Camping Tents, Camping and Backpacking Equipment » hiking backpacks

Keep Everything Together with these Backpacks

admin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:17:07 +0000

Once confined to hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts, backpacks have become mainstream during recent years, carried by everyone from kindergarten students to busy moms and business execs, all of whom have one need in common: convenient, portable storage for their gear.

Offering a convenient location to store pens, pencils, books and notebooks, backpacks have become a ubiquitous accessory for school kids of all ages, and have even gained a foothold among adults who use them to tote everything from laptops to diapers.

Backpack manufacturers have responded by offering a wide variety of styles and sizes to suit pretty much anyone’s needs, and it’s a good idea to spend some time reviewing those options before making a final purchase decision. Here are a few important backpack features to consider before making your choice:

Backpack Size

Backpacks come in a variety of sizes, from small packs that are light enough for a small child to carry comfortably, to large packs better suited for high school or college kids, as well as adults looking for a convenient piece of carry-on luggage or overnight bag. Smaller packs, like the Olympia 16-inch Campus Backpack, are ideal for lightweight loads, and can do double-duty as a purse or small briefcase. Men and women with larger loads to carry might prefer the roomy interior of Ogio’s Metro or Epic Midnight Limited Edition Backpacks, or the Jumbo Leather Backpack.

Rolling Backpacks

Originally introduced as a portable carry-on bag, rolling backpacks have gained in popularity with many students and inner-city commuters, who appreciate the option of toting large amounts of books and other items without having to bear the weight. Rolling backpacks like the Verucci Flight Carry-on/ Rolling Pink Backpack and the J World 19. 5-inch Touches Blue Rolling Backpack/ Laptop Sleeve offer stylish prints and patterns, while the Verucci Brown Flight Carry-on Rolling Backpack is better suited for more serious business events. Students and adults alike will appreciate the sporty styles of CalPak’s Night Vision 18-inch Rolling Backpack and CalPak G-roller Backpack.

Backpack Style

Just like a purse or briefcase, your backpack can reflect your unique style and personality, from fun and fashionable to studious and businesslike. Fun fabric designs, like those offered on CalPak ‘S Curve’ 18-inch Lightweight Backpack or J World’s 19. 5-inch Check Red Rolling Backpack with Laptop Sleeve are lighthearted options for the young-at-heart. While more reserved designs include the Amerileather Urban Buckle-Flap Backpack and the Leather Three-way Backpack, whose unique design allows you to carry it on your back, over your shoulder, or by a hand-held strap.

Backpack Storage

While early multi-use backpacks had one main storage area with a single pocket on the outside, today’s backpacks offer a variety of storage areas specifically designed for a wide variety of purposes and items, including electronic devices like laptops and portable music players. To make the best choice for your needs, consider carefully what you’ll be using the backpack for, as well as the items you’ll need to carry in it.

Carrying a laptop? The Trailmaker Laptop Backpack offers both an internal, fully padded laptop sleeve as well as a cell phone pocket conveniently located on the shoulder strap. For really heavy-duty use, consider the Wenger Swiss Gear Austin Laptop Backpack, by the makers of the original Swiss Army Knife, which offers a pocket for your iPod or MP3 player, as well as a headset port. Also offering an earphone port, the CalPak Apez 18-inch Multi-pocket Backpack features multiple pockets of varying sizes, as well as self-repairing zippers to make sure all your contents are kept safe and secure.

Hiking Backpacks

Unlike their more urban and suburban counterparts, hiking backpacks are designed for the serious outdoor enthusiast who wants to hit the trail for a few days, carrying clothing, food, a tent and other supplies. Backpacks became frequent among travelers during the 1960s, when hitchhikers and other itinerant travelers recognized their versatility and convenience. Those heavy packs, with cumbersome external frames, have been replaced today by lightweight, internal frame versions that offer far greater durability than their predecessors. Designed to support heavier loads, these packs help distribute the weight evenly along your back, reducing muscle strain that can result from uneven loads.

Packs like the Teton Sports Explorer 4000 Internal Frame Backpack feature padded waist belts and padded lumbar area to help reduce strain from prolonged wear. Many backpacks, like the High Peak Kathmandu 70 + 10 Internal Frame Pack, even feature built-in hydration systems that allow you easy and convenient access to drinking water while you’re hiking, without having to stop and remove your pack.

