Travel friends tell you how to choose and use the backpack correctly

Luggage-backpack

The baggage for climbers can only be described as a shadow, undoubtedly, it is the most intimate equipment of all climbing equipment. As long as you carry your backpack, it looks like you can climb a mountain; as long as your backpack does not leave your body, you have a sense of security, so it is also the most basic and important equipment for climbers. If all the things that must be carried in the climbing process can be packed in a backpack, not only can you carry a lot of things, but also free your hands, improve balance, and make the journey safer.

If you are engaged in field activities, you can't do without a better backpack. However, how to find a suitable one among the backpacks of all sizes is also a big problem. For a climber with a little experience, perhaps he has already piled up a few large and small backpacks at home, but now he may be calculating to buy a XX-type backpack, so it is not easy to choose a suitable backpack, in fact one will choose a backpack The person's ability to choose is based on the knowledge of the use of backpacks.

This article will be based on the form of field activities, and look at the use and selection of backpacks from the perspective of capacity, carrying system, loading method, backpack materials and accessories.

Backpack capacity

The first issue to consider when using a backpack is the capacity. Because the capacity is too small, it is not enough to use. Hanging at will not only affects the balance but also is easy to lose. If the capacity is too large, the backpack is not easy to be solid when packing, and the equipment inside the backpack will move when moving. The associated ones will affect the balance of travel, so the size of the backpack should be commensurate with the amount of travel. The amount of carry varies depending on factors such as personnel, time, location and climbing form. Although it is said that large backpacks are used to climb mountains; small backpacks can be used to climb hills, but how large is a large backpack? Is 100 liters enough? How small can the backpack be used, can it be 10 liters? So this classification is obviously a bit general. The author once saw some people use 80-liter backpacks and some people use 40-liter backpacks during mountaineering activities. The difference in capacity is worth doubling.

Although most people's intuition would think that a 40-liter backpack is enough? But what is more worth reviewing is what is put in an 80-liter backpack? And what are the contents in a 40-liter backpack? Whose carrying content is the best? Enable climbers to achieve their goals and ensure their safety. From this point of view, the choice of backpack capacity cannot be determined solely from the location and the number of days. The most important thing is to first understand what your equipment needs are? And then establish a personal equipment carrying table, so that you will not blindly follow the trend to buy A bunch of unsuitable backpacks.

According to the author's experience, in addition to ropes, hooks and other equipment for technical climbing, for general climbing and hiking, if you look at the activity area, the difference between large and small hills lies in warm clothing. From the perspective of the number of active days, the difference between one-day and several-day activities lies in overnight equipment (tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats), cooking utensils, food and spare items.

If improvements can be made, many unnecessary burdens will be reduced. Here I still put forward some suggestions for its actual capacity: a small backpack of 20 to 30 liters can be used during the day-to-day activities in the suburbs or the summit of a high mountain. For activities in the suburbs that require overnight stays, mid-level mountain or tracing activities within 3 to 4 days, and mountain activities within 3 days, a 40-45 liter middle backpack should be used. Large backpacks of 50 to 80 liters should be used for mountain activities more than 3 days and activities more than 4 days. During the climbing process, certain equipment such as raincoats, warm clothing and sleeping bags... etc. are items that will not decrease over time, and their size and weight are quite fixed. However, food and fuel are time-based consumables. As the number of active days increases, their quantity has a greater impact on the capacity of the backpack. Therefore, some large backpacks have a so-called flexible capacity design, which can still be packed even after a few days of activity. Sturdy.

In addition, the design of its elastic capacity also makes it suitable for different fields of activity. Generally speaking, due to the applicable occasions of small and medium-sized backpacks and the structure of the backpack, this design is not needed, and no one has designed it like this. If you want to change its capacity, you can adjust it by adding side bags or adjusting the compression side. The real elastic capacity design means that the top bag of the backpack can be pulled up or down to adjust the capacity of the backpack in the vertical direction (the height of the backpack).

