This is the first in a series of practical articles to help those traveling on foot, now brought to you in english too.
We are Elisa and Walter, hiking and nature enthusiasts. We crossed Sicily on foot over the course of six months and learned some practical things that we would like to share with you. Today we start with an important topic: how to choose the right backpack for your hike.
Because you backpack is the most important companion, the house you carry on your shoulders all the time. Choosing the right backpack will allow you to feel comfortable and live a more pleasant walking experience.
So the question is, how do I choose the right backpack?
Let's get down to it.
Article outline:
General criteria for choosing a backpack
Personal advice based on our experience
Recommended backpacks by price range
1. General criteria for choosing a backpack
Most important criteria
The capacity of your backpack must be chosen depending on your equipment.
Any plans to bring with you a heavy tent, a bulky sleeping bag, or any special equipment (e.g. climbing or photographic material)? In this case, choose your backpack taking care for the most bulky equipment first. There must be room for that and then for everything else.
Otherwise, for most multi-days hiking trails a medium-large size (50-70 liters) will be fine (more later about this).
Ideal backpack must have an adequate number of internal and external pockets.
What kind of walker are you? Do you like to keep items in separate pockets so you can find them better? Or are you so organized that you can distribute everything in a single pocket? For example, we like to have two external pockets, one containing items for cold / hot weather (sun hat, winter hat, neck warmer, gloves) and one for rain (poncho, window cover, pants cover).
Must have comfortable and padded shoulder straps.
This type of shoulder straps is more suitable for carrying larger weights and prevents soreness at shoulder level.
Must have sternum strap and hip belt.
The sternum strap (chinghia pettorale in picture) takes weight off the shoulders and distributes some to the chest.
The hip belt is critical to stabilize the center of gravity and distribute the weight along the hips. Consider that modern backpacks are designed to discharge 80% of the weight on hips, not shoulders.
It must be of a suitable size for your back.
Backpacks have sizes, did you know? Well, we didn't.
We realised that when we had to switch our backpacks en route.
And the size does not depend on your height, but on the length of your torso (lunghezza del busto in picture).
To measure it, start from the waistline (at the level of the iliac crest) and go up to the base of the neck. There is a protruding bone when you bend your head forward (vertebra C7). Various online backpack stores offer a table in which you can choose the size based on the length of the torso.
For example, this table to the right is related to the Patagonia Ascensionist 55l backpack model (you can find it at the end of the article). In this case there are 2 sizes ("taglie") that vary depending on the length of the torso and waistline ("vita" in italian).
Less important criteria
A ventilation system between backpack and back.
There are models with a rigid mesh that creates an empty space between the back and the backpack panel. This feature could make you sweat less and therefore decrease the risk of soreness and discomfort in your back.
A color that isn't too flashy.
It may seem strange, but since today we live in an era of images, in which every day and every event is documented by photographs, it is a shame to spoil a beautiful landscape with the bright color of a flashy backpack.
2. Personal advice based on our experience
After all our walking trips, if we were to recommend the purchase of a backpack to friends, we would give a slightly minimalist advice:
Be it a short or long hike, choose a comfortable and medium-sized backpack, between 50 and 70 lt and stick to it.
Whether it's a six-month journey, like our last one in Sicily, or six days, what we recommend is to always use the same backpack. Being comfortable with a backpack is not obvious and once you find the right one it is nice to carry it with you all the time.
Most websites recommend taking backpacks of 15-25 liters for day walks, increasing capacity at the same time as the duration of the trip. However, it seems excessive to us to buy more backpacks as long as the main activity is simple trekking. Better sticking to a medium-large sized backpack and use, in case, a small foldable backpack.
Our advice is to buy a 50-70 liters backpack and use it for any path, perhaps complementing it with a foldable backpack.
Folding backpacks are light-weight backpacks that can be closed in a pocket. On the walk we have used them on several occasions. To do the shopping in the evening, or to carry in front the things that are most often used (e.g. a camera).
Here are a couple that we highly recommend, at a price of 20-30 euros:
Why should I buy a 50-70-liter backpack?
Because it is an intermediate measure and it is an investment that remains for a long time. Even if in the future you find something that best suits your ever-changing needs (e.g., smaller, ultralighter backpack for trail-running; bigger backpack to carry tent + equipment for a small child) that first purchase will serve you for walks of any kind and you will not regret it.
It may remain a little empty during shorter paths, but that extra space can be useful just in case. If a travel companion gets hurt and you have to carry part of his weight; if you find yourself loading more water for the upcoming night; if you need to buy extra clothes because it is colder than expected. At this point you will ask yourself, "but doesn't a bigger backpack weigh more than a smaller one"?
The answer is yes, but it's a minimal difference. It's a few ounces, the equivalent of a notebook. It won't matter much.
We will see that the excess weight of the backpack will be counterbalanced by a correct choice of the rest of the equipment. When you walk you have to be minimalist and it won't be an ultralight backpack to save you.
After all, as Sheridan Anderson said, going around with a backpack is above all knowing what not to bring.
"Backpacking is the art of knowing what not to take" - Sheridan Anderson
A additional thought on ultralight and waterproof models
The backpack must be comfortable, but you don't need to go on the ultralight models or other expensive latest generation and waterproof. As much waterproof it can be, a backpack could let water in from unexpected areas and for this reason you must always have a poncho behind you. Even a cheap one will do.
For those who want a poncho for a walk, there are two possibilities, in broad terms. Buy a breathable model that costs about 20 euros, or a basic model (those that you see in stadiums or concerts) that you can buy in packs of 8 or 10 for 15 euros (we used both with similar results).
Less durable poncho, 100-200 grams. It can be reused, but be wary that it breaks every now and then.
Otherwise you can buy the basic version of the Decathlon poncho, for approx. 5 euros.
3. Recommended backpacks by price range
As the backpack is an important element that will remain for several years and different occasions, we believe that a good price range is between 70 and 150 euros. Paying less we risk buying something that will break down. Instead, by spending between 120-150 euros we can find brands that offer free repairs on their items, such as Osprey and Patagonia. Yes, you got it right. If a zipper is broken or a tear is created, they will repair it at their expense.
Cheap backpacks (70-100 euros)
Medium cost backpacks (100-150 euros)
An Italian brand, a true synonym for reliability. Their products come with a 2-year warranty.
Great backpack from a special brand: Osprey offers free lifetime repair of their products. Also from the photo you can see that this backpack has a good ventilation system in the area in contact with the back.
Backpacks a little more expensive (150+)
Patagonia's backpack is a step above as far as the price is concerned, but the Californian brand is a guarantee. They carefully choose durable materials, in accordance with the principles of slow-fashion. They self-tax to finance climate activists and projects that protect the environment. Like Osprey, they also offer free repair on most of their products. Need help choosing the size? Look at this Table.
Final thoughts
Choosing a backpack is one of the most important steps to take before embarking on a walking trip. With this article we hope to have made your choice a little easier. What do you think? Is there any criteria we have left out? Is there a backpack model that stole your heart? Let us know in the comments. And if you liked the article we invite you to share it on social media or with those who may need it. Warm greetings
Elisa e Walter