Backpacks

Camping and Outdoor Equipment

Camping Backpacks

When camping one piece of camping and outdoor equipment that you will definitely require is the backpack or rucksack. The backpack basically in it’s simplest form is a cloth sack that is secured to the back of the user with 2 straps that go over the shoulders. The backpack is used to carry heavy loads when camping or backpacking and will evenly distribute the weight over a user’s back, making the carrying experience easier. To assist in the even distribution of weight a rucksack can be fitted with a padded waist or hip strap and pass some of the weight down to the hips. This then will leave the shoulder straps freer for more stabilizing of the load.

Designs Of The Backpack

There are generally 4 categories of the backpack. These are: frameless, external frame, internal frame and body pack. Most backpacks despite the category they fit into are closed with a buckle mechanism or a zipper and even in some cases with a draw string. Any backpack with shoulder straps can actually affect the posture of a person carrying more than 14 kg.

Backpacks For Outdoor Activities

There is a common special type of rucksack that is designed for backpacking as well as other outdoor activities. It can be referred to as a Technical Pack or a Frame Pack. These types of backpacks are a lot more complex than general backpacks that are used for everyday life in such things as carry books to schools or carrying training clothing when you pop down to the local gym for a session. The everyday packs are designed to just carry small loads and are made to meet these demands. But the outdoor activity pack requires so much more. The outdoor pack will have waist or hip belts to assist the shoulder straps in carrying larger weights and loads. The more belts the better the weight distribution with the backpack. Actually the difference of just a hip belt on a backpack is quite astounding. What it does is to evenly distribute weight between the user’s back and legs to give better balance as well as comfort. The shoulder straps will be padded for extra comfort whilst balancing the load.. The frames will be made of ultra light materials that are extremely strong and durable.

Space is a premium with any backpack and must be used wisely. However these outdoor packs are better designed and have many internal as well as external pockets for you to use in carrying smaller and more valuable items. There are lash points as well on the outside of the rucksack. This lets you lash additional items to the outside of the pack when you have a backpack that is full.

These outdoor activity backpacks are made to a higher standard as well due to the fact they will have a more rigorous lifestyle. The materials used to make them will be of higher quality and be definitely more durable. They will also be treated to help fend off any adverse weather and protect any items that are inside the pack.

These specially designed backpacks for camping and other outdoor activities come in all shapes and forms and have different qualities. You can find backpacks that have been specifically designed for such activities as skiing, rock climbing and kayaking. Each specific bag has been designed with that particular activity in mind, as well as having consideration taken in about the weather and environmental conditions the bag will face.

When camping you will definitely need a backpack of some sort. A more specialised backpack will be required if you are pursing and outdoor activity on your camping trip and require gear with you. Check out other pages on this site as to the types of backpack that are out there for you to consider and the types of manufacturer that produce them.

The frameless rucksack is the simplest form of backpack out there. It is a bag that is attached to a set of shoulder straps. These rucksacks can be used for general transportation of goods and come in many different sizes. A very basic frameless backpack will just consist on one main pocket. As the design advances you can find frameless rucksacks with additional pockets and even webbing and cordage straps. Other features that can be added are waist straps, chest straps, padded shoulder straps and padded backs. In fact the variations are pretty limitless to the frameless pack and many different versions can actually be manufactured all for different uses.

The External Frame Rucksack has been designed to carry heavy loads whilst giving the user better support and protection by having a much better weight distribution than the frameless backpack. For centuries all around the world wooden framed backpacks were used. But nowadays the frames tend to be constructed using aluminium or any other lightweight metal alloy. The frame on one of these packs has a system of straps and netting to ensure there is no contact between the metal frame and the user’s back. This obviously makes the carrying experience more comfortable while also dealing with a sweat problem.

The gap between back and rucksack provides air circulation and keeps a user almost sweat free. As well as being able to carry camping gear inside an external frame backpack you are also able to tie extra camping and outdoor equipment to the frame itself. This can be particularly useful with such items as a camping kettle, which is light but can be bulky and take up too much space inside the pack.

The Internal frame rucksack is quite a new innovation coming around in 1967 developed by Greg Lowe. These rucksacks have large cloth compartments that have a frame integrated. The frames can be of either metal or plastic that actually mold to a user’s back giving a great fit. There will also be straps to hold the pack in place and help with the distribution of weight. By having a close fitting pack, the user has a more predictable awareness of load movement. However there are ventilation problems and you can find your back getting very sweaty when you are under exertion. The internal frame rucksack allows more movement from the user and is definitely more versatile and flexible than an external frame pack. That is why the internal frame backpack has replaced the external frame rucksack in many activities.