Tips: In Search of the Perfect Backpack

JAN

Tips: In Search of the Perfect Backpack

Anyone who has gone on any backpack travel adventure usually has advice and stories to tell about their backpack. How they packed it, what they put in it and most importantly, whether it was the right choice for the trip. Choosing the right backpack for a long journey can be a make or break decision, at least where your own back is concerned.

So how does one choose the right one? Jacob Bielanski of Brave New Traveler asked himself this exact question and came up with a list of criteria that I think most travelers would agree on:

- It should not be a ridiculous color or bear any logos that make it a target
- It needs to be modular–when a pouch isn’t needed, I want to be able to remove it in order to lighten my load
- It must be small enough to carry on airplanes
- It needs wide, comfortable straps at both sternum and waist
- It must be able to accommodate a hydration bladder
- It should be rugged
- It needs to have a frame of some kind, preferably a removable one
- It should be cheap

As Jacob continued his search based on this criteria he stumbled across the BlackHawk 3-Day Assault Pack which satisfies just about all of his key deciding factors.

A mid-sized frameless back pack with a ventilating back panel and silent zipper pulls, and has a detachable sternum strap and padded removable waist belt. The inside has a pouch to fit an optional 100 oz. BlackHawk® hydration reservoir system. The pack has a main compartment, smaller cargo pouch and cargo pocket. This 3-day pack also includes sleeping bag straps.

The BlackHawk 3-Day Assault Pack retails for approx. $145. So if you're stressing out planning for your backpacking adventure - now you can go get yourself a BlackHawk and knock one important item off of your never-ending 'to do' list.

But before you run off to buy one, it's a good idea to watch the following video which really goes into the fine details of how to try on, and wear a backpack properly.