When slogging uphill, straps biting into shoulders, many of us must wish for some kind of anti-gravity rucksack. Sadly that may take a while to appear, but the current goal of the gear manufacturers is to create packs that weigh next to nothing and are so comfortable that you’ll forget you’re wearing them. Paula Davies from Lowe Alpine UK guides you though the process of choosing the perfect pack for your next uphill struggle.

The past and the present
Things have come a long way since the early canvas and metal torture devices and these days pack design has more in common with engineering than sewing. Each year the manufacturers release increasingly technical creations, aimed at improving comfort and stability to let you concentrate on the activity rather than your juddering burden.

The first adjustable back length system came onto the market in the 90s, and since then improving load-carrying comfort, stability and build quality have been the objectives of all serious manufacturers. Developments such as the Crossbow stabilisation system from Lowe Alpine and other compression systems have all improved pack stability, whist providing increasingly innovative shapes.

The future is all about going lightweight, and with the continued development of pack fabrics, lightweight clothing, and compact equipment, pack sizes can come right down. If you leave the kitchen sink at home it’s totally possible to hut to hut in the Dolomites with a well-packed sub 30L sack. Imagine – waterproofs, spare base layers, sleeping bag, food, crampons, camera, and it’s smaller than your average carry on luggage. Now that’s going to bring a smile to your face as you cruise uphill. Many of the lightweight lessons have been learnt in mountain marathons where every ounce counts, and if you want to see how light you can really go, saw that toothbrush in half and have a look at www.lamm.co.uk.

There is also an increased focus on end-use where designers are striving to improve pack performance for specific activities. This ultimately benefits the user, but it can make the decision of which pack to buy even more daunting.

Choosing a pack
Manufacturers tend to group pack models into five categories; backpacking and load carrying, daypacks/walking, active mountain sports, technical climbing / ski touring, and travel. Start by selecting a pack for your activity and then compare the different models available.

For any pack it is essential that you try the pack on fully loaded otherwise you will be left with a false impression of performance. Either use in-store weights, or use shop items such as ropes. (Don’t forget to ask the staff first!) After cinching-in the side compression straps and stabilisation straps walk or jog around then ask yourself a few questions:

• Do the shoulder straps sit over your shoulders with no gaps?
• Does the pack feel stable on your back or does it move around?
• Do the straps dig in at all?
• Do the waist belt and sternum strap sit comfortably in the right place?
• Does the pack have a good ventilated back system to allow your clothing systems to breathe?
• Are there wicking fabrics in body - contact areas to pre vent perspiration patches?

If the answer is no to any of these questions try a different pack, and you’ll soon notice the difference. Most manufacturers also offer packs available specifically designed to fit the female form, so don’t forget to check these out too. The shoulder straps may start from a narrower take-off point and be more shaped, the chest harnesses could be different, or waist belts might have narrower starting points and be contoured differently.

Backpacking and load carrying
Approach the process of choosing a load carrying pack in much the same way as you would when buying a pair of hiking boots. It is essential to make sure a pack fits you correctly. There are a plethora of packs to choose from but don’t settle on an exact model until you have determined which ones fit, and it is definitely worth setting aside some time to shop around. When you visit a retailer, ask to speak with a properly trained or experienced member of staff, and just like choosing boots, don’t be afraid to go elsewhere if you’re not getting the service you need. If you’re unsure of which stores have received adequate training then try asking the manufacturers for their recommended stores.

A well-trained member of staff will measure your back length first. You may be more used to choosing a pack by litre size but this is not the best method as an oversized and ill-fitting pack can cause considerable discomfort and even long-term back pain. Your back length will determine which pack you should be wearing; this can be defined as the measurement from the hip point (top of the hip-bone) to the 7th vertebra.

Having measured your back, you should choose a pack that is either the right length from the start or can be customised to the correct length for you. Adjustable back systems vary for each manufacturer but most are simple to adjust. Once adjusted correctly you should never need to do so again – so make sure it fits right from the start.

