| Shopping for backpacking equipment can be a lot | | | | pick the best size for the type of expedition you |
| of fun. Some of the gadgets and gear use | | | | plan on taking. |
| technology that resembles space-aged objects. | | | | You can choose from top-loading backpacks or |
| Other items you notice on store shelves may | | | | panel-loading backpacks. The advantage to |
| give you ideas for other uses they could have on | | | | top-loading backpacks is that they can support |
| tasks around the house. | | | | and contain a lot of items. The huge disadvantage |
| Face it; there are hours of entertainment to be | | | | is that you'll have to unpack everything to get |
| had at a sports equipment store. The important | | | | that tiny piece of equipment at the bottom. |
| things to remember when you're out shopping for | | | | Panel-loading backpacks allow you to have easier |
| backpacking equipment is that the gear you | | | | access but they have a tendency to let rain in |
| choose, no matter how cool it looks, needs to be | | | | through the zippers. |
| chosen based on how well it will help you survive | | | | When choosing a backpack, select one that has |
| and how much it weighs. | | | | proper support and padding in all the right places. |
| It doesn't matter if you'll be backpacking in Mexico | | | | Shoulder supports need to handle 40% of the |
| or Europe; you're going to need basic survival | | | | total weight inside the backpack, so make sure |
| gear. Matches, a knife, a compass, a first aid kit, | | | | construction is strong. |
| water, a whistle, and food are survival | | | | Also, make sure the fabric is tough because your |
| backpacking equipment that you need to carry at | | | | backpacking equipment is going to suffer plenty |
| all times. | | | | of abuse. Pull on seams hard and try to expose |
| You can supplement your basics with a flashlight, | | | | stitches. It should be tough to see them at best. |
| a map, fire starter, a repair kit, and sunglasses, as | | | | Check to see whether inside seams are covered |
| well as a bottle of sunscreen. These small items | | | | with fabric to help keep rainwater from seeping in. |
| can mean the difference between life and death if | | | | For other types of backpacking equipment such |
| something happens to go wrong during any of | | | | as sleeping bags, collapsible stoves, boots, and |
| your backpacking tours. | | | | other things, try to narrow down what kind of |
| Another item of backpacking equipment that is | | | | backpacking trip you'll be going on. |
| very important is, of course, your backpack. | | | | Are you going on a tour or just a weekend hike? |
| There are a wide variety of choices available, but | | | | Does your backpacking equipment need to be |
| be sure to choose a backpack that fits your | | | | able to support a heavy load or are you looking |
| needs. Buying one that is bigger than what you | | | | to do some light trail backpacking instead? Will you |
| require or has more zippers and pockets than | | | | be skiing or hiking in the mountains? |
| actual storage space is a mistake. | | | | Will you be camping or just going out for the |
| You can choose a good day pack for some hours | | | | day? Looking at what you want to accomplish on |
| of trail backpacking or you can buy | | | | your backpacking trip and the type of activities |
| mammoth-sized packs with internal frames that | | | | you'll be doing is important for selecting the rest |
| support heavy loads and carry a ton of stuff, but | | | | of your backpacking equipment. |