camping backpack women image
olivia
I'm looking to purchase an internal frame backpack for the first time and am wondering what size/capacity I should get. I'm a tall woman, 5'9" with long legs and torso. I'm looking to get into backpacking, so the maximum amount of time I would be backpacking would be a week. What sizes/brands can you recommend?
Answer
If you are sure this is something you want to continue doing for a few years, I would recommend buying a decent bag from the start, so stay away from Wal-Mart type brands. The brands I have had luck with are:
- Osprey (all-time favorite, never bought one of their bags that didnt feel great and last long)
- Gregory (consistently great bags, my wife had a great experience with her Gregory bag)
- Marmot (never bought one of their bags, but all their other gear is top-notch)
- Black Diamond (especially for climbing/skiing)
- Arcteryx (heavier than others, but top quality and will last forever)
- Mountain Hardwear
- North Face (can be hit or miss)
This should be a general guideline for choosing good brands, but it is CRUCIAL that you try on any bag that you consider buying. Sizing ranges are different for every manufacturer and the specific shape and size of your back and hips will make some bags feel like a dream and others feel like a painful nightmare. Any hiking/climbing store worth its weight will have people to help you try on bags and they should even have sandbags to put in the pack to simulate a heavy load.
As for size of the backpack, it will depend on where, when, and how you backpack. For 3-season (ie non-winter) backpacking, with average gear, a 60-Liter pack is a good size for beginners and will hold enough gear for 3-5 days if you pack smart. As you upgrade your gear to smaller and lighter equipment and learn what to take and what not to, your bag will probably shrink. However, if you plan to do winter camping or longer hikes, you may need something larger. Personally, I have a 20L frameless pack for summit days, a 35L pack for day hikes, a 45L pack for ice/alpine climbing and 1-2 day hikes, a 65L pack for longer backpacking trips, and an 85L monster for expedition and gear-laden winter camping. As you get more into the sport, you will probably end up with a few packs as well, but something mid-range (like I said, 60L or so) is a great start.
I don't really want to recommend any specific packs, but I will tell what is, in my opinion, a great starter pack (and one you will keep for years, like I did). Assuming it FITS YOU well, look into the Osprey Aura-65 (womens version of the Atmos-65 pack). It is very light for the price, strong, carries comfortably, and has back-ventilation (which may not sound like a big deal, but it is nice in the summers). You can find it for as little as $170, which is a steal for a bag of this quality. Again, though, this is just a starting point and if it doesn't fit you like a glove, move to something else.
Best of luck!
If you are sure this is something you want to continue doing for a few years, I would recommend buying a decent bag from the start, so stay away from Wal-Mart type brands. The brands I have had luck with are:
- Osprey (all-time favorite, never bought one of their bags that didnt feel great and last long)
- Gregory (consistently great bags, my wife had a great experience with her Gregory bag)
- Marmot (never bought one of their bags, but all their other gear is top-notch)
- Black Diamond (especially for climbing/skiing)
- Arcteryx (heavier than others, but top quality and will last forever)
- Mountain Hardwear
- North Face (can be hit or miss)
This should be a general guideline for choosing good brands, but it is CRUCIAL that you try on any bag that you consider buying. Sizing ranges are different for every manufacturer and the specific shape and size of your back and hips will make some bags feel like a dream and others feel like a painful nightmare. Any hiking/climbing store worth its weight will have people to help you try on bags and they should even have sandbags to put in the pack to simulate a heavy load.
As for size of the backpack, it will depend on where, when, and how you backpack. For 3-season (ie non-winter) backpacking, with average gear, a 60-Liter pack is a good size for beginners and will hold enough gear for 3-5 days if you pack smart. As you upgrade your gear to smaller and lighter equipment and learn what to take and what not to, your bag will probably shrink. However, if you plan to do winter camping or longer hikes, you may need something larger. Personally, I have a 20L frameless pack for summit days, a 35L pack for day hikes, a 45L pack for ice/alpine climbing and 1-2 day hikes, a 65L pack for longer backpacking trips, and an 85L monster for expedition and gear-laden winter camping. As you get more into the sport, you will probably end up with a few packs as well, but something mid-range (like I said, 60L or so) is a great start.
