Backpack Size Guide: How to choose the right backpack. 

The capacity you require is dependent on a number of factors such as:

  • The Intended Activity
  • Duration of the Trek
  • Season and Location
  • Personal requirement

  • THE INTENDED ACTIVITY
    Mountaineering/Expedition -vol.(50-75 lts)
    Trekking& Backpacking -vol.(30-60lt.)
    Day Trips -vol.(15-40lt.)
    Travelling and Trekking -vol.(50- 60 lts)
  • DURATION OF THE TREK
    • Depending on the duration, it is important to choose the most appropriate trekking bag. It is always advisable to have some extra capacity, instead of overstuffing the sack.
    • For Daytrips and overnights, a sack of 30lt. or less would be ideal.
    • For Weekend Trips or 2-3 days’ treks, a 30-50lt. pack would be appropriate.
    • Larger Sacks with capacity of 60+lt. are used for Himalayan Treks and Expeditions or for carrying bulky equipments.
  • SEASON AND LOCATION
    • The bulk and amount of clothes that a trekker carries would vary seasonally.
    • In Summers, clothes carried for a trek are fewer and lighter.
    • In Winter, there would be more woollies adding to the bulk, thus requiring a bigger backpack.
    • For Himalayan Treks, the requirement of warm clothes and accessories is more than that of the Sahyadris.
  • PERSONAL REQUIREMENT
    • The volume and type of rucksack each person requires is subjective to needs,
      preferences and activity of the person.
    • If you are carrying rations and consumables for the entire duration of your trek,
      you may require a sack with a bigger volume.
    • If you are only carrying clothes, a medium capacity backpack would suffice.
    • If you are going for a technical climb and are carrying ropes and hardware, you will require a much bigger sack.
    • However, if you see yourself as an Ultralight carrier who carries the bare
      minimum, you can make do with a smaller sack.
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