| Rucksack Advice by Walk and Ramble | | | | through the base of the rucksack makes that gear |
| About Rucksacks | | | | readily accessible. In most cases the base |
| When you set off on a walk carrying all you need to | | | | compartment is optional, with a zip out divider or |
| stay out over night on your back, you will need a | | | | variable draw cord closure. |
| comfortable rucksack or backpack (from now on | | | | Side Pockets: Your type of activity will determine |
| these words will be used interchangeably). Choosing | | | | whether or not these are useful (see above) Many |
| the right backpack can make the difference between | | | | sacks without side pockets can, when necessary, |
| an enjoyable trip and a nightmarish one. | | | | have them attached to the side compression as an |
| The most important feature of a rucksack to | | | | optional extra. However they tend to sag more. In |
| consider is the back system. For loads much over 12 | | | | some cases on straight sides, wand pockets are |
| kg (26 lbs) a padded hip belt is needed so you can | | | | located at the base. These are useful for locating |
| carry most of the weight on your hips, which are | | | | tent poles, etc. |
| designed to bear weights, rather than on your | | | | Rucksack Closure |
| relatively weak shoulders. This belt must fit properly | | | | The top of the rucksack is closed by a draw cord |
| and the key to this is matching the length of the | | | | and in many cases, particularly on larger sacks, a |
| pack to the length of your back. | | | | lighter weight snow lock extension with its own draw |
| Because everybody is a different size, rucksack | | | | cord completely seals in the contents before the lid is |
| manufacturers offer various adjustable back | | | | closed. The lid usually has an elasticised skirt for a |
| systems, which can be fine tuned to exactly the | | | | better weatherproof closure and is secured by |
| right length for any individual. Others offer fixed back | | | | buckles to the front profile straps. These straps help |
| length packs in a number of sizes, note that what | | | | support heavy loads from sagging and can be |
| fits your trail companion may well not fit you. To | | | | adjusted to bring down the lid when the sack is not |
| transfer weight from the shoulders to the hips some | | | | completely full, they often extend under the base of |
| form of stiffening is needed. In smaller, simpler | | | | the sack so that extra gear can be attached - a |
| designs this may be just foam padding. For heavy | | | | sleeping mat for example. |
| loads, however, some form of frame is required. | | | | Rucksack Back Systems |
| Many frames are flexible so they can be bent to the | | | | Probably the most important part of your rucksack. |
| shape of your back. | | | | A good harness will enable you to carry your gear |
| Other back system features to look for on | | | | with surprising ease and still be comfortable at the |
| rucksacks are padded shoulder straps, lumbar pads, | | | | end of a long day. Small rucksacks are designed for |
| top tension straps and sternum straps. The design of | | | | light loads and therefore have a simple harness |
| the rucksack itself isn't as important as the back | | | | system. A waste belt and chest strap will improve |
| system. How many pockets and compartments you | | | | stability and light padding of the shoulder straps and |
| want is a personal choice. Note though, that | | | | back give greater carrying comfort. |
| detachable side pockets are useful if you are | | | | With larger rucksacks and heavier loads the majority |
| intending to use the pack for scrambling, climbing or | | | | of the weight is transferred to the stronger muscle |
| skiing as well as walking, as fixed pockets can get in | | | | groups around the pelvic girdle, reducing strain on the |
| the way. Check too that a pack has the necessary | | | | weaker back muscles and spine. To maintain stability, |
| attachment points on the outside for items such as | | | | however,a proportion of the weight has to be carried |
| sleeping mat, walking poles, ice axe or skis that you | | | | through the shoulder harness - to hold the sack close |
| might want to carry. | | | | to the back. The shoulder harness is usually curved |
| In terms of size we would recommend selecting a | | | | so that it spreads the weight evenly over the |
| pack that will carry all you need on the longest trips | | | | shoulder area rather than causing pressure points. A |
| you are planning. It's easy to cinch a pack down if it | | | | variety of tensioning straps help stabilise the load |
| is not full. It is not so simple to force extra gear into | | | | further and relieve any pressure points while on the |
| an over stuffed one. Such an over loaded pack will | | | | move. Top tensioning straps join the top of the |
| not carry properly either. With a good, properly fitting | | | | rucksack frame to the shoulder harness and can be |
| pack you can carry surprisingly heavy loads and | | | | adjusted to pull the sack closer into the back for |
| venture far into the hills away from roads and towns. | | | | extra stability or, alternatively, when loosened will |
| Its worth a little effort to make sure you choose a | | | | transfer more weight to the hips and increase |
| pack that will enable you to do this. | | | | ventilation across the back. Chest harnesses, usually |
| Backpack Choice | | | | height adjustable, are useful for maintaining the |
| Its worth investing in a good backpack - you'll | | | | shoulder straps in a comfortable position and freeing |
| appreciate it at the end of a long day! We stock | | | | up the shoulders for easy arm movement. |
| rucksacks from top manufacturers inlcuding Karrimor, | | | | Finally, hip belt stabilisers join the body of the sac to |
| Mountain Equipment, Lowe Alpine, Vaude, Salomon, | | | | the hip belt and can be adjusted to pull the rucksack |
| The North Face, Vango, Mammut and Cerro Torre. A | | | | firmly into the hips and reduce roll. With varying |
| good backpack is not just comfortable to carry, but | | | | degrees of sophistication, the cut of the harness |
| protects your gear, organises it and makes it easily | | | | system and the profile of its padding have been |
| accessible. A good harness system allows you to | | | | anatomically thought out to provide maximum |
| carry surprisingly heavy loads with ease. | | | | efficiency. Some rucksacks are available which have |
| Which rucksack you choose will depend on your | | | | been specifically designed to suit the female form, |
| intended use. Capacity will be your first guide. | | | | with a shorter back length amongst other features. |
| Whether you need a day sack of up to 40 litres for | | | | Fit is of course, important. Without a good fit the |
| country rambles, or a full carrying system to contain | | | | other benefits of the back system will be redundant. |
| all your gear for a week out in the wilds, requiring at | | | | To get round the fact that we all have different |
| least a 60 litre pack. The back system is very | | | | back lengths, many manufacturers make adjustable |
| important. A simple, lightly padded harness is | | | | harness systems where either the shoulder harness |
| sufficient for a day sack, but for larger, heavier | | | | or the hip belt can be raised or lowered to provide a |
| loads, a more sophisticated back system is essential | | | | totally personal fit. Alternatively, with fixed back |
| to provide a stable load distribution. For climbing and | | | | lengths, a variety of sizes are sometimes available. |
| rough terrain you will want a pack that hugs your | | | | N.B. Excessive adjustment to a small back size may |
| back, but for days of trekking the priority may | | | | make your rucksack less stable and out of balance. |
| become a luxuriously padded hip belt! | | | | Fitting a Rucksack Properly |
| Finally think about the features. Rucksack side | | | | First loosen the shoulder straps and all tensioning |
| pockets may be useful for carrying frequently used | | | | straps. Put the rucksack on and fasten the hip belt |
| items, but for certain activities with a lot of arm | | | | so that its upper edge sits comfortably over the top |
| movement (climbing, ski touring) they will get in the | | | | of your hip bones. Lastly, pull in the shoulder straps |
| way. If the amount you carry varies considerably | | | | and tighten the tensioning straps. |
| then compression straps to stabilise smaller loads | | | | This information is provided for general guidance only, |
| may be essential. Think about the various features | | | | and so if you are looking for specific and possibly |
| available and decide which are going to be necessary | | | | more up-to-date walking equipment advice on an |
| or beneficial for you. | | | | item or range of walking or outdoor clothing, please |
| Rucksack Features | | | | do not hesitate to contact the Walk and Ramble |
| Base compartments are a usefull feature for | | | | online walking shop. We will be glad to help. |
| organising your gear. Perhaps more importantly, entry | | | | |