Which Backpack Should You Use for Hiking?

If you're thinking about getting into hiking, or you already have a few trails under your belt, you've probably wondered whether you really need a special backpack. The short answer is yes.

I started with the wrong one: a school backpack with everything loose inside. I ended up with a sore back and shoulders, and one of my first camping trips ruined. Since then I've learned how to choose, and here's what I wish someone had told me.

Size isn't everything: comfort shows the moment you put it on empty. Check these four things before you pay.

• Hip belt. Most of us assume a backpack rides on the shoulders. It doesn't. 75 to 85% of the weight should sit on the hip belt. If you don't feel it there, you probably haven't adjusted it right.
• Sternum strap. It looks like a detail, but it keeps the load from pulling you backwards on climbs and spreads the rest across your back. Check the tension before you set off.
• Padded, breathable back panel. So you sweat less and so whatever's inside doesn't dig into you.
• Side pockets. For the things you need within reach without taking the pack off.

Out here the sun is relentless, some climbs are brutal and the weather turns fast. If you're heading to Chipinque, La Huasteca or a nearby peak, don't leave these behind:

• Water: 3 to 4 liters minimum. In Nuevo León the heat starts early.
• Snacks: bananas, nuts, energy bars, electrolytes.
• An offline map: 👉 our Wikiloc profile. Download it at home — there's no signal in much of the park.
• Basic first aid kit: bandages, gauze, antiseptic, a painkiller.
• Light shell or windbreaker: for pre-dawn starts and late descents.
• Sun protection: cap, sunglasses and sunscreen, even when it's cloudy.
• Headlamp: if you start before sunrise or risk finishing late.
• Knife or multi-tool and a whistle if the route is long or unfamiliar.
• A bag for your trash. Everything you carry up comes back down with you.

Tip: there's no water along the trail in La Huasteca or La Silla. Hydrate beforehand and carry extra, even if you don't finish it.

Loading it badly can ruin your day. Weight distribution keeps you balanced and injury-free. Organize by weight and by how often you'll reach for each item:

• Bottom: sleeping bag, pad and any clothes you won't need during the day.
• Middle, against your back: the heaviest things — food, cooking gear, first aid kit.
• Top: light jacket and your water.
• Outside pockets: knife, sunscreen, sunglasses, phone, keys and snacks.

The rule is simple: heavy things close to your back so you don't get pulled sideways, and frequently used things within reach. And use stuff sacks instead of throwing everything in loose.

This comes down to budget more than anything, and there's something for everyone. These are the ones I've used or that friends have recommended:

• Premium: Osprey, Gregory, Salomon, Kelty.
• Best value: Quechua (Decathlon), Columbia, Eddie Bauer.

If you can, try it on in the store with some weight inside. An expensive pack that doesn't fit you is worse than a cheap one that does.

Write to us with any questions or suggestions, and as always, we'll see you on the mountain!

E-mail: [email protected]