Express guide to choose the trekking or hiking backpack

The backpack, when you practice trekking or hiking, will become your companion on every outing. For everyone who is going to start the routes and it is the first backpack they are going to buy, it is very important to pay attention to certain characteristics of it. Backpacks have evolved a lot in design, aesthetics, materials... and this must be taken into account when purchasing them.



It goes without saying that the backpack you choose has to be your size. Yes, the backpacks have a size! You will avoid falls or the dreaded back pain. We begin.


Your hiking backpack has to be accessible and divided into different compartments. It is good to be able to easily access the equipment during the route, to make it easier for you to find each piece there are compartments, which will allow you to keep everything organized. Eye! It is very important that one of these compartments is for water or that the backpack itself has its hydration system.



One of the most important parts of the backpack is the lumbar belt, which fulfills 3 fundamental missions. Support weight, stability and back protection. Other parts to take into account are the straps, the chest strap, the backrest or the compression straps. >.


During a trekking route, hydration is very important. As we have said before, it does not matter if the backpack has a hydration system or if it is compatible, the important thing is that it has it and is separated from the rest. Speaking of water, take advantage of the backpack having a waterproof cover. On the market there are backpacks that are completely waterproof or made with a material that repels water. If the backpack is not waterproof, make sure it has a water protection cover or purchase one.



The ribbons and braces will help you hang parts of the equipment, free up the space inside the backpack and you will have your hands free. On trekking paths you will sometimes find obstacles, imagine if your hands are full. because of the materials and how it hinders your reaction, for example if you suffer a simple fall. The weight of the backpack must be distributed over the body, for this the trekking backpack must have a belt and a chest closure.





It will improve your balance when walking or you will avoid getting hurt by the weight of the backpack. Normally, trekking equipment is quite light but it is better if your backpack is padded on the back. The capacity of the backpack is your decision. The ideal size for a trekking backpack is between 10 liters and 30 liters. It all depends on the route you have chosen. The type of landscape through which you are going to walk, to choose one equipment or another. Also keep in mind if you are going to do a route of a couple of hours, a day or several, if it will be a round trip or if you will do it during the day or at night.


This is a quick guide, it is best that you go to a point of sale and get advice taking into account all these points explained above.