Whether you’re off for a weekend in a city hostel or a six month round the world hiking trip, the wrong choice of backpack can turn your trip into an often painful nightmare. With so many sizes, styles and kinds of backpack on the market, though, how can you choose the one which is right for you? I remember my trip to venice a few years where I was lost in the city with my outside frame backfit walking up over what seemed like millions of bridges trying to find the train station only to end up back at my venice hostel in the end. Thankfully I took their directions and made my train to Florence. There are four main factors to consider: the backpack size, its frame, its fit and its features. Let’s look at each of these in turn. Backpack size is typically shown in liters according to its volume. You may be tempted to choose the biggest one you can afford, but a few days carrying around more weight than you need will soon teach you that this is not a good idea! How much volume you actually need for a given trip depends on how heavy or light a packer you are, but as a general guide: for an overnight stay, you need 30-50 liters;

for 2-3 nights you’ll probably want 50 liters; for longer trips, all but the lightest of packers will require something in the region of 60-80 liters. However, the most important thing about backpack size is that it should be proportional to your body—which brings us to fit. The key measurement you need here is your torso length. To get this, bend your head forwards; the top vertebra you can feel on your spine at the back of your neck is your starting point. Next, feel for your iliac crest at the top of your hips. Imagine a line connecting both hips at this point, and measure to where the spine intersects this line (you’ll need help unless you’re a contortionist!). The majority of the backpack weight will be born by your hips, and it’s important to ensure that the hip belt is therefore a snug fit. Some backpacks are designed specifically for women, to accommodate the different hip shape. Your chosen backpack may also come with lift loader straps attached to the shoulder straps, which will help to stop the backpack pulling away from your body and sagging.

Staff in a good outdoor shop should be able to help and advise you when it comes to backpack fit, and should also have some dummy loads for you to carry. Most backpacks come with an internal frame, but you may decide to opt for an external frame instead. External frames are most suitable for when you are carrying a very heavy or unstable load, or where extra ventilation is a must, for example in very hot climates. targus 16 terra laptop backpack reviewYou can also buy frameless backpacks, also known as climbing packs, but these are only suitable for ultralight packers.backpack inpaklijst azie Look for backpacks where each compartment has two zippers, so that you can padlock them together when necessary, for your security and peace of mind. washington sq backpack mp1220

Surprisingly a gun lock like this one with the wire works great for your backpacks and bags by looping them through the zipper holes. A good backpack will have a variety of different internal compartments, so that you can organize your stuff carefully and not have to empty the entire contents every time you want to access something (although intelligent packing also helps with this).tamrac jazz backpack A special lumbar shaped backpack may be more comfortable to carry, and also allows for an air pocket which will help to keep you cooler.birksun backpack cost Backpacks are waterproof treated, but most are not designed to cope with torrential rain. backpack bollesIf you’re heading out into the monsoon, for instance, it may be worthwhile to invest in a fitted rain cover for your pack.

If you’ve never bought a backpack before and are heading on a long trip, it would be best to visit a good store, where the staff can advise you. If you are a more confident shopper, there are certainly bargains to be had online, but do take the time to read reviews carefully, especially those from people who have undertaken the same kind of trip as you are planning. Buying a used backpack can be a real money saver, but exercise due caution over the pack’s condition, and in particular check for bed bugs or other infestations which could ruin your trip. And remember that just because it’s used doesn’t mean all the same advice about finding the right fit doesn’t matter—you’ll regret sacrificing your comfort for the sake of a few dollars.Neon Canyon- Escalante Canyoneering A Classic Escalante Canyoneering Destination Visit remote and awesome Neon Canyon, a canyoneering and backpacking experience for strong, capable outdoorspersons. While the backpacking route to Neon is not difficult, and the canyon itself is not particularly technical, both the route and the canyon are exceptionally beautiful and rugged, without any civilized amenities to get in the way.

Neon's "Golden Cathedral" finish (above) is world-renown, featured in numerous backcountry magazines and equipment advertisements. Come join us on this trip, and that will be you, rapping through that ancient beautiful pothole arch. The "price of admission" to this stunning landscape is carrying the equipment and food we need for three days to the canyon, and then carrying it back out. Between the carrying, we live a simple backcountry lifestyle, sharing great food, preparing for adventures, and relaxing togegther at the end of long days. This trip isn't for everyone - some people NEED a shower at day's end - but for those able to let go of civilzed niceties, this trip is an incredible, freeing experience. For a fantastic glimpse into our Neon Canyon trip, read Myra Yanke's well-written account of her experience in May 2011.An Exciting Introduction to Wilderness Canyoneering We designed this event for proficient backpackers excited to combine their skills with ours to visit extraordinary places reachable only with technical assistance.

