Choosing the Right Backpack
Published by Johnny on January 30, 2011
Choosing the right backpack is absolutely essential to any successful traveling experience, but with the market being flooded with so many sub-par, generic rucksacks it difficult to know what to choose! How many litres should your backpack be? Is the brand important? How much should I pay? I’m going to run through the criteria you should consider when purchasing your backpack
SIZE: Backpack size is measured in litres, so how many litres should your backpack be? You want to choose something between 55litres to 70 litres. In terms of kilos, a full 55 litre backpack will weigh around 14kgs approximately whereas a full 70 litres backpack will weigh around 20kg. Naturally, as a backpacker you want to travel as light as possible so I would recommend taking a 55litre, although on my first few trips I struggled to choose what to take and went with a 65. Now I carry an (only partially) filled 55 litre and it’s perfect. Just remember though if you take a larger bag, you will fill it (probably with unnecessary extras!) so be vigilant, buy a smaller bag, and reap the benefits for the duration of your trip. No-one wants to be lugging around 20kg I promise you that!
SHAPE: If I had one piece of advice for any first-time backpacker it would be this – get a side access backpack, NOT a top-loading one. This is one feature you should not compromise on, there’s few things more infuriating than having to unpack your entire belongings to get access to the one shirt you carry for a special occasion! With a side zip everything is on hand and easily accessed, much much more desirable!
Also, search for as many interior compartments as possible. Certainly a minimum of a mesh divider in the main body to keep either your dirty clothes or electronics separate is a must. Hidden pockets for US dollars/spare credit cards etc is a huge plus too.
BRAND: To be honest unless you plan to redesign your life and be on the road constantly over the next few years then brand isn’t important. Any run of the mill backpack should last the course of one 3month-1year trip, however if you plan to be on the road indefinitely it would be worth your while to go for a high-end brand (Berghaus,, Osprey etc) as they are much more robust (and expensive!)
COST: Backpacks range from $50-$250 so the choice is ultimately dependent on your budget. I’d avoid the cheap cheap, cheap bags unless you’re just jetting off for a week or two. Normally you get what you pay for and you don’t want the bottom of your bag falling out on the way up Machu Pichu now do you?! If you spend more than $150 you’re getting top of the range, from there on up you’re pretty much guaranteed top quality bags. Aim to pay over $85 but no need to pay more than $150 really.
That’s the quick rundown then guys, I went through the purchasing process myself last week and it can be a real nightmare – have an idea of what you want before you step into the store and you’ll be all set. Good luck!
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Tags: backpack, money, tips, travel gear, travel guide
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Generally speaking, do you (or does anyone?) have any advice on a backpack size that most airlines will allow you to take as carryone. Sam above mentions a 35L, which ….wow…I don’t know if we could get away with that…but does a 40-45L still generally count as carryon? I know it varies a bit with each airline, but….?
Thanks for the post – this was helpful!
hey Skott,
I think 45lt would be too big to be honest, i reckon 35 would be the top end. Obviously it depends more on the shape than the weight/volume but i very much doubt you could squeeze anything over 35lt into the overhead compartment!
Hey Johnny,
I suppose this is also a personal preference, but I wouldn’t recommend anyone to get a bag with a capacity of more than 40 litres, because, as you say, it means you have more space to fill with (probably useless) things, and therefore more weight to carry. Personally, I have a 35 litre bag, and am currently travelling in cold places with it and don’t have it completely full. Also, smaller (and lighter) bags can often be taken on flights as hand luggage, meaning you avoid extra charges for hold luggage where they exist (of course this means you can’t pack sharp things or liquids of more than 100ml each, at least in Europe).
certainly if u can squeeze your earthly possessions into a 40lt then that’s the way forward, personally speaking though i couldn’t do it! kudos mate
Some advice I’ve been given is as follows:
try to get a backpack with wheels just like luggage. I guess they exist and are worth springing for. I’ve heard of people switching from the classic backpack to standard luggage just for the wheels.
I haven’t bought my bag yet, so I don’t have any first hand experience to pass on.
hey Mike,
sorry mate – i have to disagree, i avoid any bags with wheels – extra weight and less volume for size plus you rarely rarely use them! just personal preference i guess
Def personal preference
I have one with wheels and prefer it, it’s good as i dont need to worry about the weight of the bag etc. Mine is a 70l caribee fast track, you can convert it into a backpack, but I have rarely done this. I have used wheeled bags to communte to and from uni most weekends for two three years so are used to them
Poi on the other cant stand wheeled bags and prefers to have everything on his back.
awesome tips man! do you often wear your backpack in front in crowded areas to discourage pickpockets?
hey calvin, never my big backpack mate but when i have my main backpack on i wear the smaller bag no my front (with laptop, iphone, camera etc) although that’s more for comfort than safety!
if i’m only carrying my small bag, that goes on my back – never the front to be honest.