Last week, you learned how to organize your gear and get it all in your pack to make it bearable to carry. But what kind of pack should you stuff all that gear into. This week, let's take a look at what you need to know when shopping for a pack and get you ready to make that big purchase.
When choosing a pack, the first thing to consider is how much capacity you want. Carrying a pack that’s bigger than you need means you’ll be carrying extra weight. Ideally your pack should be big enough to fit all your gear inside except for the items you intentionally choose to attach to the exterior.
Types of Packs
Look at the large selection of packs in any outdoor store and you’ll see there are dozens of styles to choose from. Some are designed for specific activities like mountain biking or trail running, some are more versatile and will adapt to different adventures. Think of how you’ll use the pack most often, and if you’ll need it to function for one activity or many.
Daypacks
These little workhorse packs are designed for your everyday carry or for hikes and activities that last a few hours, but less than a day. Unless they’re an ultralight model designed to stash in a pocket or inside another pack, they usually have a lightly padded backpanel, and no rigid internal frame. They are best for carrying loads less than 10kg, as the weight is supported by your shoulders rather than your hips.
Look for:
Mesh or venting channels down the back to help keep you cool
Waist strap to prevent the pack from bouncing or shifting, for this size it won’t need to bear weight
Hydration sleeves and ports if you plan to use a hydration system
10–25L capacity
Backpacking and Expedition
Sized for multi-day adventures, these packs are designed to carry heavy loads comfortably. A side zipper or a separate compartment for a sleeping bag is handy, so you don’t have to unpack all your stuff to find just one item. Some packs come with detachable side pockets or a removable top lid you can leave at home if you don’t need the extra capacity for a trip.
Substantial internal frame to support weight
Well-padded, adjustable hipbelt, shoulder straps, and back panel
An exterior pocket to store wet gear
Top, side and bottom access
Straps on the outside for attaching gear
55–70L for backpacking and up to 100L for expeditions
Travel Packs
For destinations where wheeled luggage won’t work, a travel pack might be perfect. Built like a backpack, they usually have a cover or zippered panel to tuck away the straps, belts and buckles so they don’t get snagged in a luggage carousel or broken during transit. A detachable daypack is often a feature. It gives you a small pack to use for day trips, to use as your carry-on bag and provides some extra capacity to bring home souvenirs.
Internal frame to support weight
Padded hipbelt, shoulder straps and back
Detachable daypack or lid
Pocket or panel to cover shoulder straps and hipbelt
Main pack or detachable pack is sized to meet carry-on restrictions
Internal organizers to keep clothing and shoes arranged
45–75L capacity
Climbing or Cragging
Most climbing packs have some padding to support the weight of ropes and gear you carry on the approach to a route. Those made to carry while you climb are usually designed to sit high on your back so they don’t get in the way when you’re clipping gear on the rear loops of your harness. They ride close to your spine to keep the weight centered and balanced. The designs are usually minimal, without external features that could snag on rock features as you climb.
For climbing, tough fabric, few external pockets, and gear loops on the hipbelt for fast racking
For cragging, padded backpanel, shoulder straps, and hipbelt
Mesh or venting channels down the back
Large main compartment to hold lots of gear
Straps to carry a coiled rope on the outside or under the lid
Loops for ice axes, helmet or extra gear
30–50L capacity
Mountain Biking and Riding
Biking packs are usually daypack-sized, but have special compartments to stash your tools, helmet and armour. Look for a pack that stays close to your body when you’re in the ride position. The hipbelt shouldn’t move upward so it digs into your gut. And you should be able to adjust the pack so it doesn’t shift or bounce when you ride uneven terrain. Some packs include a hydration reservoir. If you plan to use your own reservoir, make sure it fits in the sleeve and that the openings and ports are compatible.
