Ever been on a dayhike so perfect you didn’t want it to end? When you have the right backpack to carry your food and shelter, you can stay out overnight instead of heading back to the trailhead early. Here are four things to think about to pick a backpack for hiking overnight and beyond:
1. Fit
On a well-designed backpack, the internal frame transfers most of the load to your pelvis via the hipbelt. The shoulder straps do carry some weight, but their most important function is to keep the pack in place.
For this system to work right, the distance between the hipbelt and the shoulder strap attachment points must be the right length for your back. If it’s too short, the hipbelt won’t reach your pelvis, leaving the load hanging off your shoulders. If it’s too long, the shoulder straps will ride high, chafing your neck and blocking your head from turning to the side.
If you’re buying a backpack online, learn how to measure your back.
On some packs, you can adjust the shoulder strap attachment point up or down. That lets you fine-tune the fit and accommodates a change of wardrobe (bulkier clothes make your shoulders bigger) or different people using the same pack.
Packs tailored specifically for women have shorter torso lengths, shoulder strap attachments that are set closer together, and more conical hipbelts.
2. Feel
Unless you plan to eat, wear, and sleep on marshmallows, you’ll want to test a pack with a realistic load to see how it will feel on the trail. We have weighted stuff sacks in our stores for test loading a pack; if you’re shopping online, add some heft with full hydration reservoirs and water bottles when the pack arrives. Once the pack’s loaded and properly adjusted, go about your shopping or household chores. If you forget that you’ve got the pack on after a few minutes, that’s an excellent sign.
3. Size
For basic overnight trips in summer, look for a pack in the 35–55L capacity range. Multiday packs typically hold 55–75L. If you’re bringing specialized equipment – for example, stuff like a pro-level camera and lenses – make sure you allow for enough extra capacity.
Before committing to a trip, do a test pack at home with everything you’ll be bringing (don’t forget the food or volume placeholders for it). With the exception of tent poles (which you can slot under the compression straps and in the side pockets), everything should fit inside. If you have to lash your tent body or sleeping bag to the outside, you’ve either got too much stuff or too little pack. Cargo stowed on the outside of your pack throws off your balance, increases your fatigue, and gets caught on low hanging branches.
4. Features
Assuming the fit and ride are right (and they trump everything else), consider some creature comforts. Our favourite three are:
- A hydration sleeve. Nothing beats the instant gratification of quenching your thirst with a quick gulp from a hose. Plus, a hydration reservoir positions heavy water tight against your back for better balance.
- A pivoting hipbelt. Controls side-to-side sway as you walk so you’re not leaning left when your pack is tilting right and vise-versa.
- A convertible lid. Detaches from the mother pack to become a waist pack so you can skip down the trail on sidetrips.
See our full collection of overnight and multi-day hiking packs HERE.