Now consider exactly what you will be using the pack for. Often the choice can be defined by comfort versus weight. A model designed for load carrying comfort over extended periods of time may be heavier than other models designed for a more technical purpose. If weight is the overriding issue consider models which use lighter fabrics and weight-saving simplified backsystems. Always ask a knowledgeable member of staff if you are unsure, or have a good peruse of the manufacturers guidelines. Now is a good time to think about:

• How much you can afford
• Do you need maximum load carrying comfort or is weight the overriding issue?
• Will you be carrying the pack fully loaded all or most of the time, or will you want a pack that compacts down when half empty?
• Will you be wearing a helmet with the pack and therefore need to consider headroom?
• Do you need side pockets? If so would it be useful to be able to compress them down when not in use?
• Do you want a hydration system facility built in?
• Would it be useful to have an internal divider for sepa rating wet gear?
• What other features have you seen that would be worth spending a little more to have?

When you have chosen a suitable model, the next thing to do is load the pack up. Take time to load the pack correctly leaving no gaps, especially at the base and in line with your back. It’s a myth that you should always load a pack with the heaviest items at the top, on technical ground it’s more important to stay balanced, which is best achieved by loading the heavy items low down and close to your back. Once loaded try the pack on, first secure the pack tightly with the hip belt and then cinch in the shoulder straps. Fine tune the fit using top tensioners and compression straps to ensure correct load distribution. If the pack fits correctly there should be no discomfort or movement. Check the following:

• Is the hip belt is positioned correctly? Loosen the shoulder straps, this should make little or no difference.
• Do the shoulder straps sit flush on your shoulders with no gap in between?
• Top tensioners should be at an angle no greater than 30 degrees.
• Check the compression straps are tight.

Daypacks or walking
A daypack purchase can be quite straightforward, but there are still a few things to watch out for. Choose one with a padded hip belt and shoulder straps for comfort, together with a well ventilated back system to prevent overheating and assist the clothing breathability. If you use walking poles look for a daypack with side compression straps and wand pockets. These compression straps also make the pack more versatile as you can crank them down when the sack is less full giving greater stability. Then finally decide whether you would prefer side pockets or a slimmer profile pack - pockets are ideal for walking, but can impede movement or snag when climbing.

Active mountain sports
These packs are designed for body hugging stability during fast movement over difficult terrain. Their design concepts have been leading the way in lightweight pack innovation. Backsystem ventilation and wicking materials should be situated in all body contact areas to keep you dry and comfortable, and the priority when mountain running or cross-country skiing is to clamp the load tight against your body in the region of least movement. Almost always this will be the lower back area, which explains the contour shaping of many models. To prevent bounce and sway with part loads, remember to cinch in the compression straps and adjust the waist and/or chest straps for a snug fit. Other nifty features are non-jangle zip pulls, reflective tape, built-in hydration facilities and bottle holsters, and quick access pockets on the waist belt for energy bars or a compass.

Technical climbing packs
Weight is often the crucial factor with more technical packs so always look out for the new lightweight materials. Decide exactly which features will benefit you the most and choose your pack accordingly. Some features may add weight but others are removable such as gear loops, shovel pockets or waist belts. A few key features to look out for are:
Ice tool storage: There are many methods of stowing ice tools. The most common are using a rear tool shield (glacial approaches), slid behind the side compression straps where they are accessible and keep the pack’s centre of gravity closer to your back (on rock) or in holsters or lower compression straps (on mixed ground) Traditionally crampons are strapped to the lid, but this makes the pack top-heavy, so many packs now have a purpose-made crampon pocket on the front.
Ski storage: Many packs incorporate ski fittings. Fit skis with tips uppermost and bindings clamped between the two sets of compression straps. Fit a ski clip around the tips to pull them into a stable ‘A’ shape.
Load compression: The pack load will be relatively small on technical climbing sections, when ropes and hardware are in use. So consider the design of compression straps to stabilize the pack and prevent those sudden, disconcerting load shifts.
Max Headroom : You may be wearing the pack whilst using a helmet and head torch, check for sufficient headroom.

Travel packs
Travel packs can be great for general use, but remember to check back length here too, especially if you are planning to carry the pack over long periods of time. Some feature adjustable back systems, and others have a zip away harness for ease of handling and discretion. Look for zip-around “panel opening” systems to allow easy access, and internal load organisation features such as compression straps and mesh pockets. A padded shoulder strap will give comfortable carrying at the airport, and a removable daypack is always a bonus.

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