How to Choose the Best Backpack for Backpacking: The Ultimate Backpacking Guide for Beginners and Experienced Hikers
Choosing a backpack is hard and choosing the best backpack for backpacking can be even harder. This guide will teach you how to choose the best backpack for backpacking. Learn everything about backpack material! Buying a backpack can be confusing without knowing what to look for in a pack. This guide covers everything!
Choosing a Backpack
Fit is the most important thing to keep in mind when buying your backpack, but there are other factors to consider as well. Check out my post on the Top 10 Considerations When Buying a Backpack to learn more about other things you should look at when buying your backpack.
Backpacks with Air Vents
Air vents are great if you like to ride with all your gear, but they can also be convenient if it’s hot or cold outside and you need more airflow on either of these conditions. Air vents are usually located on the side of your back, and this will help you stay cool in hot weather, and ventilate on cooler days. Also, if you’re wearing a light base layer, then it will get warmer when you are sitting still, but if you wear an extra layer under your pack (a fleece or wool vest for example), then it will absorb some of the heat so that you can breathe easier when seated.
Backpacks with External Pockets
This is a feature that’s great if you want to organize your gear. I use external pockets while hiking because they help me organize my gear. Check out my post on the Top 3 Reasons Why I Use External Pockets on My Backpack to learn more about why I use external pockets. Buy here : Backpacck with external Pockets
Backpacks with Rain Cover
If 
you backpack in rainy weather, then you want a pack that has a rain cover so that your gear stays dry. The rain cover is usually located in the bottom of the pack and covered by a flap of fabric. You can also get backpacks with clear plastic covers if you like to hike in heavy rainfall. Backpack with Rain Cover
Backpacks with Zippers
Zippers are great because they allow you to move your gear around inside your backpack and make it easier to quickly access items on the go like water bladders and other small items. If you’re going to be temping with a backpack, then I would recommend a pack with zippers that go all the way around the outside of the pack so that you can access your gear easily. If not, then go with a pack that has one or two side pockets for accessing additional gear like water bladders and rain covers.
Backpacks with Entry/Exit Pockets
This is a feature that’s great for backpacking if you want to put your water bladder in an external pocket so that you don’t have to take it off of your pack. I use these while backpacking because they are convenient when getting out of the tent at night or when using a portaledge.
Backpacks with External Attachment Points
If you want to carry more gear, then having external attachment points will help you do this. Check out my post on the Top 5 Reasons Why I Use External Attachment Points on My Backpack to learn more about why I use external attachment points.
Backpacks with Insulated Side Pockets
These are great if you like to hike in cold weather or when temping in cold weather conditions. My favorite insulated side pockets are the Osprey Exos 48 Hydration Pack Side Pockets (affiliate link).
Backpacks for Travel
If you’re going to travel with your backpack, then I would recommend a pack that is TSA compatible, because it makes things easier when flying around the world. TSA compatible packs usually have dedicated laptop compartments so that they are easy to find and separate in case the TSA decides to open up your pack during security.
Backpacks with Hip Straps
Hip straps are helpful if you use hiking poles. If you plan on using hiking poles, then go with a backpack that has hip straps so that it will keep your poles secure while on the go. You also want a pack that has side compression straps if you plan on using hiking poles.
Backpacks with Internal Frame
This is a feature that you’ll usually only find on top-end backpacks and packs for camping. Internal frame backpacks are beneficial if you want something lightweight, adjustable, comfortable and versatile.
Backpacks with Laptop Sleeves
If you commute to work or school, then a laptop sleeve is a great feature because it will help protect your gear. The best laptop sleeve I’ve come across was the Osprey Porter 65L Laptop Sleeve (affiliate link). I’ve tested many of them over the years, but this one is my favorite because it fits my laptop perfectly without adding any extra bulk to the pack when it’s empty.
Backpacks with Exposed Zippers
This is a feature that’s great if you want to access your gear quickly. Make sure that exposed zippers are long enough so that they can reach the bottom of your gear and have a decent zipper pull. You also want backpacks with exposed zippers that have strong zipper pulls because they will last a lot longer than the ones with cheap pulls.
Backpacks with Compression Straps
Compression straps help keep your gear secure when you walk around while wearing it. They are usually integrated into the frames of your pack and constructed from soft webbing.
Backpacks with Side Pockets
This is a feature that’s great if you want to organize your gear. There are many different styles of side pockets, but some are better than others. Side pockets can be useful if you want to keep your water bladder, rain cover, snacks or other small items organized.
Backpacks with Seating Loops
If you are planning on carrying a tent or sleeping pad in your pack (or using a Bivy Sack), then I recommend getting a pack that has loops made for quick setup and tear down of your sleeping system. Some packs even have a pocket for your sleeping pad and tent, so that you don’t have to carry them separately.
Backpacks with Waist Straps
The pack will attach to the waist strap while you are on the trail and it will distribute the weight between your shoulders and hips. This can be helpful if your packs have heavy loads.
Backpacks with Hip Belt
The hip belt helps to distribute the weight between your hips and shoulders as well as helping with balance. This feature is very important when carrying heavy loads or hiking in rough terrain. A good hip belt should be removable if it doesn’t fit or if you want to use custom hip belts while backpacking.
Backpacks with External Frame
This is a feature that you’ll usually only find on top-end backpacks and packs for camping. External frame backpacks are beneficial if you want something lightweight, adjustable, comfortable and versatile.
Backpacks with Side Compression Straps
Compression straps help keep your gear secure when you walk around while wearing it. They are usually integrated into the frames of your pack and constructed from soft webbing.
