Backpack selection
When choosing a backpack, you should pay
attention to the following features:
Materials
Firms-manufacturers use modern materials:
various synthetic fabrics, light and strong, waterproof and not frozen. The
Cordura fabric is very popular. For a suspended system, it is better to choose
fabrics with membrane technologies - to remove moisture and heat from the body.
Numerous lines and cords of backpacks are also chosen to be synthetic; they are
capable of withstanding heavy loads.
The form
The higher the center of gravity of the
backpack and the closer it is to the person's back, the easier it is to carry
the load. On the other hand, the backpack should not be much wider than the
shoulders - it will cling to everything in the forest during active movement,
not every door can be walked through. Therefore, the choice of a backpack is
mainly high and narrow. The possibility of "growth" in breadth
remains in the form of attaching additional cargo to the side.
The volume of backpacks is measured in liters.
However, everything is not so simple! Measure these liters in different ways.
Someone thinks the total volume of the backpack is the volume of pockets,
somebody does not. Therefore, if it is written on the backpack that its volume
is 60 liters ,
it does not mean anything.
Backpacks of medium (50-60 liters ) and large
(over 60) volumes are often made with the separation of the main container into
two parts. According to some, the convenience of dividing into two compartments
is completely compensated by a decrease in strength - any element complicating
the product reduces reliability. On the other hand, it is very convenient not
to disassemble the entire bag in order to get a warm hat or mittens from the
bottom of the backpack. In this situation, the choice is yours.
Suspension system
Straps must meet the basic requirement - to be
comfortable. It is in the design of straps that 80% of the convenience of
carrying a backpack with active loads is laid.
First of all, when choosing a strap, they should
be sewn on the figure, or it should be possible to adjust them. This applies to
the height of the attachment point, and the distance between the straps. Too
widely spaced straps will fall off your shoulders.
The form of the straps is crescent shaped, or
S-shaped. The choice of straight straps is less convenient, they inevitably
crumble, following the form of the shoulders. In places where the person is in
contact with the body, the straps should be soft.
The choice of width of the straps is about 2-3 in on the average. This is
enough for comfortable carrying even very heavy loads; wider straps fall off
the shoulders or, conversely, crash into the neck.
Buckles adjusting the length of the straps
should be tightened downwards so that you can adjust the straps by already
wearing a backpack. When choosing a backpack, bear in mind that the buckles on
the straps must withstand heavy loads.
The design of the straps assumes the presence
of a puller running from the top of the shoulder to the top of the main capacity
of the backpack. These are belts that do not allow the backpack to recline from
the back. The position of the straps and the sewing point of these belts should
be so aligned that the belts, as it were, continue up the line of straps from
the shoulders, starting at the collarbone area.
Belt strap allows you to transfer some of the
active loads from the shoulders to the lower back, to the hips. This is
justified by human anatomy. But it is important that the belt sat on the hips.
Belt straps are sewn and removable. Preferably
choose removable. The width of the waist belt is not less than 4 in , preferably anatomical
shape, and fitting hip. Inside the belt device is similar to the design of
straps.
Valve
The valve on the top of the backpack is more common
in models larger than 40
liters . It not only closes the top of the bag from rain
or snow, but also is an extra capacity, allows you to put in it essentials so
that they are always at hand.
By its design, the valves are sewn and
"floating". At "floating" it is possible to adjust an
arrangement on a backpack depending on its height. It is possible and generally
to unfasten the valve and use it separately as a waist bag or a small backpack
(if provided by the design of the valve).
Screws
Screeds are needed to adjust the volume of the
backpack. Ideally, screeds should form a closed belt "frame" around
the backpack, and the entire load should fall on the belts. A better option is
if the sling is sewn through an additional triangle of dense fabric that distributes
the load over a large area.
In addition to the side and vertical screeds,
an additional strap is also placed, allowing the main volume to be tightened
from above, but under the valve. This is very convenient, if you push into a
stuffed backpack any soft thing. The choice of model with an additional line
allows you to compress the volume under the valve.
Pockets
When choosing on pockets, you should also pay
attention because they are convenient for storing small items. It is important
to have the pockets on the backpack, because the location of the pockets at the
bottom of the backpack is not always practical. During the stops you have to
put the backpack not always on a clean surface with pockets down. Zippers on
pockets will quickly fail if they are located in places of active load of the
backpack. Many manufacturers refuse from pockets, limiting the valve.
Hitch
Expedition and assault backpacks have a number
of traditional places for securing external cargo. First, there are belts for
cats on top of the valve. A rope, a tent, a narrow rug can be attached from
below-behind the backpack, under the bottom, for which there are also sewn
belts with buckles. If the backpack does not have back pockets, then it is
convenient to mount the mat backwards vertically along the backpack. To carry
the ice ax at the junction of the back wall with the bottom, the loops are sewn
from the slings, behind them the ice tool is started with the beak down, and
the handle is fixed with a velcro strap or buckle.
There are different semi-rings and carbines for
fixing items on the strap - from the mittens to the knife and flask.
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