What are the keys to choosing the right backpack?

SIZE:

The size of backpack you choose will depend on the nature of your trip. Are you taking a day trip through a local park or going into the mountains for a few weeks? What equipment or comforts do you need to take with you?

If you select a bag that is too big for your needs you may tend to over pack, meaning you will tire faster. Carefully choose a bag according to only what you need to carry. Assemble the gear you require to determine the size of bag you need.

Manufacturers use different terms for size. What may be a large in one brand could be a medium in another. You will have a better idea of size based on the liter or cubic inches of capacity.

FIT:

Do you want an internal or external frame? Will you need a hip belt? What kind of padding is provided?

Internal framed backpacks fit snugly against the body. They are counterbalanced with hip belts and sternum straps. Look for good quality padding on the shoulders and hip belt to prevent chaffing and creating sore points. The internal framed backpack should fit the torso of the user. Women and children will usually need short torso fits. Men should measure for fit since torso length is not always relative to height.

External frames hold the pack away from the body. They are cooler to wear in hot weather but are less stable and not a good choice for hiking in less than ideal conditions requiring balance, climbing, skiing or managing rough trails.

MATERIAL and SPECIAL FEATURES:

The material used on your backpack will depend on the conditions you expect to encounter. Hardier fabrics will cost more and may be heavier but are worth it if you will be traveling in inclement weather or for an extended trip causing excessive wear and tear. Choosing lighter, cheaper fabrics is fine for day trips.

If you are taking climbing equipment, snowshoes or other sporting equipment it is best to find a backpack with specific attachment features for your gear. Trying to retro fit your gear can cause undo strain to your backpack and force you to slouch to one side in compensation for an off-balanced pack.

Take all aspects into consideration when choosing your backpack since your comfort will be your biggest concern when you hit the trails.

Wesley Slade owns and operates the popular outdoor site, WWW.Slades.Biz. He writes about hunting, camping and outdoor gear.

GOOSE DOWN or SYNTHETIC?

So how do you make sure you’ve selected the best sleeping bag for your needs? There are pros and cons to most options available in sleeping bags. Goose down is very warm and lightweight to carry. It can be easily compressed for travel and will quickly regain its form when shaken out. It is by far the better choice for backpackers who intend to carry the bag with them for extended trips because of its lighter weight and smaller packing. However, goose down is more expensive and it losses its insulating properties when wet – a major consideration when sleeping outdoors or traveling in inclement weather.

Synthetic filled bags are cheaper than goose down and retain their warmth even in wet conditions. They dry faster than down and is a good choice if traveling by boat or sleeping outdoors on the ground. However, synthetic bags are heavier and larger which can be a major downside if you are hiking long distances.

For the average family camper, synthetic bags are the least expensive and least affected by wet conditions. And if you are traveling by car to a campground the size and weight of a synthetic bag should not be an issue.

RECTANGLE, TAPERED or MUMMY BAG?

As with the insulating materials, the shape of bag you choose will depend on your specific needs with pros and cons for each type.

Rectangle bags are most similar to bed sleeping and most familiar to the average user. They permit room for movement and you can easily zip two bags together for shared sleeping. However, rectangle bags are the biggest and not the best option for carrying on extended hikes.

Tapered bags are somewhat narrower towards the feet area of the bag. This shape provides less freedom of movement but more warmth because of the restricted space.

Mummy bags are the smallest and lightest to carry. They are very snug to the body (as the name suggests) with a hood that can be fitted around the head to conserve the greatest amount of body heat. While the average user may find the mummy bag uncomfortable to sleep in because of the restriction, they are the best choice for cold weather camping and long hikes because of their warmth and small size.

WHICH TEMPERATURE RATING?

Sleeping bags will list the coldest temperature for which they are suitable. If you are camping in the summer or colder months you will need to choose a bag accordingly. Also take into consideration if you are normally cold or hot when sleeping and make adjustments.

In most cases it is recommended to choose a warmer bag since you can always open the bag for venting if you get too warm. Also consider temperature ratings are based on using a sleeping pad under the bag which conserves body heat from being lost to the ground.

ADDITIONS?

If you camp out frequently, you may want to consider a liner for your bag which will increase its warmth and can be washed separately, saving your sleeping bag from extra wear and tear.

You can also purchase sleeping bag covers. These covers can substitute for a warm weather sleeping bag and can extend a light weight bag into a cold weather bag by increasing the warmth. They can also provide extra protection from wet conditions and are a good choice for protecting goose down sleeping bags.

How comfortable you are when you sleep will drastically affect your enjoyment of a camping or hiking trip. Saving a few dollars at the expense of a good nights sleep will not seem like a good idea when you are tired and cold.

Wesley Slade owns and operates the popular outdoor site, WWW.Slades.Biz. He writes about hunting, camping and outdoor gear.