I don't really want to recommend any specific packs, but I will tell what is, in my opinion, a great starter pack (and one you will keep for years, like I did). Assuming it FITS YOU well, look into the Osprey Aura-65 (womens version of the Atmos-65 pack). It is very light for the price, strong, carries comfortably, and has back-ventilation (which may not sound like a big deal, but it is nice in the summers). You can find it for as little as $170, which is a steal for a bag of this quality. Again, though, this is just a starting point and if it doesn't fit you like a glove, move to something else.
Best of luck!
What are the best brands/ styles for women's backpacking boots?
punk_pony
I am going to be a camp counselor leading 3-12 day backpacking trips this summer and I need some new boots. This is going to be the most backpacking I have done in one summer, and I want to make sure I have the right shoes for it. Most of the hiking will be done on well maintained trails with a bit of cross country. Thanks for your help!
Answer
Poppy: By "style" she probably means "type", like high-ankle, low-ankle, leather, mesh, etc.
Anyway Mosh, it's different for different people and situations. Are you going to be carrying a heavy pack or do you have weak ankles or anything like that? If so, you might want high boots to support your ankles in case you stumble. But those can sometimes rub more or become too hot, so think about it.
What will the weather be like? If it will be mostly sunny you might want to look for more breathable boots with some mesh so your feet don't cook. If you think it will be wet/rainy though, don't get mesh.
Don't get boots that restrict your toes, because they can get injured by walking all day in a cramped position. When you find a boot you like, try it in a half-size up and see if it's more comfortable. But also make sure your heel doesn't slip around too much or you might get blisters.
Make sure the arch feels good, and/or consider getting inserts. (This is very much up to your own experience and judgement.)
And of course make sure there are no parts of the boot that poke or rub or press on any part of your foot. It may seem like a tiny detail at first, but after a day it will hurt. Boots lined with a good amount if squishy padding are good because it ensures none of the stiffer materials will be resting against your ankle/foot. :) I have some Adidas and some Vasque like that, they both have great padding and never rub or give me blisters, especially the Adidas. But don't pick by brand, everyone's foot-shape is different and every brand is shaped different, so pick the one that fits your feet.
Also, always bring extra socks and duct tape or moleskin or something. :)
Poppy: By "style" she probably means "type", like high-ankle, low-ankle, leather, mesh, etc.
Anyway Mosh, it's different for different people and situations. Are you going to be carrying a heavy pack or do you have weak ankles or anything like that? If so, you might want high boots to support your ankles in case you stumble. But those can sometimes rub more or become too hot, so think about it.
What will the weather be like? If it will be mostly sunny you might want to look for more breathable boots with some mesh so your feet don't cook. If you think it will be wet/rainy though, don't get mesh.
Don't get boots that restrict your toes, because they can get injured by walking all day in a cramped position. When you find a boot you like, try it in a half-size up and see if it's more comfortable. But also make sure your heel doesn't slip around too much or you might get blisters.
Make sure the arch feels good, and/or consider getting inserts. (This is very much up to your own experience and judgement.)
And of course make sure there are no parts of the boot that poke or rub or press on any part of your foot. It may seem like a tiny detail at first, but after a day it will hurt. Boots lined with a good amount if squishy padding are good because it ensures none of the stiffer materials will be resting against your ankle/foot. :) I have some Adidas and some Vasque like that, they both have great padding and never rub or give me blisters, especially the Adidas. But don't pick by brand, everyone's foot-shape is different and every brand is shaped different, so pick the one that fits your feet.
Also, always bring extra socks and duct tape or moleskin or something. :)
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Title Post: What type of backpack to buy for first-timer?
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Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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