Choosing your pack is an important process. It’s going to be your closest companion for many of your outdoor activities and often needs to be versatile to suit your specific needs. A big part of this choice is the volume your pack can hold.
Activities
The first consideration for volume selection is an obvious one; “How much stuff am I going to be carrying?” Your ‘stuff’ is often the vital equipment you carry for your chosen activity, be that sun cream or a 2 man tent. Let’s take a look at three example activities.
30 – 65L
65L +
HIKING
SHORT-DURATION
BACKPACKING
EXPEDITION
Weather
Another important consideration is climate. Colder, more adverse weather will require a different set of clothing and equipment. On the other hand, in hotter climes you will need less layers and less equipment and therefore will have more room available for your essentials. Research your location and your activity to decide what is seasonally appropriate to your trip.
Longevity
Today may be a day hike but what are your plans for your next adventure? Osprey packs are extremely durable and long lasting, these packs are likely to stick with you for years. It’s for this reason that you should consider which pack will be right for you in the years to come. Will you be trying out longer overnight backpacking trips in the future? A compromise on the short term usage may be useful for your long term plans.