If you’re an adventurous traveller you know there’s no denying the utility of a backpack. But, if you’ve traveled anywhere wet… you may also know first hand the destructive nature of rain, spilled coffee, or even an accidental drop into a puddle. We learned the hard way and now pretty much every piece of luggage we own is water resistant to some degree. Bottom line; finding the best waterproof backpack for your adventures is a no brainer if you venture off the beaten path on your journeys. If you haven’t made the switch… we want to convince you to do so before your next journey.
We reached out to a seasoned traveler to help you get the most bang for your buck. Antoine Verdier has some pretty impressive journeys under his belt and knows a thing or two about gear that works. Here are his thoughts on picking a backpack that will keep your gear dry as a bone when you’re far from home.
Finding the right backpack is a challenging task for every adventurer. After all, this will be the travel buddy that is glued to your back for hours if not days and that holds your entire equipment while being on the road. It will travel with you on planes, trains, buses, local tuk-tuks and sometimes even serve as emergency pillow.
Your backpack will be everywhere where you are and therefore it is important to invest time in researching the one that suits you best. To give you an idea on where to start, we put the main points together for you that you should look out for when choosing a travel or outdoor backpack.
Why choose a backpack:
While some travelers prefer to carry a suitcase, a backpack can come handy in a number of situations. Be it the stairs of the Parisian metro, the old bus in Nicaragua or Rome’s cobblestone streets, a backpack lets you transcend numerous obstacles that you would need to navigate around with a suitcase.
Also, as long as you stick to a smaller size, you can continue using the very same backpack you travelled with for day hikes which saves you the need to bring two pieces of luggage
Now, if you start searching for a backpack, you will quickly realize that there are tons of options available for every kind of budget. Don’t give up just now, but keep these main checkpoints in mind:
Water resistance:
If you can afford a backpack with waterproof fabric, then do it. It’s a great relief to know your belongings will not get wet in the rain. If you are looking more for a budget option, consider buying a rain cover that you can pull over like a sleeve. Keep in mind that it is large enough to also fit over the entire backpack when it is fully packed and eventually has a tent or sleeping bag strapped to it.
Capacity:
Backpacks range all the way from a 5L capacity to more than 100L and the right size depends on what you want to use it for.
An extended weekend trip can be accomplished with a 30-35l bag which holds the advantage that you can bring it as carry-on with you on most airlines, a real money saver! If you travel for a week or longer, you should look into options in the 50-80l range. However, keep in mind that most airlines apply an additional fee to baggage that exceeds 40 lbs (20kgs) or even 30lbs (15kgs).
Generally speaking, it is a good idea to settle for a mid-range option that allows you to carry your affairs, but small enough so your bag does not bother you in public transports or while adventuring. Keep in mind that you will automatically pack more things the more space you have available.
Frame:
The frame is the heart of the backpack that is going to support all its weight. Three main kinds of frame exist: frameless, internal frame an external frame.
External frames are great for carrying heavy loads but they take way too much space to be convenient while travelling and add additional weight.
Frameless bags are great on a casual day hike and are highly compressible to bring along as a day pack. However, they are not suitable for heavy loads.
Our recommendation would be a light and resistant internal frame backpack that builds a base for the weight you are going to carry and creates the stability needed for you to comfortably carry it on your back.
Accessibility:
Packing everything neatly into the backpack is one part, but think about the moment you open the zipper again to access this t-shirt that you packed somewhere. If you are mostly going on single destination trips where you open and unpack your luggage once you arrived, this point will be less of a concern. If you are road tripping, easy access to the important things is important.
Having a lot of small storage compartments is great, since you won’t have to open the big zipper every time you are looking for one item. Try to choose a backpack that offers at least a couple of small pockets and attachment options. The downside is that what is accessible to you is also accessible to the others. Some travel backpacks have a lock on their zips to keep your belongings safe while travelling. If your backpack does not come with these, then you should consider buying one to secure at least the main compartment where you can put everything of value, especially when leaving your bag while flying or in a hostel room or while taking public transportation.
Conclusion:
Reading through these main points gives you a rough idea on what to look out for. Now it is time to get out there and try a couple of different styles out. Make sure you have some weight bags added when you mount the backpacks on your shoulders as this can vastly change the perception. Adjust the backpack straps so it sits tight, doesn’t move around and keeps the weight close to your back.
Walk around, take some stairs and make sure you don’t feel any immediate itching or irritation with the straps on your shoulders or the belt of the backpack. Even small frictions with the skin can turn into a huge pain after several days of travelling. A special advice at this point would be for women to make sure the chest zip sits well and does not tighten beyond comfort. More than a specific brand or a specific type of backpack, your main criteria to choose should be how comfortable you feel carrying the bag, which is why investing a couple hours trying several models is so important.
As generally applicable to outdoor gear, there are various price levels. A reasonable investment will pay off quickly, material will be durable, zippers will remain functional for years and straps will not break down under a lot of weight. In return, you will get a reliable travel companion that will follow you a long way.