Therefore, the following detail will give you some basic guidelines on how to choose a good backpack for your trip. This is probably not the most comprehensive guide but suitable for a beginner to start learning about how to choose them properly.
Firstly, identify your needs. Please also bear in mind that each individual has their own preference. Some people are minimalists, which means they usually only take something that is necessary for the trip, they don't like to take everything, especially the stuff that is not going to be used. On the other hand some people may love to carry a lot of stuff for their trip, especially ones who love hiking and go for 2-5 day excursions for example.
So it necessary for you to identify your own needs and identify which kind of backpack you need.
How to purchase an ideal backpack:When choosing a backpack, pay enough attention to factors like material, size, loading type and major features.
Choosing the right material: Some of the more popular materials such as cordura, ripstop nylon or nylon are the common ones to make good backpacks. When picking up a backpack, you have to check those easy-to-wear-out areas to see if measures of adding durability have taken to ensure a long-term use.
The material of the hip belts indicates whether it is a good backpack. Thus, make sure the hip belts are properly manufactured with comfortable material without compromising usability. What type of backpack do you prefer? External-frame packs, internal-frame packs and day packs/rucksacks are the three typical camping bags much admired by most travelers and outdoor lovers. For freshmen of hiking and camping, external-frame packs are considered to be the ideal choice as this kind of items is able to distribute heavy and unorganized load properly.
What's more, an external-frame pack usually costs less than that of internal-frame. For those fanatics of outdoor activity,internal-frame packs designed with the purpose to keep the load close to your body for comfort and flexibility are the best choice. As frame less as they are, the day packs are suitable for light loads. Therefore they are often used in short excursions and you may get one of them at lower price than that of the above-mentioned two types.
Choosing the right size :The bigger your backpack is, the more it can hold. It seems as if the biggest ones are always the best. But the truth is, the larger your pack is, the more troublesome it may be as you may take more unnecessary items in it and more efforts are needed to carry it around. Therefore, a large size retards your movements. What size backpack do you like? The size of a camping backpack matters a lot. The bigger your pack is, the more it can hold. Meanwhile, getting a bigger backpack means you have to sacrifice mobility for load capacity, because the larger your pack is, the more efforts are needed. Here are some guidelines for the pack capacity of different activities.
So to sum up, the best type of backpack is one which you would feel comfortable walking with if your camping trip requires a lot of walking. A backpack which is light and durable and also water-resistant is ideal but most importantly, a well-fitting backpack which isn't a hindrance to your body is the most important factor. One thing to remember is that weight on your back should be distributed efficiently and evenly so the shoulder area carries 30% while the rest carries 70% or so.
Sleeping Bags : An enjoyable camping trip will get ruined pretty quickly if you don't have a good nights sleep. That's the reason why having a quality sleeping bag to sleep in is essential if you want to be well rested, ready to face the day ahead and above all else have an enjoyable camping experience. Just like tents and backpacks, there are a lots of different types of sleeping bags to choose from and finding the right one depends how much you are willing to spend and what you personally find comfortable. It's also important to note how you will be transporting the sleeping bag and whether you'll be packing it in your backpack during hikes. If you're searching for the perfect sleeping bag that will meet all of your needs, forget about it!
There is no such thing. However in saying that, there is a bag out there that will keep you warm and happy through most of your camping escapades — a three-season mummy type with a temperature/comfort rating of around 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. A nice three-season bag should be able to get you through a cold evening when camping in spring or fall and not overheat you during a warm night in the middle of summer. If your preference is more towards winter camping, then opt for a bag rated to below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winter mountain climbing requires you to have a bag temperature rating of minus 15 to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Mummy-shaped sleeping bags are the most efficient bag at keeping body warmth. However in some cases, some people find them tight. Also, another tip is to be sure that if you are buying bags to zip together, the zippers are compatible and you purchase both a left as well as a right zipper. Shapes Sleeping bags come in both a rectangular shape and a mummy shape. The style which is right for you depends on your general way of sleeping.
