Expert reviews recommend considering the following when selecting a backpack.

  • Choose a size that matches your loads. Don't automatically get a big backpack. Unless the backpack has excellent compression features, too large a pack won't balance as well as one sized to fit your gear. Experts recommend taking your actual clothes and gear to the store when you try on backpacks, or if you buy online, loading it at home right away to check the fit and comfort.
  • Compression straps adjust smaller loads for better balance. You can use a large pack with a smaller load if the compression straps work well enough to keep the gear in the best place.
  • Choose fabric tough enough for the trips you plan. Many ultralight packs are fine for open trails, but they generally use fabric too delicate to withstand climbing over boulders, or bushwhacking through thorny vegetation.
  • Adjustable fit helps. This is especially important if you plan to share a pack with someone else. Most packs adjust to fit various torso lengths within a certain range, but some don't adjust at all. Some backpacks are easy to adjust even while you're wearing them, which can add a lot to their comfort.
  • Interchangeable suspension. In most cases, interchangeable shoulder straps and hip belts deliver a better fit than a one-size-fits-all system. Look for a system that suits your needs. If more than one person is going to use the pack, be sure it can accommodate each user's body type.
  • For women, packs designed for women usually fit best. This matters most for heavy loads. Reviews say this is not the case for every woman, so it's a good idea to try unisex backpacks too.
  • Hydration bladders are lighter than water bottles. Backpack hydration systems usually consist of a plastic bladder in a special pocket, a feeder tube and a slot for the tube to exit the pack. Besides saving weight, this system is more convenient so you're more apt to stay hydrated.
  • Lids that convert to daypacks add versatility. Many backpacks have lids that hold frequently used items. Some lids convert into daypacks or fanny packs, allowing you to take off on a side trip and leave your main gear at base camp. Owners downplay this feature, however, saying some detachable daypacks work well, while most are more trouble than they're worth.

In the course of our research, we also found some useful tips for judging a backpack's comfort and fit:

  • Your overall height does not automatically determine your torso length. Measure your torso from the seventh vertebra (the bones at the base of your neck) to the spot about an inch above your tailbone. That length is generally 18 to 22 inches.
  • Remember that a hip belt is not a waist belt. Be sure the belt rides on your hips, not around the softer and less supportive waist area, and that there's enough room to cinch it.
  • Check that the shoulder straps meet the pack just below the crest of your shoulders. Also, make sure they match the curves of your neck and shoulders, or they'll pinch.
  • Your head should have enough clearance to enable you to look up; you should be able to adjust the lid pocket so it leans away from your head.

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