Backpack: A Hiker's Best Friend

When is a backpack more than just a pack?

When it's a cherished memento.

Do you remember your first backpack?

I do.

It was a hideous day glow orange.

It had an external aluminum frame with huge metal pins, one giant cavernous internal space, and several external pockets with heavy zippers. The straps were canvas, poorly padded and sewn onto the pack with black thread.

My parents bought it at a gas station in town (we call them convenience marts now) for me in 1971 just before I went on my first backpacking trip.

I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

As a young teenager, I learned to backpack wearing that clumsy, over sized pack.

Somewhere along the way, over many household moves, I lost the pack. I'm still sad about that. Why?

It represented so many good memories for me: independence, learning about the outdoors, getting strong legs from carrying the load inside the pack as I listened to the frame squeak with every step, losing a bag of gorp to a ravenous chipmunk who chewed through the pack, making trail friendships that lasted for decades, and so much more.

It would be fun to wear it one more time. At least I have a few pictures of my youthful self in it, looking overwhelmed by the bulk of the pack.

OK, enough trail time on Memory Lane. Here's what you're probably looking for: tips on how to purchase a backpack that will serve you well.

Let's start out with the truth: backpacks can be a real pain to shop for.

There's an overwhelming array of options and if you don't know what to look for, you can end up with the wrong pack.

Luckily, many companies have caught on to why backpacks for women are essential. We're not just small men - we have hips, our legs & knees bear weight differently, our shoulders are more narrow, we look for different features, and we're a bit picky about colors (how many day glow orange packs have you seen lately on women hikers??).

Having said all that, I'm going to take some of it back: a non-curvy, broad shouldered woman may find that men's packs fit best. So will other females whose anatomical curvature just happens to fit a particular manufacturer's specifications.

So don't be adamant on finding a woman's backpack - fit will dictate everything. Stay open to trying on MANY backpacks until that magical moment when you say "Ah, this is the one."

Now let's go through the list of essential features you should consider when you are shopping for a backpack.

Keep in mind that you may have to try on a lot of packs. Bring snacks to keep your blood sugar high enough to cope with all of the fiddling involved, and remember the story of Cinderella.

Wear a sports bra and whatever type of hiking clothing you expect to wear on the trail.

And don't feel that you have to "settle" for a "good enough" pack.

On the contrary, consider this a quest to find THE pack, and devote as much time as necessary to finding it.

This means not waiting until the day before you leave for the trail head. Give yourself a long lead time, if you want to be comfortable on the trail.

Consider finding the right backpack every bit as important as finding the right mate, and devote the same amount of brain power and time to the job. If you think I'm overstating my case, we should talk (either about finding a mate or a pack, I'm game for either one!).

Be purposeful in your search for the right backpack. Decide on the following features before you go to any website or gear store:

*Purpose of pack: If you're shopping for a particular type of hiking backpack, don't waste time with the other types of packs: every day, travel, day, ultralight, mountaineering, backpacking, winter sports, which pack are you interested in?

*Pack size: How much carrying capacity do you need? Depends upon your hiking trip, right? If you're planning a multi-day backpacking trip, your pack needs are large.

Packs are advertised by their volume: cubic inches or liters, with capacities of pounds or kilograms. Be prepared to look at numbers on the tags, or just ask the sales staff to show you the small/medium/large pack which fits your situation.

*Weight: How much does the empty pack weigh? You shouldn't go above 2 or 2.5 pounds empty for a day pack, but will probably need to go a few pounds higher for longer trips. There's ultralight gear you can consider, too.

*Price range: What are you prepared to spend? Where can you find the best deal? Are you taking advantage of rebates, discounts, sales, membership pricing? All great questions!

*Brands you're interested in: Do a bit of background research and if you're partial to certain brands, call ahead and make sure those are in stock. And do those brands carry gear specifically designed for women?

