Backpacks

Backpacks can be the difference between a pleasant trip and a not so pleasant experience. When choosing a pack, its important to pick the right one for your needs. Packs range from the buttpack for a day hike, all the way to packs big enough for a week long excursion.

When looking at a pack, take some things in mind. What will the pack be used for? Is it for a day hike, overnight trip, 2 day trip or week long excursion? There is no need in buying a 5,000 cubic inch pack and using it for a day hike.

When looking at a pack, take some things in mind. What will the pack be used for? Is it for a day hike, overnight trip, 2 day trip or week long excursion? There is no need in buying a 5,000 cubic inch pack and using it for a day hike.

Buttpack (also called fanny pack) – is good for day hikes when the person does not want to wear a backpack. Fannny packs are also a good option in hot weather. Instead of being worn on the back and trapping heat, the pack is worn around belt line. For people with back problems, this also gets the weight off the spine and puts it on the hips or waist line.

Daypacks – These are usually a little larger then the typical buttpack, worn on the back and when packed carefully can be either an overnight bag or a daypack. Packs this size are usually big enough for a hammock, water bottles, first aid kit, rain poncho, GPS, compass, topo map, Muilt-tool, paracord,,,,, – just enough gear to get you through an overnight camping trip. If your bringing a bed roll or a one man tent, it might have to be strapped to the outside of the pack.

With some experience, its very possible to pack just about everything a person would need into about 1,500 cubic inches for a pleasant overnight trip. Keep in mind this is for warm and hot weather camping. If the trip is going to be in cool or cold weather, then take those needs into consideration.

But for the most part, a daypack is designed for just that – a day hike.

2 day pack – The next size packs are the overnight bag or 2 day pack. These are usually a little larger then your typical daypack, and will sometimes have attachment points on the outside of the pack. The attachment points are for extra gear to be attached to the outside of the pack. An example of this would include a sleeping bag pad, or a bed roll that would not normally fit inside the pack.

The 2 day pack is usually large enough (and designed for) enough gear for a overnight trip. Most of the time there is enough room for a one man tent, or a hammock (depending on your camping preference), ground cloth, rain poncho, food, water, water filter, first aid kit, GPS, TOPO maps, compass, camp stove, eating utensils. Most hikers and campers that do not want to travel with the bare essentials usually pick a 2 day pack.