Trekking Backpack

A trekking backpack is one of the most important gear when it comes to trekking in the Himalayas. It will be an essential gear which must be carried by you for hours when you go hiking in the mountains. The comfort, capacity, size, and durability are some of the factors which must be kept in mind before you buy one. You should invest a fair bit of money and research on the one that suits you best before getting a trekking backpack for yourself.

Now, the criteria or factors which should be kept in mind while buying a trekking backpack are:-

Size or Volume capacity of Rucksack

The capacity of the backpack is measured in litres. The capacity of the rucksack is a major factor which should be kept in mind while buying one.

What capacity bag should I Buy? The answer to this question lies on how long is your trek and how many days are you going to spend in the mountains. The longer the duration of the trek the bigger the backpack gets. You should also keep in mind that if you are trekking in the Himalayas it is cold and that means a lot of layers.

For a 2 to 3day weekend a capacity of 40 -50 litres will be sufficient whereas for a longer trek of around 4-6days you will need a volume capacity of 50 to 70 liters and if you are planning for a high-altitude trek for more than 8days you will need a capacity of around 70 and above.

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  • Waterproof

When it comes to trekking in the mountains there are chances of rain and snow and sometimes the weather can change in split seconds leaving your backpacks wet. So, the backpack you will be carrying should be semi-waterproof if not fully waterproof. You can also carry a rain cover for a bag in case you don’t get a waterproof one.

  • Size of the backpack

The size of the backpack is an important factor you must keep in mind while buying one. The size of the backpack is measured in length x width x height. The most important part is the length of the backpack which should be equal to the torso length.

The torso length can be measured from the vertebra where the neck and the shoulders meet to the top of the hip bone. You can use a measuring tape to measure the distance between them for torso length.

Length (Torso) cmLength (torso) inches                  Backpack Size
15 ½ cm or39 or belowExtra-small
16 to 17 ½ cm41 to 44.45Small
18 to 19 ½ cm46 to 49Medium
20 and above51 and aboveLarge
  • Weight of the bag 

The weight of the backpack is a crucial factor when it comes to choosing the right one. Almost all backpacks come with an internal frame for back support which adds up to the weight. Test one by putting weight to check if you are comfortable and if you able to carry it with ease. Check for a comfortable strap so that it doesn’t hurt your shoulder while trekking.

  • Durability

Check if the material is of good quality and can withstand rough weather. The key is to find one that has a thick material which is lightweight.

  • Padded straps and belt

You should check for a comfortable strap so that it doesn’t put a lot of pressure and hurt your shoulder while trekking. Padded straps are recommended as they put lesser weight on your shoulder. The belt helps keep the backpack stable causing less strain on the back.

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