
We’ve used a LOT of backpacks on a LOT of backcountry trips. From big and heavy, to small and light, we’ve had a chance to try them out in the wilderness. What we’ve learned is that certain features are very useful, while others are little more than gimmicks that do little to enhance a backpacking trip — they’re just designed to get backpacks off of shelves.
We just posted this Youtube Video going into the details of our experience with particular backpacks and particular features.
The backpacks we explore in the video are a subset of backpacks that we are confident recommending. They are the:
- Zpacks Arc Air 50L DCF Backpack with 2 Belt Pouches, discontinued and replaced by the 50L Arc Haul
- Hyperlite Unbound 40
- Six Moon Designs Flight 30
- ULA Ohm
- Osprey Exos 58
We hope you enjoy the video! For folks who prefer reading over watching, below are the key take-aways:
The most important factors to consider are:
- Capacity: Choose a backpack with the right capacity for your typical trip (volume and load)
- Weight: All else being equal, lighter is always better.
- Size: Take measurements and/or try on packs to make sure you get one that’s the right size for your body.
- Simplicity: Fewer unnecessary features means fewer potential failure points, and an easier-to-use pack.
Features we like include:
- Water Resistance: A pack made out of a water-proof (ie water resistant) material such as Dyneema makes trips more pleasant in inclement weather.
- Side Pockets: Our water bottles live in our side pockets, so the larger these are the more water-carrying capacity we have.
- Hip-belt pockets: We always put small items, like snacks and phones, in our hip-belt pockets. It is frustrating when manufacturers charge extra for these (we’re looking at you, Zpacks).
- Load Straps: These let you adjust how your load carries on-the-fly. In our opinion, all backpacks should have them (we’re looking at you, Hyperlite).
- Top Strap: We keep our sleeping pads buckled to the top of our packs, so we make sure any backpack we use has a strap on top that can be used to hold it on.
Features we don’t like include:
- Extra pockets: Whether it’s a “brain” that goes on top of a pack, or small pockets up and down the sides, these pockets can only fit certain items, and they don’t carry as well as a single large compartment.
- Extra zippers: Many traditional packs have a lower-zipper that provides access to a sleeping bag. This is an unnecessary failure-point that adds unnecessary weight.
- Excessive padding or loft systems: When padding exceeds the amount that’s essential for comfort, it just adds weight to a pack. We’ve found that if our packs are sized properly and transferring the load to our hips, only minimal padding is necessary.
- Water-bladder pocket: This might be a little controversial, but we don’t like or recommend water bladders, because they make it hard to assess how much you’re drinking.
Whatever backpack you choose, have fun out there!
-T&R
Disclosure: We use affiliate links in this post, which may include Amazon affiliate links and others. We receive a small commission on some of products you buy. There is no extra cost to you.
It is in reality a great and useful piece of info. I am satisfied that you simply shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
I will right away grasp your rss as I can not find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly let me realize so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
I am not certain where you’re getting your information, however great topic. I needs to spend a while learning much more or figuring out more. Thank you for excellent information I used to be searching for this information for my mission.
Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue with your web site in web explorer, may test this… IE nonetheless is the marketplace chief and a huge component to people will omit your magnificent writing because of this problem.
You made some clear points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found most people will agree with your website.
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
I like this post, enjoyed this one thankyou for putting up.
Just wanna remark on few general things, The website design is perfect, the content material is very great. “To imagine is everything, to know is nothing at all.” by Anatole France.
There is obviously a bundle to identify about this. I assume you made various good points in features also.
I love your writing style truly enjoying this web site.
I?¦m now not positive the place you are getting your info, however great topic. I must spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was in search of this info for my mission.
I went over this internet site and I think you have a lot of great information, saved to bookmarks (:.
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people think about worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
But wanna say that this is very useful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
I?¦ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this sort of house . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this web site. Studying this information So i am happy to express that I have a very excellent uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed. I most surely will make certain to do not put out of your mind this site and give it a look on a relentless basis.
I conceive this internet site contains some very excellent information for everyone. “Anger makes dull men witty, but it keeps them poor.” by Francis Bacon.
I simply could not leave your website before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the usual info an individual provide for your guests? Is going to be back ceaselessly to investigate cross-check new posts.
I’ve been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
Hey, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, superb blog!
Some genuinely good blog posts on this site, thankyou for contribution.