Overview
Purpose and Duration of your trip
The first thing you need to know to choose the right backpack is what kind of trip and for how long you need a backpack. Are you going for a short weekend hiking trip, a multi-day trekking or a big world trip? The purpose and length of your trip will play a significant rol in choosing the right size, features and comfort level of your ideal backpack.
Size and Capacity
Backpacks come in various sizes, typically measured in liter. A daypack for a short hike might be around 20-30 liter, while a multi-day backpacking trip might require 40-85 liter or more. How many liter you need, depends very much from person to person. It is very important to know yourself and how much stuff you usually take with you. You also have to keep in mind your packing style, in what season you are going, what equipment you need and how many personal belongings you have to (and WANT to) carry. Remember, it’s better to have a little spare space than to cram your belongings into a too-small pack, but also remember that everything you put in your backpack, you also have to carry.
Decision short cut
Not much time left to look for a backpack and need to decide quickly? Then, we made a brief overview of which type of backpack best suits your plans and needs.
Day Trip
If you’re going out for a day trip, you don’t need a very big backpack. We advice you to choose a smaller day backpack of max 32 liter. A good fit and good ventilation are the most important things to consider in this case.
multi-day Trip
If you are going on a multi-day trekking, where you stay the nights in huts and hostels, it is important that you choose a comfortable trekking backpack of 45 to 60 liter.
When you go on a multi-day trekking with your own tent and sleeping bag, you have to be able to take a lot with you and to carry the backpack for a longer time. We advice you to go for a trekking backpack of 50 to 85 liter with many different adjustment options.
One of the features of some trekking backpacks is the height-adjustable lid, which gives you up to 15 liters of extra space. Other practical features, such as a holder for hydration systems or walking sticks can you be very useful too. It is important that you can distribute the weight efficiently.
Backpacking
When you go backpacking, you carry all your luggage on your back. We advice you to go for a backpack of 50 to 80 liter, depending on the duration and destination of your trip and your personal needs. It’s important that this backpack is easy to organise.
Comfort and Fit
Capacity and size are not the only things that are important when choosing your ideal backpack. The larger a backpack, the heavier you can load it, the more important it is that the backpack fits well. The fit of your backpack is crucial for your comfort and overall experience. A women’s backpack is specially designed for women and is often shorter and wider.
It is important that you can adjust your backpack to your body shape. Look for adjustable shoulder straps, hip belts, and sternum straps. If possible, try on several backpacks to find one that suits your body shape and size. Make sure it distributes weight evenly, reducing the strain on your back and shoulders.
Tailored to your length, fit and according your needs
Deuter knows that every human is unique and that every outdoor activity has its own challenges. That's why they develop different backpack models for various activities with special functions, such as back length adjustment, movable hip fins and helmet holder. On top of that, all their backpacks are specially available for women: The SL Women's fit. These backpacks are adapted to the female anatomy, but of course they can fit both men and women.
Weight and Quality
It might be tempting to choose the lightest backpack available, but it is important to also consider durability. High-quality materials and construction can make a huge difference, especially in the long run. A durable backpack often has reinforced seams, durable zippers, and water-resistant fabrics.
Did you know...
... that deuter offers a lifelong
Budget
Backpacks come in a wide price range. While it’s important to invest in a high-quality backpack, you have to keep your budget in mind. The price of a good backpack can add up quickly. Most bags are between €100 and €250, but you can see it as an investment: you have a good bag that you can use for a long time. It is also an investment in your body, as more expensive backpacks are often more ergonomic and comfortable. Of course, larger bags are also a bit more expensive than smaller ones. You have to consider your needs and how often you plan to use the backpack to determine the best value for your money.
Access and Compartments
Consider the number and type of compartments you would like to have. You have to think about how you want to organise your backpack. While minimalist designs might have only one large compartment, others have multiple pockets and compartments. You also have to think about how you like to pack and access your belongings and what type of access points you prefer, for example an opening at the top and the bottom or also an opening in front.
How to plan your trip: tips and tricks
Read more
Ventilation and Suspension
For extended hikes and multiple day trekking, ventilation is essential for your comfort. A well-ventilated back panel and a suspension system that allows air to circulate, reduces sweating and discomfort.
Extra's
Some backpacks have extra features to fully meet your needs. Things that can be useful are:
Rain Cover
If you expect to walk in the rain regularly, a rain cover can be very useful. This way, your backpack and your belongings remain completely dry. Some backpacks have an integrated rain cover, usually stored at the bottom in a separate compartment.
Suitable for hydration system
If you plan to travel long distances with your backpack on, it can be useful to have easy access to an hydration system. This way, you don't have to take off your backpack every time you're thirsty.
Hiking pole straps
When you don't need your hiking poles, it is convenient that you can quickly hang them on your backpack, so that you have your hands free again.
Hipbelt pockets
In hipbelt pockets, you can store important items and snacks that you want to access quickly. Again, it is pleasant not to have to take off and put on your backpack all the time!
In short
Type of trip
The type and duration of your trip in combination with your personal needs decide the size of your ideal backpack.
Volume
The higher the volume, the more you can carry in your backpack and the heavier it becomes.
Comfort
The fit of your backpack is crucial for your comfort. Choose for an adjustable backpack that fits your body shape. A women's backpack is specially designed for women and is often shorter and wider.
Budget
When it comes to your budget, take quality into account: a slightly more expensive backpack is often a good investment over time.
Organise
Think about how you want to organise and pack your backpack, to decide the number and type of compartments you need.
Sweating
A well-ventilated back panel and suspension system that allows air to circulate can reduce sweating.
Preferences
Depending on your preferences, small extra's can make the difference.
Our choice
So now you might be wondering which backpack we chose for our Southeast Asia backpack adventure and why?
Our backpacks
Sarah has the deuter Aircontact X 80+15L SL and Cédric has the deuter Aircontact X 70+15L.
Why these backpacks?
We chose deuter mostly because of the quality of their backpacks, how easily you can adjust them and their lifelong repair service.
The front opening was one of the main reasons why we chose this specific model. It is super useful for efficiently organizing our backpack and easily access our stuff.
Sarah chose the biggest size because… yes, she’s a typical women and brings a lot of clothes. Cédric also chose a large size because, as content creators, we always travel with quite a lot of equipment. What we also really like is that the backpacks weigh just over 3000 grams when empty. This reduces the total weight, which is more pleasant for us to carry and ensures that we are less likely to exceed airline baggage limits. So, even with the biggest size of backpack, we have never exceeded the airline limits!
The dimensions are ideal for our back and body length and you can easily adjust the backpack to size. Sarah chose the SL model for the most comfortable fit. The SL variant has been adjusted to the female anatomy.
Besides the quality, the design and the overall features, there is one extra feature that we love in particular: The hipbelt drinking bottle pocket: It is super pleasant to be able to quickly reach your drinking bottle while hiking, without having to take off your backpack over and over again.
Note
We're happy to bring you this blog post, made possible through a collaboration with deuter! We are truly satisfied with our backpacks and would definitely recommend them to everyone looking for their perfect backpack!
Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
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