|
Backpack Capacity or, Why can't I take my Wii? 
Naturally, you'll need a pack that's large enough to carry all your stuff, but not so large that you fall over backward on the first steep hill. Carrying a huge pack with too much gear, sweating and grunting every step of the way, does not make you look macho. It makes you look like a turkey. So first off, know you limits. Know what you can comfortably carry and pack carefully. If you don't need it, don't take it. It is astonishing how quickly weight adds up. Here is a simple guide to standard backpack capacities. Because the interior of a backpack is a volume, capacity is measured in cubic inches, or "cubez" for you cool guys...
| |
|
Capacity |
Use |
|
|
Up to 2.000 |
Youth and Children's Bags. |
|
|
|
2,000-3,000 |
Fine for day hiking or an overnight trip. |
|
|
|
3,000 - 4,000 |
Holds enough stuff for a two or three night trip in warm weather, without bulky clothing. |
|
|
|
4,000 - 5,000 |
Holds enough for a three to five night trip. |
|
|
|
5,000 - 6,000 |
Can hold enough equipment for a week long trip. |
|
|
|
6,000 - plus |
Serious, Applachian-Trail-type capacity, for long trips of 7 nights or more. |
Remember that a sleeping bag, especially a synthetic one, will take up a lot of room in an internal frame pack - up to about 1,800 cubic inches. You can always buy one of the compressable packs or put your bag in an compression sack and strap it to the outside of your backpack. Other compressable items, like jackets, or lightweight items designed for the trail, will make your packing much simpler and lighten the load considerably.
Check the Index for more information on backpacks and their proper use and fit.
|
