How to Select the Best Backpack for Your Trip

A backpack is one of the most essential pieces of travel gear that you can own. It frees your hands to explore a city, take in nature or catch a flight and it’s a key part of keeping you organized and mobile. So when it comes to selecting the perfect backpack for your next trip, consider how many hours you’ll spend carrying it around and what sort of activities you’ll use it for, then choose accordingly.

Backpacks can fit a lot more than just your clothes, shoes and toiletries. They can fit a sleeping bag, tent, hiking poles and even a laptop. Depending on your destination, you might want to look for a pack that has a waterproof shell to protect your belongings from rain or snow, especially if you’ll be doing some hiking or camping.

The best backpacks are designed to be lightweight, comfortable and versatile. They should have an adjustable padded strap system, a sternum and hip belt to spread the weight evenly on your back, and a padded back panel that fits comfortably against your body. It’s also a good idea to look for a pack that has padded shoulder straps and chest pockets that can be removed when you don’t need them.

Another great feature of the best backpacks is that they have plenty of external and internal pockets to store all your belongings and make them easy to find when you need them. This means no more frantically searching through your backpack for a tissue or the charger cable for your phone. It’s also a handy way to prevent you from overpacking, and your belongings will be more secure as they aren’t loose in the main pocket where they could easily get lost.

A final thing to look for in a good backpack is the quality of the stitching. This is a primary proof of the quality of a bag, as it’s what connects all the different parts together and ensures that they will last. The stitching should be precise and clean with no overlapping stitches. A good backpack should also have a sturdy and durable zipper, and the padding on the back of the pack should be thick enough to provide comfort.

Once you’ve found the right backpack for your trip, you’ll be able to focus on enjoying your adventure instead of worrying about how much weight you’re carrying or whether your backpack will make it home in one piece. So take the time to inspect it closely, check that all the straps are padded and well-connected, the zipper is working smoothly and doesn’t pull out easily, and give it a thorough wash once you’re back home to make sure it’s ready for your next adventure.