How to choose a hiking bag purchase guide

If you choose to climb mountains during your vacation, then you will definitely need a mountaineering bag, which plays an indispensable role in your journey. As for its functions, the editor below will tell you how to choose a mountaineering bag.

Type

At present, the common ones on the market include soft backpacks, outer bags, and inner bags. Which type to buy mainly depends on what kind of sports you want to participate in.

Soft backpack

There is no internal or external support and no good backpack system. It is similar to a student backpack. Light weight and small size. But the simple handling system cannot bear such a heavy load and is very uncomfortable to carry. It is only suitable for general urban travel, one-day hiking, or one-day mountain climbing in the countryside.

Waijiabao

The metal frame is outside the backpack, and there are very few of it now. There is an H-shaped metal frame on the outside of this bag (aluminum alloy is the most common), which can hang photography boxes, stoves and other equipment, so it is very bulky. But compared with the inner bag, there is a larger space between the body and the backpack, allowing for better air convection between the body and the backpack, and the backpack can also stay cool and comfortable.

But when the bag is fully loaded, the center of gravity of the outer frame bag is higher, which is more dangerous when the road conditions are bad. For example, when drilling holes in dense forests and bamboo thickets, the backpack can easily get caught and get stuck. When climbing, the center of gravity suddenly shifts and the user loses balance. Therefore, this kind of bag is more suitable for carrying large luggage on flat roads.

Neijiapu

Move the metal frame inside the backpack to make the frame and backpack more integrated. This is the current mainstream type of mountaineering bag. The backpack is more comfortable close to the body and the center of gravity is more stable. Compared with the outer frame bag, this will make your activities more flexible and easier to master the balance. Especially now that most brands use adjustable backpack systems, which can be adjusted to suit your body shape and will be very comfortable to carry.

Of course, because the backpack is closely integrated with the body, it will be hot and the air will not circulate easily. This is also a problem that many brands are paying attention to and solving. Insourcing is now the mainstream of the market and is divided into many types according to different needs. Next, the author will introduce it in detail.

What is the capacity?

The capacity of the internal shelf bag is generally between 15L-120l. For average travelers, a 50L-75L bag can handle most long-distance trips. Of course, if you need to camp in the wild for a long time, such as traveling through no-man's land for several days, you may need a 120-liter one, but this is only a minority. For ordinary outdoor enthusiasts, capacity is generally considered from the following aspects:

Depending on the type of trip

Short-distance: travel for 1-3 days, no outdoor camping, and carry less items , you can choose a small-capacity backpack, usually 20-40 liters.

Medium and long-distance: If you travel for more than 3 days or need to carry camping equipment, choose a large bag, 50L-80L is a long-distance backpack. Women recommend a 50L-60L backpack, and men choose a 60L-80L backpack based on physical strength.

According to gender

Because men and women have different body shapes and load-bearing capacities, the choices of outdoor backpacks are also different. Short-distance backpacks can generally be used by both men and women. But if you want to choose a 50L-80L or even larger backpack for medium and long-distance travel or camping for more than 3 days, generally women can choose a backpack that is about 10L less than their male counterparts. Many brands of backpacks are divided into men's and women's backpacks. It is recommended that women purchase corresponding women’s backpacks. They are comfortable and generally look better.

Depending on length

Many mountaineering bags now have adjustable backpack systems, but they also have a certain adjustment range, so when choosing a mountaineering bag, it is very important to choose the size of the backpack system. important.

If the size is too large, it will cause a falling feeling. On the contrary, it will cause an upward feeling, causing the waist to be under-stressed. After adjusting to the appropriate size, the backpack will naturally stick to your back and be very comfortable. Therefore, before buying a hiking bag, it is best to first determine the length of your torso, which is the length from your seventh vertebrae (where your neck and shoulders are parallel) to the bones parallel to your hip bones.

