Which Backpack? How to Choose the Right One for You., by The Backpacking Project on YouTube. 23 min 1 s.
- Video length
- 23 min 1 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Lay out every item you plan to carry, including food and water. Weigh each item on a kitchen scale and write the weights in a list or spreadsheet.
Add up the weights to get your base weight, which is everything except food, water and worn clothing. Note how many days of food and how much water you usually carry.
Estimate the volume of your gear by packing it into a box or bin of known size. Add roughly 1 to 2 liters per day of food and about 1 liter per liter of water you carry.
Compare your total weight to pack categories. Traditional packs suit loads around 25 to 35 pounds, lightweight framed packs around 15 to 25 pounds, and ultralight framed packs under about 15 pounds.
Choose a traditional pack if you carry bulky, heavy or comfort-focused gear. Look for a strong frame, padded hipbelt and 55 to 70 liters of capacity.
Choose a lightweight framed pack if your base weight is moderate and you want comfort with less bulk. Aim for 40 to 55 liters and check the recommended load range.
Choose an ultralight framed pack if your base weight is low and your gear packs small. Expect 30 to 50 liters, thin fabrics and fewer pockets and straps.
Choose a frameless pack only if your total load stays light, often under about 20 pounds. Use your sleeping pad as the frame and keep the pack tightly packed.
Check the fit before buying. Measure your torso length, try the pack loaded with your own gear, and confirm the hipbelt sits on your hip bones, not your waist.
Treat the manufacturer's maximum load rating as a ceiling, not a target. Pick a pack that carries your usual load comfortably in the middle of its range.
Tips and common mistakes
Liters are not directly comparable between brands, so compare the packed size of your gear rather than trusting the number alone.
Weigh your gear before shopping. Buying a pack first often leads to replacing it once your gear changes.
Food and water can add several pounds, so test a pack with that weight included.
A pack that fits someone else well may not fit your torso, so always try it loaded.
Questions
How do I know my base weight?
Weigh all your gear except food, water and the clothes you wear. Add the numbers together. That total is your base weight and it decides which pack category fits you.
Can I use a frameless pack for a week-long trip?
Only if your total load stays light, usually under about 20 pounds with food and water. For heavier or bulkier loads, a framed pack carries better.
Does a higher maximum load rating mean a better pack?
No. The rating is the upper limit, not the comfortable weight. Choose a pack where your normal load sits well within its range.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
