Month: January 2009

When choosing a camping and hiking backpack, there are certain considerations that need to be made by the backpacker. One consideration is the length of the camping and hiking trip, since shorter trips require less space in the pack, with some trips not requiring a camping and hiking backpack at all. Another consideration is the size of the person who is going to be carrying the pack, since a smaller person cannot carry as large a pack comfortably, so the materials that are able to be carried inside are more limited. There are also terrain considerations, with some camping and hiking trips requiring that the hiker go through rivers at certain points in the trip, which could require that a waterproof pack be bought.

Fitting a Backpack

Backpacking and camping safety requires that the camping and hiking backpack be properly fitted to the individual who will be carrying it. If this is not done properly, the individual could injure his back which could not only affect the trip, but also his life after the trip is over, depending on the injury, which can be debilitating.

Many camping and hiking backpacking stores have salespeople who are trained to help an individual to choose and fit just the right backpack. A camping and hiking backpack should not rest on the shoulders to carry it; the majority of the weight should rest on the hips through the belt that goes around the waist. The shoulder and chest straps hold the pack snugly to the body so that the weight distribution is properly placed at the hips, thus relieving the pressure from the back. Since every person’s torso is a different length, which tightening or lengthening the shoulder straps may not solve, there are sizes of backpacks to match the frame of the individual as well as the space, pockets and straps needed in the type of backpack for carrying the supplies for the trip.

Most backpackers have more than one camping and hiking backpack so that they can choose the proper one for that particular trip. There are different types of camping and hiking backpacks as well, including a camel pack, which has limited room inside of it but allows the hiker to carry a small water supply on his back, usually attached to a drinking tube for easy access on the hike. There are also ‘fanny’ packs, which do not have shoulder straps at all, but are carried on the hips through the use of a belt, mainly being used for day hikes.

Choosing the right camping and hiking equipment is critical to the safety and enjoyment of any camping or hiking trip. It is especially important for new campers and hikers since they are already unfamiliar with the past time. For novices, it is a good idea to try out camping and hiking equipment that friends and family own first so that they can experiment and see what they like best. There are also outdoor rental companies that will rent camping and hiking equipment so that different brands and types of equipment can be explored at a minimal cost.

Types of Equipment

A camping or hiking backpack is one essential piece of equipment to be purchased. A backpacker should look for a pack according to the type of trip that will be taken. Many experienced backpackers have multiple packs so that they can choose according to the length of the trip and gear to be carried. For day hikes, smaller packs are needed with less of a requirement for pockets or straps. For longer excursions with camping involved, especially in colder climates, larger packs are required with many different pockets, both inside and outside the pack, and places to strap equipment to the outside. Backpacks should fit comfortably to a person’s body, resting firmly on the hips with the shoulder straps fitting snugly and hooking in front of the chest with larger packs. That way the weight of the pack rests on the hips instead of the back which is safer for the backpacker.

Another piece of hiking and camping equipment is the sleeping bag. These can be cumbersome and hard to pack if the right ones are not chosen. Most sleeping bags will have a larger storage bag for when it is not in use so that the fibers inside of it do not get compacted, and also have a smaller camping bag which the sleeping bag fits snugly into for compact packing on trips. Hiking and camping equipment for sleeping also requires a sleeping pad which not only increases comfort for the camper, but also keeps them warmer, providing a layer of insulation from the cold ground.

Hiking and camping equipment also requires the tent be made for the climate and the number of people going on the trip, as well as being lightweight and compact. Most campers choose two man tents for additional versatility without much added weight. The tent fly should reach all the way to the ground, rather than about six inches from the ground as is found in cheaper versions. If it is not all the way to the ground, water can get in when there is any sort of wind, as well as allowing wind to blow up into the tent. A tarp is also needed as ground cover under the tent to prevent seepage into the tent despite waterproofing.