Generally speaking, if your torso length is less than 45cm, you should buy a small bag. If your torso length is between 45-52cm, you should choose a medium bag. If your torso is longer than 52cm, you should choose a large bag. Good manufacturers have extra large (above 56cm) or small (below 40cm) bags, and they can also be customized. Of course, the specific model of hiking bag depends on the amount of items you are carrying.

The structure of a mountaineering bag

The structure of a mountaineering bag can be divided into three parts, namely the backpack system, the loading system and the external plug-in system.

Burden System

The keyword "piggyback system" mentioned several times above finally appears as the protagonist in this part. When buying a bag, look not only at capacity and quantity, but also at the size of the backpacking system you should be using.

The backpack system of the mountaineering bag includes: double shoulders, waist belt, chest strap, stress adjustment belt, backpack support mechanism and adjustment device. When sellers recommend mountaineering bags, they will emphasize what kind of backpack system they use. So what is the difference between these guys who all have English code names?

There are too many common carrying systems, and almost every big brand has its own unique system. Here are some typical examples for you.

Even if you hear a name you have never seen before, you can refer to the following system features for query and comparison.

TCS: This is the patent of the mountaineering bag brand BIGPACK. It is designed to be carried over long distances. Its unique composite design of U-shaped aluminum tube and H-shaped double titanium belt (both aerospace metals) is lighter and harder than the general aluminum alloy frame, and it is also very convenient and easy to adjust.

CR frame: The load-bearing capacity is slightly inferior to the TCS system, but the structure has been greatly simplified and lightweight, making it an excellent mid-price mountaineering bag. It has the highest weight/volume ratio, making it ideal for extreme outdoor sports such as rock climbing, adventure mountaineering, etc. The h-shaped large back frame enhances toughness and is made of aluminum-steel alloy metal, making it easy to adjust and use.

EVO: This system uses lightweight materials, has ventilation functions, and an adjustable design, making it suitable for beginners. The back frame is lighter than TCS/CR etc. The back pad is placed in the friction position and is very comfortable.

DTS: Patented by the famous brand GREGORY. The design of the traction strap increases the support of the backpack system, which not only distributes the weight throughout the elastic steel bar, but also does not get compressed into the space between the backpack and the body, guiding the weight to the waist belt and hips. The breathable and moisture-absorbing mesh shoulder strap design allows the backpack to maintain comfortable contact with the body.

Bird's eye view: Aluminum inverted U-shaped pillars, 3-point support backpack design, and breathable backpack system ensure that the backpack has good breathability and good fit even if the center of gravity fits closely with the body. And breathability is not a contradiction.

Of course, the above seemingly complicated technical instructions are only part of the backpack system. In addition, shoulder straps and chest straps cannot be ignored.

Shoulder strap: Well-designed hiking bag. The shoulder straps are relatively thick and have an exhaust effect, so the weight is generally less than 1/3 of the body weight and there is no discomfort. After adjustment, there will be no gap between the backpack and your shoulder blades. A good mountaineering bag can adjust its weight distribution on the shoulders at will, and you can adjust it at any time according to your physical strength and environment.

Chest strap: used to adjust the distance between the two shoulder straps. When using it, adjust it so that the backpack can fit tightly against your body without feeling any pressure. The chest strap significantly reduces shoulder load.

Backpack compression strap: The main function is to adjust the capacity of the backpack, store external equipment, and keep the center of gravity unchanged.

Gravity adjustment belt: The connection belt between the upper part of the strap and the backpack, also known as the center of gravity adjustment belt, usually maintains a 45-degree angle.

Generally speaking, the key point of a backpack system is: can the backpack fit the body better? Can it be more breathable while being snug? Does it have strong load-bearing capacity? Can you make the backpack lighter? By grasping these four points, sellers will not dare to fool you with a bunch of strange terms.

