May 20, 2019

The 6 Essential Points to Choose your Travel Backpack

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Picking the best travel backpack, or the best travel rucksack, messenger bag or laptop backpack is important. The bag may last for many years and hiking miles if you take good care of it, so it is probably smart to invest in a high-quality bag. Quality doesn’t always mean you’re going to break the bank, sure you can find a premium leather backpack for men or women and pay a lot for them, but you can also shop around, wait for sales and look out for good deals. Be it a travel or hiking backpack or rucksack, laptop backpack, leather backpack for men, there are key qualities that apply across the board.

1. Water-Resistant Material

While your pack does not need to be 100 per cent waterproof make sure you purchase waterproof backpack so nothing gets wet in a drizzle. Moreover, you never know when you can be caught up in a small rainstorm, torrential downpours, or even monsoons. Urban messenger bags are made of tough synthetic materials, like nylon that is then treated with water-resistant coatings to further protect your portfolio or documents.

Yukon vintage Backpack hanging down a tree

2. Lockable Zippers

If you are like most people, you are probably paranoid that someone is going to put something in your bag or that a grabby baggage handler in an airport is going to take your stuff. So make sure each compartment has working zippers. When purchasing locks, be sure the package says they are TSA-friendly locks that allow them to open your back without breaking your locks. You can purchase TSA locks at any large retail store, such as Walmart or Target.

close up of the zipper of the Helsinki Bag

3. Multiple Compartments

A good bag must have several compartments. This makes it easier to store and locate your items and belongings. For instance, your clothes can be in the main compartment, your umbrella, and flip-flops in the top, your computer in a dedicated laptop sleeve and your shoes in the separated side compartment. This way you don’t get everything dirty and it saves you time digging around your bag. Same thing for messenger bags

4. Internal Frame

Hiking backpacks and rucksacks with an internal frame not only look better but the rods won’t get caught on anything, making moving around easier. Basic backpacks/rucksacks contain simple frames that can carry loads of up to 40lb. If you are planning to carry a heavier load you should look for one with a sturdier frame, and this inevitably will increase your weight. Be sure to look for ones with extra padding for comfort.

5. Padded Shoulder Straps

Padded shoulder straps make carrying your load easier and comfortable depending on the weight you are carrying. The pads put less pressure on your shoulders and take the pressure off your lower back.

6. Size Matters

When it comes to size, no one backpack size is better than another. What matters is that your backpack is proportional to your body. Too big and it may cause you to have back pain or maybe even make you topple over, too small and it may overflow with your stuff. If you can find a backpack that feels comfortable, can fit everything you need, and still has a bit of extra room, then you have found the perfect backpack size.