Hiking Backpack vs Travel Backpack
Delineating between hiking and travel backpacks is instrumental in finding a pack that fits your needs. Let’s delve deeper into the basic features of these backpacks, allowing an effective analysis and selection process.
Hiking backpacks check essential boxes in terms of utility and comfort. Specifically designed for outdoor ventures, these bags boast a few unique attributes.
- High Volume: Hiking backpacks typically range between 40-70 liters in size providing ample space for equipment like sleeping bags, tents, and stoves. For instance, backpackers often choose Deuter Aircontact 65+10 for its 75 litres volume.
- Frame: A hiking backpack often includes an internal or external frame, providing the support necessary for carrying heavy loads. Gregory’s Baltoro 65 backpack, with its Response A3 Suspension, demonstrates such a frame offering.
- Material Durability: Including robust, water-resistant materials, hiking backpacks are built to endure harsh environments. The North Face Terra 65, made from 600D polyester, presents an example of this durability.
- Ventilation: Built with a ventilation system, hiking backpacks prevent excess heat and sweat build-up. Osprey’s Atmos AG 65 with Anti-Gravity suspension showcases excellent back-ventilation.
Targeting a different audience, travel backpacks offer a distinct set of features considering convenience and mobility over rugged experiences.
- Moderate Volume: Often holding between 30-50 liters, travel backpacks prioritize maximum mobility without compromising the essence of travel essentials. For example, Outlander’s packable handy lightweight travel hiking backpack folds into a zipper pocket making it ideal for travel.
- Compartmentalization: Designed for ease of access, travel backpacks invest in compartmentalization. Multiple pockets, as in the SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart Laptop Backpack, make organizing simple.
- Material Versatility: Travel backpacks often incorporate materials that are light yet sturdy. The eBags TLC Weekender, made of twisted filament polyester, embodies this balance.
- Form Factor: Travel backpacks usually adopt a suitcase-like opening for easy access, like the Hynes Eagle 38L flight-approved weekender carry on backpack.
Comparing Design: Hiking Backpack vs Travel Backpack
Diving deeper into the design dynamics, have a look at the flexibility aspects of both hiking and travel backpacks.
A hiking backpack shows flexibility in its robust design. It usually holds a sturdy internal or external frame that enhances load management, especially when hauling hefty items for outdoor excursions. In addition, the design includes multiple attachments points, providing spatial freedom for gear like sleeping bags, tents, or trekking poles. Also, the substantially roomy main compartment provides flexibility for packing various hiking essentials. For moisture control, it incorporates ventilation systems, ensuring the comfort of the wearer even during intense hiking
On the flip side, a travel backpack prioritizes smart utility. It typically boasts a suitcase-style opening that permits easy unpacking and packing. On top of that, its diverse compartments and pockets provide precise organization for a range of travel items such as clothes, toiletries, tech equipment and documents. To accommodate dynamic travel environments, the design includes versatile materials for durability and elements of weather resistance. Certain models even offer a detaching day pack, giving users additional flexibility for short-term excursions.
Comparing Comfort: Hiking Backpack vs Travel Backpack
Hiking backpacks prioritize back support and cushioning, given the potential for long trekking sessions carrying heavy loads. Often, they sport sturdy internal or external frames to distribute weight evenly. Adjustable shoulder straps, waist belts, and sternum straps further refine the load distribution, minimizing strain on one’s back, shoulders, and hips. For instance, the Deuter Aircontact Lite 65+10 hiking backpack provides these comfort features.
Ventilation systems often form another key comfort feature of hiking backpacks. These designs aim to minimize heat build-up between the bag and the wearer’s back, critical for outdoor exertions. Hiking backpacks like the Osprey Atmos AG 65 hike pack come equipped with such advanced ventilation systems.
Travel backpacks, on the other hand, prioritize ease of mobility and access. Cushioned back panels and adjustable shoulder straps, while less robust than their hiking counterparts, offer substantial comfort for shorter periods or lighter loads. Examples include the classic Farpoint 40 from Osprey and the Pack Society Classic Backpack.
Slide zips, front-loading designs, and suitcase-style openings facilitate easy packing and retrieval, adding to the user’s convenience. Additionally, travel backpacks might also boast concealable shoulder straps or carry handles for smooth transitions between backpack and hand-carry modes, a key comfort feature represented by models like the Tortuga Setout travel backpack.