What to Look For and Things To Know when purchasing your backpack:

You will find that backpacks come in all sorts of shapes, colors and designs.  Here are some tips to make the right decisions on what type of backpack to purchase.  Make sure that you know what type of backpack you are looking for before you begin to shop for one.  You will be much happier with your purchase if you get some facts about backpacks first.

You should look for a backpack with a double bottom with differentially cut inside layers.  This will put weight on the inside layer of the pack and significantly prolongs the life of your backpack.

You want to look for backpacks with a slim profile, especially if traveling off-trail and straps and loops for transporting sleeping pads, ice tools, etc.  Caution, the more straps and loops you have will add weight to your pack rather quickly.

Compression straps to enable a slim profile and stable load and for carrying poles, wands, etc.

Preferably, you want to find a backpack with double zippers--in case one zipper blows out or breaks, you won't lose functionality or your investment.

It is important to know your torso length. When you don't know the length of your torso, it will often cause an uncomfortable realization, after the fact, that the pack doesn't fit correctly and you will be stuck with a backpack that doesn't fit properly and may cause issues that could have been avoided.  Some of the backpacks available will have adjustable torso lengths so this maybe something to look into especially if this backpack will be used for more than one person.

To determine your torso size, ask a friend or family member to help you, if possible. You will need a tape measure or tailor's tape to measure along your back from the seventh vertabrae--the largest bump on the back of your neck, with your head tilted forward--to a point on your lower back which is horizontal with the top of your hipbones. 

Once you have figured you torso size, you will want to figure out what you really need the backpack for - for example, is this a day trip, a week trip or several weeks.  Most back packs that you will see will give you the size of the pack as well as the cubic inches for capacity.

If you are looking for a lightweight backpack you will want to find something with an aluminum, titanium or other lighweight alloy suspension frame. 

Other considerations you want to think about before considering a pack other than the use issue should be:  large main compartments, front as well as top load access.  Adjustable padded back supports as well as contoured padded shoulder straps.  Extra compartments for gear, water bottles and other necessities.