How to Choose a Backpack While Travelling: Expert Advice

Planning for a new tour around the world? Need to buy a new backpack for unbelievable backpacking? Here is our guide that will explain how to choose a backpack.

According to a leading psychological study, we make upwards of 35,000 decisions in our daily lives. This includes significant choices such as the career we want to pursue and what we need to bring from the supermarkets. 

Choosing a backpack is still considered necessary! It is our first adventure love (With an intimate wanderlust, we’d love to travel the whole world with one comfortable backpack).

Your backpack is the most essential item you should consider before picking your destination. Imagine a backpacker without a backpack! It doesn’t make sense, right?

With countless options in every imaginable size, shape, and style, you may ask, “How do I choose a backpack?” The first thing to consider when choosing and fitting one is what you would pack inside it. In other words, think of how much capacity you need. 

Here are the most important questions you have to ask yourself before looking for your next backpack so that you have a smooth backpacking journey! Let’s go!

Do You Need A Backpack?

You must figure out multiple things before you hit the road: Do you need a backpack or a suitcase? To what extent does it matter? Will you regret it if you drag a bulky case behind you?

When choosing a backpack, I asked a friend to help me pick the best one. After a brief pause, he said, “You must buy a top-quality backpack! Imagine how this could turn your travel fantasies into reality.” Yes, he was right! However, you need to consider the type of travel you’ll experience, where you’re going, who will travel with you, and your travel style. 

Let’s imagine you’d take some days off to explore the cobbled streets of the old districts around Egypt, cross the red dirt roads of Argentina, or take a busy bus in any country to take memorable photos of their people’s daily lives.

If you seek this kind of adventure, a suitcase is impractical. These itineraries are pretty simply not suitcase-friendly. If you bring your bag, it will ruin your whole trip and may likely get damaged. 

Picture this: You try to carry your rolling suitcase because its wheels are broken. Meanwhile, you’re exhausted, having spent most of the day searching for an abandoned hostel in a super-busy district! The suitcase will frustrate you, especially if you’re planning to visit many destinations requiring public transport. It’s not a good start for a perfect trip!

Forget about the wheels that fall off, and think about a cool backpack. It’s super easy to make it your best friend. On top of that, you will look like an adventurous traveller and not a foreigner with a map trying to find the right destination.

Travelling with a suitcase is sometimes fancy, but it is not the right option for a backpacker! A backpack will make you feel agile. Nothing can stop you from reaching the peaks of Morocco, for example. You will also not worry too much about the things you need to take with you; you will pack bright and travel light!

With a backpack, you can order your morning takeaway coffee without carrying your heavy suitcase in your arms because your other hand is searching for your next stop on Google Maps or requesting an Uber ride. You need this bag unless you plan not to leave your accommodation for good!

What are the Types of Backpacks?

There is no standard backpack, so there is no one way to categorise them. However, we can group them into three types based on their capacity and how long they will survive. 

Less Than 50 Litres

If you plan to stay for one to three nights, a backpack of less than 50 litres is your best choice. It’s super efficient for travellers who pack only what they need and bring less bulky gear. A 30-50 litre backpack is more than enough to pack light.

However, if you buy a smaller size, you need to plan your trip carefully with high self-discipline. You’ll have a fantastic trip without hurting your back with so much useless stuff if you can pull it.

Less Than 80 Litres

If you plan to spend five nights, a backpack of less than 80 litres is still considered a light-on-your-feet reward! Backpackers love it because it has the perfect space for all their essentials—no more, no less.

It’s also a decent choice for warm-weather destinations. You’d need it for different purposes, like hiking and camping. It fits the most if you go for a skiing journey or do a multisport activity. 

More Than 80 Litres 

Travelling for more than five days? You will probably need the giant backpack version. It’s an excellent option for adventurers dreaming of winter treks because its larger capacity means more space for a comfortable sleeping bag, extra poles, and extra clothes. Additionally, it is excellent for family trips because parents can take all their kids’ stuff. 

How to Choose A Backpack That Suits Your Needs

While looking for a guide on choosing a backpack, you must be aware of the features a good one must include. As we mentioned before, no perfect size suits all people. What matters is choosing a backpack proportional to your weight so you stay balanced while exploring your destination.

A huge bag will cause back pain and ruin your adventure. If your luggage is super heavy, you might topple over while hiking. On the other hand, a tiny bag is not the perfect choice since your stuff might overflow. 

So here is how to choose a backpack. A good one lasts the longest, no matter how you treat it. That’s why, in the following lines, we list all the features you must look for when choosing a backpack. It must be durable, well-organised, weatherproof, and long-lasting! So, don’t purchase anything that doesn’t offer all the following features:

Waterproof 

You don’t need to find a 100% waterproof backpack unless you go on a long hiking trip around Scotland! A somewhat water-resistant bag is essential to avoid getting overwet when it drizzles. So make sure your bag has a cover that you can use to shield it against any unexpected downpour.

Another hack is to avoid thick material. You do not want your bag to be wet for a long time and become musty until you find sunlight. Always look for lightweight material, like nylon fibre.  

Expert advice: Before purchasing your backpack, ask the seller to test it by pouring water into it. This will tell you whether the inside of the bag is getting wet.

Two Zippers 

If you love outdoor activities, it’s better to obtain a backpack with a two-way zipper to lock them all together and unzip a small part of the bag. This makes you avoid being stolen. 

Expert advice: When purchasing lacks, only choose the TSA-friendly locks with a release valve that enables you to unlock your bag without breaking it. You can find it in any large retail store. 

However, if you’re still concerned about the security of your precious stuff, invest in a Pacsafe bag. It is packed with premium features that keep your belongings safe and secure. No one can access your stuff except you.

Enough Compartments and Storage Units 

What makes a backpack good is its multiple compartments that enable you to carry all your necessities. That means you have enough room to sort your belongings into tiny sections, making it easy to find all your stuff without unpacking the whole bag. 

For example, you can fold and keep your clothes in the main compartment. Your shoes and any footwear could be stored on the side, and your expensive stuff in a separate compartment. Not only will you keep everything clean and neat, but you will also save hours of anxiety when trying to find a specific item, thinking you might have forgotten to bring it.

Expert advice: Many backpacks come with extra components. Look for one with a separate side pocket for your water bottle. If you need extra space, you can bring packing cubes. 

An Attached Hip Belt

Almost all backpacks have a padded belt, which makes you feel more comfortable while moving around with a lot of stuff. The belt also helps you feel less back strain, as the load is distributed evenly. 

Expert advice: Choose a hip belt that is adjustable to your body. The padded belt with zippered pockets is always the best!

Now that we have learnt everything about our little adventure companion go ahead and live your travel dreams. Grab the backpack that suits your style and needs. Are you up for it?