When choosing a pack, the first thing to consider is how much capacity you want. Carrying a pack that’s bigger than you need means you’ll be carrying extra weight. Ideally, your pack should be big enough to fit all your gear inside except for the items you intentionally choose to attach to the exterior.

TYPES OF PACKS

Look at the pack wall in any MEC store and you’ll see there are dozens of styles to choose from. Some are designed for specific activities like mountain biking or trail running, some are more versatile and will adapt to different adventures. Think of how you’ll use the pack most often, and if you’ll need it to function for one activity or many.

DAYPACKS

These little workhorse packs are designed for your everyday carry or for hikes and activities that last a few hours, but less than a day. Unless they’re an ultralight model designed to stash in a pocket or inside another pack, they usually have a lightly padded back panel, and no rigid internal frame. They are best for carrying loads less than 10kg, as the weight is supported by your shoulders rather than your hips.

Look for:

Mesh or venting channels down the back to help keep you cool
Waist strap to prevent the pack from bouncing or shifting, for this size it won’t need to bear weight
Hydration sleeves and ports if you plan to use a hydration system
10–25L capacity

BACKPACKING AND EXPEDITIONS

Sized for multi-day adventures, these packs are designed to carry heavy loads comfortably. A side zipper or a separate compartment for a sleeping bag is handy, so you don’t have to unpack all your stuff to find just one item. Some packs come with detachable side pockets or a removable top lid you can leave at home if you don’t need the extra capacity for a trip.

Substantial internal frame to support weight
Well-padded, adjustable hipbelt, shoulder straps, and backpanel
An exterior pocket to store wet gear
Top, side and bottom access
Straps on the outside for attaching gear
55–70L for backpacking and up to 100L for expeditions

TRAVEL PACKS

For destinations where wheeled luggage won’t work, a travel pack might be perfect. Built like a backpack, they usually have a cover or zippered panel to tuck away the straps, belts and buckles so they don’t get snagged in a luggage carousel or broken during transit. A detachable daypack is often a feature. It gives you a small pack to use for day trips, to use as your carry-on bag and provides some extra capacity to bring home souvenirs.

Internal frame to support weight
Padded hipbelt, shoulder straps and back
Detachable daypack or lid
Pocket or panel to cover shoulder straps and hipbelt
Main pack or detachable pack is sized to meet carry-on restrictions
Internal organizers to keep clothing and shoes arranged
45–75L capacity

HOW TO FIT A BACKPACK

Most large-capacity packs come in different sizes to suit different body shapes. Look for a “back length” or “torso length” measurement when you’re shopping for a pack. It’s a better indication of how the pack will fit than your overall height. No matter how large the pack, if it’s correctly sized and adjusted, it should feel like an extension of your own body.

MEASURE YOUR BACK LENGTH

Find the most prominent vertebrae in your neck, at about the same level as the top of your shoulders.
Find the top of your hipbone and trace a line around to the middle of your back.
Measure the distance between these two points, this is your back length.

Put about 8–10kg of stuff in the pack and loosen all of the straps. Remember to loosen the stabilizer straps at the top of the shoulder straps too.

ADJUST AND FIT THE PACK

The hipbelt should entirely cover your hipbones. Some packs allow you to raise or lower the placement of the belt.
Tighten the hipbelt so it’s snug but doesn’t restrict your breathing. Make sure it doesn’t shift up or drop below your hipbones.
Pull down on the shoulder strap adjustments until they are comfortably snug. The straps should lie flat without bunching. They should lie flat against your shoulders, without touching your neck and without a large gap between the top of your shoulder and the strap.
Slowly snug the top stabilizer straps. Pull them until you start to feel a hint of weight on your shoulders.
Fasten the sternum strap that connects the shoulder straps and adjust it so your chest can expand naturally.
If there are stabilizer straps on the hipbelt, snug those for comfort.

Walk around and lean forward and back to see if the weight feels balanced. Try to adjust any points that are causing pressure or are rubbing against your skin.

CARE AND REPAIR

Repairing and storing your pack properly will go a long way to making it last. Make sure it’s dry before you put it away and keep it out of direct sunlight. You can use an old toothbrush to clean dirt out of the zippers before you put it away. If the zippers feel sticky and are not sliding smoothly, try rubbing a candle over the teeth and sliders to lubricate them.

Buckles are easy to replace. Consider getting some spares and carrying one with you when hiking or skiing. A functioning buckle is crucial for a comfortable trip.