Choosing a travel backpack can be very difficult, especially if you have never had to choose one before. We remember the first time we bought backpacks. The time and research that went into our decision were phenomenal (but thankfully paid off). You have to remember that you will be carrying this thing and lugging it on and off buses and trains throughout your travels. Therefore you want to ensure you opt for the right one. A bad decision can really make or break your trip. It wasn’t until we backpacked around Australia in 2015 that we fully appreciated how your backpack is one of the most important aspects of your travels and how having the ‘wrong’ one could have ruined our dream trip. Therefore, you need to consider a number of aspects before deciding on the right one for you. Here are a few things to bear in mind.
Features
Depending on the activities you plan on using your backpack for will depend on the features you need it to offer. There are various design features on specialist backpacks such as ones for fishing, cycling, hiking, camping or simply for carrying your belongings. Therefore, one of the first things you need to consider is what you will be using your backpack for then look for ones that have features suitable for that activity. Things to consider are size, material, padded straps and weight. Some also offer LED lights, multiple straps and several compartments which may benefit you or may not.
Panel Access
When choosing a travel backpack, we suggest you consider panel access. A panel-loading backpack allows you to organise your backpack like you would a suitcase but still offers the ease of carrying your backpack instead of wheeling a suitcase. If you travel regularly or plan on visiting several destinations that will require different clothes, panel access is a must. You can arrange your belongings based on destination or activity. For example, you can pack your beachwear in one place and simply open one panel to get it out rather than having to unpack all of a basic top-loading backpack.
Safety
Safety is a massive factor you must consider when choosing a travel backpack. Especially if you are travelling on your own. Nothing screams tourist than carrying a backpack and this may make you a target for unscrupulous people. Therefore ensure that the backpack you choose can either be locked or you can add locks to it. Also, ensure that all expensive/personal items are packed well enough that an opportunist cannot simply open a panel and swipe them. You may also want to consider an anti-theft backpack. They are made from a special fabric that prevents it from being slashed.
Size
Choosing the right sized travel backpack is vital. Anything too big and it will be difficult to carry (which you will soon get annoyed with) and anything too small and you will struggle to fit everything you need in. Depending on how long your trip is should also play a part in deciding which backpack is right for you. If you are taking a short trip don’t opt for something unnecessarily big. You will simply get fed up with lugging it around when a smaller one would have been perfectly fine. Also the bigger your travel backpack the more likely you are to pack more stuff than you actually need for your trip.
Price
It is likely that you have a budget when choosing a travel backpack. However, it is important to remember that when it comes to travel backpacks often cheap does mean poor quality. The last thing that you need is for your backpack to break while travelling. Therefore, where possible buy your travel backpack from a shop so you can check out the quality before buying. Failing that read as many unbiased reviews as possible when buying online to ensure you are getting value for money. If you do have the option to spend a bit more consider a backpack as an investment, especially if you plan on using it frequently.
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