Backpackinglight · Guide
Choosing a backpack – the right volume, fit and suspension system
Choose your backpack based on what you will carry and how it fits you. A lightweight backpack is only a good choice if it works with your actual gear.
Ideally, try several models with a load. The one that looks best on paper may fit less well than another when you walk, bend and carry food for the longest section.
In this guide
- Assess volume and your heaviest load.
- Try out torso length, hip belt and shoulder straps.
- Choose a framed or frameless pack according to your needs.
- Assess pockets, adjustments and moisture protection.
- Test the pack on a shorter trip.
1. Start with your gear
Weigh your gear and test-pack it before choosing a backpack. Add food, water and fuel for the section on which you will carry the most. A pack that is just right on the last day may be too small or uncomfortable straight after a resupply.
The volume you need depends on both gear and season. Winter insulation and food for many days take up more space. The stated capacity in litres may include external pockets, and manufacturers do not always measure it in the same way.
2. Fit comes before the model name
Torso length and hip belt
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for measuring torso length; your height alone is not enough. Check that the hip belt sits correctly, can be tightened without reaching the end of its adjustment range, and distributes the load without pressure points. On models with adjustable torso length, test the setting under load too.
Shoulder straps and sternum strap
J-shaped and S-shaped describe the strap's curve, not a guaranteed fit for a particular body type. Feel where the strap makes contact, whether it rubs against your neck or arm, and how the sternum strap sits. Try it with the clothing you wear on trips.
Wide, vest-style shoulder straps can distribute the load over a larger area. Hip support and sternum strap placement vary between models, so assess the whole suspension system rather than assuming a particular harness suits everyone.
3. Framed or frameless?
A frame helps many backpacks transfer load to the hip belt and retain their shape. A frameless pack can work with lighter, carefully packed gear, but places greater demands on how you arrange the contents.
Check the manufacturer's recommended load for the specific model and try your heaviest planned load. The previous guide's experiences with heavy loads in lightweight packs are not a general promise that all lightweight backpacks can handle the same weight.
Do you need load lifters?
Load lifters are straps connecting the shoulder straps to the upper part of the pack. They can help adjust how the load sits against your body when the suspension system's design allows them to work properly. Their usefulness depends on the frame, torso length and load – not just capacity in litres.
A lightweight backpack without load lifters is not necessarily a problem. Their presence does not automatically mean better comfort either. Try both options with your gear.
4. Details that matter during the day
- External pockets that let you reach water, rainwear and frequently used items.
- Compression that keeps the contents stable as your food bag gets smaller.
- Enough space without packing unnecessary extras just because the pack is large.
- Protection for sleeping gear and dry clothing – water-repellent fabric does not automatically make the whole pack waterproof.
- Materials and reinforcements suited to how and where you use the pack.
5. Fitting checklist
- Pack the backpack with representative gear and your heaviest planned load.
- Adjust torso length and hip belt before fine-tuning the shoulder straps.
- Walk for a while, bend over and check whether the pack slips or pulls backwards.
- Check for pressure against your neck, chest, shoulders and hips.
- Try reaching the pockets, opening the pack and compressing it.
- Take a day hike or short overnight trip before the long-distance hike.
About this guide
The previous page contains a longer discussion by and about Jörgen Johansson and Vandra Fjäderlätt, along with older model and weight lists. The original is preserved separately. Here, the advice has been reorganised into a practical selection guide; historical load figures and model weights are not presented as today's general specifications. No backpack is recommended solely on the basis of gender, popularity or low empty weight.
