24Pack
Styles
Depending
on your individual needs and purposes, there are a variety of backpacks
to choose from, including daypacks, internal frame packs, external frame
packs and travel (conversion) packs. |
| Daypacks
are
used for day trips or general day-to-day activities. Usually frameless,
they are designed to carry a lunch, water bottle, camera, some extra clothes
and some climbing gear. Sizes and designs can usually vary and personal
needs should dictate your selection. |
| 1. |
Easy
loading from either the top or front panel. |
| 2. |
Pockets
for storing smaller items. |
| 3. |
Waist
strap for stability. |
| 4. |
Padded
shoulder straps. |
| 5. |
Lash
points to offer space for extra gear. |
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| Internal
frame packs are offered in a range of sizes. These packs are good for
heavy loads because they transfer much of the weight from your shoulders
to your hips. An excellent choice for mountaineering or cross-country skiing,
internal packs are designed with a lower center of gravity.
Although
not generally as comfortable for carrying heavy loads on a trail as an
external frame pack, this design stabilizes the load on your back, allowing
for more natural hip-to-shoulder movement and making you more confident
in your balance.
Special
internal frame mountaineering packs allow the flexibility necessary
for active climbing and skiing. |
| Strengths:
Slim profile;good mobility and balance for skiing, climbing, etc. |
| Weaknesses:
Less rigid and ride closer to your back than external frame packs; less
breathable for your back in warm weather. |
|
|
| 1. |
Contoured
aluminum stays to aid distribution of weight to hips. |
| 2. |
Lumbar
pad to help support and comfort heavy loads and provide more ventilation. |
| 3. |
Compression
straps to help prevent smaller loads from shifting around the pack. |
| 4. |
Plenty
of lash points and loops for extra gear. |
| 5. |
Slim
profile with outside pockets. |
| 6. |
Shoulder
and waist cinch straps to keep load close to your back. |
|
|
| External
frame packs are generally large in volume with a rigid support system
on the outside of the pack. Designed to carry heavy loads over long distances,
they offer excellent weight distribution and a high center of gravity which
transfers most of the weight from the shoulders to the hips. Unfortunately,
this results in a compromise of your balance, making external frame packs
suitable only for backcountry trips on open trails. |
| Most
external frames are made of aluminum alloy tubing and have either welded
or coupled joints. External frame packs come in four shapes: straight,
s-shape, hipwrap, and woman's frame. |
| The
straight
frame allows for a lot of room between the back and the pack. This makes
for great ventilation in hot weather, but it also tends to cause the pack
to pull away from the shoulders during hiking. |
| The
s-shape
frame is designed to fit the natural curves of the back. This provides
for a high degree of balance and stability, while still offering some ventilation
to the back. |
| The
hipwrap
frame bends in at the waist and wraps around the hips. This helps to transfer
weight from the back to the legs. |
| The
woman's
frame is designed to fit a woman's body. It fits shorter bodies, and rides
lower on the back to match a woman's lower center of gravity. |
| Strengths:
Good for backpacking with loads of 25 lbs. or more; rigid frame keeps pack
separated from your back and is comfortable in warm weather; best for backpacking
on open trails. |
| Weaknesses:
Wider profile than internal frame packs and tougher to maneuver in tight
situations or where balance is needed (i.e. skiing and climbing). |
| 1. |
Rigid,
tubular heliarc-welded aluminum frame to support the load. |
| 2. |
Waterproof
coated, top loading pack with overflap or a front-panel zipper load. |
| 3. |
Sturdy,
padded shoulder straps of dense, thick foam with nylon covering. |
| 4. |
Mesh
backband for ventilation in warm weather. |
| 5. |
Wraparound
hip belt made of thick foam with a quick release buckle system. |
| 6. |
Outside
pockets to help organize your materials. |
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| Travel
(conversion) packs are hybrid travel pack/backpacks. Well-suited for
traveling convenience or when your plans include both public transportation
and the trail, these packs blend a functional piece of luggage with a pack
suspension system that can be tucked out of the way for traveling. |
