© Copyright Dominic Rhodes 2014-
Rucksacks
Choosing the right rucksack important, as a well fitting comfortable model is essential for an enjoyable day out in the hills. Only the selection of your boots will be more important.
Before buying a rucksack you should ask yourself two key questions:
How much do I need to carry?
What do I need to carry?
This will help you select a model with the right capacity and features for carrying what you want to take (e.g. ice axe loops, side pockets).
For overnight trips into the hills I would recommend a sack with a capacity of around 55 litres. Any smaller you risk not being able to fit all your gear in it and any larger you risk the temptation to take too much (too many people can't resist the urge to fill to the brim a rucksack with unnecessary items!). The best thing to do is to go to an outdoor gear shop with a large selection and try them on.
For my overnight trips I use a Berghaus Freeflow III 50+5 litre sack. This has two
lid pockets, a separate compartment at the bottom of the pack, two ice axe loops,
two walking pole holders, side pockets and compression straps, elasticated mesh to
secure items to the outside of the rucksack and also a hole and
a pouch for a hydration
system. I find the pack to be very comfortable and the Freeflow back system is designed
so there is a gap between the back and the pack to allow for ventilation.
I also own a Berghaus Freeflow III 25 litre sack for day walks. The features are the same except that there is no separate pocket at the bottom of the pack and that there are no mesh or side pockets.