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Backaches and Backpacking Do Not Need to go Hand in Hand

How you pack your backpack has a lot to do with where you are going to hike. But as a general rule of thumb you will want to have your heavier items at the top of your bag and lighter ones at the bottom. The exception to this rule is if you are going to be climbing over rocks or scrambling through boulder fields. If you will be crossing a lot of this terrain you may want to adjust your load by moving some of the heavy gear to the middle of your pack. This way you won’t feel like you’re about do a flip with every step you take over a rock.

SLEEPING BAG

Most internal frame packs have a sleeping bag compartment at the bottom of the pack. Hmmm, could this have anything to do with keeping your lighter gear at the bottom of your pack? If you have a small sleeping bag you may have room to keep other items such as a pack pillow or a therma rest in here as well.

It’s a good idea to keep your sleeping bag in this compartment because of the wall it has that separates it from the rest of your pack. This way you don’t have the weight of your whole pack resting on your sleeping bag. Too much compression can damage certain sleeping bags.

SLEEPING PAD

Most hikers have these strapped to the outside of their pack. Depending on the type of pad, this is ok. I don’t like this because when it rains your pad is soaking wet. Some you can wipe right off but others stay damp for a while. If you are going to keep this on the outside make sure you have a waterproof bag. I recommend the therma rest backpacker pad. It rolls up to be about one foot wide and 6 inches thick and can easily fit in the sleeping bag compartment.

CLOTHES

Clothes are the first thing you want to put in your pack. They are the lightest thing you are carrying so they need to be in the bottom. It is a good idea to have your clothes stored in strong freezer zip lock bags. This helps keep them, dry, compressed, and separated. Some clothes like your hat, rain gear, and light jacket you may want to keep in a pocket or near the top of your pack so that you can get to them quickly should the weather change in a flash.

TENTS

Tents are tricky to pack because they come in all shapes in sizes. Some people like to strap the whole tent to the outside of their pack in a waterproof bag. I’m not a big fan of gear strapped to the outside of pack but if this works for you, go for it. What I like to do is keep my tent in its own waterproof bag in my sleeping bag compartment. This way if I have to setup the tent in a hurry or during bad weather I don’t have to unload my whole pack to get to my tent. Keeping the tent in the sleeping bag pocket is also nice if your tent is soaking wet from last night’s storm. This way you can keep it in the bottom of the pack and won’t leak all over everything you have. Just make sure your sleeping bag is in its waterproof bag.

Tent poles are light enough and small enough that you can either put them standing up in the side of your pack or you can strap them to the outside. It’s better if you can strap them down in an upright position. This way they don’t get caught on things in tight places. But just make sure they are strapped on tight. You don’t want to get to your camp site with no tent poles.

FOOD AND KITCHEN GEAR

Next comes the food. Pack what you can inside the pot and cup in your kitchen gear just to save a little room. You will want to keep the fuel away from your food in case it comes open and spills through your pack. This is also another good reason to keep your clothes in a zip lock bag. If you have an outside pocket on your pack see if you can’t keep your fuel here.

OUTSIDE POCKETS

If you have a pack with tons of pockets on the outside for staying organized, you are going to want to use these to keep all the stuff that you will need throughout the day. These pockets are great for things like your snack food, sunscreen, maps, rain gear, etc.

Article by DannyNoSleeves from AssociatedContent.com

Finding a backpack that works well for you when hiking is essential in terms of comfort and practicality. There is nothing worse than going for a great hike and having to re-adjust or constantly shift a pack around whose straps dig into your shoulders or feels lopsided. It can spoil the fun.

The first thing to think about when choosing a hiking backpack is what type of hiker you are. Simple hikes might work well with just a small waist pack with room enough for the essentials. They come in a variety of sizes ranging from a tiny one that will hold some keys, tissue and a wallet to those that can fit much more with side pockets for water bottles.

Those who like to go out for a while should consider upgrading to a larger day pack, or even a suspension pack if the trip will involve camping overnight and more hiking the next day. Keep an eye out for important features such as hip belts, wicking materials for areas that touch your body and compartments so that the backpack you choose will be practical for your hiking needs.

Are you a tea or coffee drinker? Do you know someone who is? Then have I got a unique backpack for you. The Picnic Time Java Express is a coffee-lover’s dream come true.

This insulated backpack features coffee/tea service for 2 including 2 stainless steel mugs, 1 thermal stainless steel thermal flask, 1 container for cream, 1 container for sugar, 2 tea spoons, and 2 napkins. There is also a pocket on both the front and back of the bag to store your favorite treats.

The Java Express also makes the perfect gift for any coffee or tea drinker on the go. I know I have this unique picnic backpack on my wishlist.

Once upon a time you grabbed your yoga mat and headed off to class, but no more. These days you have options, and some of them are downright classy. Yoga bags have evolved into fashion statements and their practical value has increased as well. Now you can choose anything from a yoga backpack to a yoga bag that has been designed by an instructor.

Many regular yoga students have had the occasion for a little “bag envy.” Sometimes there is a woman in class that carries an impressive leather yoga mat bag that might make you yearn for an upgrade. But even if you’ve settled for a simple cloth option, you’ll be thankful every time it is drizzling outside. As for which type of bag is the best? It’s really just a matter of taste and how much you want to indulge yourself.

There are few things you should look for in a good yoga mat bag or backpack. Make sure it’s lined with nylon or some other water-resistant material. An adjustable, padded shoulder strap can be a nice feature as well, unless you prefer the grab and go handles instead. A side pocket or two can also be a nice touch. That way you can stash some mints or a few ponytail holders and still have some room for whatever else you need.

It’s fun to think about new uses for things you see all the time. Sometimes you might even wonder why nobody thought of the use you came up with! With that in mind, let’s take a good look at the rolling backpack — a.k.a. “gear of the flight attendant” — and see what new candidates would do well with a bag of this type.

A solar backpack is a bag that incorporates renewable energy into your daily life effortlessly and conveniently. These eco-friendly bags integrate a solar charging module for your high-tech products. An example of how you might use a solar backpack would be charging your cell phone battery during a casual commute or long hike.

The Eclipse Solar Gear product line is one collection of solar backpacks. They have received numerous industry awards and recognition for their innovative approach to utilizing solar power for the multitudes of personal electronics on the market today.

The backpack featured above (the Eclipse Solar Gear The Reactor) is a stylish and smart solar backpack perfect for any student, mobile commuter, and outdoorsman.

In honor of Earth Day (on Tuesday), we here at Backpackopedia are featuring some great eco-friendly backpacks and sling bags. There are a myriad of styles available from sling bags to mini backpacks from brands including Patagonia, Keen, and Ecolution. My favorite is the Ecolution School Backpack.

Living green is about making responsible decisions. Consider purchasing eco-friendly products this Earth Day (or any day).

When you head out for a longer trip with a backpack, it can pay to have the right one. For example, suspension backpacks are popular for more extensive outdoor trips. There are some features you should be aware of so that you can consider which backpack is right for you. Here are a few starter tips:

Think through the size you are getting and make sure it will accommodate the gear you want to bring with you. Also pay attention to how it feels when you put it on and be sure to make any adjustments you need so it is comfortable for the long haul.