How to choose a mountaineering bag?

If you choose to go hiking on holiday, then you definitely need a mountaineering bag. The mountaineering bag plays an indispensable role in your journey. As for what role it is, the following small series will tell you how to buy it.

At present, the common types on the market are soft backpack, outer rack bag and inner rack bag. Which type to buy mainly depends on what kind of sports you want to take part in.

A soft backpack

There is no internal or external support, and there is no good backpack system, similar to a student's backpack. Light weight and small size. However, the simple backpack system can't bear a large load and is uncomfortable to carry. Only suitable for ordinary urban tourism, one-day hiking, or one-day mountain climbing in the suburbs.

Outer frame bag

The metal skeleton is outside the backpack, and it is very rare now. This kind of bag has an H-shaped metal frame outside (aluminum alloy is the most common), and camera boxes, stoves and other equipment can be hung outside, so it is very big. However, compared with the inner frame bag, the space between the body and the backpack is larger, which makes the air convection between the body and the backpack better and can keep cool and comfortable when carrying.

However, when the bag is fully loaded, the center of gravity of the outer frame bag is higher, which is more dangerous in the case of bad road conditions. For example, when drilling in dense forests and bamboo bushes, the backpack is easy to be hooked and stuck, and it is easy to suddenly shift its center of gravity and lose its balance when climbing. Therefore, this kind of bag is more suitable for carrying large luggage on flat roads.

Inner frame bag

Moving the metal skeleton into the backpack to make the skeleton and backpack more integrated is the main type of mountaineering bag now. The backpack is more comfortable and has a more stable center of gravity. Compared with the outer bag, this will make your activities more flexible and easier to master the balance. Especially now, most brands have adopted an adjustable carrying system, which will be comfortable to carry when it is adjusted to suit your body shape.

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

What is the capacity of the inner rack bag? General capacity varies from 15L to 120L. For ordinary travelers, a 50L-75L bag can handle most long-distance travel. Of course, if you need to camp in the wild for a long time, such as walking through the no-man's land for dozens of days, you may need one 120 liter, but this is very rare after all. For ordinary outdoor enthusiasts, the capacity is generally considered from the following aspects:

Depending on the type of travel.

Short-distance: Travel 1-3 days, no outdoor camping, less things to carry, you can choose small backpack, generally 20-40 liters.

Medium and long distance: if you travel for more than 3 days or need to bring camping equipment, choose a big bag, and 50L-80L is a long-distance backpack. Women suggest 50L-60L backpacks, and men choose 60L-80L backpacks according to their physical conditions.

By sex

Because men and women have different body shapes and endurance, the choice of outdoor backpacks is not the same. Men and women can choose backpacks for short-distance travel, but for long-distance travel or camping for more than 3 days, when choosing backpacks of 50L-80L or even larger, women can generally choose fewer backpacks than their peers 10L or so. Many brands of backpacks are divided into male and female models. It is suggested that women buy corresponding women's backpacks, which are comfortable and generally beautiful.

According to the length.

At present, many mountaineering bags have adjustable carrying systems, but the adjustment is also within a certain range, so it is very important to choose the size of the carrying system when choosing mountaineering bags.

If the size is large, there will be a feeling of falling, otherwise there will be an upward feeling, which will make the waist stress not in place. After adjusting the appropriate size, the backpack will naturally stick to the back and be very comfortable. Therefore, before buying a mountaineering bag, it is best to know the length of your trunk, that is, the length between your seventh vertebra (parallel to your neck and shoulders) and the bone parallel to your hip.

Generally speaking, if your torso is less than 45 cm long, you should buy a small bag. If your trunk is 45-52 cm long, you should choose a medium-sized bag. If your torso is more than 52 cm long, you should choose a big bag. Good manufacturers provide oversized (more than 56 cm) or oversized (less than 40 cm) bags, which can also be tailored. Of course, the specific model of the mountaineering bag depends on the number of items you carry.

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

Backpack system

The keyword "delivery system" mentioned several times above finally appeared as the protagonist in this part. When you buy a bag, you should not only look at the capacity and quantity, but also look at the size of the backpack system you want to use.

The backpack system of mountaineering bag includes: shoulders, belts, chest belts, stress adjustment belts, backpack support machinery and adjustment devices. When the seller recommends the mountaineering bag, he will emphasize what kind of backpack system is used. So what's the difference between these guys who are full of English code names?

There are too many common backpack systems, and almost every big brand has its own characteristic system. Here are some typical examples for you. Even if you hear a name you haven't seen before, you can refer to the characteristics of the following systems for inquiry and comparison.

TCS: This is the patent of BIGPACK, a mountaineering bag brand. It is specially designed for long-distance bearing. 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 skeleton, and the adjustment is very convenient and easy.

