What type of backpack to buy for first-timer?

camping backpack with frame 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!

What are some helpful things to bring for camping?

Jacinda

I am going to Yosemite to camp for the first time. I have the usuals like a tent, sleeping bag, insect spray, sunblock, flashlight - but what are some other things I should bring?
Oh yes, FOOD! ;)

Answer
These are my check lists i hope you can make use of it and see what you might find needed in your camping trip.
take care...

Gear Checklist: Mountaineering
Clothing
Outerwear
waterproof/breathable jacket
waterproof/breathable pants
insulated parka
fleece jacket or wool sweater
fleece pants
waterproof gaiters
synthetic hiking pants
synthetic shorts
Base Layer
midweight long john top
midweight long john bottoms
long sleeve T-shirt
synthetic briefs
synthetic sports bra
synthetic T-shirt
Accessories
wool or fleece hat
balaclava
midweight wool or fleece gloves
synthetic liner gloves
waterproof overmitts
Footwear
waterproof hiking boots
camp footwear
wool or synthetic socks (3)
liner socks (2)
Extras
sun hat
bandanna
single long whistle: stop
two whistles: resume hiking
three whistles: emergency Gear

Mountaineering Specific Gear
internal frame pack
mountaineering boots
hinged 12-point crampons
mountaineering axe (70cm)
climbing harness
climbing helmet
belay/rappel device
prussik slings or mechanical ascenders
sewn runners
daisy chains
avalanche probe
lightweight avalanche shovel
climbing ropes
protection hardware (nuts, screws, etc.)
ski goggles
glacier glasses
avalanche transceiver
Other Gear
Internal or external frame backpack
convertible or four-season tent
down sleeping bag (-30° to 20°F)
inflatable sleeping pad
closed-cell foam sleeping pad
trekking poles
white gas stove and fuel bottles
lighter and waterproof matches
cookset
eating utensils, bowl, and insulated mug
headlamp w/extra batteries and bulb
32 oz. water bottles (2)
water bottle parkas (2)
water treatment (filter, tablets, or drops)
pocket knife or multitool
compass
sunglasses
first-aid kit with personal medications
chemical heat packs
stuff sacks
assorted zipper-lock bags
bear-bagging rope (or canister)
insect repellent
mesh head net or suit
sunscreen (SPF 15+)
lip balm (SPF 15+)
toilet paper and trowel
pee bottle

Hiking-Mountaineering-Camping Checklist
Target Weight for fully-loaded pack ("every ounce counts!"):
<20 pounds: summer up to 3 overnights
<30 pounds: winter up to 3 overnights

Clothing
hiking boots
socks (2 pair; wool/synthetic, not cotton)
sock liners (personal preference)
long pants
shorts (or zip-off pants)
t-shirt (2; synthetic, not cotton)
underwear (2; synthetic, not cotton)
long sleeve shirt
camp shoes (e.g. sandals)
hat (wool for winter)
bandana
Hiking Gear
backpack
webbing/straps for attaching gear to backpack
trekking or ski poles
whistle
Dog Gear
water bottle
Food
towel/blanket for sleeping
brush

Camping Gear/shared
tent or tarp/ground cover
camp stove
fuel for camp stove (incl backup)
matches (waterproof)
cooking utensils (pot/pan)
water filter
Iodine tablets
watch with altimeter and/or GPS
clothes line
duct tape
multi-tool (e.g. Fisherman's)
camera
cell phone
2-way radios (only if expecting to split groups)
bear spray
Food/shared
dinner (freeze-dried, e.g. pasta, sauce)
breakfast (e.g. oatmeal)
coffee (instant) & creamer
Personal Items
sunglasses
medicines (cold, aspirin, etc)
sleeping aid (e.g. Xanax)
First aid (bandaids, polysporin, needle)
toiletries (tooth brush/paste)
moleskin
knife/scissors (e.g. small Swiss Army)
towel (small, quick-dry)
ear plugs/eye shield
sunscreen (SPS 15+)
Lip balm (SPS 15+)
bug repellant
toilet paper (with extra zip-lock bag)
wipes
map
compass
book
flashlight/headlamp w/ extra batteries
mirror (for signaling)
Camping Gear/individual
sleeping bag (down; light/compressible)
sleeping pad
eating utensils (bowl, mug, spoon)
garbage bag
emergency space blanket
camp chair
pillow case (use filled with clothes)
Food/individual
water bottles/bladder (bladder not when below freezing)
electrolyte replacement (Cytomax, Gatorade)
trail mix or power bars
beef jerky or dried steak nuggets
Lunch (e.g. sandwich)
Medical/shared
medical gloves
SAM splint
Benedryl (for allergic reactions)
Sawyer Extractor (for bites/stings)
Tincture of benzoin (skin disinfectant)
Bloodstopper (to control bleeding)
Roll tape
triangular bandages (cravats)
4"x4" sterile dressing
CPR shield
single long whistle: stop
two whistles: resume hiking
three whistles: emergency

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