web analytics

Tips and Tricks for lightweight hiking backpack

By

When you are planning for a hiking trip there are essential items to pack and this list could vary depending on where you are going, how long you plan on being gone and who you are going with. The latter being the number one important consideration, as the buddy system is still in place for any curious adventures.

Gear is designed to accommodate a huge amount of necessities all reduced down into a super lightweight hiking backpack. Packing a backpack is fun because you can test your skills on how to get as many important items loaded up and still enjoy hauling that rucksack on your back without succumbing to the weight halfway through your hike. Luckily, there is an abundance of necessities available on the market which are now sold in compact sizes to accommodate the lightweight hiking backpacks.

Backpacking today is a broad term meaning anything from the day field trip to the ultralight backpack world traveler. Spend some time around backpacking fanatics and you will learn quickly how to squash a giant bundle into an easy weight to carry (some road travelers will even cut their toothbrush down to a bare minimum as an example of lightening a load).

Flashpacking is now one of the most popular ways to push away from day to day routine into an explorer mindset. This newer trend is basically backpacking with means. Flashpackers love their electronic devices and tend to stay in nicer places.

Knowing how to pack and make it the long haul without back pain or any other unwanted crisis is the key to being the true master of your journey. Whatever backpacking genre you are in, these are the essential tips and tricks for lightweight hiking backpacks:

How to buy the perfect backpack:

Ultralight is the word here. The backpacking industry is working hard to make functional, lightweight backpacks with smart pockets and sleek innovations. Purchase a light backpack. The packing is going to involve some mastery on your part to reduce the volume and weight of every piece of gear. If you are really good at packing, you can end up with a backpack weighing in at less than 2 pounds.

Know your torso length because packing depends tremendously on the length of your spine, not your height. Backpacks are available in so many different sizes and all carry on the back differently. It is advisable to be picky about this purchase.

Speaking of picky, don’t be mesmerized by a huge backpack, remember the bigger the pack is the more likely you are to fill it with the ‘just in case’ stuff.

Don’t overlook the necessity of outer pockets; you will be surprised how they will come in handy. Consider your water bottle for instance; will it fit and stay put? Can you reach it without having to dismount your pack?

About Packing:

The best way to achieve a great balance is in the load transfer. Put all your heaviest dense items like food, fuel, cooking gear, and other heavier in the center of the pack and closer to your spine. This is where the buddy system can help if you are doing backcountry or cross-country trips, you can share the weight of items like tents and cooking supplies. Having a great lightweight back pack is awesome, but there are some essentials which should always be in included in anyone’s travel gear:

  • First-aid supplies
  • Fire starters can be the new flint gadgets or simply waterproof matches, candles or a lighter. Carry at least two ways to start a fire.
  • Repair kit and tools are small enough to fit into a backpack and typically hold a variety of different items which you may need in a crisis.
  • Food for backpacking can be found especially for this adventure, or you can bag up small quantities of rice, beans, and other easy-fit-high-nutrition products. Dried and freeze-dried food items work the best
  • Water and plenty of it; It is also advisable to bring along a way to filter questionable water sources.
  • Emergency shelter or the tent you should carry is called a Heatsheet Emergency Bivy. These are the best and most compact you can get for backpacking.
  • Protection from unwanted threats can mean anything from a human to a charging moose, depending on where your adventures take you. A large can of bear spray works on everything and everyone and is user-friendly. A good knife is also recommended, not only as a defense but for necessary tasks.

Berghaus Jalan II Hiking Backpack Review

By 4 Comments

What are the Best Backpacks out there today?

That depends, of course.

Are you the weary traveler?

Are you the lone outdoor hiker?

Or are you simply a student wanting to make life easier when carrying your books, gadgets, laptop or overnight doodads.

That’s where the Berghaus Jalan II pack comes into play…


Based on overall rating, quality of material, size, durability and reputation of the maker, the Berghaus Jalan II is one of the best backpacks that anyone could own.

This pack comes in a 60 liter version for men and a 65 liter version for women, one of the larger packs we have reviewed. A huge reason we love this backpack so much is that it zips most of the way round so you can open it like a suitcase!

It also has a detachable day sack, which is hydration pack compatible (another great feature!) Amongst other features, the great thing about this rucksack is Biofit back system which is designed specifically for carrying large loads and helps keep the loads stable as well as a comfortable fit.

At a price of $280, its on the higher end; but you get a quality backpack. No qualms from us!

Berghaus backpacks are known for their quality of design and workmanship. Since 1966, outdoor wear as we know it didn’t really exist, then Berghaus came along.

The Build…

I absolutely had to buy a new backpacker rucksack as the one by Vango that I used in while overseas wore out VERY quickly.  It was a mess at the end of my deployment and when I got back after those 5 months, it went in the trash!  What a waste.

I’m so happy to have the Berghaus rucksack now because it is so much better.  It’s very well made and for heavy use, it’s perfect.

The main fabric is impossible to rip though, so there are no tears.  Every strap and buckle is of top quality so they’re working perfectly and still look great.  The stitching is solidly done and although the first holes usually appear on a seam when you’re over-stuffing your backpack, I don’t have any.  It’s still as solid as a rock.

When it comes to quality in manufacturing, you’d be hard pressed to beat a Berghaus backpack.

The Price…

For me, buying a new rucksack was an investment I needed to make after the flimsy Vango I’d used in Australia.  I wanted to spend my money wisely and chose the Jalan, which sits in the mid-price range.  It’s just shy of £100 so it’s certainly not the cheapest.  Because I wanted to save money last time I made the mistake of buying a cheap rucksack which didn’t last!

