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Hiking
Packs
There is such
a great range of hiking packs available in today’s age that there is a
style of pack to suit almost anyone. This is fantastic, but you may not
know what you need or where to start. Here are a few handy tips when
choosing a hiking pack:
1. Identify what activity you will need your pack for
Will you be mountaineering, skiing, climbing, tramping, hunting, fishing or trail-walking? This will determine the style of bag you need.
Mountaineering This usually entails scrumaging through heavy bush, over uneven terrain and can be quite demanding. It is best to choose a slimline pack with few outer pockets or large attachment points. This is because scrub can catch on these and pull you backwards or tear your pack. It is important to get a pack made from durable materials as your pack may take a bit of a battering, but keep it as lightweight as you can. When you are struggling through bush or rough terrain you will be grateful for a lighter load.
Ensure that
your harness fits correctly and that most of the weight is carried on your
hips. If you can choose a pack that gives you more flexibility and freedom
of movement (such as an Aarn Pack) this will make your trip a lot more
comfortable.
Skiing/Climbing Many packs are designed specifically for climbers and skiers
so it is best to look at these primarily. These packs tend to be lighter
and more streamlined with plenty of attachment points for tools and
skiis.
Hunting and Fishing It is important to have a pack
that allows comfortable free movement as you will be using your body a
lot. A comfortable harness is essential especially if you carry a lot of
gear. Colour can be a deciding factor as dark green, camo and olive can
help you blend in to your surroundings. Having plenty of pockets can be
helpful when needing quick access to
gear.
Trail walking/ Tramping and Camping The most important part of a pack is it’s harness, make sure you find a pack that fits you comfortably. External pockets can be very handy as you have quick access to food, drink, binoculars or cameras. Outer attachment straps make it easier to pack as you can fit trekking poles, sleeping mats and tents to the outside of your pack. A separate sleeping bag compartment is very helpful as you can get your bag out quickly if need be. Front access zips make organization and access easier as you can get to gear in a hurry without having to take everything out.
Many packs are hydration system compatible which makes drinking on the go a breeze.
2.
Identify the size of pack you need
Determine the length of your trips as well as how much gear you need to take. This should help you choose what size pack you need. It is helpful to bear in mind that if you have a smaller frame then it is wise to purchase a smaller pack, otherwise you may struggle with carrying a large pack.
Day trips Usually a day pack of 20-30ltrs is more than adequate for
this type of activity. If you need to take extra gear with you such as
cameras, change of clothing or footwear, poles, fishing rods, tools, food
and binoculars then you may want to go for a smaller sized hiking pack of
around 40ltrs.
Weekend trips A comfortable hiking pack of around 70ltrs (60 to 70ltrs for
women) is a good size. It will easily fit cooking equipment, food, drink,
bedding, clothing, shelter and
accessories.
3-7 days In
3.
Quality vs Budget
If you spend
a lot of time in the outdoors and enjoy tramping, fishing, hunting or
climbing, then it is worthwhile buying a quality pack. Although more
expensive, it is well worth the money. A quality pack will last you a lot
longer and usually comes with a lifetime warranty. It may save you pain
and discomfort and make your outdoor adventures more enjoyable. If you are
on a tight budget and the pack will be used only occasionally for short
trips then a budget pack may be suitable for your needs. Here are some
things to look out for:
Harness The most important part of the pack. The back part of the harness must fit comfortably, touching your back the whole way down. If possible go for a harness that comes in Small, Medium, Large or XL sizes. This means that you can get the closest possible fit with the weight and balance of the pack supported correctly. If this isn’t available then an adjustable harness may be customized to fit you.
Make sure the hipbelt is comfortable and doesn’t dig in anywhere.
The weight of the pack should be carried on your hips not the shoulders therefore the backlength of the harness must be correct or the pack won’t be supported correctly. The shoulder straps should touch your body the whole way around. If there are gaps the shoulder straps will have to be adjusted, or you may need a different sized harness. If you will be tramping in Summer it will be more comfortable if you get a well ventilated harness. If you will be carrying a heavy load over a long distance, it is best to get a padded, sturdy harness as this will be most comfortable. Lightweight packs with slim harnesses are more suitable for higher altitudes such as climbing, mountaineering or skiing.
A quality pack will provide you with a superior harness that will have a more customized fit. This reduces the back, neck and shoulder pain caused by load carrying. Well worth it!
3 Points To Remember When Fitting A Pack.
Roughly 2/3s of the weight should be carried on the hips.
Shoulder straps and hip belts should fit like a glove with no pressure points or areas that dont contact the body.
The top of the pack should be as close to the body as possible but not so close that it lifts the shoulder straps away from hugging the shoulders.
Fabric Quality packs
are usually made from a Nylon fabric. This makes them very strong and
hardwearing. Generic packs are usually made from polyester. Polyester has
a higher resistance to UV light but isn’t as strong as
nylon.
Design Quality packs
are designed to be practical and comfortable. They pay special attention
to the fit and lifetime of the pack. Budget packs tend to have more
features such as extra pockets and added raincovers, but aren’t as
comfortable and hardwearing as quality packs. The difference is clearly
shown when you are 2 hours into a hiking trip. The quality pack will be
comfortable and well supported. The wearer of the budget pack may be in
pain, with sore spots due to the load not being correctly supported.
If you can afford it, it is well worth the extra couple of hundred dollars to get a comfortable, hardwearing pack that will give you years of good use, especially if you are going to use it often!
Travel
Packs
Kiwi's love
to travel abroad and a backpack is a very popular choice, especially for
those traveling on their big OE! There are many styles available, designed
to suit your particular mode of travel. Options include the traditional
hiking pack – great if you will be doing a lot of walking, travel packs –
which have extra organizational features and a detachable daypack, wheeled
packs – great for those who will be doing less walking and more vehicle
transit. Most of the
travel packs available have an adjustable harness to make them suitable
for most heights. If you are a lady or a shorter man (5'7" and under) then it is
advisable to go for a pack 75ltrs and under otherwise the pack may be
uncomfortable and too heavy. All travel
packs have a harness cover to comply with airline regulations. They also
have a separate sleeping bag compartment at the bottom to make it easier
to access your bedding. They all have access through the front of the pack
so that you have easy access to your gear at all times. Almost all packs
have a detachable daypack on the front for when you want to go shopping
with just the bare essentials. Hiking Pack Ideal for the
traveler who will be tramping and adventuring in the outdoors while away.
Hiking packs have the most comfortable harness systems so it is perfect if
you will be walking everywhere. Their downside is that it is harder to
organize your gear as they generally have top loading access only. You
will need to buy a separate pack cover for your pack to comply with
airline regulations.
Traditional Travel Pack Style Great for organisation as they have multiple internal
pockets. Many of them feature raincovers or detachable toilet bags with
basic to advanced detachable daypacks on the front. This style is suitable
for light walking but not extended walks or
hikes.
Hybrid Packs These tend to
have much better harness systems making it ideal for the traveller who
will be doing a lot of walking with their pack. The tall slim design makes
it less painful on your back when walking long distances. It can also
double easily as a hiking pack. It's your 2 for 1 pack.
Wheeled Travel Packs Perfect for the traveler who will be traveling by vehicle with only small amounts of walking. The wheels make it much easier to transport over short distances while providing the option of back straps for longer distances. Ideal for the family traveler or the person who likes to travel in style.
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