| Holiday time is coming up. You've booked a nice | | | | attach bedroll or mattress to save space in your bag. |
| trekking trip and you are ready to gear up for your | | | | 3 - Pocket or not pocket? |
| next adventure challenge. Whatever destination or | | | | Your bag may look nice with all that side pockets! |
| altitude, traveling light is essential to make your trip | | | | Some backpacks have plenty of storage pockets |
| an enjoyable moment. But choosing the right | | | | while others are fully pocket free. Your choice will |
| backpack is sometimes a tough task. | | | | depend on your trekking activity, not on the fancy |
| However if you stick to some easy to remember | | | | look of your bag. Hiking backpack designed for gentle |
| tips, you would be able to pick up the backpack that | | | | walk will generally have deep meshy side pockets to |
| suits your needs. | | | | store bottles of water or little gear. Your stuff are |
| 1 - Think comfy | | | | then handy and easy to grab. Those bags are fine |
| Whether you're on the trail for an altitude trek like | | | | for low trekking with less than 4/5 hours walk a day |
| Everest Base Camp or on a trekking peak like | | | | on gentle terrain. As you get through mountain trails |
| Kilimanjaro, your backpack must fit you comfortably. | | | | or uneven terrain, trekking conditions can be harsh |
| A 40 Liter pack is the right size to stuff warm | | | | and tracks become really treacherous. A Slim |
| clothes, snack bars, a camera, gloves and your water | | | | backpack profile designed for mountaineering |
| bottles.When carrying your backpack the weight | | | | activities is more appropriate. Pack your gear in inner |
| have to be transferred to your hips, not to your | | | | compartments to keep all gear tidy and stabilize the |
| shoulders. Then, always adjust your waist belt first | | | | load to maintain body balance. Free pocket bags |
| on your hips. Make sure your straps are well padded | | | | prevent gear from hanging and hooking up. Top lid |
| and body adjustable. The backpanels should maintain | | | | pocket is usually safer and more convenient to hold |
| your lumbar in full comfort. A cooling mesh system | | | | extra gear. On mountain trips, front stretch mesh |
| will allow air ventilation to wick moisture and | | | | pocket for additional stowage, ice axe loops and |
| perspiration. Most bags are designed with adjustable | | | | elastic cord compression system usually offer |
| straps and released buckles for a greater support. | | | | excellent gear stability. |
| Some outfitters also propose ergonomic shoulder | | | | 4 - Hydration compartment |
| straps to prevent all constraint. Finally, adjust your | | | | Drinking while active prevents muscle cramps and, in |
| padded shoulder strap system and the chest strap to | | | | altitude, early symptoms of Acute Mountain sickness. |
| prevent shoulder straps from sliding down. | | | | Store your flexible bladder in an internal hydration |
| 2 - Body balance | | | | pouch equipped with a hose guide to keep the nozzle |
| Inner framed backpack are commonly used to | | | | accessible to drink regularly. The benefits? No need |
| strengthen the structure of your bag. The inner | | | | to take off your backpack to drink. Less bottles to |
| frame provides maximum support, safe balance and | | | | carry. And once the bladder is sealed, the liquid won't |
| prevents the bag from folding when carrying heavy | | | | leak inside and soak your fluffy slipping bag for the |
| loads. It keeps you stable and well-balanced at all | | | | night! |
| times whilst giving you the freedom of movement. | | | | 5 - Extra features |
| Walking on narrow trails, hiking down steep slopes or | | | | Water-resistant and anti-abrasive liner, a good and |
| crossing streams is no longer a problem when your | | | | robust lock system and a bright (but fancy) color |
| bag stick to your back and follows your movements | | | | that would ease the job of a rescue team to locate |
| in full safety.Exterior compression straps are wisely | | | | you in alpine terrain, are the final touch before setting |
| stitched throughout your backpack. Tight them firmly | | | | off to your next adventure trekking trip. |
| to maintain the load in place and avoid unpleasant | | | | And finally, have fun! |
| swaying on uneven terrain. Use the external loops to | | | | |