For me, the £100 has been well worth it because the quality of this one tells me that it’s going to last me a good few years more.  I have a buddy, Amar, from Gap Year Escape that has had the same backpack as mine for over 4 years now and it’s still going strong.

Although you may need one now for a trip lasting only a few months, chances are you’ll travel again and need your backpack.  So if you’re not strapped for cash right now, you can easily justify the price tag.

The Size…

Regarding the contents of my bag . . . . .

The previous pack I had was 80 + 20 litres.  Because it could hold so much I used it as an excuse to buy way too much stuff.  I was lugging around things I didn’t really need.

This time I have a 60 litre main sack which easily carries everything I’ve packed for my Gap Year, with space to spare.  The additional 10 litre day pack gives me an extra bit of room just in case I need to pack in a rush and find myself cramming everything in!!

The reduced size means my baggage weight has come down which saves me money when I’m flying on a low cost airline.  Overall though it is so much easier to carry!

The Practicality…

The Berghaus Jalan II has some nifty features which are perfect for backpackers:

For starters, it isn’t designed like a traditional top-loader.  This bag zips up more like a suitcase, which makes it easier to pack and also a lot easier to find your stuff!!  There is no more rooting around, elbow deep in dirty laundry!!  My only hesitation with this design is that it isn’t a full-split, which means that the bottom 25% is still enclosed, which is a disappointment.

When you open the bag you’ll see some straps which are used to compact everything.  There is also a mesh net, which works well to separate stuff from the main part.  This can be used for dirty clothes, electric chargers or even important travel documents.

On the outside of the bag there are more compression straps, a side-carry strap, a top-carry strap and fully adjustable, breathable back and waist straps.  So lugging this bad for long distances is no problem.

If that wasn’t enough, all the clips and zips are semi-hidden so they don’t get caught on things which could cause them to break.  They’re also not in the way.  There’s also a hidden cover that is used for packing away the back and waist straps during flights or bus or car trips when traveling over land.

The detachable day sack can be expanded if need be.  But the straps on the day bag aren’t the same sturdy quality as is on the rest of the pack, so you wouldn’t want to be carrying around anything too heavy.  The day bag though is a great little addition and perfect for swimwear and a towel for a day at the beach.  And there might even be room for a sandwich or two!!


What people might be saying or asking us…

Questions: How is the material quality of this backpack?

I hears the zips make sometimes problems cause they are likely to break easily.

How is your impression of the quality?

Answer: The material is designed to be hard-wearing, so can with stand the general battering. We have not heard of any problems wiht the zips, of course they can be stiff which is very normal but not any breaking.

Basic Overview:

Pros:

  • Good Size
  • Solid Build
  • Detachable day sack
  • Compression straps
  • Comfortable and adjustable

Cons:

  • Higher price bracket
  • Not full split layout
  • Day sack straps not the best

Click Here to See Pricing, Ratings, and Reviews on Amazon.com

Berghaus Jalan II Backpacks

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gregory Baltoro 65 Technical Pack Review

By 2 Comments

For the outdoor enthusiast who values comfort and organization above all else when selecting a bag for the trail, there is the Gregory Baltoro 65. Loaded with features that are invisible to the naked eye, one almost has to wear it to understand what sets it so far apart from the rest.

baltoro 65
In terms of gear storage, this hiking style backpack has as much space to offer as any other bag of it’s kind. In addition to the expandable main pouch there is a multitude of other pockets for packing items that need to be close at hand and easily accessed while on the trail.

Coming from a reputable dealer like Gregory, quality is assured through durable fabrics and impeccable construction. For the serious hiker who wants all the features of a top tier pack but doesn’t want to carry a ton of weight, the Baltoro 65 is a perfect midsize option for those three to four day trips.

On top of being extremely well put together in terms of padding and contour, both the shoulder and waist straps of the Baltoro 65 have what is known as a pivoting suspension system.

gregory baltoro 65 pack

This cutting edge feature helps keep the load weight balanced while allowing more natural body movement when walking or climbing.

The LifeSpan EVA Foam from which the straps are constructed provides a snug and contoured fit, especially when worn for long periods of time.

Combine this with a thermo-molded back panel and you’ve got a recipe for optimal comfort.

The Baltoro’s functionality really shines in the design of the main storage pouch. A large front entry in addition to the drawstring top entry allow the user to get something from deep within the bag without having to unpack and repack everything in order to reach it.

And that’s not all!!

If that’s not enough, there is a bottom entry as well. A liner separates the bottom of the main pouch from the sleeping bag compartment but can be removed to expand on the size of the main pouch.

Straps on the bottom allow a sleeping pad to be secured, while several straps on the front of the pack allow for more exterior storage and compression.

A spacious front pocket along with unusually convenient side pockets at the waist level, are ideal for stashing extra gear. There are even pockets on the waist belt itself.

Other cool features of the Gregory Baltoro 65 include the ability to remove the top pouch and convert it easily to a messenger style bag for shorter hikes. This is an extremely convenient solution for carrying around a bunch of unnecessary gear.

Located covertly within this detachable pack is a secret storage pocket that’s perfect for stowing valuables like the wallet and cell phone. Fort those who prefer a hydration pouch over the traditional canteen, there is a compartment designed exclusively to accommodate that as well.

Peep the video below for an in-depth visual and technical look into the Gregory Baltoro 65:

 

—->> Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com

Available in a variety of colors and two other sizes, the Baltoro 65 from Gregory is a must have for the hiker who values comfort above all else. Purchase a rain cover (not included) and you’ve got a versatile bag that’s so comfortable you might forget you are wearing it.

Made in the USA with top quality materials, buyers can rest easy knowing that they are getting a lifetime warranty that they will likely never need.