Backpack carrying system

The long distance and heavy backpack are the first impressions of mountaineering activities. Of course the feet will be sore after walking for a long time, but we are walking every day, so as long as we run for a week or two before we go, we believe that our foot strength will be fine. However, the shoulders and backs are different. People who don't have working shoulders and backs can hardly increase their strength in a short time. Believe that people who are climbing for the first time feel the most tiring except for the feet, shoulders and back. The actual test also showed that the strength of the climber's muscles in various parts of the body is only slightly stronger than the average person's shoulder and back strength.

The carrying system of the backpack cannot completely solve the problem of the weight of the backpack. Its main function is to distribute the weight of the backpack to the various parts of the body that have the carrying capacity to avoid all the weight from being concentrated on the shoulders. In addition, it also provides adjustments to the burden of gravity to improve balance and safety during the operation period. Medium and large backpacks usually form a carrying system with the back frame as the center. The type of the back frame can be divided into two types: A. Outer frame and B. Inner frame.

A. Outer frame backpack:

This type of backpack is often called an aluminum frame backpack. In fact, the material of the back frame ranges from the earliest wood, bamboo, rattan, iron, and modern aluminum alloy and fiberglass. Because aluminum alloy has the advantages of high strength and light weight, aluminum alloy back frame is the most common at present, and it has become a general term for this kind of backpack.

The outer frame backpack basically fixes the back bag on a rigid frame. It has a tight nylon shoulder strap and a hip fixing belt. This type of backpack can provide good weight distribution and is easy to load and access items. It can distribute the weight above the buttocks and share the weight of the backpack by the shoulders and buttocks. In addition, because the outer frame backpack is carried by a frame, the back is well ventilated. Although the frame can provide these benefits, the same is also due to the relationship of the frame, which makes it extremely inconvenient in some occasions, such as when drilling in a dense forest or lifting a backpack, it is easy to hook and jam; it is easy to suddenly center of gravity when climbing or skiing. Displacement and loss of balance. In short, the outer frame backpack is more suitable for hiking, and generally climbers can use it when traveling long distances on easy and flat roads.

B. Inner frame backpack:

Because it has no obvious frame and uses detachable or hidden side pockets, its appearance is relatively slender, so this type of backpack is usually called an upright backpack. The upright backpack is shaped by a built-in aluminum frame, and has a hip fixing belt that can transfer part of the load to the hip. It is currently the most popular backpack for climbers. The carrying system design of this type of backpack is the focus of competition among well-known backpack manufacturers; it is also a decisive factor for this type of backpack. Usually, the carrying system of this type of backpack can closely follow the back curve, so it can use the shoulders, spine and hips at the same time to bear Share the weight of the backpack. Also, because of its close-to-back characteristics, it is suitable for traveling and is not prone to sudden shift of the center of gravity. However, the sticking back also causes the back stuffiness, so various manufacturers also design various ventilation grooves where the sticking back is attached, and even use breathable materials as the backing material to improve the shortcomings of the sticking back stuffiness. The simple and narrow shape of the inner frame backpack is conducive to dragging on rock slopes or walking in dense trees and bamboo forests without being easily caught. This is also an advantage that the outer frame backpack does not have. The major disadvantage of this type of backpack is that it is inconvenient to load and access items, but this can be overcome by good filling skills.

Basically, the design of the outer frame backpack is biased towards a high center of gravity (approximately above the shoulders); while the design of the inner frame backpack has a slightly lower center of gravity (approximately adjustable between the shoulders and hips), and the height of the center of gravity of the backpack There is no obvious difference in physical exertion while traveling, the biggest difference lies in the feeling and balance of the burden. In climbing situations that require a degree of balance, the center of gravity should be close to the pelvis (that is, the center of rotation of the body), so as to prevent the backpack from shaking on the shoulders. Although the design with a high center of gravity is not suitable for situations that require a high degree of balance, it feels better to carry on a flat road. In terms of climbing environment, high mountains and deep valleys and dense forests are common. Upright backpacks are undoubtedly a more suitable choice.

