Changing up from our last article abouthandbags from modern women, we change the tone to backpacking, a hobby for a large number of people. Vintage backpacks are great for a short time, but if you decide to trek across mountains or journey cross seas, doing some ground research is always good.
According to Nordic Matt, the best backpacks — the ones that last the longest and stay in good condition no matter how much you abuse it — have all the following characteristics that make them durable, long-lasting, and will protect your stuff from the rain.
Your backpack does not need to be able to handle being thrown in the water or anything like that. But it is good to make sure your bag is made out of a semi-waterproof material so everything doesn’t get wet in a drizzle (most travel backpacks come with tarps you can put over them in case of a severe downpour).
If it does get wet, dry it out as fast as possible! Look for material that is thick but lightweight. Treated nylon fiber is really good. You should be able to pour a cup of water over it without the insides getting wet.
Make sure each compartment has two zippers so you can lock them together. Avoid always being paranoid that someone is going to put something in your bag or that a grabby baggage handler in an airport is going to take your stuff.
When purchasing locks, make sure the package says they are TSA-friendly locks — these locks have a special release valve that allows the TSA to open the lock without breaking it so they can check your bag. You can purchase TSA locks at any large retail store, such as Target or Walmart.
If your pack doesn’t have two zippers, you can always get Pacsafe which wraps a lockable metal mesh around your whole bag and can be tied to a large object. It means that not only is no one breaking into your stuff, no one is walking away with it either. Pacsafe is a good form of protection for your bag, especially if you are going to be somewhere where your bag will be unattended for a long time. One thing to remember about Pacsafe is that this metal mesh also adds a lot of weight to your bag and it can be burdensome to carry around.
A good bag must to have multiple compartments. This way, you can break up your belongings into smaller sections so it’s easier to access and find the stuff you need. For example, your clothes are in the main compartment of your bag, your umbrella and flips-flops in the top, and shoes in the separated side compartment that way they don’t get everything dirt). It saves having to dig around your bag.
The majority of backpacks today are internal-frame packs, meaning the support rods and frame are built into the backpack and hidden from view. However, there some are still external-frame backpacks, where the rods are separate from the actual pack and stick out.
Don’t get one of those. Make sure you buy a backpack with an internal frame. It not only looks better but the rods won’t get caught on anything and your bag will also be slimmer, making moving around easier. Additionally, internal-frame packs tend to be lighter as the frame is composed of a carbon fiber or tough plastic, which makes them easier on your back as well as more durable.
Most of the weight you will be carrying around will be pushing down on your hips, so you’ll want a padded belt to make supporting the weight more comfortable. The belt will help provide support and distribute the load more evenly on your back, causing less strain. The hip belt should also be adjustable so you can tighten it for extra support.
These make carrying your load more comfortable, as the weight of your pack will also be pushing downward on your shoulders. The pads will put less pressure on your shoulders and also help take pressure off your lower back. Make sure the padding is very thick and made up of a single piece of material as it will be less likely to split and thin out.
A front loading backpack is one that allows you to zip open the face from the side and access all your stuff. A top loading bag only allows you to access your stuff from a hole in the top. This makes getting your stuff (especially if it is at the bottom of your bag) really difficult. Always get a backpack that it “front loading” so you have easy access to all your gear.
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In this guide you can see the detailed sizing charts to all our products
S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
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Width, in | 19 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 33 |
Length, in | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 |
Sleeve length, in | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
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Width, cm | 47 | 52.1 | 57.2 | 62.2 | 67.3 | 72.4 | 77.5 | 82.6 |
Length, cm | 72.4 | 74.9 | 77.5 | 80 | 82.6 | 85.1 | 87.6 | 90.2 |
Sleeve length, cm | 18.4 | 19.7 | 20.9 | 22.2 | 23.5 | 24.8 | 26 | 27.3 |
S | M | L | XL | 2XL | |
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Width, in | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 |
Length, in | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
Sleeve length, in | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
S | M | L | XL | 2XL | |
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Width, cm | 41.2 | 43.8 | 46.3 | 50.2 | 54 |
Length, cm | 64.4 | 66 | 67.6 | 69.2 | 70.8 |
Sleeve length, cm | 17.3 | 17.9 | 18.5 | 19.1 | 19.7 |
S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
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Sleeve length, in | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 27 |
Length, in | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 |
Width, in | 20 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 33 | 34 |
S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
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Sleeve length, cm | 62.9 | 62.9 | 62.9 | 62.9 | 62.9 | 62.9 | 67.9 | 67.9 |
Length, cm | 68.5 | 71.1 | 73.6 | 76.2 | 78.7 | 81.2 | 83.8 | 86.3 |
Width, cm | 50.8 | 55.9 | 60.9 | 66 | 71.1 | 76.2 | 81.3 | 86.3 |