CHOOSING
A RUCKSACK
After many years of walking with a variety of rucksacks
(some adequate - some not) I decided that my ideal one
should be of 45+10 litres capacity and have:
- a top pocket to accommodate my
Mountain First Aid Kit
- ergonomic shoulder straps
- side pockets big enough to
accommodate my 1 litre steel flask
- a padded waist belt
- ice axe/trekking pole loops and
- a secure waterproof cover – my
last one disappeared at a rapid rate of knots in a gale
near Glas Maol in Glenshee!.
After reading pages and pages of
gear test reports and making several e-mail enquiries to
manufacturers and retailers in an effort to locate one that
met my requirements, I eventually succeeded in finding one
that met the criteria - and a little bit more - and was well
within budget!
Here are some of the important
features explained:
CAPACITY
Manufacturers usually state this in litres, but as methods
of measurement vary, I found that some 45 litre rucksacks
were larger than other 45 litre rucksacks! Consider
carefully just how much volume you require before finally
deciding on your purchase.
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SHOULDER
STRAPS
Soft padding and contoured – ergonomic - shapes offer
comfort; and breathable fabrics would help ensure my
shoulders didn't get too sweaty.
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POCKETS
Side pockets are ideal for flasks and water bottles while
lid pockets are suitable for maps and guidebooks. The top
pocket I wanted had, as I say, to take my first aid kit.
There is also a large, zipped pocket that takes my map(s)
and it’s accessible by reaching one hand behind to locate
them when wearing the rucksack. Bellows side pockets ensure
that the sack has a narrow, clean line when the pockets are
not in use.
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COMPRESSION STRAPS
In order that a rucksack doesn't flap about and feel
unstable when partially loaded – not that mine often is - a
pair of compression straps will help. The side pockets on my
rucksack has these fitted and I find them very practical.
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WAND POCKETS
The rucksack that I finally bought also has small open
pockets at the sides of the base called wand pockets. They
are designed for use in conjunction with compression straps
to hold ice axes or trekking poles but I’ve found them
useful as easy access pockets for stowing my compass and
toilet paper!
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WAIST BELT
The waist belt has to take some of the load that I seem to
end up carrying and to improve stability, so I wanted my
rucksack to have one that had some padding and wide webbing
for greater comfort.
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ICE AXE/TREKKING POLE
LOOPS
I intended using the rucksack for winter walking, so I
looked for a method of attaching my ice axe – until such
time as I felt it was necessary to have it in my hand. I
also use trekking poles but sometimes just have them stowed
on my rucksack, so I had to bear this in mind as well and
ensure that the loops would accommodate an ice axe or a
couple of trekking poles. The upper fastening, below the top
pocket, has a click-lock, lever clip that doesn’t slip!
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WATERPROOFING
Rucksacks generally leak through the seams so it’s a good
idea to use a plastic/waterproof liner to ensure that the
contents stay dry. Some rucksacks have a waterproof lining
built in so, from time to time, empty everything out and
wipe the inside lining with a warm, slightly damp cloth. In
addition, look for an integral rain cover that will protect
the outer area of the rucksack – one that is securely
fastened!
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SNOWLOCK
CLOSURE
To help keep out rain or snow that might creep in under the
lid, make sure your rucksack has a snow lock closure with a
draw cord.
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CHEST STRAP
Should your rucksack have a chest strap, so much the better
as it is designed to help hold the shoulder strap in place
and stabilise the rucksack. I’m not too happy with one
because of the restriction I feel it causes across my front.
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HYDRATION SYSTEM
COMPATIBILITY
Some rucksacks have a pocket for a hydration system bladder,
a hole for the pipe and a means of attaching the drinking
end of the pipe to the shoulder strap. This is a personal
thing. I prefer to have a 500ml bottle of cold drink
fastened on the waist belt.
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BACK SYSTEM
So that your back doesn’t get sweaty, some manufacturers
have developed clever designs that allow air to flow around
the back more easily, while foam padding is used to increase
comfort. My rucksack has adjustable straps at the shoulders
that allow me to let it fall back a little and so provide
ventilation. I always keep them fastened securely however,
when going up or down hills.
OTHER
THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR RUCKSACK
- Rucksacks suffer a fair amount
of wear and tear over time – getting thrown on the ground
or in and out of the boot of the car – so check it over
from time to time paying particular attention to the
stitching and buckles.
- The basic rule for packing a
rucksack is to put the heaviest, most dense items close to
your back – your own centre of gravity – so as to maximise
stability.
- Don’t have too many ‘bits and
pieces’ fastened to the outside so that your rucksack
resembles a Christmas tree!
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