The author recommends that when traveling with more items, choose a backpack with a smaller weight

As the name suggests, the loading system refers to the part of the mountaineering bag that carries cargo. Generally speaking, the design consists of main pockets, top pockets and side pockets. The main bag is mostly designed with upper and lower layers, that is, there is an opening at the upper and lower ends, and there is a movable interlayer in the middle that can be connected or disconnected. When purchasing, we can pay attention to whether the side bags and top bags are detachable, whether there are computer compartments, water bag placement, whether there are hooks in the main bag, whether there is an elastic capacity design, etc.

External system

Hiking bags are usually fixed with points or straps. The hanging point design has insertion points. Generally, there is no plug-in watch strap, so you need to prepare it yourself. You can use nylon rope or buy special buckle straps. The straps are generally installed on the front of the backpack. There are two rows of external straps, and each row has several fixing points. In view of this, we also need to purchase according to our own needs. For example, is there a design that makes it easy to carry crampons, sleds, snowshoes, and hiking poles (usually on the side of the backpack), and whether a raincoat or coat can be tied easily (usually there is a drawstring on the top of the bag).

< p>Pay attention to the details of mountaineering bags

What is a good product? Just easy to use and durable. Ease of use refers to whether it can bring you maximum comfort. This has been well explained in the structural introduction in the previous part. And this part is all about answering the question of “durability.” Durability depends on quality, and quality often depends on the success or failure of details (here, materials and accessories).

Wood tissue

There are four commonly used hiking bag materials on the market: polyester, nylon, Cordura, and canvas.

Polyester (polyester fiber): is a good fabric with good strength, heat resistance and elasticity. However, the dyeing performance is poor. If you have high requirements for color, it may be difficult to choose this type.

Nylon (nylon, polyamide fiber): light weight, not easy to absorb moisture, fast drying, good strength. But it is afraid of fire and has poor wear resistance.

Cordura: It is a synthetic nylon that is as difficult to absorb moisture as nylon and dries quickly. It has better abrasion resistance and strength than nylon, but is heavier.

Canvas: Wear-resistant. However, it has poor waterproof performance, is prone to moisture, dries slowly and is heavy.

Now you need to know a parameter: Denier (D), which is a parameter that reflects the strength of the hiking bag fabric. The denier value is directly proportional to the thickness of the silk thread. The greater the denier value, the thicker the thread. Overall, 500DCordura is a material that is both strong and waterproof. The bottom of a hiking bag is one of the places most prone to wear and tear.

It is best to use 1000D Cordura fabric.

Besides, ordinary hiking bags themselves are not waterproof and must be equipped with a waterproof cover. If it is a bag with built-in waterproof function, it will generally use PVC waterproof coating, and the more high-end one is PU coating. The coating of PVC material will become very hard when the temperature is low, while the PU coating will not change much. The more times it is applied, the better the waterproof performance. For example, if a bag is coated with PU four times, its waterproof performance can reach more than 1500mm.

To sum up, when considering materials, we consider wear resistance (mainly the bottom), waterproofness, fabric weight, softness, and tear resistance (many backpack parameters include Mentioned mesh, that is, tear resistance), breathability (porous mesh), etc.

Accessory parts

Ribbons: Ribbons are often fragile parts of mountaineering bags, so the quality of a mountaineering bag’s ribbons can directly reflect the overall quality of a mountaineering bag. You can consult the seller about the carrying capacity of the ribbon when purchasing. Some high-quality products can bear a load of more than 200kg.

Zipper: It is best to use YKK zipper (the original brand of zipper with guaranteed quality), and it is double-ended. Before buying, ask the seller if the backpack can be used again if the zipper breaks.

Route: A well-made mountaineering charter route should be neat, dense and even. There should be double sutures in the stressed areas to ensure firmness. Don't choose pieces that are full of threads and tangled lines.

Fasteners: waist buckles, shoulder buckles, back buckles, etc. If you are going to a cold area, be sure to pay attention to whether you can withstand low temperatures. A good fastener has good toughness and will not break once it is fastened

Other latest features: Many mountaineering bags are now developing new functions while improving the necessary quality. For example, this backpack (pictured below) has an LED reflector at the bottom. This thoughtful design is very practical when we travel at night.

