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7 Tips for Choosing the Right Backpack
As every experienced traveler knows, backpacks are the best choice of travel bag for getting off the beaten track. Suitcases are fine if you are just traveling to city destinations or beach resorts, and duffels are a trendy alternative for short trips. But for serious traveling nothing beats the flexibility of a backpack.
Whether you are buying your first backpack, or you are replacing one that has worn out, here are seven tips for choosing the right backpack to ensure that it serves you well and provides value for money.
1. Know what’s available
You may have had a good quality backpack for many years, but sooner or later they all wear out or get damaged in transit and need replacing. So whilst you may have bought one many years ago, you may be surprised at the variety of what’s on the market these days.
Your first step should be to check out the websites of luggage retailers like Luggage Direct to understand the full range of options. Whether you end up buying online or through a store, knowing what’s on the market keeps you focused on comparing quality and price, rather than getting distracted with the myriad of different types, features and models available.
2. Choose the key type
Choosing the right type of backpack to meet your needs is the next step. There are three key types:
- The standard backpack, which now often comes with special features like padded pockets for laptops, tablets or photography equipment.
- Specialist backpacks for travelers who will be trekking, hiking or camping.
- Wheeled backpacks for travelers who will be doing a lot of travel through airports.
Of course there are many variations on these three types, but knowing which of these three categories your travel will fall into helps to narrow down the choice.
3. Decide on features
If you are going for the standard backpack – that is one without a frame or wheels – you’ll need to decide on the extra features that you will require. Adding features increases price, so only look for what you really need. If you intend to carry a laptop or tablet, choose one with a specially designed compartment and make sure your device will fit.
If you are intending to carry photography gear, and have any expensive lenses, you may wish to consider a backpack that has extra security features like reinforced zippers and special tabs for locks.
4. Try it out if possible
For trekkers and campers, the quality of the backpack is all-important. Virtually all of the famous brands that produce trekking and camping equipment include backpacks in their catalogues, but these can be expensive because of the higher quality. The added cost is in the lightweight waterproof material used in constructing the bag and the adjustable frame on which the straps are mounted.
As trekking with backpacks usually involves carrying more weight than other types of travel, it is advisable to try out a few different brands to ensure that the frame and straps are comfortable on your back.
5. Check bag weight
Backpacks with wheels and handles are a great invention in theory, but the extra features can add a lot of weight. Check the empty weight of the bag carefully because this can use up a lot of your baggage allowance when traveling by air.
It’s important to ensure that the wheel mechanism is strong and sturdy because baggage handlers can easily break these. A backpack with broken wheels is not worth having because you’ll be carrying extra weight for no benefit.
6. Add a daypack
Most travelers who carry a large backpack also carry a small backpack for when they are doing day trips away from a temporary base. Daypacks come in two types – either foldaway bags that fit inside the main backpack, or specially designed daypacks that attach to the back of the main backpack. Many trekking backpacks feature the latter type.
Daypacks are highly recommended for all types of travel because they provide the flexibility to do short side-trips without having to carry a full load of baggage. The main backpack can be left in a storeroom at a hotel or hostel, or in a locker at a bus station or airport.
7. Decide on budget
The final decision to be made in purchasing a backpack is the price you can afford to spend on your bag. Once you have made all the other decisions on type, features and extras, you probably have just a few brands and models to choose from. But there may be a big variation in price.
The cheapest price is not usually the best option when purchasing a backpack unless your budget is restricted. That’s because the better brands will last proportionately longer. Therefore price should be your last consideration and you should pay as much as you can afford for quality.
Hopefully these tips will help to make the process of choosing a new backpack less confusing, and leave you more time to spend on more satisfying aspects of planning for a trip away, which can be just as enjoyable as the actual traveling.