The lightweight designs and multi-featured practicality of today’s backpacks make them a smart choice for people of all ages and walks of life. The wide selection of modern and traditional materials, coupled with colorful, unique designs means that there is a backpack that’s just right for your needs.

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Backpacking Hiking – Important Equipment To Have A Great Time

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:15:58 +0000

If you are planning to go backpacking hiking you need to make sure that you have the right equipment. A lot of this backpacking hiking equipment will depend on where you are planning to go. Hiking backpacking equipment is important because if you are uncomfortable or do not have what you need a fun and enjoyable hike can become miserable very quickly.

What You Need To Have The Most Fun Backpacking Hiking

The first thing you need to enjoy backpacking hiking is a good pair of boots. When you set out on natural trails you will be traveling across rough terrain with roots and tocks. A sturdy set of boots will protect your feet from the hocks while supporting your ankles to keep them from turning. Usually a solid pair of boots will have good sturdy soles so that you can grip the terrain well and not slip and fall.

Lightweight boots are available and provide all of the sturdiness and grip of a much heavier thicker boot in a lighter configuration. Boots are probably the most important piece of equipment when you are planning to go backpacking hiking. Whenever you go out into the woods you need to bring along the 10 essentials and something to carry them in. A backpack with wide padded straps and a waist belt is the best way to carry these.

In the 1930’s mountaineers outlined the following items as being essentials: map, compass, water and a way to purify it, extra food, rain gear and extra clothing, fire starter and matches, first aid kit, Swiss Army knife or multi-purpose tool, flashlight, sunglasses and sunscreen. Regardless of how short a hike you are going on you are going to want to make sure that you have these items.

There is always a chance you can get lost, and if so you want to be prepared. These items will make sure of this. Next up for your backpacking hiking trip is your clothing. It is important that you wear layers of clothing when you go out on the trail. By layering you clothing you can ensure that not only are you keeping yourself warm, but that you can also take off layers if you get hot.

Make sure that your outer layer is not only waterproof and windproof but breathable as well. In addition a good pair of hiking pants is a good investment. I would not go on a backpacking hiking trip in shorts as many times branches and plants can tear up your legs. Socks are also important, so make sure you get a nice thick padded pair of socks.

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Taking a Summer Camping Trip? Bring Along these Backpacks

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:16:19 +0000

If you are heading out on a summer camping trip, a backpack is one piece of equipment that is an absolute must have. Whether you are backpacking along the Appalachian Trail or taking day trips from a comfortable base camp in a national park, the right backpack will make your life easier and much more comfortable. If you are looking for a backpack to get you going on your summer vacation, you can’t go wrong with one of these great backpacks.

Daypacks for Day Trips and Picnics

If you are taking a day trip, slip on a backpack that will hold everything that you need for the day. A daypack is a small backpack that gives you up to 1,500 cubic inches of packing space. That is more than enough room to pack a couple changes of clothing, a picnic blanket, lunch, hiking equipment and a couple of water bottles. Most of them have multiple compartments, including outside compartments essentials like your cell phone and a bottle. The following are a couple of the top sellers in the daypack category of backpacks.

Check out the Alpenrose 3-in-1 Youth Adventure Daypack from SwissGear, the ideal backpack for the younger set in your family. The 3-piece set fits together into one backpack-able package, and includes an insulated lunch pack, an exploration pack and a daypack that can be detached and carried separately. The three pieces together give you a total of almost 1,300 cubic inches of packing space. The exploration pack has one roomy main compartment and a front-zippered pocket. The daypack adds zippered side pockets, and a front organizer with a zipper and stash pockets. Add in to that a lunch cooler, and you’ve got everything your youngster needs for a hike with the family or with friends.

The Christenson 3-in-1 Outdoors Ridge Runner Backpack gives similar functionality for older youth and adults. The Ridge Runner is a 3-part backpack that includes a fanny pack and a removable upper pack. Each of the packs offer over 1,000 cubic inches of packing space with multiple pockets and organizers. In addition, the belt offers quick access pockets for cell phone, car keys and more, as well as loops and clips for binoculars, rangefinder and flashlights.

Light Backpacks for Light Travelers

If you want to carry along a bit more than you can fit in a traditional daypack, a light backpack is the next step up. Lighter backpacks are sturdier and offer more packing space, and often offer special features to extend the functionality beyond a normal backpack. Some top sellers in the light backpack category either include internal frames or are compatible with hydration systems.