Backpack/light-packing experience is very, very helpful, as we need to pack in to camp as usual, but we also need technical skills/equipment for the canyon's swims and rappels. In addition to your personal gear, you will also be responsible for packing in a shared portion of group gear. Technical experience is not necessary, but we ask participants to meet the following requirements: You are at least 18 years old You are comfortable swimming in small pools of (yucky) water You feel comfortable backpacking over rugged, off-trail terrain with a 30-40 lbs. pack (a heavy backpacking load) You are excited about an adventure where unknown and unexpected events will happen Exceptions to the above requirements can be managed on a case-by-case basis. Please inquire if you have questions of concerns about Prerequisites.Getting In, Getting Out The town of Escalante, Utah, in the center of the state, is on the edge of Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument, a great place for a wilderness adventure to begin.

We rendezvous at 7 AM sharp at Escalante Outfitters in Escalante for final prep and gear inspection, then caravan to our ultimate trailhead off the Hole in the Rock Road, south of town. We can ride together in our van, or you may drive your own 4WD, high-clearance vehicle to the trailhead if you wish. As an alternative, those coming from Southern California or Las Vegas may want to ride with us from Springdale the evening before our rendezvous. If you prefer this option, plan on meeting at ZAC at 5 PM sharp for gear shakedown and final prep. We will then drive 3 hours to Escalante, where you may rough-camp with us OR check into a hotel (please make reservations ahead of time). After the trip, similar options exist: If you drove with us from Springdale, we're happy to bring you back there. If your vehicle is in Escalante, we'll bring you to it. We are flexible for anyone who informs us of their needs well ahead of time.An Approachable, World-Famous Wilderness Canyon We depart from Egypt Trailhead at 10 a.m., backpacking to the mouth of Neon Canyon on the Escalante River (2 - 2.5 hours).

At the river, we set up camp, then warm up our canyon skills in the nearby dark and sinuous Ringtail Canyon. Ringtail has some very narrow sections to practice stemming and squeezing, plus a couple of keeper potholes to overcome using ingenuity and team-climbing skills. On the second day, we rim-hike Neon Canyon and enter as high as group energy allows, descending through seldom-visited spots, past some potential keeper potholes to the Golden Cathedral, and rappel through one of the most wondrous spots on the planet. On the third day, visit an ancient rock art to distract us from the strenuous uphill hike back to the Egypt Trailhead. Our target "out time" is 2 PM. Camping with (Modest) Comfort in Mind We camp for two nights in our basecamp along the Escalante River. Since we must pack everything we need in (not too bad) and out (much tougher), we strike a balance between comfort and necessity. ZAC provides tents, kitchen supplies and food for the group. You provide your own shelter, sleeping bag and sleeping pad;

we can rent you these items, if desired. Breakfasts and dinners are hot and delicious, cooked up by your guides - backcountry gourmets. Meals are healthy and energy-rich, helping you prepare for the day's adventures. We all participate in essential camp tasks; please expect to clean dishes, pump water, and spin yarns to entertain your guides. You are responsible for packing lightly AND thoroughly. Your supplies should include: 60 - 80-liter backpacking pack that fits you personal hygiene items, like toothbrush and paste, tampons, etc. two to three 1-liter water bottles (NO hydration packs) sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat hiking socks and extra hiking socks warm jacket (could get windy and cold at night ) non-cotton t-shirt or two warm skull cap or thin wool hat for under the helmet pertinent allergy meds, insulin, epi-pen, etc., as needed camp shoes (Crocs work very well) light hiking footwear (if not used to 5.10 Canyoneers)

headlamp with back-up set of batteries sleeping gear (shelter/tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad) snacks, electrolyte drinks, and personal junk food stash Zion Adventure Company will provide: camp kitchen, including plates, cups, and flatware canyoneering gear (individual and group items) canyoneering shoes and socks for everyone canyoneering packs and drybags drysuits and/or wetsuits, as needed healthy food for all meals The Bottom LineMarch 24-26April 7-9April 28-30 May 5-7September 22-24October 7-9October 20-22Don't see the dates you need?This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to ask about dates that work for you.Neon Canyoneering is priced at , including meals, technical gear (including harnesses, devices, helmets, drysuits/wetsuits (seasonally)), group camping equipment (as detailed in "What to Bring"), and a 4:1 guest to guide ratio. We aim for trips of six guests and two guides, though we often have more or less.