The stars aligned and the universe gave me THE PERFECT backpack for me.

The sales guy was calm.  He didn’t narrow my choices to general rules.  He knew his stuff.  He wanted to know about my hiking experience and what I needed the pack to do for me.  So a piece of advice, when you go shopping for your backpack: make absolutely positive your backpack fitter is 1. a hiker; 2. open minded to your body type with no preconceived ideas of what backpack will work for you before you tell him your concerns; 3. willing to help you find your ideal pack and not pushy.

In general, there are guidelines that can help the normal average person with no problems find a backpack.  (I have to note here that I have never met anyone that fits this criteria, but just in case you are that person here’s what is suggested)

The sales guy was calm.  He didn’t narrow my choices to general rules.  He knew his stuff.  He wanted to know about my hiking experience and what I needed the pack to do for me.  So a piece of advice, when you go shopping for your backpack: make absolutely positive your backpack fitter is 1. a hiker; 2. open minded to your body type with no preconceived ideas of what backpack will work for you before you tell him your concerns; 3. willing to help you find your ideal pack and not pushy.

In general, there are guidelines that can help the normal average person with no problems find a backpack.  (I have to note here that I have never met anyone that fits this criteria, but just in case you are that person here’s what is suggested):

Weekend (1-3 nights; 30-50 liters)

Efficient packers using newer, less-bulky gear can really keep things light on 1- to 3-night trips by using a pack in this range. Be aware that packing light requires self-discipline and careful planning. If you can pull it off, though, the light-on-your-feet rewards are fantastic.

Multiday (3-5 nights; 50-80 liters)

These are the most popular backpacking packs sold and they’re an excellent choice for warm-weather trips lasting 3 or more days. 50-80 liter packs are also used for backcountry skiing, for day trips, overnighters and sometimes 2-night trips.

Extended-trip (5+ nights; 70 liters or larger)

Extended trips of 5 days or more usually call for packs of 70 liters or larger. These are also usually the preferred choice for:

• Winter treks lasting more than 1 night. Larger packs can more comfortably accommodate extra clothing, a warmer sleeping bag and a 4-season tent (which typically includes extra poles).
• Adults taking young children backpacking. Mom and Dad wind up carrying a lot of kids’ gear to make the experience enjoyable for their young ones.

Beyond size of backpacks, I think it is helpful to know what all the backpack features may be before you head in to buy your new backpack.  Granted, it might take a bit of hiking to know which features you find most important.  For me, it was those side pockets that are incorporated into my hipbelt-perfect for Kleenex and my phone.  But obviously if you don’t get a runny nose and want to go phone free…what would be most important to you?  I didn’t even care for the water bottle feature within grasp of my right hand, as my awesome sales guy suggested. Because guess what?  I preferred to sip every 10 minutes from my camelback.  See?  No two hikers are alike. No matter how much they hike.  Having just said that, I will include in the list below what my backpack had so you will see features I liked-I’m kinda assuming you’re reading because you wanted me to suggest things; especially what worked for me hiking the Dolomites.  So I will denote them with an *.  But just to give you an idea, features to consider would include things as follows:

Backpack Frame Type

• Internal-frame backpacks*: The majority of packs sold today are body-hugging internal frame packs that are designed to keep a hiker stable on uneven, off-trail terrain. They may incorporate a variety of load-support technologies that all function to transfer the load to the hips.
• External-frame backpacks: An external-frame pack may be an appropriate choice if you’re carrying a heavy, irregular load, like toting an inflatable kayak to the lake. External frame packs also offer good ventilation and lots of gear organization options.
• Frameless backpacks: Ultralight devotees who like to hike fast and light might choose a frameless pack or a climbing pack where the frame is removable for weight savings.

Ventilation

• Some packs feature a suspended mesh back panel* to combat the sweaty-back syndrome you tend to get with internal frame packs that ride against your back. Also called a “tension-mesh suspension,” this is a trampoline-like design where the frame-supported packbag rides along a few inches away from your back, which instead rests against the highly breathable mesh.
• Ventilation “chimneys” that are built into back panels and promote airflow are another option meant to solve the same issue.

Pack Access

• Top-loading openings are pretty standard. Items not needed until the end of the day go deep inside.
• Panel access*: Some packs also offer a zippered front panel which folds open exposing the full interior of the pack, or a side zipper, which also makes it easier to reach items deeper in your pack.

Pockets

• Elasticized side pockets: They lie flat when empty, but stretch out to hold a water bottle, tent poles or other loose objects
• Hipbelt pockets*: These accommodate small items you want to reach quickly — a smartphone, snacks, packets of energy gel, etc.
• Shovel pockets: These are basically flaps stitched onto the front of a packbag with a buckle closure at the top. Originally intended to hold a snow shovel, they now pop up on many 3-season packs, serving as stash spots for a map, jacket or other loose, lightweight items.
• Front pocket(s)*: Sometimes added to the exterior of a shovel pocket, these can hold smaller, less-bulky items.

Removable Daypack / Top Lid*

• Some packs are designed with a removal daypack that is perfect for day trips, summit hikes or supply runs during a thru-hike. Some packs have top lids that detach from the main pack and convert into a hipbelt pack for day trips.

Sleeping Bag Compartment

• This is a zippered stash spot near the bottom of a packbag. It’s a useful feature if you don’t want to use a stuff sack for your sleeping bag. Alternately, this space can hold other gear that you’d like to reach easily.

Padding

• If you’re using a lightweight pack with a fairly minimalistic hipbelt and lumbar pad, you can encounter sore spots on your hips and lower back. If this is the case for you, consider using a cushier hipbelt.

Attachment Points

• If you frequently travel with an ice axe or trekking poles, look for tool loops that allow you to attach them to the exterior of the pack. Rare is the pack that does not offer at least a pair of tool loops. You might also look for the following:
• A daisy chain — a length of webbing stitched to the outside of a pack — to provide multiple gear loops for attaching a helmet or tools.
• A reinforced crampon patch (to prevent crampon points from gouging holes in the packbag).
• Gear loops on the hipbelt or low on the pack body, useful as clip-on points for gear or possibly as attachment points for skis.

Raincover*

• If you expect rain on your trip, this is a good item to carry. Pack fabric interiors are usually treated with a waterproof coating. Yet packs have seams and zippers where water can seep through, and the fabric’s exterior absorbs some water weight during a downpour.
• An alternative: bundling gear internally in waterproof “dry” stuff sacks. Lightweight dry sacks can be a better option in windy conditions; strong gusts have the potential to abruptly peel a cover right off a pack.

Hydration Reservoir*

• Nearly all packs offer an internal sleeve into which you can slip a hydration reservoir (almost always sold separately) plus 1 or 2 “hose portals” through which you can slip the sip tube.

So I guess what I am saying here is at the end of the day, finding the right pack for you is all about you-your preferences, your tendencies, your body type and issues.  What works for someone else might not work for you regardless of height, gender, or length of trip.  But I am positive that if you just keep looking, you will find the combination that works for you.

I’d love to know which backpack you end up with.  Post below and keep me in the loop.  All the best! Ciao!