the wander project dispatches from over there

Your Backpack. As a long-term traveler, it might be the most important piece of gear you select. For a bag you’ll actually enjoy hauling around the world, look for quality construction, a perfect fit and smart design.

Quality: When purchasing a pack, you should expect to get what you pay for. Can you make it around the world with a cheap backpack? Of course—many people have. But your pack will soon feel like an extension of your body, and it’ll take more abuse than anything else you own. Why not go for one that will be comfortable to carry for years to come? When evaluating a new bag — regardless of the price tag — take note of these features:

• Material: Does the fabric seem durable and abrasion resistant?
• Stitching: Is it substantial? Are seams double or triple stitched, and do areas of high-stress have extra heft?
• Frame Construction: is the frame made for a specific size torso, or is it “one size fits most?”
• Padding: Is the padding soft enough to provide cushioning but firm enough to evenly distribute weight?

“Think of adjustable frames as the rental tuxedos of backpacks: they sorta fit everyone while managing to fit no one particularly well.”

Fit: Fit is the most critical aspect of choosing a pack, since even the most durable, well-designed bag that fits poorly will result in aching shoulders and chafed hips. Higher-end packs offer multiple sizes in each model; the more sizes, the better chance of getting a bag that fits you perfectly. Stay away from the one-size-fits-most designs of budget packs that often include “adjustable” frames promoted as innovative features. Think of these as the rental tuxedos of backpacks: they sorta fit everyone while managing to fit no one particularly well.  Also, each brand fits a bit differently, so you’ll try on many, many packs until you find the perfect one for you.

• Frame: The frame’s contour should match the curvature of your back — if you find one that’s close, an experienced pack fitter can help you dial it in.
• Hip belt: The hip belt should be wide and well-padded so that it evenly distributes the pack’s weight; it will bear most of the load.
• Shoulder straps: On a properly fitted pack, the strap will follow the curve of your shoulder until it terminates at the frame. If there’s a gap at the top of your shoulder, go down a size.
• Other straps include the sternum strap, hip belt adjustment tabs and shoulder stabilizer straps. Consult your pack’s fit guide and experiment a bit to find the adjustment that works for you.
• A note on sizing: The key to a great fit is starting with the correct frame size, which is derived from your torso length. It is generally measured from your C7 vertebra to your iliac crest.

Design: The design of both the frame and bag portion of your pack will affect comfort and usability. Choose wisely.

• Frame: At this point in backpack evolution, there’s really no debate between an internal and external framed pack: you want an internal frame.  Old-school external frame models have a visible, tubular aluminum frame that supports the pack bag. That massive frame keeps the load well away from your body, which had disastrous affects on your balance and agility (and also manages to get caught on everything from tree branches to closing train doors to the next guy in line at the airport). Modern internal frame packs use a couple of aluminum stays and a rigid plastic frame sheet to support the load, a streamlined design that means more comfort, increased mobility and a lower profile when negotiating tight trails or crowds of people.

• Packbag: The bag section of large packs typically come in two styles: panel loading, which load from the front (like the bookbag you carried for years) and top loading, which load from a hatch in the top. Panel loaders are packed and unpacked like a suitcase, which makes them popular with travelers. Top loading packs, though, tend to “carry” better because they’re designed for backpackers (as in campers, not independent travelers) who need to lug a ton of gear over sketchy terrain. With a little practice, packing and unpacking a top-loader can become second nature; many of them also feature zipper access across the front, which could be considered a happy medium between the two designs.

You’ve got some options when picking a backpack, but you’ll be best served by a quality pack that fits you well. While there are budget corners to cut for traveling on the cheap, this isn’t one of them—do yourself a favor and buy a nice pack.