Experienced hikers will always tell you that every detail matters when you pack hiking gear, especially tents and camping stoves. The right hiking gear and clothing, a properly and ergonomically packed backpack, positive mood and good fitness; all these elements play an equally important role in the success of any hiking trip.

Hiking boots are the most important part of your hiking gear. The right footwear will serve you longer and take you farther and safer than any training shoes or sneakers will. You can wear a cheaper pair of pants or an old t-shirt, but a good reliable pair of hiking shoes or boots should be as expensive as you can afford.

Many people consider their jackets as another important clothing item for a hiker, especially in the colder periods of the year. A hiking jacket can be a true lifesaver if you choose well. A Gore-Tex top layer will shield you from cold, wet, and windy weather. Many hiking jacket manufacturers use a layering approach in their jackets, so that an outer shell layer becomes not insulation, but goes over insulating clothing. Underneath a Gore-Tex layer your can wear a lightweight and even trendy fleece jacket, which you can use in warmer months and for other sporting activities too.

Hiking tents are a must if you plan to camp in mountain regions in all three hiking seasons – spring, summer, and fall. Hiking tents can be used for protection from storms, winds, small animals and insects. Along with a tent, pack a sleeping bag and an insulating ground pad which also brings warmth as well as ironing out bumpy ground.

A lightweight, dependable backpacking stove is much easier to use than campfires which are often prohibited in certain areas. A camping stove manufactured by such trustworthy brands as Primus and Coleman are basically a fuel container and a fire faucet with burner grates. These grates can collapse for compact storage. More expensive models even have electronic ignition so you won’t need matches or a lighter. Although it is always a good idea to pack matches in case of ignition failure. Another version of a camping stove is a storm cooker which basically consists of a spirit burner with windshield and handle and a pot or pan for cooking. These stoves are lightweight because you don’t need a propane container, but are only sufficient for one or two people.

The newest models of camping stoves are environmentally friendly, odor-free, and very accommodating. To cook and eat take a pot, spoon, and a cup. To start the camping stove, if you don’t have an ignition feature, lighters are more reliable than matches. Take more fuel than you initially planned and note, camping stoves eat more fuel in cold weather.

To fully enjoy your hiking trip you must prepare beforehand. Even a small mistake in selecting your hiking equipment may result in an injury or at the least in discomfort and a negative experience. Check and fire up your camping stove while still at home and double check your hiking gear and equipment using a hiking checklist before you head out. Then have fun!

Kathryn Whittaker writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Camping and Hiking please visit? http://www.camping-hiking-guide.com.

1. Carry a compass, a map, and the knowledge of how to use them. Even if you don’t have a good map, any map is better than nothing. People lost in the wilderness have often hiked farther into it because they had no idea in which direction was the nearest road. Practice with the compass near home, and use it before you need it, just to keep in practice.

2. Bring the necessary safety items and knowledge. On Mount Whitney I saw hikers eight miles from the nearest road, at nightfall, with no water, facing a sub-freezing night with short sleeves. They underestimated the time they needed for the trip. They also hadn’t prepared for the possibility of their hike taking longer than expected, or for possible changes in the weather. Check weather reports, think of all the possibilities, and have some preparation and planning for each before you leave.

3. Take care of your feet. Your feet might not take you back out to safety if they are covered in blisters. Stop to air out your feet a few time daily. Condition them beforehand. Bring a spare pair of socks to change into in case your feet get wet or too sweaty. Cover “hot spots” on your feet with moleskin before they become blisters. Stop to shake stones and sticks out of your shoes or hiking boots.

4. Carry matches and practice making a fire. Try making a fire and lighting it with one match. Try it in near home when it is raining, and try it in the snow too. A fire really can save your life. People rarely die from starvation in the wilderness, but they commonly die from exposure. Learn how to keep yourself warm and dry when hiking and backpacking, and always carry matches and a lighter.

5. Let people know where you are. How can anyone come to the rescue if nobody knows where you are? Leave an itinerary behind with someone you trust. Should you carry a cell phone? I don’t care for them myself, but they do save lives all the time. You might want to take it and just leave the ringer off until you need it. Just be sure to charge the battery before you go.

6. Learn a few survival skills. Basic survival skills make hiking and backpacking safer as well as more interesting. Just remembering that sleeping under a pile of dry grass or leaves can keep you warm could save your life someday. Knowledge of a few wild edible plants can feed you when you lose your food, and make a trip more interesting in any case.

People new to the wilderness, but also experienced outdoorsmen have paid the ultimate price when they forgot or refused to take a few basic precautions. It helps to read hiking and backpacking tips like these, but apply them too.

Steve Gillman is a long-time advocate of lightweight backpacking. His tips, photos, gear recommendations and a free book can be found at http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com