 |
 |
Day Packs and What to Put in Them
Each of us develops a personal attachment to a pack. In time it becomes a good friend, never complaining and is with us through many adventures. If you are looking to buy a first pack or replace an old friend, here are some things to think about. Traditional pack versus Fanny pack
[The packs, and their specifications, shown above may be viewed if you browse the Kelty Pack Inc. website at http://www.kelty.com. These are just a few of many packs on the market.] Women’s Pack FramesWomen's frames are generally smaller and now some manufactures are making more comfortable packs for women; they are usually narrower. Packs and RainOne thing that all packs have in common is that they are not waterproof. Again you have two choices. A pack cover which is waterproof (and hard to find for day packs) or do what the English do, put everything into a substantial plastic bag that can be sealed with a twist tie, the easier solution. Water Bottle AccessYou will want your water handy and not have to rummage through your pack every time you want a drink so consider a pack with external pockets for your water bottle(s) or get a water bottle holder that will attach to your waist belt. What to Put In the PackDo what professional pilots do, use a check list and it should live in you pack. Here is mine.
Enjoy the trails safely,
|
||||
|
For day use you have two choices, the traditional pack with shoulder straps or the waist pack, sometimes called a fanny pack. Each has its own merits, the biggest advantage of the traditional pack is size, and you can get a lot more in it. 
However, if you have shoulder or back problems or want a cooler back, especially in summer, you should at least consider a fanny pack. The newer fanny packs are larger and you will need all the room you can get in this style. Make sure it has external straps so you can lash extra stuff to the outside. For me, the key to comfort in packs is what holds the weight of all my stuff. Both packs should have a good, substantial waist belt (wider and padded at the back and sides). These are not always easy to find in stores as they tend to cost a bit more. Both my Kelty packs feature a great belt and I have little weight on my shoulders because it is being put on my hips which can handle it better than my shoulders. If the pack you are looking at doesn’t have a good waist belt at least look for well padded straps. Many of the better packs now come with a sternum strap which also helps. It is a buckled and horizontal strap near the top of the breast bone (sternum).
