If you have yet to trek the wilderness with nothing but the contents of your backpack, you may dismiss backpacking as a simple and fun task.
However, when you choose a destination and begin packing up your bag, all sorts of questions from “What essential items do I have to pack?” and “Would it be okay if I leave my belongings in the bag for more than a day?,” to the very basic ones including “How do I wear my backpack?” and “Which is the ideal backpack to purchase for my trip?”, will come up.
As much as you want it to be, backpacking and enjoying the great outdoors is not usually as easy as you think. Sure, you may still venture with a pack filled with random items but doing so does not guarantee that your experience is one worth remembering for a lifetime.
However, even if you still have a long way to go where backpacking is concerned, things can unfold in your favor. Granted you are willing, learning how to be merry with the stuff inside your backpack, together with an amazing destination in mind, is not impossible. Regardless of your pace being slow, you are likely to become an expert backpacker eventually.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Backpack
Prior to taking home the first backpack you come across at a store, you may want to note different factors aside from the brand, color, design and style. Otherwise, not only will you miss the opportunity to pack necessary items, you will also have to deal with a bag that may not be convenient to carry around.
You may end up returning to the place where you purchase it and ask for and cross your fingers for your money to be given back. If you want a backpack that will make your adventure as easy and fun as possible, then you have to choose wisely.
Bum Bags
Bum bags are attached to a backpack as a mini-bag. Because they are very useful, their inclusion is a factor. If you have a couple of things such as money, compass, or flashlight, a pack partnered with the additional little packs can be rather handy.
Fit
If you feel uncomfortable when trying the backpack on, then refrain from making the final purchase. Pay attention to one with an adjustable hip belt, lumbar support, perforated back panel, shoulder harness, stabilizer strap and sternum strap.
Load Distribution
Load distribution is a factor to consider when choosing a backpack because the load you will be carrying for your trip can be burdensome. If, other than the main storage area there are no places to place your items in (i.e. hip belts, pockets, side straps, etc.), your balance and coordination will most likely be affected. As the rule goes, the heavier the load, the more features should a pack have.
Stitching
Is a backpack strong and tight? Can it withstand a bit of pressure and remain intact even when you have a big load to carry? You may want to purchase one with excellent stitching. Remember, a low-quality pack can burst unexpectedly and consequently, ruin your trip.
Waterproofing
A waterproof backpack is dependable. Why? Because the thing is, you cannot tell if heavy rains are on your cards. If you would not want to worry about water or any liquid for that matter to damage the items inside your pack, a waterproof bag is the one you should get.
Three Words to Be Familiar with When Choosing a Backpack
- Term.
- Definition.
- Adjustable systems.
- Systems that lets you slide a backpack up and down.
- Litres (i.e. 20, 55, 65, 75, or 85 litres).
- Sizes of a backpack. 20 is the smallest; 85 is the largest.
- Solid support systems.
- Systems responsible for preventing a backpack from bulging into your back.
Five Steps on How to Wear a Backpack
The way you wear a backpack is up to you. Rather than pay attention to the advice of any peer that may not even know what he is doing, concentrate on how you feel when you are wearing the bag on. Do not forget that you are the only one who can determine what is comfortable and what is not.
In addition, if you decide to try wearing your backpack as professional backpackers would, you may discover that carrying a pack can be made easier and the load on your back can be lighter. After giving it a go (or several attempts), you may find the perfect technique for you.
- Lift the backpack onto a chair, desk, or any high surface with a straight back.
- Find your balance. Then, slide your arms through the backpack’s straps.
- Slowly stand upright.
- Transfer a bit of the backpack’s load into your shoulders.
- Tighten the waistband, and grab the cords and straps.
Ten Packing Strategies
Tossing items into your backpack without a tactic does not seem promising. Chances are, as soon as you realize that your bag is already full with the absence of other stuff you still want to take with you on your trip, you will have to accept the harsh truth that you will have to sign up for another round of packing.
For a while, the solution to not having enough space is to purchase another backpack. However, with expert backpackers, such as Daniel Brent and Peter Moore who coursed Australia, England, India, and Southeast Asia, revealing different packing secrets, you may want to think twice.
Unless you are willing to carry an extra load, spend for another bag, or settle for being an amateur backpacker, learning the strategies from the pros is the more practical alternative.
- Avoid last minute or rush packing.
- Categorize items into small and large classes.
- Clean your backpack before you start packing.
- Make use of all the spaces.
- Make use of inner and outer pockets.
- Place fragile items (e.g. camera, medicine bottles, etc.) at the center.
- Place items that you often take out at the top for easy access.
- Prioritize the heaviest items first.
- Remove unnecessary items.
- Separate any edible stuff from all your other items.
Why a Heavy, Bulky Backpack is a No-No
When it comes to backpacking and travelling light, keep a couple of notes in mind. Because your backpack will play an important role in your adventure, taking the art of packing seriously needs to be considered.
To not have an extremely challenging adventure while you are on the great outdoors, learn to be tactful. Especially if you plan to have the time of your life during your trip, treating your pack, along with the stuff inside, carefully, may reward you later on.
- A heavy, bulky backpack leaves you with less room for souvenirs.
- Carrying a heavy, bulky bag can attract thieves when in a crowded area.
- Carrying a heavy, bulky backpack can make it troublesome when passing through crowds.
- Getting things out of a heavy, bulky backpack can be time-consuming.
- If you would have to walk frequently, a heavy, bulky backpack will make the feat difficult.
The Magic in your Pack
Regardless of planning things through, you have to accept that the trip of a backpacker may sometimes turn against your favor. However, if you bring along the right stuff, the items in your backpack may solve all your worries from minor to major cuts, bruises, sleeplessness, headaches, fever, skin protection, stomachaches, and nausea.
With carefully chosen items in your backpack, heading back home does not have to be the best option. Apart from not having to fret while you are in the wilderness, carrying useful things can lead to twice as much fun and excitement on your journey. Because all you need is to lay your bag in front of you and have access to the essential stuff, you can expect to remain a happy camper even if situations may have gone slightly wrong.
Backpacking with an Animal
To help lessen the load, you may consider backpacking and venturing out in the open with an animal such as a dog, llama horse, and donkey. However, although, your preferred four-legged companion can be of assistance, remember that he needs special consideration. He has to be fed and watched accordingly. Otherwise, instead of being the one who offers to make your trip easier, the situation will go the other way around.