How to Choose a Backpack for Long Backpacking Trips

Video Transcript

"Hi, I’m Kate I’m here with Zoar Outdoor on behalf of Expert Village and we’re going to talk about hiking today. We’re going to talk about backpacks for extended trips. There are several options, the first thing you need to do is determine how many nights you’re going to be in the back country. If you’re going to be out in the back country for more than 10 days, you should seriously consider getting a backpack that’s at least 6,000 cubic inches, it’s a pretty big backpack. The backpack I have here is about 3,500 cubic inches, this is good for several nights in the back country. I like backpacks that have several different spots in the outside to put stuff. Most backpack will have brain, which is this top section and backpacks can have a sleeping bag compartment on the bottom. This is just another way to get into your backpack. Same thing applies for bigger backpacks, when you put a backpack on you’re going to be doing your hip belt up first. When you pack your backpack you’re going to have your sleeping bag down here where you’re going to have most of your weight in the bottom. This allows it to sit on your hips a little bit easier. You can have backpacks that don’t have the sleeping bag compartment and just have one huge compartment, which is just like this backpack. Some people like these and then your just shove all your stuff inside of it, getting all the knick and crannies completely filled. You can also if you’re a minimalist and you think you can get out in the back country for a couple of nights, you can go for the smaller backpacks. All of them should have a brain to keep some important stuff in and just extra compartments on the outside. These are really good for fuel bottles, water bottles, anything that you don’t want a leak on all you good stuff inside. My preference is to have straps on the bottom to put your sleeping bag, your crazy creek or anything else that doesn’t really fit inside your backpack too well. Having options to attach stuff to the outside works, you don’t want anything too heavy though on the outside of your backpack. If you go to any of your local stores, they’ll help size you up for a good backpack and getting you what you need for what you plan on doing."