The Dually Expedition Pack from WFS is the ultimate in terms of versatility. With over 4,000 cubic inches of packing space, the Dually breaks down into a daypack and a larger pack with an internal frame. The internal frame makes it easy to carry even when it’s loaded to capacity, and the built-in rain cover keeps your gear dry in wet weather. Both the hip and the shoulder straps are mesh-lined and fully padded for comfort, and the bottom straps are ideal for strapping on a tent or sleeping bag.

Also available from WFS, the Light Traveler Backpack is compatible with hydration systems for sports hiking or hiking in hot weather. It features an internal frame for easier carrying, and a Velcro mesh-lined ventilated back panel for a comfortable fit. The backpack offers 2,600 cubic inches of packing space with expandable side pockets and side compression straps to tighten everything down.

Full Backpacks for the ultimate hiking and camping experience

If your vacation and travel plans include some serious hiking with camping along the way, then a full backpack to carry your gear might be the best option. Full packs are meant to carry your camping gear and everything you will need for camping expeditions with durations lasting longer than a couple of days. The best sellers in the full pack category include lightweight backpacks with internal or external frames, hydration systems and removable top packs for day trips when you do not need all the gear.

The High Peak Tibet 75 + 15 Hiking Backpack is right up there with the top of the line hiking gear. It features 6,000 cubic inches of capacity and weighs less than six pounds when completely empty. It includes a detachable backpack, as well as a detachable hip and chest belts so that you can tailor the fit to your needs. The main compartment features an adjustable divider, and multiple organizer pockets make it easy to store everything you need within reach.

The Fox 75 + 10 Mars Backpack offers features you usually only find on more expensive backpacks. Those features include a separate sleeping bag compartment and a top-loading main compartment with a lower zipper for access to items stored further down in the bag. It also includes a water bladder compartment that will hold a water bladder up to 80 ounces, and its own rainfly and hood. The Fox is highly adjustable, with adjustable shoulder strap height, and contoured lumbar, shoulder and hip pads for your comfort.

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Picnic Backpack: Why you Should Go for It

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 09:17:05 +0000

Camping and picnic is one of the most favourite outdoor activities that people love to do whenever they have a free time, especially during weekend holiday. You may go camping picnic with family and friends or anyone. When we talk about picnic or camping, one of the most important issue that first come into our mind is the equipments that we are going to use during the trip. There are so many questions like how to prepare stuff for a curtain kind of camping? Which equipment should to buy? and more. But of the most common question that I have been asked constantly is about picnic backpack, which many people still want guideline about how they can prepare effectively for their picnic.

In the past, we may have seen a lot of people using picnic baskets, but today many people have changed to use picnic backpack instead of picnic basket, due to the convenience and more capacity that picnic backpack can offer so you can rest assured that you will enjoy the trip together with the one you love. Is you are the one that currently use picnic basket like the old times, I strongly suggest to change using picnic backpack and you will find that it provides you more than you ever thought of.

Some people who familiar with picnic basket may have not seen what picnic backpack look like and how to use it. Picnic back is typically similar to hiking backpack. In terms of external look picnic backpack is look pretty much alike ordinary hiking backpack, which usually made from common fabric such as canvas and acrylic. But if we look inside of the backpack and will can see the major different. That is, interior of hiking backpack is specially designed to contain hiking stuff such as trial equipment, clothes and canvas shoes etc. But the interior of picnic backpack is designed to contain picnic stuff. However, it is still hard to imagine about how picnic backpack look like, so let me give you an example for clearly understanding. For example, picnic backpack is able to contain picnic accessories such as plates, wine glasses napkins and a cooler compartment to store your food. It will have special section inside the bag to contain these kind of stuff with extra protection to prevent broken. The backpack may also have the section that use for containing roll of picnic blanket.

About the material that they are made from, as mentioned earlier that picnic backpack generally made from ordinary canvas but they also have kind of cushioned shoulder straps for convenient and comfortable carrying. The special part of picnic backpack can be found inside as there is plenty of space to contain picnic equipment such as lunch boxes, cooler component to maintain food still fresh and ice pouch. Moreover, for wine lover, they could not miss their favourite wine during the picnic, picnic backpack also provide special space for wine bottles and wine glasses with considerable protection so you can be sure that wine bottles and glass will not broken.

It can be said that today most of people still using old-fashion picnic basket, meanwhile there are many people have tried picnic backpack as they can see many of benefit to use them. So it is your own considerations about which kind that suit you the most and then just go for it.

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