Intended purpose

It seems simple, but unless you define the activities you do, it will only try the one-size-fits-all method. You will get a backpack, but it is not likely to be used often. It will end up lying in the closet between the cross-country skis you had to have and under the ridiculously extravagant poncho you picked up on a whim in old Mexico. Are you using it to take books to class? Do you love to walk through the wilderness near your home? Perhaps you work as a surveyor and need to bring the tools of your trade to plot a new road? Some first responders have “carry bags” ready to go out in an emergency in no time. Knowing what you use your backpack for is the first step to buying the right one.

Compartments and Pockets

You figured out what you want to do with your backpack, now ask yourself how many compartments you need to do it. Just school books? A large compartment for books and a small pocket for sundries might do the trick. Professional photographer? At least 2-3 heavily padded compartments for cameras, lenses, flash and tripods. Small pockets for keys, passport, currency and credentials, and a separate area for a bottle of water. These are 2 distinctly different day packs. The second backpack could work for books too, but the single compartment would make the photographer very frustrated and probably look like a clumsy newbie.

Type and number of belts

Hey? Today daypacks come with 1 strap (mono), 2 straps (padded or rope type), with or without a sternum strap, and with or without a belt. Espresso machine and surround sound sold separately! It’s tempting to put your hands up and say “whatever,” but if you do more than walk from the sidewalk to the door, it makes a BIG difference. Have you ever gone down a mountain without a belt and the backpack hits your back with every step? Trail runners will think you’re crazy if you don’t have a sternum strap to keep it from slipping off your shoulders every time you dodge a rock or hole. I wouldn’t want to be shooting down the highway without knowing that I have secure, fully adjustable straps to prevent my backpack from getting caught on the rear axle of the bike!

Hydration compatibility

If your backpack is an empty bag to throw away dirty underwear during wash day, this feature is not one you should consider. Those who are outdoors will tell you that a backpack that supports hydration is a necessary convenience. Carrying a bottle of water in hand or taking off your backpack and groping when you’re thirsty makes for a longer and tedious journey that you should be enjoying. Some backpacks come with water bladders, while others are “hydration compatible” and allow you to purchase a bladder to place in a special compartment that gives you access to the drinking hose. At the very least, consider one with an outer mesh pocket that holds a water bottle.

Attachment points

This area separates a HUGE backpack from one that is intended for the circular container. If you are the type of person who skips points, the No. 5 alone could prevent you from wasting money on that “cheap” backpack you were planning to buy. A very usable and extremely versatile day pack has a multitude of hooks, loops, zipper pulls, and Molle strap attachment points. These features increase the versatility of the backpack by a factor of X. You can easily carry tripods, umbrellas, hiking poles, snowshoes, bike helmets, rain flies and, if you so desire … the kitchen sink! kitchen! Many first aid kits, camera bags, tactical gear, and songbook bags are already compatible with these additional molle hooks and straps. These connection points are like having multiple packs, allowing you to customize a backpack for many different activities.

Whether you wear it once a week or spend more time with him than with your boyfriend, addressing these points will allow you to get a very versatile backpack, one that you can take anywhere.