| The
suspension harness can be a basic pair of padded shoulder straps or a highly
technical and fully adjustable design that is suitable for climbing or
extended trekking with heavy loads. |
| Available
in many sizes from smaller carry-on models that fit under an airline seat
to models capable of carrying large loads for extended trips. Look for
features similar to internal frame packs and daypacks. |
| Fanny/lumbar
packs are ideal for when you need to carry a few things on a short
walk. Worn strapped around the waist, fanny packs are used by some as an
alternative to a purse. |
| High
tech versions of fanny packs are also available, offering such amenities
as hydration systems. Certain manufacturers offer detachable fanny packs
as a part of their pack systems. |
| Baby
carriers are frame packs designed to carry infants and children. Available
in various sizes, some baby carriers feature a simple design for short
walks, while others have more complex harness systems for long hikes. Baby
carriers are limited to a maximum of 40 pounds. |
| Volume
To
choose the right bag for you, you must know how long you are planning to
be gone. Use the following guidelines to assist in your selection:
4,000
cubic inches = 2-3 days
5,500
cubic inches = 4-7 days
Cold
weather activities may require more space for heavier sleeping bags and
extra clothing. However, if you are sharing communal gear like kitchen
supplies, you may be able to get away with less.
Beware
buying an oversized pack for your needs. If you have the room, undoubtedly
you will find gear to fill it, which can make your journey more fatigued
and less enjoyable. |
| Backpack
Materials
Most
packs are comprised of a variety of fabrics that are fully waterproofed
and designed to combine toughness and lightness. Two of the most popular
primary fabrics are Cordura® and Rip-stop,with Rips-top consideredby
many to be tougher againsttears. |
|
High-abrasion
areas of a pack are usually reinforced with an even tougher nylon fabric
such as Ironcloth®, Spectra® and Pack Cloth®. Most backpacks
also have various mesh or ventilating foam cells in the areas that fit
the back to increase breathability. |
|
| Fitting
Tips
It
is important to size your pack to your body. The pack you choose has nothing
to do with how tall you are, and everything to do with your torso size.
If the pack is too long, it'll sag over your butt. Too short and you'll
lose crucial lower back support.
_
To
determine your torso size and find the pack right for you, follow these
steps to take your torso measurement. |
 Locate
and Measure Your Torso: The two points that will determine the length
of your torso are your seventh vertebra (bony protrusion at the base of
your neck) and the top of your hip bones.
Using
a tape measure, measure in a straight line from the seventh vertebra to
the point on the small of you back approximately level with the top of
your hipbones. Check your measurement against the chart below. |
| Torso
Length |
Stay Length |
Pack
Suspension Size |
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| Please
remember, however, that these are general recommendations for pack suspension
size. Individual needs may vary. |
| Test-Fitting
a Pack: Knowing your torso length should help narrow your choices.
Once you receive your pack, give it a test fitting and adjust as required.
Follow these helpful guidelines. |
| 1.
Loosen the pack's shoulder straps and hip belt. |
| 2.
Slip
your arms through the shoulder pads, close and tighten the hip belt comfortably
near the top of your hipbones. |
| 3.
Make sure the padded areas of your hip belt wrap around comfortably without
touching in front. |
| 4.
Reposition the buckle pieces if you find the belt too loose or tight. If
this does not help, you may need a different pack. |
| 5.
Once the hip belt is positioned correctly, tightly cinch down the shoulder
straps. |
| 6.
Make sure your shoulder straps are spaced enough so that it does not squeeze
your neck, but also close enough together so that it will not slip off
your shoulders while active. |
| 7.
Look for a good torso fit. Simply by loosening and tightening your shoulder
straps, you should be able to easily distribute the weight of your pack
between your shoulders and hips. |
| 8.
Make sure the pack is comfortable. It should feel good on your back and
not restrict your movement. You should be able to look up and squat down
comfortably. |
