How to Pick Your Backpack

So, you want to travel the world and look a bit like a vertical snail carrying your own house on your back?

Backpackers / snails

Choosing the right bag is clearly an important choice you have to make, and it’s best NOT done online. Go to local shops and try a few out is my main advice, get something that fits and feels well primarily.

Firstly pick the size you want. I know of one guy who travels without a backpack at all, and sews everything into his clothing. 25-30 litres is good enough to fit a change of clothes and a laptop in if you are willing to wash clothing every other day. 50 litres gets you more sets of clothing and any accessories you want (not necessarily need). 70-100 litres is for the hardcore who take a sleeping bag and tent and other associated bits and pieces that aren’t necessary unless you are spending a lot of time in the wilderness.

For reference I carry a 50-70 litre bag (it’s expandable and had a detachable 15 litre day sack), and I had a sleeping bag in that (which I never used). From experience 50 litres is more than enough for me.

Now, assuming you’re not just going with a large daysack and want a larger backpack you have 2 options on style: top loading and side loading.

Top loading is the style mountain climbers go for. They are stronger and more durable, usually sealed with a draw string, not a zip; followed by a flap over the top sealing it from weather (typically the flap contains another storage pouch too). Another advantage is you can reach over your shoulder and pull something out without taking the bag off your back if you are clever. A negative is luggage handlers tend to grab the top part to throw the bag about, so it loses its integrity a bit from this. Also if you want something from the bottom of your bag, the entire contents have to be unloaded or shifted to get too it as well.

Side loading backpacks are like usual luggage bags in style, just on your back. They are more convenient and open right up making access easier. A zip seals it which traditionally isn’t as strong as extended material like the top loading design, however zips (look out for the awesome YKK ones) have improved a lot and high quality bags are often fitted with very good and strong zips.

I previously mentioned my bag which comes with a detachable daysack. Whilst this looks neater and seems like a good idea; the day sack is an inferior design to a separate one (doesn’t come with a hip strap for example) as part of the design is to attach itself to your larger backpack it is compromised. So from my experience, don’t fall in love with this idea/design, it has its flaws, a separate bag (high quality not a school bag) will be better on your back.

As for the rest, like colours/extra pockets/secret compartments – well that’s up to you and your available options. It’s not a bad idea to sow a secret pocket somewhere if you want to hide some cash or your passport.

Different brands are available in different locations too, I got mine in the UK and it is a ‘Karrimor’ and it does the job very well so I can recommend them at least.

Bonus Tip: If your bag is brand new, don’t be afraid of  ‘dirtying’ it up and making it look old. There is nothing more attractive to a local theif then a freshly shaven squeeky clean backpacker with matching bag and naive attitude. Give it a personal touch to help identify it coming off the plane. Tags aren’t recommended as they can come off easy, but strong stickers, bits of tape, a drawing, or forcing your young nieces to put their hands on it whilst you draw around them are good ways for a unique touch.

A distinctive bag

Tagged as: Backpacking, Choose backpack, Travel