Choosing a backpack: what should you look for before you buy?
Thinking about getting a new backpack? Which one is right for you: a school bag, a solid daypack for hiking, or one backpack that does everything? In this article, we share our tips on choosing the right backpack.
Our range includes backpacks suited to all kinds of use. Most backpacks are unisex, but some models also come in versions designed around a women's fit.
Mikko works as an outdoor specialist at our Kuninkoja store. He has nearly 20 years of experience helping hikers, so many of our customers will know his face from over the years. Mikko is also one of the hiking experts behind our guides.
When choosing a backpack, it's worth trying it on with some weight inside. That way you'll notice straight away how the shoulder straps sit on your shoulders and how the pack feels on your back.
Checking out a backpack in person also lets you see what pockets, compartments and attachment points it has. Do you like lots of small pockets, or would you rather have one big main compartment?
Some backpacks come with their own rain cover, while for others you'll need to buy one separately. You can also keep your kit dry inside the pack with dry bags.
Many backpacks have a breathable mesh back panel. It helps keep a sweaty back in check, especially in summer. With really heavy loads, though, it can work against you, as it moves the centre of gravity further away from your back.
On backpacks under 30 l, the shoulder straps do most of the work carrying the weight. Once the pack gets bigger and you're carrying more, pay attention to how supportive the hip belt is too. Somewhere between a daypack and a trekking pack, you'll find 40-litre “lightweight trekking packs” that are more comfortable for heavier loads. These larger packs can often be cinched down with compression straps, so it doesn't matter if the pack is only half full.
Our backpacks come in many different styles. If you like a military or bushcraft look, Savotta offers plenty of very durable backpacks and add-on accessories.
For a more modern style, Deuter and Osprey have lots of popular models. If you want a waterproof backpack, Ortlieb makes well-built packs. Fjällräven is another long-standing favourite, and its best-known backpack is the legendary Kånken.
What matters most, though, is that the backpack suits what you'll use it for and fits all the kit you need without a struggle. So pay attention to size. For day hikes, around 30 l is usually enough, with room for your food and all your cooking gear.
A good backpack adapts to whatever you need, year after year. It works as a daypack on the trail, as a work or school bag during the week, and it looks the way you like.
You'll find all our backpacks here.
You might also find these articles useful:
How to choose the right trekking pack