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How to Choose Hiking & Backpacking Equipment : How to Choose a Backpack for Long Backpacking Trips

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:44:41 +0000

Learn how to choose a backpack for long hiking trips to stay safe, warm and found while spending the day hiking in thisfree hiking safety video series. Expert: Kate Carcio Contact: www.zoaroutdoor.com Bio: Kate Carcio, a white water rafting guide, and climbing instructor at Zoar Outdoor, has enjoyed hiking and backpacking all of her life. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

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Backpack Diaper Bags: Perfect For Moms or Dads on the Go

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:40:48 +0000

Backpack diaper bags make one of the most practical baby accessories for busy moms or dads. These bags offer parents a way to carry their baby gear with both hands free. A well-made backpack diaper bag can be strapped on securely, allowing mom or dad to carry baby and any other items needed for a family outing.
Picnics and Hikes Are a Breeze
One of the best uses of a backpack diaper bag is carting baby gear on a family outdoor outing. One of the reasons that parents of babies rarely go hiking or have a family picnic is the vast amount of gear that they must lug with them to take their little one for a family outing. This gear, added to all of the essentials for a picnic, makes it nearly impossible to enjoy an outdoor meal. Backpack diaper bags eliminate this problem. They have enough room for all of the gear, including bottles, diapers, changing pads, wipes, and anything else you could think to bring. Many models even have enough room for food and drinks as well, eliminating the need for an additional cooler.
For a family hike, one parent could carry the backpack diaper bag, and the other could carry the baby in a backpack or front carrier. Now parents who love the outdoors can still enjoy their favorite pastimes without having to hire a babysitter. They can teach their baby to love the outdoors as much as they do with the help of the right diaper bag.
Benefits of Backpack Diaper Bags
Parents who choose to purchase backpack diaper bags receive numerous benefits. First, they eliminate much of the back and shoulder strain that comes from lugging around a heavy bag on one shoulder. A backpack distributes the weight of all of the baby gear on both shoulders, evening out the amount of work the various muscles must do.
Another benefit of backpack diaper bags is the fact that they are not gender-specific. Most dads do not want to carry around a diaper bag covered in cute ducks or teddy bears. A backpack looks great on both guys and gals, so dads do not have to have a separate bag to use when they want to take the baby somewhere.
Shopping for Bags
Whether you are shopping for a backpack diaper bag for yourself or someone else, there are some features you will want to look for before you make a purchase. First, make sure that the backpack has plenty of dividers and compartments. There are some things that you will want to keep separate from others when you pack the bag. Also, compartments make it easier to find the items that you need when you are on the go.
If you would like to use the backpack as a carry all for your items as well as your baby’s things, make sure it has enough room. Look for a bag that has compartments for your gear, such as your PDA or phone, a first aid kit, or drinks for mom and dad. Outside drink holders are a nice feature, and many of the best backpack diaper bags have insulated compartments you can use to keep milk or food cool while you hike. A padded compartment for delicate items, like a camera, is also something to consider.
If you or your friend are planning on using the diaper bag on hikes, make sure you choose one that is easy to clean and made out of water resistant material. You never know when you will be caught in an unexpected shower while you are out with your baby. Also, if you intend to travel with the backpack, make sure it is the right size to fit in the carry-on compartment of the airplane.
Whether you’re a new parent, or an old pro, a backpack diaper bag should be on your list of necessary baby gear. Not only will it simplify your outdoor adventures but you will find it indispensable for your everyday ones as well.

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My Backpack

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:14:14 +0000

Image taken on 2009-10-14 11:15:08 by barron.

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Mountain Hardwear Koa 55 Backpack Review

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:17:40 +0000

Review for the MHW Koa 55 Backpack.Awesome 3-5 day or ultralight weeklong backpack.

