When purchasing backpacks, there are several things you should consider. First, who is going to carry the backpack? If it’s a child, make sure you shop packs designed for smaller torsos and shoulders. Kids backpacks are smaller and lighter than adult sized packs. If the backpack is for a woman, consider looking at womens backpacks which are often specially designed with the female figure in mind. Women’s backpacks can be smaller, but more often they are contoured and fit differently than men’s packs.
Secondly, you’ll want to think about what the backpack will be used for. Is it a school backpack? Look for features like an organizer panel that holds pens, keys, cell phone, and other small items. Is it a hiking backpack? Look for something that will not only accommodate your hiking style (day hikes, overnight, 3 days or longer) but also your local weather (weatherproof?).
Third, think about what you will be carrying in this backpack? If you’re heavily into photography, consider a camera backpack which is designed to protect your equipment while you are on the move. Perhaps you’ll be outdoors or participating in sports and you want something that carries water. Look for water bottle holders or even the capability to hold a reservoir so you can turn the pack into a hydration backpack.
Finally, you’ll want to consider quality. If you want the backpack to last quite a while, don’t look for bargains. Often discount backpacks are not only inexpensive, but also cheaply made. Certainly consider quality brands that may have models on sale because generally these are just last year’s models. Weigh price vs. value and if you are still unsure, read customer reviews to get a feel for what others are saying about the bag.
Choosing backpacks is certainly not something you will want to rush through but with ample thinking and research, you should be able to find the perfect pack for your needs.
There’s sometimes an awkward size problem when it comes to tweens and hiking packs. Junior packs are too small while adult sizes are too large. The Yukon packs from Kelty backpacks are the perfect solution to this dilemma. They are transitional size external packs with all the features you’ve come to love from other Kelty packs including:
