Guide to Buying Rucksacks

No matter how long you are heading out there for, you will need to carry some kit with you. From a picnic on the beach to setting a new ice route to jetting off around the world; the chances are there is a Karrimor pack designed specifically for your needs.

My current range includes;

Daypacks, Waist Packs/Bumbags , Active Packs, Climbing/Technical Packs, Rucksacks and Travel Packs and is due to expand shortly to include Laptop Bags, Courier & Record Bags, Kitbags and also more models in existing categories.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A RUCKSACK

The following is designed to help you select the perfect pack for your adventures.

The first thing to do is decide what you will spend the majority of time doing. Are you a:

1. day-walker
2. backpacker
3. fell runner/adventure racer
4. exotic location traveller
5. expedition participant
6. technical climber/mountaineer
7. business traveller
8. someone who needs a hands free means of storage for getting around town

Secondly you need to think about the amount and weight of gear you want to carry (remember keep slimming your kit down, you rarely need all of it). Small day sacks for carrying a waterproof jacket and some food & drink do not require complex back systems that incorporate internal bars and frames. On the other hand, 70 litre packs for example are going to need something to support both their own weight and that of their contents, as well as a system for transferring as much of the load as possible to the correct load bearing parts of the body (i.e. the front of the hips). Also, have a good think about what size will suit you best. Too small a sack will be a problem on colder days when you have more gear to carry and with a big sack there is always the temptation to carry too much! Most walkers who venture out regularly throughout the year will ultimately end up with more than one rucksack to suit different activities and conditions.

Finally, you have to decide what features you will need, but these will of course vary for what the pack is going to be used for. A back system which includes a contoured, padded harness and comfortable hip belt and for larger & heavier packs, an adjustable back system. For extra comfort, you might consider a wicking/cool mesh fabric on the back system. You may want a two compartmented bag (separate base compartment) with a removable divider between it and the main body of the pack to increase flexibility. This is particularly useful for backpackers as it allows you to carrying your sleeping gear/dirty shoes/smelly laundry separately! Large expandable side pockets which may be collapsible for maximum versatility are also useful for getting to some of your urgent belongings quickly and easily. Compression straps help to keep the load stable, even if the pack is part-full. An extendible lid (which may include a key clip) gives extra capacity and may also include extra accessory attachment points on the outside of the lid for e.g. a Karrimat or similarly, a bungee cord system which allows light objects to be stowed on the outside of the pack. You may also need straps, wand pockets and holsters for axes, trekking/tent poles amongst other things. A hydration bladder sleeve might also be useful if you plan to do lots of walking with your pack on your back or will using it in a warm climate.

HOW BIG SHOULD YOUR RUCKSACK BE?

Rucksack size is measured in litres and can range from the smallest at around maybe 5 litres, all the way up to 100+ litre expedition packs. This section is intended to provide a few pointers, to help you choose the right volume of pack for your intended use.

A note on variable volumes: Not all packs are of fixed volume; some will have their volumes quoted as a range e.g. 45+10 litres, 50-75 litres, etc. This is a reflection of a number of features that the rucksack may have that allows it to carry loads of varying size; these features may include expansion pockets, compression straps, expandable lids etc. When a quoted volume is a range, the first number will be the capacity of the pack with none of the expansion capability in use, whilst the second number indicates the capacity of the pack expanded out to its fullest, or the extra capacity of the expansion. Variable volume packs tend to be amongst the more flexible designs, especially when travelling, given most people's tendency to pick all sorts of junk (sorry, souvenirs!) en route!

WHICH TYPE IS FOR YOU?

Generally, the primary intended use will dictate the size and style of rucksack required. In this guide to some of the different types available, the packs are split into 6 main categories, although there is always a considerable amount of crossover between groups.

Daypacks (Generally sized from 15-35 Liters) :

- Stealth, Spirit Airspace , Hydro 20, Hot Rock, Alpine Lite 30

These bags will normally be fairly lightweight, designed (as the name suggests) principally for single day use as they are generally used to carry spare clothes, a little food & drink and maybe a book.

The main requirements of a daypack tend to be a simple large main compartment with at least two pockets on the side for easy access to maps, food, liquid etc, a lid pocket with a key holder and a comfortable back system.

Most daypacks have no real internal support and the weight is suspended from the shoulders and supported with either a basic waist and chest strap or none at all. This is rarely a problem as the sacks are intended for light load carrying. The only major considerations when buying a daypack is to ensure that it provides the features you require (side pockets, padded back etc.), that it sits comfortably on your back and is big enough to store all of your belongings.

The simplest packs have a padded back to them, whilst more advanced packs (e.g. Stealth) move the back of the rucksack away from your own back by utilitsing a wind-tunnel system (thick padding in strips that run down the length of the back but have a ventilation gap inbetween them. This allows air to flow and for warm air trapped in this gap to actively dry the back-system.

Other styles (e.g. Spirit Airspace) use a mesh frame to push the rucksack away from the user and leave a significant gap (Airspace) for excellent air ventilation and it also has the effect that a cool breeze can chill your back rather quickly which is particularly nice in hot & humid climates.

All of the day packs that I have for sale have cool mesh to aid the dispersion of sweat away from your back.

T hey can either be classic top-loader type or of a zip-entry type. Generally speaking, the top-loaders with draw-corded opening with a buckle down lid are more popular for outdoors activities. The zip-entry ones often give a larger opening that can provide easier access to the middle of the bag without having to root past loads of kit and are usually chosen for urban/travel applications .

I currently only have a relatively small range of Day Sacks that range from the Karrimor Stealth through a few of choices in design to extremely comfortable packs such as the Hydro 20 which is also very lightweight and ideally suited for more active pursuits. Please note that my range will be increasing in the near future so please come back to my shop soon and check for new models!

Waist Packs/Bumbags (Generally 2-10L):

- Hydrolite, Raid (To be added soon)

Waist Packs/Bumbags come in useful in lots of circumstances, and you don't have to look ridiculous wearing them anymore. In lots of travel scenarios bumbags are ideal. They keep lots of essential items that you may need close at hand e.g. passport, money, guide book but leave your hands free. They are not bulky so that they don't interfere with other people as you walk past in crowded market places.

For the sportier types, bumbags come in useful when you need to go ultralight and streamlined but still need good carrying capacity. Runners, cyclists, eventists and climbers can all benefit from bumbag ownership and the included water bottles will ensure that you will also stay hydrated whilst on the move.

Active Packs (Generally 10-30L ) :

- Hydro 20, Hydr8 15

These sacks are arguably designed for running and cycling uses but are equally valid for walkers and scramblers who want to travel as light as possible and need to take stability and hydration into account . Active pursuits tend to require small packs that are far more stable and lighter than an average daypack .

Active packs are usually of similar volume to daypacks, but are often shaped and equipped to make them a far more stable carry, even when doing activities which involve moving fast. Because of this stability, they also tend to work extremely well in the daypack role and may also have the advantage of being hydration system compatible.

All of these packs use the lightest non-absorbent materials available for the required level of durability. These keep weight to an absolute minimum and function to a maximum. The packs are very stable due to the use of excellent harnesses and side stabilizers/compression straps.

From the point of view of any activity, probably the most important consideration of the day or days performing is that of keeping hydrated. With the revolution of the hydration bladder from people such as Platypus and Camelbak (this provides hands free access to liquid at any moment of the day without requiring a pause in action) there has been the development of a number of rucksacks designed to transport the bladders comfortably and in a manner in keeping with high energy activity requirements. They do this by including a pouch to store the bladder and allow the tube to be fed through the straps securely.

Climbing/Technical Packs ( Generally 30 - 55L ):

- Boma, Alpiniste, Alpine Lite, Hot Rock

Everything is down to personal opinion of course, but climbers, mountaineers and expedition users need to concentrate on one thing more than any other - durability. This is due to the weights involved when carrying climbing gear, or climbing and camping gear combined, the duration of the trip and the rigorous use they will be put to (i.e. rubbing up and down big granite walls, thrown around on moraine and scree etc. etc.). This is not to say that the bag must be heavy! The easiest way of achieving durability without sacrificing light weight is to use robust, rugged materials and simple, efficient designs. Simple streamlined designs also do not break as easily or snag when climbing.

These medium-sized packs should invariably be single compartmented right through to allow easy loading of lots of metal work etc. for big load carrying and generally have a lid pocket and/or front pocket. The harness should be comfortable, un-restricting, and should allow the pack to fit snuggly to the back and be very stable. They usually have some internal support and often a more substantial hipbelt and chest strap that helps you to carry weight more comfortably. These sacks are also generally tall and narrow due to their designs being clean, straight-sided (no side-pockets) in order to aid dynamic body movement and stability .

In this range we have packs which feature those things mountaineers require whilst managing to remain uncluttered. Such items include (where relevant): double layered base for durability, a good side and top compression system to adjust the shape and volume of the pack to help keep the pack stable and close to the back, twin ice axe loops, rope loop, ice axe holsters and gear loops on the waistbelt or lower part of the pack, extra-durable crampon retaining area, laddered tapes (daisy chains) for hauling, gear loops, wand pockets for trekking poles and maybe a pocket for a hydration bladder amongst others .

Sacks such as the Karrimor Boma, Alpiniste and Alpine Lite come in a variety of sizes (and back lengths) to cover a day at the Dewerstone or 3 days up the North Face of something cold and alpine-y! A lot of smaller climbing packs get used for walking (usually, a comfortable carry) and t his is also a popular volume bracket for weekend packs and travelling (around carry-on luggage size and uncluttered design).

Backpacking Rucksacks (55 - 85L ):

- Jaguar, Cougar Mens & Ladies, Puma Ladies, Solitude

This type of rucksack is principally designed for multi-day trips and for carrying heavier, more substantial loads. You will need a rucksack that has a good quality back system and carrying harness, an ergonomic design to keep the pack stable and you will need to be confident that it will last through the duration of your trip without question.

They have a steel frame that gives structural rigidity and distributes the load between your back, shoulders and hips. The models that I have include Karrimor's self-adjusting back system to ensure a precise and comfortable fit and it also means you could get your partner to comfortably carry your pack if you needed break! Most rucksacks of this size are top-loading packs and usually have a number of pockets (including a lid pocket and very useful zipped access to the bottom section of the pack) to help store and organise your food, tent, flask, sleeping bag, karrimat, kitchen sink, favourite cuddly toy and so on. Expandable side pockets are also useful in conjunction with the ever useful compression straps which help to keep the load stable and compact and may include straps/bungee cord to attach a tent/ karrimat on the outside of the pack. My range includes some ladies fit packs which should provide a more comfortable fit for ladies/smaller men.

Travel Packs (60 Liters plus ) :

- Global Racer, Clamshell, Airport, Solitude, Global

So you've booked a year off work, you've said your farewells to friends and family and are about to embark on a great adventure around the world. Sounds amazing but what do you to store & transport your life in for 6 months or even a year? Our range of travel packs are an ideal answer to this question. Made from hard wearing materials to stand being chucked on the back of a bus in India, dragged out of a Yute in the outback or just making it past airport baggage handlers; they will stand up to all that you can throw at them so you won't ever need to worry about it.

Most come with detachable day sacks so you can secure your main bag in your hostel/5* hotel room (*delete as applicable) and travel around for the day with your daily requirements.

They are also ideal holiday bags to replace your suitcase, much more practical to carry around an airport with a full zip-away harness on each model and you'll be able to fit all the shorts and suntan cream you could need in one!

So why choose a Travel Pack over a traditional rucksack or a suitcase?

If you are going on holiday, going to school, travelling to the office - everyone can benefit from carrying their possessions in a rucksack. Rucksacks keeps your hands free to pay for tickets, etc. and they mean that you never have to be parted from you precious luggage no matter what you are doing and also are easy to pick up and haul on any terrain.

However, for many of these purposes suitcase-like zip opening bags are far more clothing and document friendly than the usual drawcord openings on a rucksack. On top of this, you won't always want your gear to be on your back. Often its easier to use as hand luggage, and to have no straps dangling about when moving from train to train or boarding an aircraft. Consequently, these rucksacks that double as holdalls (or Travel Packs) are an ideal all-round holiday or extended business trip luggage item.

The main advantage of these rucksacks is the main zip panel access which opens like a suitcase and allows for easier packing and access to your gear. These specialist travel packs also feature zip-away, concealable back systems to protect the most vulnerable bit of the pack from damage when being handled and therefore make the pack much more airport-friendly. The zipped entrance not only allows easy access but also allows you to lock the zippers with a padlock; a great benefit when travelling to protect you against the casual thief. Most travel packs also feature a small daysack which attaches to the front of the main bag and can be detached for day trips or used as hand luggage when flying. This feature means that you only have one item of luggage to keep track of when travelling.

It is worth bearing in mind that these packs are loaded with many more features than standard rucksacks and therefore are often slightly heavier and more expensive.