First and foremost, it is your intended use that should guide your choice of hiking backpack. The type of hiking you do (distance, number of days, level of self-sufficiency) is of course essential when selecting a hiking backpack suited to your needs. But other factors also come into play when determining how comfortable your hiking backpack will be to carry over long hours.
Carrying a hiking backpack
Load-carrying comfort is certainly the most essential selection criterion. It will determine a large part of the comfort you experience during your hikes with your pack. Indeed, the weight of your pack rests largely on your hips, and also on your shoulders. It is therefore essential to pay attention to the carry system to avoid back pain.
It is, for example, absolutely necessary to have a hip belt. This type of strap is important: it relieves your shoulders by redistributing the weight towards the hips. For multi-day hikes or a walking weekend, a padded hip belt is strongly recommended. Today, quality backpack brands all offer very appreciable, semi-rigid hip belts, which even include small storage pockets to keep useful items within easy reach.
The chest strap is also important for carrying a hiking backpack. It helps distribute the load across the shoulders and keeps the shoulder straps correctly in place. The chest strap is useful and effective — it must be properly adjusted and, above all, actually used. Too many walkers leave it loose and don't bother with it. This makes the shoulder carry slack and unconsciously forces you to lean forward. Over time, this posture creates lower back pain that is quite difficult to bear and correct.
Load lifter straps are used to adjust your carry position so that the pack sits correctly at the level of your collar bones. They are equally important — even critical — for adjusting your hiking backpack in a correct and balanced way.
By adjusting your pack correctly, you will carry the bulk of your hiking backpack's weight on your hips: you can transfer around 65 to 70% of the load to your hips, as this is the best way to relieve pressure on your shoulders and back, which are far more vulnerable.
The frame of a hiking backpack
The frame of a backpack is essential for your comfort. It is, in a sense, the skeleton of the hiking backpack — it determines the balance of the pack and your mobility during exertion. The best modern frames bring the hiking backpack closer to your back, offering better compactness and improved mobility.
There are two types of frame:
The external frame
External frames were very common in the past. Today, this system has disappeared, replaced by integrated frames. Their drawbacks include very high weight and a load that is often awkward to handle. This type of frame is still used on certain specialised packs designed for very heavy loads.
The internal frame
Internal frame systems are integrated into the pack. They are made from lighter materials, offering a considerable weight saving. Moreover, the materials used today are less rigid, making hiking backpacks more functional and far more comfortable. The load is carried closer to the body, allowing a more compact configuration that gives the walker better balance and improved mobility during exertion. The pack effectively "follows" your every movement without any inertia or lag, with no pendulum effect.
Moisture management?
Today, most outdoor gear manufacturers offer packs with good moisture management. Perforated materials or mesh panels allow air to circulate over the areas in contact with your body. When choosing a hiking backpack, make sure to select one with adequate ventilation and effective moisture evacuation. If moisture builds up on your back and lower back, it is not only unpleasant but can also lead to a rapid chill immediately after exertion or when the temperature drops.
Compression straps
Choosing a pack based on volume is not always straightforward. You are not expected to use the full volume of your pack all the time. That is why compression straps are essential. If, for a shorter hiking trip, you only fill your backpack halfway, it is important to have compression buckles. These straps on the outside of the pack allow you to adjust the volume when it is not completely full. This way, your load is always well secured and as compact as possible. Nothing rattles around inside the pack (fewer damaged items) and nothing creates imbalance or twisting that can harm your walking stability. Once you have tightened your load, nothing should move inside your hiking backpack when you give it a gentle shake.
A hiking backpack should be a comfortable companion on your adventures. It is important to know how to choose it, load it and adjust it. Take the time during your first outings with a new hiking backpack to fine-tune the fit, and adjust it throughout the day as you go. Generally, after two or three hikes, you should have a pretty clear idea of its perfect position on your back.