Some people may not give much regard to how they sleep but it can play a factor in terms of having a good night's sleep overall. A mummy bag would be suitable for those who tend to curl up whereas those who like to sleep sprawled out would find the rectangular bag more comfortable. The mummy bag's smaller size also requires less energy for heating up and also has a hood which can be pulled tightly around the head area, creating additional warmth.
The rectangular bag on the other hand contains more air space and ends closer to the chest area. Temperature & Insulation A good sleeping bag will greatly help to maintain the warmth of your body through insulation, but the way the bag is constructed will decide how well it is insulated. It would suit you well to choose a bag with a temperature rating based on the conditions of the climate. When choosing a bag, you should take into consideration not just the climate but also the types of activities you will be doing which can have an effect on your level of fatigue and metabolic rate among other things. Down is known to be the best insulator because it is small and can be compressed quite easily. Unfortunately the disadvantage of a Down bag is that they lose their insulation-capabilities when wet but a well-maintained Down bag can last a very long time.
On the other hand synthetic bags can remain well-insulated regardless of being wet but weigh quite a bit more and don't have the durability of Down bags. Things to consider when buying a sleeping bag The majority of bags are constructed from nylon, polyester, or nylon blends inside and out. Sleeping bags with cotton insides, quilted rectangular shapes, and kids bags with cartoon characters printed on them, not surprisingly, are not recommended for backpacking or remotely serious for outdoor use.
When you purchase any sleeping bag, take a little time to really feel it out. Climb inside it, roll around in it, zip it up, etc and then choose the one that seems to best meet your needs for space, warmth, and features along with the best price tag. Although you may be looked at funny when doing this it is actually worth all that to make sure what you are buying will do the job well. All sleeping bags generally have similar features.
A lining of taffeta or other soft non-cotton material is more comfy, warms quickly, and breathes supremely. A two-way zipper offers more ventilation and flexibility options. Be sure to buy a right- or a left-side zipper that is compatible with the other bag if you desire companionship.
You want a differential cut — the inner lining is sewn smaller than the outer shell — which allows insulation to loft to its maximum. If there is more loft, there is more warmth.
An insulated draft collar helps to seal in the warmth and keep out the cold around your neck and shoulders.
Hook and loop tabs cover the zipper toggle by the hood, preventing unplanned unzipperings whilst you slumber. A multi-sectioned or shaped hood cups the head naturally.
Ample draft tube that hangs from the top of the bag and covers the zipper to seal out cold air. •A windproof and water-resistant outer shell. Dry Loft is the most down proof.
Semi-rectangular cut for sleepers who toss and turn. Mummy-style bag for sleepers who manage to stay put.
Dark colored lining. This absorbs heat better and the sun's rays most efficiently should you need to dry out your bed. •One last highly desirable option: a fleece-lined stuff sack. Turn it inside out for a comfy pillow when stuffed with a parka or your extra clothes.
Bags For Cold Nights: Sleeping bag designers generally agree that a cold weather bag must have the following features to keep the occupant really warm: zipper draft tubes and shoulder collars, hoods that cup the head and insulate without being claustrophobic,and a temperature rating of 0 Fahrenheit or below (in the winter it is far better to err on the side of warmth). What insulation do designers prefer? Down, with a 650- power fill rating or above, is best for weight-to-warmth ratio and for longevity. The fill power of down indicates the amount of actual downy feather and quill. The lower the fill number, the more quill and less feather.
The higher the number, the less quill and more feather. How big should a winter bag be? Buy it long. Most mountaineers recommend against regular-sized bags and opt for bags that offer at least an extra 8 to 10 inches of space at the foot after you are nestled comfortably inside.
Those extra inches provide adequate space to store cameras, water, boots, and such items that you don't want to freeze. In addition, bags with a wider cut can offer more warmth because they give you room to add clothing without constricting the bag. No matter what type of sleeping bag you choose, it's important to make sure it's the best choice for your sleeping needs.
As long as you take care of your sleeping bag, much like your tent and backpack, it should last you a very long time.
If you need a backpack,you can get one on Amazon by clicking on the link below.
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