China Railway (China Railway)

Frame: The bearing capacity is slightly lower than that of TCS system, but the structure is greatly simplified and lighter, which makes it play an excellent role in the middle-priced mountaineering bag. It has the highest load/volume ratio and is very suitable for extreme outdoor sports, such as rock climbing and adventure mountaineering. H-shaped large back frame enhances toughness and adopts aluminum-steel alloy metal, which is convenient to adjust and use.

EVO: The system is made of light materials, with ventilation function and adjustable design, which is suitable for beginners. The back frame is lighter than TCS/CR, and the back pad is placed in the friction position, which is very comfortable.

DTS: the patent of the famous brand GREGORY. The design of the traction belt can increase the support of the backpack system, which can not only disperse the weight on the whole elastic steel bar, but also guide the weight to the position of the belt and buttocks without being compressed into the space between the backpack and the body. The breathable and hygroscopic mesh shoulder strap design keeps the part of the backpack in contact with the body comfortable.

Bird's eye view: aluminum inverted U-shaped pillar, 3-point support backpack design and breathable backpack system ensure that the backpack still has good breathability under the condition that the center of gravity closely fits the body, so that the fit and breathability are not contradictory.

Of course, the seemingly complicated technical description above is only a part of the delivery system. In addition, shoulder straps and chest straps can not be ignored.

Shoulder strap: A well-designed mountaineering bag, with thick shoulder strap and exhaust effect. Generally, when the load does not exceed 1/3, it will not feel uncomfortable. 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 two shoulder straps. When using, it should be adjusted so that the backpack is close to the body and has no oppressive feeling. Chest strap has obvious effect in reducing shoulder load.

Backpack pressure belt: the main function is to adjust the capacity of backpack, plug in equipment and keep the center of gravity unchanged.

Center of gravity adjustment belt: the connecting belt between the upper part of the shoulder strap and the backpack is the center of gravity adjustment belt, which usually keeps an angle of 45 degrees.

Generally speaking, the key point of the backpack system is: Can the backpack fit the body better? Can it be more breathable while fitting? Is it strong in bearing capacity? Can you make your backpack lighter? Grasp these four points, and the seller will not dare to fool you with a bunch of strange nouns.

The author suggests that when traveling with more items, choose a backpack with less self-weight as much as possible; Technical activities that need to face complex terrain, such as steep slope climbing, karst terrain crossing, etc. Choose a backpack with a relatively soft backpack system, so that you can bend freely during technical movements such as squatting.

Sensitization system

As the name implies, the loading system refers to the part of the mountaineering bag that loads items. Usually, the design consists of a main bag, a top bag and a side bag. The main bag adopts layered design, that is, there is an opening at the upper and lower ends, and a movable interlayer in the middle, which can be connected or disconnected. When shopping, you can pay attention to whether the side bag and the top bag are detachable, whether the main bag has a computer compartment, a water bag place and a hook, and whether it has the design of elastic capacity.

external system

Mountaineering bag plug-ins usually take the form of point fixing or strip fixing. Hanging point is the design of hanging point. Generally, there is no hanging belt, so you need to prepare it yourself. You can use nylon ropes or buy special suspenders. Usually, two rows of external straps are installed on the front of the backpack, and each row has several fixed points. In view of this, you should also choose according to your own needs, such as whether there are portable crampons, sleds, snowshoes and trekking poles (usually on the side of the backpack), and whether the raincoat or coat can be easily tied (usually with a drawstring on the top of the bag).

Pay attention to the details of the mountaineering bag. What is a good product? It's just easy to use and durable. Ease of use refers to whether it can bring you the greatest comfort, which has been well expounded in the last part of the structure introduction. And this part is to answer the question of "durability". Durability depends on quality, and quality often depends on the success or failure of details (here refers to materials and accessories).

wood tissue

There are four kinds of materials commonly used in the market: polyester, nylon, Cordura and canvas.

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

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

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

Canvas: Wear-resistant. But the waterproof performance is poor, it is easy to get wet, and it dries slowly and has a heavy weight.

Now you need to know a parameter: Denier (D), which is a parameter reflecting the strength of the mountaineering bag fabric. Denier value is proportional to the thickness of silk thread. The larger the denier value, the thicker the silk thread. Generally speaking, 500D

Cordura is a strong waterproof material. The bottom of mountaineering bag is one of the most easily worn places, so it is best to use 1000 cordura fabric.

Besides, waterproof, the mountaineering bag itself is generally not waterproof, so it should be equipped with a waterproof cover. If it is a bag with its own waterproof function, PVC waterproof coating will generally be used, and PU coating is the more upscale one. The coating of PVC material will become very hard at low temperature, while the coating of PU will not change much. The more painting times, the better waterproof performance. For example, if a bag is coated with PU four times, the waterproof performance can reach 1500mm or more.