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Backpack Design – The Three Types of Backpacks

admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 05:22:33 +0000

Backpacks are generally categorized into three: frameless, external frame, and internal frame. The main purpose of a frame is to support the backpack and helps to distribute the weight across your whole body, mainly on the hips so that your shoulders are not bearing all the burden.
Frameless Backpacks
This is the simplest and most inexpensive type of backpack you can find. The most basic design consist of one main pocket and connected to a set of shoulder straps. They are more used for general stuff rather than hiking. However, some are suitable for outdoor activities like hiking. Some more advanced versions have a suspension system like waist strap, chest strap and padded shoulders.
External Frame Backpacks
This is an old favorite with backpackers because of its large capacity and strong frame. The frame is very rigid and it supports a sack made of cloth or other materials.
External frames allow for users to carry a heavier weight than a frameless pack could. It also gives the wearer more support and protection and better weight distribution. The frames have been made of wood until about the middle of the twentieth century.
This type of backpack is not very common today and the frames are now made of lightweight metal tubes, often aluminum and sometimes titanium or scandium. A system of straps and pads keep the sack and frame from contacting the body so you get reduced sweatiness.
It is normal practice to strap bulky items such as camping tents, sleeping bags and pads on the frame because some parts of the frame are not occupied by the pack. The main compartment is usually small compared to internal frame backpacks to allow for these bulky items to be strapped.
The problem with external frame backpacks is the center of gravity is very high up and away from the body resulting in instability. Keeping your balance especially when climbing up hills is not an easy task with external frame backpacks.
Users also complain of getting bruises as a result of the uncushioned frame rubbing or hitting against the body. However, external frame backpacks are very durable.
Internal Frame Backpacks
Invented in 1967 by Greg Lowe, the internal frame backpack has replaced external frame backpacks as the standard pack for hikers. Greg Lowe later went on to found Lowepro, a company specializing in backpacks and other carrying solutions for various equipment.
The frame which consists of strips of metal or plastic is integrated into the pack. A system of straps works with the frame to distribute the weight.
An internal frame backpack is fitted closely to the body and therefore the load is more easily controlled and easily predictable. You have more freedom of movement and are ideal for scrambling over rocky surfaces and hiking uphill. However, the close fit presents another problem; poor ventilation and therefore sweatier backs.
Unlike external frame backpacks, there are only a few (if any) lash points for your tent or sleeping bag and there is a limit to the size of whatever you want strapped to the outside of the pack. Fortunately, modern internal frame backpacks have a large capacity so that all of your gear can fit inside.

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4 Lifesaving Tips For Packing a Backpack For Hiking

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 03:22:23 +0000

You feel the weight of the world on your shoulders. . . literally. The night before starting your camping trip, you tossed all of your gear into your backpack. And now every step up the mountain is a struggle. As the mountain becomes steeper and steeper, you increasingly begin to dread the way that you packed your backpack. You assumed that if you successfully fit all of your gear into the various compartments of the pack, then you would be prepared.
But as you near the mountaintop, the poor weight distribution in your backpack meets gravity, causing you to lose your balance. Suddenly, gravity takes over and you start falling backwards. As your arms and neck lanyards flap in the air, you realize how important proper packing of backpacks, actually is.
Packing it up
On any camping trip, the backpack is one of the most vital tools that you will need. It is virtually a moving van without wheels. Much of the equipment that you require can be stored in a backpack. Whether your hiking trip is going to last a day or a week, there are definitely right and wrong ways to pack your stuff. But never be alarmed! The process is much easier than it may seem at first. Just follow some basic guidelines:
Throwing your (backpack’s) weight around
Using the proper weight distribution is one of the keys to packing your backpack properly. This will allow you to maintain proper posture, and help your body to feel comfy whether you are scaling a mountain or crossing a stream. Here are some guidelines to follow:
At the top of your backpack, you should pack equipment that you might need to use throughout the day. This could include your parka, a flashlight, and your favorite sweet or salty snack food. These items should be as easily accessible as flat neck lanyards.
Place the heaviest items towards the backpack’s center, in close proximity to your back. Position clothing around the gear, to create some insulation. In addition, create horizontal balance with this hefty gear.
Underneath the heaviest gear, pack lighter gear, such as your tent and sleeping bag, which you will not require throughout the day.
If you are using a pack for hiking trips lasting multiple days, it may contain straps and hoops. These pieces are ideal for placing items such as tent poles. However, you should keep in mind that balance is always the name of the game. If too much weight is added to the outside of the backpack, gravity could pull you backwards, causing back strain if you lean forward to perform a balancing act.
Small but significant
Aside from the main compartment of your hiking backpack, you should also consider smaller pockets; like round neck lanyards, these storage tools may be small in size, but they are vital to your hiking experience. Side mesh pockets are some of the most useful types of pockets. When you need to hydrate, you want the process to be easy as 1-2-3. These pockets literally put items such as water bottles, bags of chips and sunscreen bottles, within reach.
Besides mesh pockets, today’s backpacks contain a variety of other pocket types, which can store a cornucopia of items. There are perfect pockets for wallets, mobile phones, pens, change, etc. And with portable electronic devices becoming more important in our lives, many backpacks include storage areas for portable MP3 or CD players, and special designs to prevent the cords from becoming a bird’s nest.
How important can packing your backpack before your next hiking trip, be? It can make your hike comfortable. It can make your hike efficient. In fact, it can even save your life!

