“Backpacking lets you get away from the city and go to places that are magical and special,” says Eagle Scout Jon Almquist, who works for national outdoors retailer REI. “Not everybody can see those places. In order to get there you have to pay your dues a little bit. But if you do it right, getting there is half the fun.”
Doing it right means having a backpack that fits all your gear and, more important, fits you. There are some tricks to pack shopping, so we asked Almquist to fill you in.
MEASURE UP
You wouldn’t buy a pair of hiking boots three sizes too big. The same goes for backpacks.
“If you’re not an adult, don’t buy an adult pack,” Almquist says.
In order for you to carry the weight properly, a pack must fit properly. Sure, some guys who are 16 or 17 are already pretty much grown and they need a men’s pack, but most kids don’t.
“Prior to picking a pack, it’s important that you measure yourself,” he says.
The measurement you need is your torso length. Use a soft seamstress tape and have someone measure from the base of your neck (precisely, your C7 vertebrae, the most prominent bone at the base of your neck) straight down your spine until it is level with your hip bone (also called your iliac crest). Most adult packs have a fit range of 18 to 20 inches, while youth packs are more adjustable and fit torso lengths between 14 and 19 inches.
INTERNAL VS. EXTERNAL
There are two types of backpacks: External frames have a metal framework on the outside. Internal-frame packs have their support structure hidden within the pack like a skeleton. External-frame packs are less expensive, provide better ventilation in warm climates and are best for carrying heavy loads on smooth trails. Internal-frame packs are more form-fitting.
“They bring the load closer to your body. They are more comfortable and stable so the load doesn’t shift and is easier to carry off-trail,” Almquist says.
CAPACITY
The amount of gear a pack can hold is measured in either liters or cubic inches. A larger capacity is not always better. Be careful not to overfill your pack and carry too much weight.
“Once fully packed, try to keep your load within 25 to 30 percent of your weight,” Almquist says. “When I was a young Scout, I used to carry too much and struggle.”
A good rule for those not yet full grown: Look for a pack with a capacity of 50 to 65 liters.
BELLS AND WHISTLES
Naturally, the comfort of a pack’s shoulder straps and hipbelt are among the most important considerations, but thoughtful extras and handy accessories are worth mentioning. Some packs have built-in pockets for hydration reservoirs; others have a removable top that can be carried as a fanny pack for day hikes.
“Make sure the pack has enough exterior pocketing to handle your on-trail needs,” Almquist says.
And look for compression straps that help keep your load in place when the pack isn’t totally filled up.
HOW MUCH TO SPEND?
“You could spend $400 on a big brand-name pack, but if you target somewhere in the $150 range, you’re going to get something very good,” Almquist says. “There’s really no reason to spend more than that.”
WHERE TO BUY?
Shop at an outdoors specialty store with a knowledgeable sales staff who can help fit you with the right backpack.
“Try on at least three packs and then spend the time having each adjusted properly by the sales staff,” Almquist recommends.
Fill the pack with gear to simulate the sort of weight you’ll be carrying on the trail and spend at least 30 minutes walking around the store fully loaded. The hipbelt should rest on your hipbones, not your waist, and the shoulder straps should come within three or four inches of your armpit when cinched down tight. Don’t be swayed by color or name brand. Pick the one that fits best.
Not sure which gear to buy? Need tips for maintaining your equipment?
I have the Outdoor Products Stargazer 8.0.It has a lifetime warranty and is made of rip stop nylon.it has a good amount of space has a removable internal frame and a comfortable padded hipbelt
If you are willing to pay alot go with gregory baltoro 75. It is super comfy and feels like part of you. It has enough space for a weeklong winter trek. Expensive though…
The North Face Terra 65 is a very good pack for $170. I took it on a week long trip in Utah’s High Uintas Wilderness and it had plenty of room for all my gear and was very durable and comfortable.
ok
I have that pack, it’s great
I got the Osprey Ace for Christmas. Great Pack!!
I hope your right im getting it for my bday.
i’m looking to buy a backpack for under 70 bucks.
The Teton Sports Explorer 4000 or the Teton Scout 3400
i need a good internal frame pack but it needs to be in the high 50s or else my parents wont let me get it. please help me now
look at my previous comments
I have a GOLITE Jam35 that weighs 1lb.11oz.
I’m trying to find a cheep reliable pack! Before January 2013 because I’m going to a Science Camp and I want a good cheep and reliable pack.
As usual I recommend the Teton Sports Explorer 4000 or the teton scout 3400. both are cheap but extremely reliable!
nice
I just got a 4000 by Granit Gear, it’s awesome. Thanks for the tip.
My youngest son (17- Eagle scout ) got a Duluth Pack 2800 ci We are minimalists, now he uses it all the time, school too. Nice to see him figure things out. Multi-use packs are great .This brand is guaranteed for life too. Find that anywhere else!
I got a Kelty Coyote and I really like it and it holds enough, but if I was buying a new one I would either by the Kelty Red Cloud (The Coyote’s big brother that also has a sleeping bag compartment) or a Kelty Yukon (So I could strap stuff to the outside easier)
Hey T-Man did you ever get that osprey? If so, hows it workin!
i have a kelty and it ROCKS!!!!