The control button of the backpack LED light panel is designed on the shoulder strap. It has two modes: steady and flashing, which can be adjusted as needed. The light source comes from a rechargeable battery and can last for 4 hours. The battery can also be removed from the backpack. The standard USB interface is convenient for charging and cleaning of the backpack.

In short, it’s the old saying: buy what you need. But there are some things I would like to remind everyone: Try to choose a more user-friendly design. For example, does the main bag have side zippers? Can you tighten the strap? Is the bottom thickened? Do you have a whistle on your chest? If the sides are mesh elastic, are they elastic enough?

Purchasing experience

Shopping experience: Be sure to try it back.

Whether a hiking bag is suitable for you has something to do with your length. Even if you have thoroughly examined all the parameters and types, when you arrive at your destination and start preparing to climb, you will find that you are carrying a pair of shackles, and it will be too late to complain at that time. So, before rushing to pay, be sure to memorize it! The specific backtesting steps are as follows

1. Before putting on the backpack, loosen all the adjustment straps and add a certain amount of weight. If you have weight, you will know how the backpack feels when you carry it and whether the adjustment range is appropriate.

2. After putting on the backpack, check whether the curvature of the hidden aluminum strip matches the curve of the back. If not, check to see if the aluminum strip can be bent. If it can be bent, the aluminum strip will naturally bend into a curve that matches the back after being used for a period of time.

3. The connection between the shoulder strap and the backpack is 5-8cm lower than the shoulder, and the gap between the shoulder strap and the backpack is smaller.

4. The chest strap can adjust the opening and closing width of the shoulder straps on the chest, so that the shoulder straps are in a comfortable position on the shoulders and prevent the backpack from shaking.

5. When the backpack is adjusted to the most suitable position, check the view of the head? Can you look up without touching the top of your backpack? Can I still look up at the sky while wearing a helmet? Is the contact area between the backpack and the back comfortable and breathable?

6. After the backpack system is adjusted, jump up and down to see if the center of gravity of the backpack has moved. If you move backwards, then check to see if the adjustment between the shoulder straps and backpack is too loose. If so, tighten it and adjust it again and again until it reaches your ideal level of comfort.

After backpacking for half an hour, if it is not uncomfortable, it will be quite comfortable, so this hiking bag is still very suitable for you. If you are still uncomfortable after repeated adjustments, it means this hiking bag is not suitable for you. If you need the best fit, most bags with aluminum poles inside have the aluminum poles removed. You can bend it according to the shape of your back. At the same time, I don’t agree with lending your hiking bag to others. Many parts of a bag you have carried for many years will deform according to your shape, so it is more suitable for you, so it is not recommended that you lend it to others.

In addition to the methods mentioned in the article, another way to judge whether a mountaineering bag is suitable for you is the discomfort caused by the utilization of the contents of the backpack and the neatness of the items. There is a sleeping bag compartment underneath the outdoor backpack and there is no way to repurpose it. Place the heavy ones in the middle, towards the back, and the light ones on the outside. It is best to be filled with clothes and have a flexible shape so that the center of gravity is stable and the backrest is stable. The top bag is easy to access and is waterproof and small items. This package.

1. If you carry it for too long, the same burden will be very tiring;

2. The shoulder strap fabric is not close enough to the shoulders, and the carrying performance of the backpack is not good;

3. The backpack is not adjusted to the optimal position. The backpack should be adjusted according to your back length.

The belt should be on the bones on both sides to share the pressure on the shoulders, and the back should be completely attached to the backpack;

4. You have poor physical strength, weak shoulder muscles, and cannot bear weight;

Therefore, it is not comprehensive to judge whether a backpack is suitable for you only from the perspective of its quality or adaptability, a