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Picnic Backpack: Why you Should Go for It

admin — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:48:41 +0000

Camping and picnic is one of the most favourite outdoor activities that people love to do whenever they have a free time, especially during weekend holiday. You may go camping picnic with family and friends or anyone. When we talk about picnic or camping, one of the most important issue that first come into our mind is the equipments that we are going to use during the trip. There are so many questions like how to prepare stuff for a curtain kind of camping? Which equipment should to buy? and more. But of the most common question that I have been asked constantly is about picnic backpack, which many people still want guideline about how they can prepare effectively for their picnic.

In the past, we may have seen a lot of people using picnic baskets, but today many people have changed to use picnic backpack instead of picnic basket, due to the convenience and more capacity that picnic backpack can offer so you can rest assured that you will enjoy the trip together with the one you love. Is you are the one that currently use picnic basket like the old times, I strongly suggest to change using picnic backpack and you will find that it provides you more than you ever thought of.

Some people who familiar with picnic basket may have not seen what picnic backpack look like and how to use it. Picnic back is typically similar to hiking backpack. In terms of external look picnic backpack is look pretty much alike ordinary hiking backpack, which usually made from common fabric such as canvas and acrylic. But if we look inside of the backpack and will can see the major different. That is, interior of hiking backpack is specially designed to contain hiking stuff such as trial equipment, clothes and canvas shoes etc. But the interior of picnic backpack is designed to contain picnic stuff. However, it is still hard to imagine about how picnic backpack look like, so let me give you an example for clearly understanding. For example, picnic backpack is able to contain picnic accessories such as plates, wine glasses napkins and a cooler compartment to store your food. It will have special section inside the bag to contain these kind of stuff with extra protection to prevent broken. The backpack may also have the section that use for containing roll of picnic blanket.

About the material that they are made from, as mentioned earlier that picnic backpack generally made from ordinary canvas but they also have kind of cushioned shoulder straps for convenient and comfortable carrying. The special part of picnic backpack can be found inside as there is plenty of space to contain picnic equipment such as lunch boxes, cooler component to maintain food still fresh and ice pouch. Moreover, for wine lover, they could not miss their favourite wine during the picnic, picnic backpack also provide special space for wine bottles and wine glasses with considerable protection so you can be sure that wine bottles and glass will not broken.

It can be said that today most of people still using old-fashion picnic basket, meanwhile there are many people have tried picnic backpack as they can see many of benefit to use them. So it is your own considerations about which kind that suit you the most and then just go for it.

