Backpacking Packs

Backpacking is all about independence and self reliance. For your trip to be be successful you need to take enough gear to cover to cover the bases but not so much that you struggle to carry it and your performance is affected. The question what to take and what to leave at home. This will influence the king of backpacking rucksack you need to buy. If you doing a one or two night wild camp then a 40 to 50 litre backpack will be ample. Vaude Power Lizard 1kg, Cumulus Ultralight 350 - 765 grams, Vaude Norrsken short sleeping mat 500 grams. Add to this a Jetboil some quick food and some waterproofs and job done. A very small lightweight set up that is easy to carry, hardly any weight and that will allow you move quickly and efficiently on a wild camping mountain adventure. I would use an Osprey Talon 44 for this type of trip or for the ladies a Vaude Cimone 40+8. For longer trips where more gear is essential, including clothes, extra footwear more food, bigger tent or even souvenirs you will need a much bigger backpack. It is important here to consider back length and get the right pack for you. Most packs will come in a range of sizes and often male/female specific. Consider the features you require, pockets, stow on the go, elastic mesh pocket, adjustable back system, hip belt, hydration compatibility. Most good brands will offer most if not all of these. The Osprey Aether 70 is an excellent big pack and should have more than enough room for world sight seeing trip or an extended climbing expedition. Remember the bigger the backpack the more kit you will be inclined to take so don't go too mad, you still have to carry it.