To sum up, when considering the material, we consider wear resistance (mainly the bottom of the bag), waterproof degree, fabric weight, softness, tear resistance (many backpack parameters will refer to grid cloth, that is, tear resistance), air permeability (porous mesh) and so on.

Subsidiary part

Ribbon: Ribbon is often the weakest part of a mountaineering bag, so the ribbon quality of a mountaineering bag can directly reflect the overall quality of a mountaineering bag. When buying, you can consult the seller about the carrying capacity of the ribbon. The load-bearing capacity of some high-quality products can reach more than 200 kg.

Zipper: YKK zipper (the originator brand of zipper, with guaranteed quality) is the best, with two ends. Before buying, please ask the seller whether the backpack can continue to be used if the zipper is broken.

Car line: The well-made mountaineering car line should be neat, dense and even. There should be double stitches at the stressed place to ensure firmness. Don't choose the job where the lines are everywhere and the car lines are winding.

Fasteners: waist buckle, shoulder buckle, back buckle, etc. If you want to go to a cold area, you must pay attention to whether you can withstand the low temperature. Good fasteners have good toughness, which will not break if they are broken, but will break if they are frozen. However, there is a trend in the design of mountaineering bags, that is, there are more and more metal fasteners, and many brands have begun to use aluminum alloy fasteners instead of plastic.

Other latest functions: Now many mountaineering bags are developing new functions while improving the necessary quality. For example, this backpack (as shown 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-emitting board is designed on the shoulder strap, which has two modes: stable and flashing, and can be adjusted as needed. The luminous power comes from rechargeable battery, which can last for 4 hours. The battery can also be removed from the backpack, the standard USB interface is convenient for charging, and the backpack is convenient for cleaning.

In short, it is still an old saying: buy on demand. But there are some places to remind everyone: try to choose a more humanized design, such as whether the main bag has a side zipper? Can the webbing be fastened? Is the bottom thickened? Is there a whistle on the chest button? If the side pocket is elastic, is it elastic enough?

Buying Experience Buying Experience: Be sure to try it.

Whether the mountaineering bag is suitable for you is related to your length. Even if you look at all the parameters and types thoroughly, when you arrive at your destination and start to climb, you find yourself with a pair of shackles on your back, and it's too late to complain. Therefore, before rushing to pay the bill, you must give it a try! The specific backtesting steps are as follows

1, before the backpack, loosen all adjustment belts and add a certain weight. If you have the weight, you will know the feeling of carrying the backpack and whether the adjustment range is appropriate.

2. After carrying the backpack, check whether the radian of the aluminum strip is consistent with the curve of the back. If not, check whether the aluminum strip can be bent. If it can be bent, the aluminum strip will naturally bend into a curve consistent with the back after being used for a period of time.

3. The joint between the shoulder strap and the backpack should be 5-8cm lower than the shoulder, and the gap between the shoulder strap and the backpack should be small.

4. The chest strap can adjust the width of the shoulder strap on the chest, so that the shoulder strap is in a more comfortable position on the shoulder to prevent the backpack from shaking.

5. When the backpack is adjusted to the most suitable position, how should the line of sight of the head be checked? Can you look up without touching the top of your backpack? Can you still look up at the sky with your helmet on? Is the contact area between backpack and back comfortable and breathable?

6. After the backpack system is adjusted, jump up and down and observe whether the center of gravity of the backpack moves. If you move backwards, see if the adjustment between the shoulder strap and the backpack is too loose. If so, tighten it and adjust it repeatedly until it is adjusted to your ideal comfort.

Backpack for half an hour, if it's not uncomfortable, it's still very comfortable to carry, then this mountaineering bag is still very suitable for you. If you are still uncomfortable after repeated adjustments, this mountaineering bag is not suitable for you. If you need the most suitable one, most bags with aluminum bars can be removed. You can bend your back according to its shape. At the same time, it is not in favor of lending mountaineering bags to others. A bag that has been worn for many years, many parts will be deformed according to your figure, which 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, there is also a possibility to judge whether the mountaineering bag is suitable for you, that is, the utilization rate of the internal volume of the backpack and the discomfort caused by the neatness of the items. Under the outdoor backpack, there is a sleeping bag bin, and there is no way to change its use. Put it in the middle, near the back, and gently put it outside. It is best to put on clothes and elastic things, so that the backrest of the center of gravity is stable, the top bag is easy to take, waterproof and small. This packaging problem,

1, memorizing for too long will make people tired.

2, the shoulder strap fabric is not enough to fit the shoulder, and the carrying performance of the backpack is poor;

3. The backpack is not adjusted to the best position. The backpack should be adjusted according to the length of its back. The straps should be on the bones on both sides to share the shoulder pressure, and the back should be completely close to the backpack;

4, your physical strength is not good, your shoulder muscles are too weak to bear the weight;

Therefore, it is not comprehensive to judge whether the backpack is suitable for you from the perspective of whether the backpack is good or not. There are many reasons.