What size hiking backpack for europe?

admin — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:56:10 +0000

I am going to ireland in the winter, and want a good backpack. I will be gone for several weeks, so I am looking at the bigger packs — right now, it seems like something around 5000 cubic inches would be the right size to carry clothes, shoes, a small amount of makeup and hair product, and a blanket as well as some toiletries. I am having some trouble finding a good backpack; basically, I want something that is the right size for me and isn’t going to break while I’m trekking.
I am about 5′6″ tall and fairly thin. I am not exactly super strong either….does anyone know if 5000-6000 cu3 is too large?

thank you

Backpack Tips by a Lightly-Seasoned Veteran

admin — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 04:38:28 +0000

As a college senior entering his final semester en route to a 6-year Bachelor’s Degree (not by design, but by indecision and poor scheduling) I consider myself qualified in the subject of backpacks. Of course, I do not wish to label myself as strictly a ’school backpacker’. In fact, as an Eagle Boy Scout I was no stranger to the damp hikes of the Washington wilderness with my sturdy external frame hiking pack. I have since traveled the world for work with my protective laptop backpack, and I now frequent the Rocky Mountains with my trusty mountain bike and hydration pack.

Now that my backpack credentials have been established, I would like to throw in my two cents in each category. I’ll start with school backpacks. Organization is key! I need a nice spacious main compartment with a multi-pocketed front pouch for all my nick-knacks. Pens, pencils, erasers, staplers, and (most importantly) candy and gum. Snacks. That’s what got me through high school. I also need some serious durability. Normally you would pair the term ‘durability’ with your outdoor packs as a requirement, but regardless of how dedicated you are to Mother Nature, I would love to see a man who has used his hiking pack as many times as the college grad has used his school packs since kindergarten. The fact is, your school backpack takes a beating. It doesn’t help that at the end of a wonderfully frustrating exam-filled day you skid your backpack across the ground (with it’s 85 lbs of books and loose paper) and kick it all the way home. I was lucky if a school backpack ever lasted me a full school year, let alone two. That is, until I found my current treasure, a beautiful North Face backpack that has served me well for over 2 years and still looks like the day I got it.

As for hiking backpacks, comfort is key! Yes all the fancy straps, clips, and cords are neat, but when you’re 2 miles into a 30 mile hike and your back and shoulders already feel like silly putty, you’re not too worried about your secret pockets and fancy bells and whistles. In fact, you’re burning everything you can spare in the evening fire to try to shed some weight. My advice, get a nice, ergonomic frame with a vented air-passage on the back and a padded, sturdy waist strap. Your legs and hips can support a lot more weight much more comfortably than your shoulders can. Make sure your pack is sized to fit your body type (some even have adjustable frames to get it just right).

Laptop backpacks should be all about protection. Make sure your notebook computer fits snug and has good padding all the way around. Backpacks tend to get tossed around and you don’t want your notebook computer to take a hard shot on the corner without padding to absorb the impact. Ogio makes a great line of laptop backpacks with a special attention to style as well. InCase makes some as well with a very soft, thick, padded pouch.

My modest investment in a hydration backpack was one of my smartest moves as an sportsman. You can’t have too much water when your out in the wilderness on a bike, board, or climb and a hydration backpack is the smartest and easiest way to keep hydrated. It can typically hold from 1-3 liters of water and they are light and snug enough that you barely even notice it on your back. They generally have additional compartments to hold a Cliff bar, knife, and some tools, for example.

Wherever life takes you, make sure your belongings are tucked a way in the appropriate backpack. To see a great line of sport, work, school, and travel backpacks, go to BackpackStash. com.

Which overnight hiking/camping backpack is better?

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:44:00 +0000

am looking to buy a backpack for overnight weekend/weeklong hiking/camping. I am a beginner so bear with me. There are 3 packs on my local craigslist and I was wondering if you could tell me what would be the best buy.

They are the-

Jansport Cascade 65-
http://appleton.craigslist.org/spo/11600…

Jansport Rockies 100-
http://appleton.craigslist.org/spo/11600…

Jansport Purist 56-
http://appleton.craigslist.org/spo/11600…

I am thinking the main things I need is space for my sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and tent. Then I can just squish in the food clothes and water wherever.

I am quite poor and this is a relatively big investment for me so any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time.

P.S.-

Ive been on one hiking expedition to havisupai in Arizona. It was 10 miles each way. I’m thinking of doing things similar to this.

If that helps at all