All in all, the main purpose of the backpack carrying system is to prevent all the weight from being pressed on the shoulders. It is expected to provide a reasonable weight distribution so that the weight-bearing capacity of all parts of the human body can be exerted and an ideal center of gravity position can be maintained. .

Packing the backpack

The loading of the backpack is very important. The most common effect of poor loading may be to take a small object and go through the entire backpack and then put it back in the same way. What's more, it will affect the comfort of the backpack, the shift of the center of gravity or Cause damage to the backpack. When loading the backpack, there are two important points besides classifying the various carry items according to their purpose: the first is a stable center of gravity on the left and right balance; The general filling principle is as follows:

Heavier items should be placed in the upper middle and as close to the back as possible, so that the center of gravity can be close to the back so as not to carry you back and make you feel pulled back.

Large and light items can be placed at the bottom, on the one hand, it will not affect the center of gravity; in addition, because the heavy objects are pressed on it, the backpack will be more compact and well-backed after a period of use.

Do not put hard items on the back side, otherwise, if it is an inner frame backpack, it will directly hit the back and cause discomfort, and even when falling backward, it will directly hurt the back. If it is an outer frame backpack, it will be hard. There is only a layer of backpack cloth between the items and the back frame, which can easily wear the backpack cloth.

The weights of the items placed on the left and right sides of the backpack must be similar to prevent the center of gravity from shifting to one side.

Raincoats, water, and things that must be used that day must be placed on the top or most accessible place.

Use the concept of item sorting bags, put similar items or items that must be used at the same time in the same bag for easy access, especially scattered small items.

Develop the habit of fixed-point placement, not only to organize the backpack faster, but also to find what you want in the backpack even in the dark.

Try to change the loading method to minimize unnecessary backpacks, which will not only affect the safety of the operation but also be unsightly. If the backpack capacity is insufficient, you should review the carrying contents or change to a larger backpack.

Backpack material

Currently the most commonly used materials for backpacks are nylon and Cordura. Although canvas is more wear-resistant, it is seldom used because it is easy to be damp and not easy to dry when wet, and its quality is heavier. The characteristics of nylon cloth are: lighter weight; will not absorb moisture, mold and stick to snowflakes and dry quickly; strength is also good. The disadvantage is that it is less wear-resistant and afraid of fire.

Cordura cloth is also a synthetic nylon cloth, but it is better than nylon in terms of abrasion resistance and strength; it will not absorb moisture, mold and stick to snowflakes and dry quickly; but the quality is slightly heavier than nylon. Although the backpack cloth has waterproof treatment, some manufacturers are committed to reduce the seam and strengthen the waterproof of the seam, but water droplets may still seep from the seam, zippers, bag openings and places where the waterproof coating is worn out. Achieve 100% waterproof. In particular, the waterproof treatment of backpack cloth will deteriorate with time and usage, so backpack covers and waterproof bags or plastic bags are still necessary accessories. I especially remind you not to wear a backpack cover anytime and anywhere to be afraid of dirt. In good weather, you may wish to let the beautiful backpack and the beautiful scenery of the mountains reflect each other.

Backpack purchase

The selection of capacity and type has been explained before, but here is the choice of the carrying system, even if it is the same in-frame backpack, it is different depending on the manufacturer's design. Whether the carrying system is suitable for use has a great relationship with the individual's body shape, especially the shoulder width and back length. The shoulder width is closely related to the width of the shoulder strap and the backpack. A backpack that is too wide and too long is difficult to drill in the dense forest; the adjustment range of the shoulder strap must be in line with the length of the back to make the center of gravity fall in the ideal position; hip belt It must be able to stick to the top of the hip instead of the waist, because this is to use the hip bone structure to support the weight. When we carry the backpack, we should be able to see the buttocks and legs from the back. Smaller women should pay special attention to this. Do not only see a large backpack and two calves from the back when we carry the backpack. This is very wrong. And dangerous.

