Picking a Pack — A Practical Buyer's Guide

Walking into an outdoor store and seeing a wall of 100+ packs is intimidating. Different sizes, harness systems, fabrics, price points. It's hard to know where to start. Good news: narrowing it down is actually quite easy once you know the right questions to ask.

Here's the practical pack buyer's guide — from daypack to multi-day, from harness fitting to fabric choice.

Photo by Sou Jest on Unsplash

Decide your primary use BEFORE you start looking. Once you know this, every other choice falls into place.

• Day trips only: 20-40 litre daypack
• Overnight or weekend trips: 40-55 litre pack
• Multi-day walks (3+ days): 60-80 litre expedition pack
• Serious extended expeditions: 80-90+ litres

These are guidelines, not rules. If you pack ultra-light, you can use a smaller pack. If you carry creature comforts (camera gear, books, big sleeping bag), you may need to upsize.

Different design philosophies for different uses:

Travel packs

• Zip-away harness (looks like luggage when stowed; better for airline check-in)
• Suitcase-style top opening (easier access to contents)
• Multiple compartments + organisation pockets
• Less waterproof (more zips = more water entry points)
• Boxier shape (snags on bush vegetation)
• Best for: backpacker travel, hostels, mixed flying + bus

Bushwalking packs

• Single or twin compartment (less zips, more waterproof)
• Aerodynamic shape (slips through scrub)
• Lots of external attachment points (poles, axes, mat)
• Heavy-duty hip belt for load transfer
• Best for: hiking, climbing, multi-day bush trips

Hybrid packs exist for those who do both — Osprey Farpoint, Deuter AvianLow. Not as good at either, but versatile.

• 20-30L covers most day hikes — water, snacks, jacket, first aid kit, head torch
• 35-40L for longer day hikes or hike-in/hike-out overnight gear
• Hydration sleeve — slot for a water bladder + hose port. Now standard on most
• Simple is good — fewer features = lighter, fewer things to break
• Pockets matter for usability — easy access to snacks, sunscreen, phone
• Test under load — try with 5kg in store, walk around the shop. Should feel comfortable
• Brands: Osprey Talon (the perennial favourite), Deuter Speed Lite, Black Diamond Distance, Mountain Designs Lyra
• Budget: $80-200

For overnight + multi-day packs, FIT is paramount. The wrong fit causes back pain, shoulder pain, hip pain — turns the trip into an ordeal.

• Visit a reputable outdoor store with a knowledgeable assistant who can fit packs properly
• Try MULTIPLE brands — Osprey, Deuter, Macpac, Mountain Designs all have different harness systems. One will fit your body better than others
• Try the pack with WEIGHT in it — minimum 10-12kg. Empty packs feel great; loaded packs reveal problems
• Walk around for 5-10 minutes — discomfort often emerges only after time. Don't rush this
• Adjust torso length — most multi-day packs have adjustable torso length. The store should set this for you (key fit dimension)
• Hip belt should sit on iliac crest (the bony bit on top of your hip) — that's where load transfers, not on the hip itself

• Single compartment (top-loader) — lighter, more waterproof, simpler. Most ultralight + climbing packs are single compartment
• Twin compartment — separate sleeping bag compartment with internal divider. Easier access to bottom items. Slightly heavier
• Front-panel access (the U-shape zip) — opens like a suitcase. Easy access to whole pack but less waterproof
• Roll-top closures — modern ultralight design. Bombproof waterproof when sealed

• Nylon (Cordura) — most popular pack fabric. Light, tough, absorbs little moisture. Made waterproof by an internal coating that wears off after years — once gone, you need a pack cover or liner
• Canvas — popular Australian + heavy-duty packs. Bombproof tough, stays waterproof for life. Heavy when wet (absorbs water). More expensive. Brands: Black Wolf, Caribee, traditional Aussie outback packs
• Dyneema (Cuban Fibre) — ultralight ultra-strong but very expensive. Used in premium ultralight packs. Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Zpacks
• Recycled/eco fabrics — increasingly common, performance similar to nylon. Better environmental story

• Never carry more than 1/3 of your bodyweight if fit. So 60kg person = 20kg max
• Get weight onto your hips, NOT shoulders. Loosen all straps before putting on, then tighten waist FIRST (snug on iliac crest), then shoulders, then load-lifters + stabilisers
• Heavy items at the TOP + close to spine — keeps centre of gravity high + close. The opposite (heavy at bottom away from back) tips you backward
• Frequently-needed items easily accessible — rain jacket, snacks, water filter, head torch, first aid. Easily-grabbed = used; buried = forgotten when needed
• Use a pack liner (large drybag inside the pack) — guarantees gear stays dry even if the pack itself gets wet

Pack choice is one of the most personal outdoor decisions. Decide your use case, then visit a quality store, try multiple brands with weight in them, and let the salesperson fit it properly. Spending a Saturday afternoon on this saves years of back + shoulder pain.

The right pack lasts a decade or more, takes you on countless trips, and becomes one of the bits of gear you genuinely love. Worth getting right.