this article.
So how do you choose the right travel rucksack? Let’s have a look…
How to choose the right travel rucksack
Loading position
While people spend a lot of time thinking about size, weight and durability, they don’t often look at something like loading position. Most large backpacks are top-loaders, which means you unzip or unfasten them at the top and load everything up that way. These aren’t always the best option. That’s because they make it much harder to get something out from the bottom of the pack is filled. You’d need to take all your stuff out to get to what you need.
Front-loading backpacks can be taken off and opened at the front like a suitcase. This makes it much easier to find or get to any of your items. That’s why more and more people are choosing front-loading backpacks.
Weight
Weight is very important when it comes to finding the right travel backpack. You need to make sure it’s strong enough to provide support and safety for your items, but you won’t want it to be too heavy. Some of the best backpacks manage to be made out of strong but lightweight material. That means they’ll stay durable and keep your items safe but won’t be too heavy.
Not only is the weight of the bag important, but also the items you put in it. You will need a lot of stuff if you’re going camping or on a similar such trip, but if you’re going to be walking around for hours with your pack on, it’ll need to be the right weight.
There are a range of different backpack materials available that you’ll have to evaluate, paying attention to durability and cost as well as a number of other factors as well. These sorts of things can also affect the weight of your bag.
Weight might be less important if you aren’t wearing your backpack for hours, or are only going on short trips, but it’s still something you’ll need to consider carefully.
Durability
As well as being lightweight, it also needs to be strong and sturdy. The best backpacks will last for years and take a lot of damage. That’s good, you don’t want to be replacing your bag often or having issues with it while you’re using it. You want one that’s strong and has been put together well. Both the materials and the manufacturing process are important here (build quality). Make sure you get a durable bag that can stand the test of time.
Cost
Of course, the cost is important when buying anything. But it shouldn’t be your number one concern. Sometimes, it’s important to spend a bit more money on something to get a much higher-quality product. Especially if you’re going to be using it a lot. Don’t forget that those more expensive bags could be a better economic choice because they last much longer, meaning you won’t have to spend money again on a new bag or even repairs.
Water-resistance
Depending on the type of trips you’re likely to go on, a waterproof bag can be a good option. Even if you don’t plan to go on a rainforest trek, it can rain almost anywhere, or there might be other reasons it gets wet. You don’t want all your stuff to get damaged or ruined, so choosing a water-proof backpack could be the right choice for you.
Compartments
Some bags are basically one big pack where you put everything in the same area. These can be ok, but you should consider separate compartments. These can be really useful when you want access to something quickly and easily. You can choose a bag with loads of compartments or just a few of them, and this is up to you. But generally, a few compartments is a good idea, as long as you’ve still got space for big items in the main bag.
It can be a good idea to keep sleeping bags and other personal items separate to electronics or other items. Compartments can help you do this. Some bags have large double compartments while some can have one main bag with lots of smaller external compartments. It depends what sort of items you need to take with you, but it can be a good idea to get an all-round bag that can cope with a number of different combinations.
Locks
When you take your bag on an expedition, you’ll want to be able to lock it. Sometimes you might need to put it in an area that isn’t secure for a while. That means you need to lock it. Some of the best backpacks come with their own locks, so this might be something you want to look into.
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