The Mad Goat Lady

You can turn a good trip into a real pain fast by not choosing the right backpack.  Wearing a backpack that fits properly is one of the key elements to a good hiking or walking experience.

Before selecting a backpack, you should first look at what you will be bringing along on your hike or trip.  This will also help you determine the amount of carrying space that you will need.  Make a list of what you will need and in what quantity depending on the length of your outing.  Again, this will help you determine the size of the pack that you will need.

Choosing the right backpack is crucial for having a comfortable fit.  You will want to be able to carry the weight of the pack with the least amount of stress on your back and shoulders.  A good fitting pack with distribute its weight correctly.  As with many things, you will want to break in your pack and your body.  Before a long hike or trip, start off by getting into training.  Test your pack with a lighter weight to carry and then gradually start increasing the load.  This will get you used to the pack and give you a chance to make adjustments to it.

Besides just the sturdiness of your pack, the shoulder straps are another important facture to consider when selecting a pack.  If fitted properly, the shoulder straps will effectively hold 30% of the packs weight and the reminding 70% carried by the hip straps.  You want to make sure that the straps are padded and fit properly to your shoulders.  This is true for the hip strap too.  You need the cushion to help absorb the packs weight.   If a pack is not hitting your correct, you want to move to a different model.  It might not seem like much to start, but after a few miles, a bad fitting pack can send your body constant reminders that it’s there.

Back pack will also have frames, either internal or external.  An internal frame is usually preferred if you are doing harder trails.  They are usually a little slimmer and so they tend to hub the back closer.  An external frame is great for younger kids, beginning hikers or if you just do easier trails.

Most packs today are designed to be compartmentalized and have extra rings and hooks to snap-on extras like water containers or flash-lights.  Get to know your pack and experiment with different ways that you pack it.  Plan your packing out based on what you might need first or the most, packing that towards the top.

Hiking is a great way to stay healthy and have fun with friends and family.  Choosing the right backpack will only make the adventure that much more fun for everyone.