THESE PACKS fall into the 55-65 litre grouping and are designed for backpacking as opposed to day trips: outings where you need to carry a shelter, sleeping bag and mat, a stove, food and spare clothing.
A pack and its contents can make or break any backpacking trip. Poorly balanced packs that don’t fit you – or your gear –-are not only uncomfortable but could potentially be dangerous.
Your pack should fit your body shape well and be big enough to carry the load. We recommend you try packs on in person to find one that fits your shoulders, back length and hip measurements well. A pack should be fitted so that most of the weight is carried on the hips. If you are shopping online, it’s important that you take accurate measurements – or get someone to help you do so. Many packs are made adjustable, but not all adjustability is made equal.
Different people want different things in a pack. Some look to shave weight, and so a smaller or frameless pack may be attractive. Others look for more comfort at camp, or breathability whilst walking, and might opt for a larger capacity or a suspension back system. Carefully consider the materials the pack is made of – some fabrics are more abrasion- or water-resistant than others; others (mesh, for example) allow the water to drain fast but are prone to snagging.
How your gear is organised is also important. Many travel or expedition orientated packs come with several built-in compartments, which can either be useful or confusing depending on your preference (and they will also add weight). Hipbelt pockets can be useful to keep a phone, camera and snacks to hand. Side pockets are useful for water or fuel bottles, tent poles and the like. A lid pocket is useful for lunch, a map or other navigation tools, perhaps goggles or gloves. Having all these to hand means you are more likely to use them, but lots of external pockets can become a nuisance on very steep or technical ground.
This test includes a world-first: a pack designed specifically for plus-sized hikers. This speaks to how pack innovations are increasingly accommodating for all body shapes and sizes, and the differences between the backpacking needs of men and women.
Features
Capacity
Check all your gear will fit inside, and take stated capacity as approximate only. Where two figures are given the first is usually the key one, the second often referring to