Lily Rose says
Hi, sir, I have a question about packing electronics. I was thinking that I wouldn’t want to be flaunting around an iPhone due to the risk of it getting snatched or suggesting I have lots of expensive things on me. When I was in Tanzania I was told not to have an iPhone out, but I’m not sure how the levels of petty theft in SE Asia compare. Did you ever find yourself concerned about having a nice phone/camera out? I was thinking I might bring my iPhone but just use it with wifi at the hostel, bring a compact camera, and buy a cheap phone and sim in-country; however, this requires me to purchase a camera while I’m perfectly happy with the quality of iPhone photos. What would you suggest?
wadood safi says
I travel for a living and often to pretty remote places. I do not, nor have I ever used a backpack as my suitcase. My spinner case has served me just fine all over the world. I wouldn’t want to be pulling all kinds of stuff out just to get to something and I never unpack, so this would be a huge hassle for me.
Jennifer Joslin says
We totally get that. We have used backpacks throughout the past nine years we’ve been traveling, but in 2018 we swapped one backpack for a spinner carry-on suitcase and that has been a game-changer. It just depends on what you prefer, and it’s good to try different things out. Cheers for your comment!
jack stiles says
I want to find a backpack for my next trip. I thought that it was helpful when you suggested to try out a backpack before you buy it. I will be sure to try it out before I make my choice.
Jennifer Joslin says
Thanks for your comment! We hope you find just what you are looking for 🙂
Agness of aTukTuk says
These tips are really practical and helpful. Have a perfect backpack is very important, especially when you are a long-term traveler. Thanks!
Jennifer says
I travel for a living and often to pretty remote places. I do not, nor have I ever used a backpack as my suitcase. My spinner case has served me just fine all over the world. I wouldn’t want to be pulling all kinds of stuff out just to get to something and I never unpack, so this would be a huge hassle for me.
Karla says
I prefer using backpacks that are lightweight but with good support, proper partitions and can fit a lot. It’s also important that it fits my back well all else it won’t feel comfortable
Anu says
I like the backpacks that are soft on my back. The second priority is lightweight. I do not like the ones that come with too many straps – they confuse me.
Kim says
I’ve been guilty of just getting any backpack but it’s true! The right backpack makes so much difference! Thank you for this.
Anna Johnston says
I am just now working through finding a suitable backpack, so your tips are pretty timely. Many years I’ve just used the cheapo, cool patterns, no real support and doesn’t fit properly, but I want something that is suitable for short trip travel and also something I can do day hikes with. Is it possible to get the padded pockets for all the equipment and still suitable for my hiking and camping. I’m kind of torn, where I live we literally have 2 shops with limited range, so ordering online might be the only option. Anyways, cool post, you’ve helped me establish a few more points about my specific requirements.
Carol says
Useful tips ! I want my travel pack to have lots of compartments that would allow me to find what I need when I need it. I hate having to dig into my backpack when traveling!
Mel and Marcus says
Useful tips, we don’t really backpack when travelling anymore however since our amount of camera and video equipment has increased we need one again. The key features, bag weight and quality of the waterproofing are important to us.
Marion Halliday says
I always use a medium sized pack that can double as a day pack when I’m at my destination – these days the biggest challenge is to make sure I don’t exceed the carry on baggage allowance with everything I want to put in it for the flight! I once made the mistake of buying one online without having tried it in store first – I’ll never do that again because however much I adjusted the straps it wouldn’t fit properly!
David Astley says
Good tips. My biggest issue in choosing a backpack has always been the trade-off between weight and comfort. I usually carry a lot of lenses but when you add the weight of those to the weight of an ergonomically designed backpack with a frame, it becomes too heavy to take on board as a carry-on bag on many airlines. I never check-in bags containing lenses after observing the way in which baggage handlers throw the bags around at airports. So my only choice has to be a padded bag without a frame – but unfortunately they are nowhere near as comfortable as a framed backpack with a padded strap across the lower back.
Fiona Maclean says
I have a day pack that I use when I am travelling. And I’m seriously considering getting a bespoke camera one just because they are much better equipped to keep my lenses and gear in good condition than my normal tote! So, a useful piece for me at the moment
Carolina Colborn says
Backpacks are a generation ago for me. But those are great tips for deciding on one.
Anne Slater-Brooks says
It is years since I bought a backpack and to be honest, I don’t think my cheap, fresh out of Uni backpack will cut it for our trip to climb Kilimanjaro. This comes as a reminder that I need to think about kit!