*Features you must have: If you use a hydration system, you'll need a pack built to accommodate it, for example. Maybe you need more than one internal compartment (probably not in a day pack), or side mesh pockets for water bottles. Perhaps you want to lash gear to the outside of the pack - you'll need to consider attachment options.

Does the pack come with a rain cover? Here in the Pacific Northwest, I consider that an essential piece of gear.

Some of us (not mentioning any names) are fussy about how to get into the pack: top access, side access, zippers -vs- cords. This may sound picky, but if you're frustrated every time you try to get something out of your pack, it will erode your enjoyment of hiking.

Here's a quick list of the parts of the pack you must pay attention to when you try it on:

a) shoulder straps;

b) back panel;

c) hip belt;

d) sternum (chest) strap;

e) carrying capacity;

f) weight of empty pack.

Rather than go through each of these in exhaustive detail, I'll give you a list of questions to ask yourself once you have the pack on and are moving around.

Be sure to load up the pack with some weight.

REI stores have bean bags for this purpose, but other stores might let you put heavy items into the pack and walk around for awhile.

You should take many, many steps and bend over ("tie your shoe lace") in the pack at least once.

Try to simulate trail conditions as much as possible.

Again, REI stores have an area in the store with uneven terrain and steps so you can get a feel for whether or not you and the pack have become one. (By the way, this is not a plug for REI, although my membership card dates back to 1977.)

Question 1: Does this pack conform snugly (but not in a death grip) to my back? [If NO, ask the sales clerk or your shopping buddy to help you in front of a full length mirror to adjust the straps. Work on one side until it feels good, then match the other side.]

Question 2: When I take some steps, does the hip belt gouge me or put pressure on my rib cage? [If YES, play with the straps until you get a more reasonable fit. Make sure there's enough padding between your bones and the adjusting clips. If you can't get the belt to sit more comfortably, try a different pack with a more narrow belt.]

Question 3: As I'm walking, do the muscles in my neck feel strained or pulled? [If YES, did you snap together the sternum (chest) strap? If the pack doesn't have one of these straps, I'd pass it up. Neck strain leads to head aches, sore shoulders, back misalignment, and potential knee problems. There are strap adjustments you should try before you discard the pack entirely.]

Question 4: When I swing my arms (like I would if I had poles) do I hit the sides of the pack? [If YES, the pack is too wide for you - look for a smaller pack with a more narrow profile.]

Question 5: When I bend over (simulating the action of tying a boot or picking up a water bottle), does the top of the pack hit me in the back of the head? [If YES, how annoying! Did you tighten down the straps? Or is this pack just too big?]

Question 6: When I slide a hand up under one of the shoulder straps, can I close my hand comfortably around it? [If NO, the straps are too wide and will probably dig into your breasts or create hot spots in your axillary area (armpits).]

Question 7: Is the pack ventilated? No big deal if you're only using it for winter hiking, but look for a pack built to let your body heat escape. There are various well-hyped "systems" of doing this. Don't be swept up in the marketing, just use common sense and look to see if the pack directly contacts your sweaty back or if there's room between your back and the pack.

Question 8: Do I understand what all of the straps are for? Do I need all of the features? [If UNSURE, take off the pack and sit down next to it. Play with all the zippers, straps, buckles, and doo-dads until you are comfortable with the design of the pack. This will help you make reasonable adjustments once you put it on again, too.]

Question 9: Does this pack make me look fat? [KIDDING! Just kidding!]

Wow! I'm just getting started! There's so much to consider. I'm going to refer you to some guidelines that get much more specific about finding the best fit for your pack. These guidelines are specific to one brand of pack, but you will get the general idea.

If you need more suggestions, send me your question in the form below.

I hope you believe me when I say that it really is worth the time investment to get a properly fitted pack that will add enjoyment, not agony, to your trail time.

Happy Shopping!

P.S. If your needs run more along the lines of "just a water bottle and lunch", consider a lumbar (fanny or waist) pack.

Other topics more interesting than backpacks? Try these.