Many people think that the more expensive the imported goods, the better, but the good ones are good but not necessarily suitable for your use, because the imported mountain climbing products are designed according to the average figure of the locals, and some products are also subdivided into men and women Use two. According to the author’s experience, if you are of medium build and want to buy a better backpack, women’s backpacks imported from Europe and the United States are a good choice.

Before buying a backpack, you should loosen all the adjustment straps and add weight, because if there is no weight, it is impossible to know how the backpack feels and whether the adjustment range of the backpack is suitable. After putting on the backpack, check whether the arc of the built-in aluminum strip is consistent with the curve of the back. If it does not, check whether the aluminum strip can be bent? If it is flexible, the aluminum strip will naturally bend into a curve that matches your back after using it for a while. The connection between the shoulder strap and the backpack must be 5-8 cm below the shoulder, and the gap between the shoulder strap and the backpack should be small (adjustable by the shoulder strap adjustment strap). The chest strap can adjust the opening and closing width of the shoulder strap on the chest so that the shoulder strap can press on the shoulders in a more comfortable position and prevent the backpack from shaking.

Good use of these adjustment straps and filling techniques can be adjusted to allow the weight to fall between the shoulders and buttocks, so that different muscles can share the weight. After adjusting the backpack to the most suitable position, check the line of sight of the head? Is it possible to look up without touching the top of the backpack? Is it possible to look up when wearing a helmet? Is the contact part of the backpack and back comfortable and breathable? Special Pay attention to the width and quality of the cushions of the shoulder strap and hip belt. There are also some precautions listed below:

Whether there is a double bottom fabric design, this feature can greatly extend the life of the backpack.

When it is necessary to go on long distances for many days and involves walking, whether the backpack is designed with elastic capacity.

Is there a compression side strap design, which can tighten the backpack to reduce the capacity of the backpack when the equipment is reduced, so as to prevent the equipment in the backpack from shifting and shaking during movement and affecting the travel balance.

Is there a convenient design for carrying crampons and trekking poles.

Whether the side pockets are removable, this feature can increase the flexibility of the backpack.

Does the backpack have a chest strap design? It can prevent the backpack from moving in difficult and rough terrain.

If the backpack is used in technical climbing or dense forest, you should choose a smooth-shaped backpack to avoid being caught by branches or rocks.

The fabric material of the backpack should be strong and wear-resistant, which can meet the needs of outdoor activities.

Will the zipper of the backpack be directly stressed? If it will be directly stressed, what is the force limit? Can the backpack still be used if the zipper fails? Although the small backpack does not have such a complicated design, its purchasing principles are similar.

Backpack upper and lower shoulders

The upper and lower shoulders of the backpack are the basic movements of using a large backpack. Because the large backpack has a considerable weight, it is not easy to lift the shoulders. The more common way of upper shoulders is: standing with both feet in a lunge (half squat on the front foot and hitting the back foot) Straight); hold the shoulder strap with both hands and lift the backpack to the thigh of the forefoot; then one hand is inserted into the shoulder strap on the shoulder and one shoulder supports the backpack; then the other hand is quickly inserted into the shoulder strap on the other side to complete the backpack The upper shoulder movement.

Another more commonly used way of upper shoulders is: drag the backpack to a higher place, people can put both hands into the shoulder straps at the same time as long as they squat a little, and then stand up to complete the upper shoulder movement. Don't rush forward after finishing the upper shoulder movement. Adjust the various adjustment straps of the backpack appropriately to get the most comfortable carrying condition before moving forward. The lower shoulder of the backpack is a reverse movement. When putting down the backpack, you should lower it gently and fall heavily.

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