Waist strap and sternum strap to keep the pack balanced
Lightly padded shoulder straps and backpanel
Hydration sleeves and ports
Dedicated tool pocket
Straps to lash helmet and armour
10–25L capacity
Ski Touring, Snowboarding and Snowshoeing
For winter conditions and for carrying safety gear, a touring pack should have a supportive frame, a system to give you fast access to your shovel and probe, plus plenty of room for your warm layers. If you expect to carry your skis or board on the outside of your pack, it’s useful to have some options. An A-frame style carry for skis keeps your pack balanced, but the extra height can be annoying if you’re under low-clearance trees or rocks. On steep terrain, the tails of your skis can drag in the snow, and it might be a better option to rig them diagonally.
Internal frame with padded hip belt, shoulder straps and backpanel
External straps to carry skis, snowboard or snowhoes
Fast access to your avalanche gear
Pockets or straps for shovel handle and poles
A place to stash wet skins
Side access for convenience and to keep shoulder straps off the snow
35–55L capacity
How to Fit a Backpack
Most large-capacity packs come in different sizes to suit different body shapes. Look for a “back length” or “torso length” measurement when you’re shopping for a pack. It’s a better indication of how the pack will fit than your overall height. No matter how large the pack, if it’s correctly sized and adjusted, it should feel like an extension of your own body.
Measure Your Back Length
Find the most prominent vertebrae in your neck, at about the same level as the top of your shoulders.
Find the top of your hipbones and trace a line around to the middle of your back.
Measure the distance between these two points, this is your back length.
Put about 8–10kg of stuff in the pack and loosen all of the straps. Remember to loosen the stabilizer straps at the top of the shoulder straps too.
Adjust and Fit the Pack
The hipbelt should entirely cover your hipbones. Some packs allow you to raise or lower the placement of the belt.
Tighten the hipbelt so it’s snug but doesn’t restrict your breathing. Make sure it doesn’t shift up or drop below your hipbones.
Pull down on the shoulder strap adjustments until they are comfortably snug. The straps should lie flat without bunching. They should lie flat against your shoulders, without touching your neck and without a large gap between the top of your shoulder and the strap.
Slowly snug the top stabilizer straps. Pull them until you start to feel a hint of weight on your shoulders.
Fasten the sternum strap that connects the shoulder straps and adjust it so your chest can expand naturally.
If there are stabilizer straps on the hipbelt, snug those for comfort.
Walk around and lean forward and back to see if the weight feels balanced. Try to adjust any points that are causing pressure or are rubbing against your skin.
Care and Repair
Repairing and storing your pack properly will go a long way to making it last. Make sure it’s dry before you put it away and keep it out of direct sunlight. You can use an old toothbrush to clean dirt out of the zippers before you put it away. If the zippers feel sticky and are not sliding smoothly, try rubbing a candle over the teeth and sliders to lubricate them. Buckles are easy to replace. Consider getting some spares and carrying one with you when hiking or skiing. A functioning buckle is crucial for a comfortable trip.
Originally posted on MEC Learn
N.A.C. News
(Sunday, May 8, 2022)
Good Morning,
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful women out there who took care of us, and kept us alive long enough to become the adults we are now. It's the world's toughest and most thankless job. And for those of us that are adventurers, it made Mom's job that much harder! So thank you Mom's of the world, for all that you did and all that you continue to do to take care of your babies. Defy Gravity: Learn to Climb is coming up soon and two spots have just opened up! If you'd like to participate in this event, you have until May 14th to register, so don't wait too long! Our Annual Expedition will take place in the final weeks of September. Eight adventurous people will be able to join Niagara Adventure Club on an exciting and very difficult hike in Northern Ontario. The Expedition will be based on Manitoulin Island and we will venture four days on a very difficult but incredible trail called Heaven't Gate Trail. Full details can be found below. Hiker's Haven in Mississauga, Ontario will be closing. The owner, Lisa, has decided it is time to retire and so with that, she will be closing the store on July 31, 2022. Over the next 3 months, everything must go, so get down to the store for great savings on all your outdoor equipment needs.
That's all the news for this week. As always, stay safe, and happy hiking! Lenny Burch Niagara Adventure Club