Any trip is a very responsible event, requiring the traveler to have a certain luggage and a set of appropriate equipment. And sometimes there is so much of it that three bags are not enough to carry it away at a time. Travel backpacks come to the rescue – they are spacious and roomy, they have a well-thought-out ergonomic design and are perfect for traveling long distances and carrying a large amount of equipment. However, all the benefits are available only if the backpack is selected correctly, and its parameters are fully consistent with expectations and specific goals.
Choosing the design and volume of a tourist backpack
Even 20 years ago, when the phrase 'travel backpack' was mentioned, the imagination drew traditional army models of a marsh color, which was a regular bag. Nowadays, everything is much more diverse and there really is plenty to choose from:
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The aforementioned soft travel backpacks are still quite popular due to their versatility and fairly high capacity. Thanks to the presence of compression ties, they are able to compactly pack even bulky baggage. However, such backpacks have a number of significant drawbacks: the same absence of dense walls can play a cruel joke and cause a lot of inconvenience when carrying solid objects and equipment over a long distance;
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Frame backpack models are good and versatile. They are a cloth backpack fixed on a rigid metal frame. This design allows the backpack to retain its shape as much as possible, but it also makes it quite bulky and heavy. The use of a soft polyurethane or fiberglass frame does not always lead to the desired result – under the weight of the carried baggage, it can deform and even break;
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Frame backpacks are the most popular and widespread at present. At their core, they represent a cross between traditional frame models and their soft counterparts. The main awning of the backpack here is sealed with special reinforcing inserts, and also has a dense fabric back and a number of other structural elements that have a positive effect on strength. There are no pronounced shortcomings in these models, with the exception of the rather high cost of top models.
One cannot but mention a couple of words about the volume of the backpack. On sale you can find both miniature models of 35-40 liters, and really roomy 'trunks' for 120-150 liters. Both the first and the second are not needed by everyone, and therefore, when choosing a tourist backpack, it makes sense to pay attention to models with a volume of 60-80 liters.
Material and quality of tailoring
All materials used in the production of backpacks are divided into the following conditional groups:
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Cordura is a dense and durable fabric that is widely used in the manufacture of backpacks. It drains water well and is not afraid of direct sunlight. Its only drawback is sensitivity to temperature drops 'through zero';
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Avisent is a stylish and beautiful fabric, widely used in the production of inexpensive models. High strength, density and wear resistance are here side by side with low moisture permeability and mediocre appearance;
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Oxford is a synthetic analogue of Cordura, which differs from it in a more aesthetic look. According to its characteristics, this material is somewhat inferior to Cordura, but surpasses it in weight and aesthetic characteristics. It is for this reason that Oxford backpacks, labeled from 210 to 840, are considered the best for making backpacks;
What should be the back and waist
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The dorsal part is in direct contact with the traveler's back, and therefore special attention is paid to its parameters. First, it must have sufficient density in order to exclude the influence of bulging solid objects on the back. Secondly, the back must breathe – remove moisture from the traveler's back, which will certainly condense during long journeys. And thirdly, it should fit snugly to the back and not cause discomfort during long transitions;
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Similar features apply to the waist part of the backpack. Maximum hold, a decent level of tightness and a snug fit to the back are the main characteristics that need to be paid extra attention. To achieve the latter, many manufacturers very often use special waist belts that additionally fix the backpack during transitions;
What else to look for when choosing a travel backpack
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Transport harnesses are an essential element that directly affects overall comfort on long journeys. Length adjustment, dense, high-quality material and the ability to quickly change dimensions and adjust for a specific person are essential conditions for any high-quality backpack. We should not forget about the need for dense straps in the shoulder girdle area – it is thanks to them that the backpack will not rub the shoulders, no matter what weight is put into it;
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The presence of pockets located on the outside of the backpack. They are designed to accommodate small items and all sorts of equipment, one way or another necessary during the transition. Pockets should be zippered, deep enough and consistently accessible during the transition. Waterproof will also be useful, allowing you to keep the contents dry even under heavy rain;
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The accessories should also be given special attention. This concept includes straps, zippers, buttons, fasteners, and other little things necessary to fix the backpack in a certain position. Preference should be given to models with fittings installed by well-known European and Japanese concerns;
How to properly try on and assemble a travel backpack?
In order to try on a backpack, you need to fill it with contents that allow you to fill the entire volume, adjust the harnesses and other fixing elements for yourself, put it on your shoulders and walk in this position for a while. If the backpack is incorrectly adjusted or, due to its anatomical features, is not suitable for a specific person, he will feel discomfort within 1-2 minutes. Accordingly, in such a situation, you will either have to re-adjust all the adjustments of the backpack, or choose another, more suitable model.
Correct assembly of the backpack is also important. Laying should be carried out on the bottom-up principle – the heaviest and most rigid things are stacked in the lower part of it, for maximum balance. In addition, hard and sharp objects should be placed as far from the back as possible – digging into the back, they can cause a lot of inconvenience, regardless of how correct the backpack is and how dense its back is made.
In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose a tourist burner and the secrets of choosing a thermos.
Video on choosing a tourist backpack
Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.