Good for you! what is the name of your Kelty pack?
If you are looking for a good backpack,rei or keltys are the best,live in Alaska. I should know
Dude I envy you!
whats it like
aw dude… Ive been to Alaska only a few times but I love it! Its the most outdoorsy state in the US! its Fishing,hunting,camping, hiking and scouting heaven! Alaskan is one lucky guy in my opinion!
I like the osprey 68, I found it for $150 e-omc.com my parents still think its too much. What would you suggest I get?
I need a good cheap(hopefull) backpack.any ideas?
I would highly recommend Teton Sports Explorer 4000 or Scout 3400. They are fairly inexpensive ($70-$65 for the Explorer and $50-$45 for the Scout) they are made of RipStop and are very good packs.
Kelty packs are number one !!!!!!
kelty packs are great but almost always break the bank!
El lobo 75 ALL THE WAY
Sorry chad that was my bro who doesn’t even have a teton. Which is better out of the osprey range: the aether 70 or the kestrel 68? no other packs requested
Thats ok bro. I would probably go with the Kestrel 68. But they are both Ospreys and Ospreys are SUPER good quality so either one would work great.
Try Granit Gear, If it’s good enough for the military it’s tough enough for a scout. Made in the USA too.
I KNOW A GOOD PACK WHEN I USE ONE AND THE 4000 IS DEFIANTLY A GREAT PACK!
The Jansport Scout 63 is so boss, it’s better than the CEO of Jansport!
Which is better: The North Face Terra 55 or Jansport Carson? Please reply soon!!!
id go with a terra 55. I have a kelty redstone 60 which is bigger and about the same price. Both are good packs.
It may have hit a few sharp rocks and i bought it from Tetons website
I have a feeling your not telling me the whole story but here’s some buyers advice… buy it from a store so you can try it on and look over it for any deformities, or if you really think a pack made of RipStop (one of the toughest fabrics) can just fall apart for no reason then dont buy it again, its your money and your choice of what to do with it. But as for me, Teton is my number one backpack company.
Just face it man! Tetons are mostly badly made!
THEY ARE NOT!!!!
I have the 4000 and my brother and another friend have the SCOUT 3400 and none of our packs have broken in any way yet. are we talking about the same Teton? maybe you got a bad batch or something… all I know is if I know two other people that have packs just like mine and have been very rough with them for over a year then you are wrong Tetons are not mostly bad you just had bad luck that all.
Alps Mountaineering and Kelty both make great packs of all sizes. I like the internals best.
Chad 101 you are incorrect! I brought the pack back and got a new one and that one fell apart as well. I then swapped it out for a refund. Tetons suck! Long live LL Bean and REI!
P.S. Mine is a Teton Explorer 4000. INDESTRUCTIBLE!!!
I dont care what you say Tetons ROCK!! I dont know how you broke your two packs but I do know this The Teton Explorer 4000 will always be there when I need it! And it will never Break!!
Sorry all it did was just fall into a shallow stream and bam!
Well what TYPE of teton did you buy?
The Explorer 4000.
dude, HOW on EARTH did you break it! It is made of RipStop and is an EXTREMELY tough pack! did you stab it with your pocket knife or what? I beg you try the 4000 just one more time… and buy it from a different seller.
Look at the Kelty series; They have super nice waist belts and superior back meshing to help keep you drier in hot weather. The are also very light yet strong enough for any outing. I prefer the comanchee model, 3# 6 oz.with 6 compartments.
What is a good backpack for the AT trial and Philmont
Internal frames are the best for off trail hiking of mountaineering.
I going to buy the Rei pasage 65 backpack and I can’t find a pack I like better. I am going to philmont this summer and that hip belt looks real nice.
I just bought an Osprey Kestrel 58 Backpack for my son. Just wanted to add that Osprey will repair or, if they can’t repair, replace any of their backpacks for free, no matter how old the pack is! Dick’s wanted me to buy a one year warranty on a Northface pack that wasn’t as nice. If Osprey has that kind of warranty, their packs have to be good! The built in rain cover sold me on it too.
I have the osprey ace and i prefer it over the rei passage. though smaller, it has a higher quality feel and come with a rain cover! hooray for osprey!
I use a Teton 4000. how much $$ is the Ace?
149 bucks. totally worth it
I HATE Tetons. Worst quality ever. I bought one for a small weekend camp and it totally fell apart. now I have to use my 35l!
Dude give Teton another chance! My explorer 4000 is very good quality and has lasted me about 50 miles of rough hiking and im sure it is going to last me hundreds more! Maybe there was a defect in your pack… whatever the cause I encourage you to try them again. If they work for a experienced off trail Idaho hiker like me, they can work for you!
I’m a new camper and I need gear what do I need
My mom has an Osprey I dont know what it is called but I know its a really good pack! Osprey makes some really good stuff!
hello I am going to buy an extreme pak digital camo backpack. is that a good backpack?
Is it internal or external??
It’s internal isn’t it!
if it is internal, has a padded waist strap, fully adjustable, and breathable then you have you self a good mountaineering pack.
I am looking at the Rei Passage 65 but what could I do about Rain Cover