Backpacks

Backpacks fall into two main categories: those with external frames and those with internal frames. Although external frames are often looked upon as obsolete or “low-class,” they are still the best choice if you are going to be walking long distances with your pack on roads or trails. If you are planning on walking in Switzerland or trekking in Scotland, if walking is in any way the focus of your trip, this is the way to go. The disadvantages of an external frame are its rigidity, making it difficult to fit into lockers, the tendency for the frame, straps, and buckles to be damaged when checked on airplanes, and the typical lack of any way to lock the darn thing. If you are going to travel with an external frame, box it up before putting it on the plane to Europe.

If you don’t, the baggage system may destroy it, and you can watch the pieces come spilling out onto the carousel (along with chunks of your camera, shreds of your clothes, dirty underwear, and so on). For the return, if you can’t find a box, tighten the straps up and then mummify it with a roll of plastic packing tape. A decent external frame pack will cost USD 120-250.

A good internal frame pack carries a load almost as well as an external frame and is somewhat less liable to damage. However, you should still tighten straps, and box or tape it if possible before entrusting it to an airline. Internal frames usually reflect a more modern design than external frames and have become the packs of choice for most hikers. This is not entirely a reflection of utility, however.

The latest word on carrying a large load is that external frames are slightly better if you are on streets or trails, while internal frames, which more closely hug the body, are better for scrambling on rocks and across rough country. If that’s the primary purpose of your trip, you probably have a backpack already. Completely locking an internal frame is usually not possible. Cost: USD 150-300.

An essential backpack tip is that nothing beats experience. Before buying a new backpack, borrow one of the same type from a friend, get their thoughts on it, load it up with clothes and books, and take it for a walk around the neighborhood. I guess if you truly want to be realistic, walk from house to house, up and down stairs in blazing sun, to simulate a search for accommodation in Rome. Also, most backpacking shops, especially the small ones, will have experienced employees who can give the shopper tons of advice. Once you settle on the type you want you can start shopping around (see Basics #7

for a list of suppliers). Don’t wait until the last minute to buy your pack - order or buy it at least a month before you go. When you get it, as before, load it up with stuff and take it for a good long walk at least once. If you can’t get comfortable with it, or you find some problem and have to return it, that’s the time to find out, not the day you intend to leave. By the way, if you take about ten of those walks, you will not only know your backpack better, but will also have a much better idea of how much your pack really weighs (taking that leather trench coat to Europe may not seem worth it after all), you will have spent lots of time out in the healthy fresh air and sunshine, and your feet will not rise in savage protest when you start your march across Europe. I have to admit that I haven’t always prepared like this. You can read about the gruesome consequences later.

WARNING: No matter what kind of pack you get, try to avoid those that only load from the top. A zipper which allows you to open the whole thing up is essential as far as I’m concerned. Having spent a month digging blindly through a bag, then, in frustration, pouring everything out to get to the one thing I wanted, which was always at the bottom, I will never go to Europe with a top-loader again.