How to Choose a Hiking Backpack

Capacity is not the most important feature of a backpack: fit is. A well-fitted 30-liter backpack carries a load more comfortably than a poorly sized 45-liter one.

How many liters?

• 15–22 L: outings of 2 to 4 hours, with water, food, and a layer.
• 25–35 L: a full day, including a hike of about 6 hours with warm clothing, a rain jacket, and a first-aid kit.
• 35–45 L: hut-to-hut treks where you do not carry a tent or cooking equipment.
• 50–70 L: fully self-supported trips with a tent, sleeping bag, and food for several days.

If you are deciding between two sizes, choose the smaller one. A large backpack tends to get filled simply because the space is there.

Fit: measure your torso, not your height

Size depends on the distance between the C7 vertebra (the bump at the base of your neck when you tilt your head forward) and the line across the iliac crests at hip level. Many brands offer two or three torso sizes and women's-specific models with more curved shoulder straps and a more angled hip belt.

1. Load the backpack in the store with about 6–8 kg of actual weight.
2. Fasten the hip belt first: it should rest on your hip bones, not your waist.
3. Then adjust the shoulder straps so they do not carry all the weight.
4. Tighten the upper compression straps to bring the load closer to your back.
5. Walk for five minutes: the weight should rest on your hips, not your shoulders or neck.

Features you will actually use

• Front or side access: saves you from emptying the backpack to retrieve something from the bottom.
• Hip belt pockets for items you want to reach without stopping.
• A compartment or hose port for a hydration reservoir.
• A functional trekking pole holder you can use without taking off the backpack.
• An included rain cover or a back panel with some water resistance.

No backpack is waterproof on its own. Keep warm clothing in a dry bag or simply a sturdy plastic bag.