How To Choose A Hiking Backpack: 5 Key Factors To Consider

A backpack is one of the most important pieces of equipment that you need for hiking.  A good hiking backpack needs to be the right size for your requirements, whilst also providing you with the comfort and reliability that you need when trekking in the outdoors. Finding the right hiking backpack for you will depend on how far you’re hiking and the conditions that you’re hiking in. In order to choose the perfect fit for your next adventure, make sure to consider the following key factors:

Size & Capacity

It might seem like an obvious point, however the importance of  choosing the right size hiking backpack can’t be overemphasised. It’s crucial that your backpack has a large enough capacity to fit everything that’s on your winter or summer hiking kit list, whilst ensuring that you’re not carrying any excess or unnecessary baggage. Choosing the right capacity depends on how long your hike is i.e if it’s a short day trip or a longer multi-day expedition. The following guide outlines the correct capacity for different trips:

Day Hike =  20-30 Litres

This is the perfect capacity for shorter day trips where you only need the basic essentials like water bottle, food, first aid kit and thermals/ sun protection depending on the time of year. The Red Original 30L waterproof backpack won the Indy Best Buy Award 2022 for best daypack, being recognised for its comfort and versatility among other attributes. This makes it the perfect choice to rely upon for those shorter adventures. 

1-3 nights = 30-50 Litres

If you’re planning an overnight trip where you’ll be camping then you’ll need additional space to carry cooking and sleeping equipment. For this we’d recommend something with at least 35L capacity. However, if you’re staying in a hotel or rented accommodation, for one or two nights, then the smaller 30L backpack should be sufficient as you won’t need to bother with camping/cooking gear. 

3-5 nights or more = 40-70 Litres

If you’re planning longer expeditions with lots of camping involved, then you’ll need a larger backpack so that you can be prepared for all eventualities. Support and comfort are key when carrying larger loads, and so make sure to look for backpacks with plenty of back support and padded straps that are adjustable. When camping out, it’s also a good idea to bring a waterproof dry pouch with you in order to keep essential valuables like phone and money secure, dry and separate from your main bag so that they are easily accessible.