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Everyday comfort such as drinks, food, and accommodation are not available at your convenience when you go hiking. Thus, it is important that when you do such activity, you bring these luxuries with you. A reliable backpack is your best hiking gear to do the job. In this article, you will learn more about backpack which can help you select one that it fitting for your hiking needs.

Types of Backpack

Backpacks come in different forms, shapes, styles, and sizes. Each is different from another in terms of anatomy and features. Understanding each type can lead to finding the right one for you. Here are the different types of backpacks.

1.) Expedition Backpack has a volume of 60 liters and up. This full-sized backpack can carry gears that can keep you on the trail for weeks.

2.) Midsize backpack has a volume of 35 to 70 liters. Since there is a significant reduction on the size of hiking gears, this backpack is the ideal for multi-day backpacking. Smaller than the full-sized backpack, it can still hold a good inventory of items you need while outdoor.
3.) Day pack has a volume of 15 to 35 liters. As the name implies, day pack can carry items for a day of hike. It can also be called small-sized backpacks.

4.) Hydration pack has a volume of up to 10 liters. It has a bladder and a drinking tube.

5.) Waist Packs (also known as Lumbar Packs, Hip Packs, and Fanny Packs) have a volume of up to 10 liters. They can be just a pouch or belt bags and can carry a small inventory.

Backpack Features

Depending on the type of backpack, you can look for the following features:

1.) Shoulder harness construction can differ depending on the size of the backpack. The principle is: the technical features increases as the load increases.
2.) Hip belt is a general feature for most kinds of hiking backpack. The hip belt helps reduce the strain created by weight the backpack as it provides stability to the person carrying it.
3.) Hydration system is a feature that can be seen on most hiking backpacks as well. Hydration system is basically a pocket for water bladder or it is the water bladder itself.
4.) Chest strap, like hip belt, provides stability and thus, making the weight of the bag bearable.
5.) Inner and outer pockets/compartments are important for item segregation.
6.) External and internal frames are tough - lightweight materials - that give the backpack its sturdy frame structure.
7.) Splash cover, although not 100% waterproof, can give protection to your backpacks during wet or moist atmosphere.

Hiking Backpack Buying Tips

1.) Choose a hiking backpack based on practicality and not on fashion.
2.) Think volume when you are buying a hiking backpack. The last thing you can do is to overload a small backpack. Make sure that what you buy fits to your hiking requirement.
3.) You don?t have to hand carry your water supply all the time. There are backpacks that will do it for you. Look for hydration system feature when buying a hiking backpack.
4.) Waterproofing is important. Because you will never know when will be the next big pour, you need to protect yourself from it as well as the things inside your backpack.
5.) Buy a backpack that fits your body structure.

Originally posted: A Guide to Hiking Backpack Shopping