How to Choose a Backpack to Meet All Your Needs

From school children to alpinists, everyone needs a backpack now and then.

Besides pockets, it is the most common way of carrying stuff around. It is so common that many people will carry even an empty backpack around simply as a fashion statement. 

Considering how popular and essential backpacks are, it is a shame that so many are ergonomically ill-designed or simply of bad quality.

To choose the right backpack for your needs, you need to look into several factors to see if the model is right for the job, as not every design is good for everything, nor is it suitable for every environment. 

Capacity

Backpacks are measured in the inside volume they occupy. The said volume is usually Every day in liters (one liter of water being more or less equal to 1dm3 of space). It comes in various sizes, ranging from relatively small 15 L ones to the larger, camping-oriented ones that hold over 100 L. Depending on your needs, the size will follow.

Every day and school knapsacks usually don’t need more than 20 liters, unless you are carrying around some other gear too, like sports equipment for P.E., etc.

One day hikes and camping backpacks should be in the 30 to 50-liter range, the number depending on how much supplies you are comfortable carrying around.

Traditional camping, with solid tent construction, tools, food, and spare clothing, needs at least 50 liters per person, though the smaller the camping group, the larger the backpacks need to be.

Backpacking, as a form of cheap and adventurous tourism, has its roots in the concept that one can carry all they need, or even all of their belongings, on themselves while moving. Such people are usually recognized by their messy hair and huge, often well picked, backpacks that can have well more than 120 liters of capacity.

Security

This question is posed very often, and for a good reason - despite the name pickpocketing, this kind of illegal practice is usually targeted at backpacks that are worn over the shoulder so the owner cannot see what is happening.

In some countries, it has become customary to wear them on the front as a security measure. But luckily, there are some designs and other techniques to help you secure your belongings. 

Antitheft bags are made in such a way that the main compartment, usually for a laptop or similar, can only be accessed from the rear of it, that is - the side facing the wearer. Though a little more hassle to open for the owner - it is practically impossible to take out anything unnoticed while being carried. 

Another large security issue is not theft but getting home safely in dramatic situations. During riots, or if you are attacked in any way, being prepared is key, and an easy to carry bag with a very reliable zipper is a must-have. If you are carrying something that you would need to reach for at a moment’s notice, such as pepper spray, for example, a good choice is smaller tactical bags carried around the leg. 

Suspension and Back support

Looking cool by carrying your stuff over one shoulder is fine if you are a high schooler who doesn’t have a lot of weight to move around, but anything more and your back is going to hurt. Correct suspension and proper back support are two definite elements that help people carry much more weight with their backpacks than they normally could. 

Several types of suspenders, or belts, are used in backpack design. The most common one is a hip belt that is especially useful when carrying very heavy loads. If you have an extremely overweight package on your back, such as a belt that grips tight just above the hip bone, also known as a low waistline, it helps take off more than 50 percent from the back and puts it on the hips. Although it can seem it restricts upper leg movement, it will help you move larger distances easier.

A rigid and well-padded back support is needed for any backpack with a capacity of over 50 liters. It helps keep the back straight and reduces muscle wear due to improper posture.

Additional Pockets

Some people will not like it as it makes the whole rucksack look much bulkier, but additional space through extra pockets is a great way to increase capacity without worrying about opening the main compartment every time you need to take out something.

A special pocket for a water-resistant covering is essential for all campers because a wet backpack is much heavier, and spare clothing is of no use if it is entirely wet.

Side pockets are also very useful for hanging additional stuff from them, such as spare boots or a sleeping bag when there is no more room inside the other compartments.

We can all agree that there is no ideal backpack for all our needs, as there can be different models as much as there are different needs. But following these few simple guidelines, we can easily choose the right one for us.