The Survival Backpack – Section #5: Daypacks & Backpacks for Women, Always at Hand or Nearby.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT DAYPACK OR BACKPACK FOR WOMEN

#1 RULE

These should be designed with reduced back heights and “s” shaped shoulder straps to free up the chest.

ALSO NOTE, there are shorter shoulder straps and a wide waist belt positioned well on women’s hips. In addition,the shape of the shoulder straps of the bag are notched so as not to pass over the chest in the area of the breasts.

It is important to take into account your size and your physical condition. You will choose the back length of your backpack according to your height, and this is what will determine the shape and size of your bag. 

Indeed, a person measuring 1.50m will not choose the same backpack as a person of 1.80m in terms of back length and shape: it would not be practical for your backpack to protrude above your head !

Therefore, if a woman is over 1.75 m tall, for example, a men’s backpack will be more suitable than a women’s bag. In the perfect opposite, if a man is of a small build, he could quite well orient himself towards a feminine backpack. A matter of common sense.

Your weight as well as ‘fitness’ determines the load you can carry on your backpack. Generally, for an adult female, the total weight of the bag should not exceed 15% of the weight of the wearer. Should you be in good physical condition, the value could extend to 15% of your body weight.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT MODEL

To avoid breaking your vertebrae during a walk, opting for a quality day/backpack adapted to your morphology is already eliminating a lot of potential future problems. 

Know how to qualify the  type of backpack  you need: for mountaineering, a high mountain trail, a trip? For what versatility? Priority to practicality or lightness? What lifespan?

[ For now, we will confine ourselves to the situation of an impromptu trip comparable to an emergency event in which we have to move to another location at short notice. ]

The first choice criterion for a backpack is the likely duration of your outing

We do not carry the same bag depending on whether the hike will be short or long.

• For a day trip: a bag of less than 40 Litre is sufficient. The thinner waist belt is used primarily to stabilize the bag. ( Referred to as Daypacks).

• For longer adventures, type GR20, opt for a bag with a minimum volume of 45 litres. The bag must have a more complex resistant carrying system to transfer the weight . “To carry/support a large volume for a long time, 70 to 80% of the weight must be supported on the hips, indicates Clément Farcy, one of the backpack developers at leading manufacturer Lafuma. The specific construction transfers its weight to the belt, which is wide and padded, which encompasses the hips well ”. ( Commonly known as Backpacks).

Therefore,

For a short hike of two or three days, a bag of 40 litres maximum is sufficient. On the accessories side, we can find:

• A tent rack or racket rack

• The location for the pole holder or ice ax holder for mountaineering.

• The Camel bag or other hydration system, a document holder, side pockets closed with a zip.

Which back protector design should you choose?

The back is a strategic area which concentrates all the attention of developers of hiking equipment. To maximize the comfort of the walker, there are several types of back protector that will influence your choice when purchasing a backpack. It all depends on the activity involved. So ….

Ventilated Back : A kind of net called “mesh” is stretched over a curved frame in contact with the back. Thanks to the load offset, it is possible to pass the hand behind the back, which ensures excellent ventilation. This is the best way to wick away perspiration . Disadvantage: the frame takes up space on the inside of the bag. While this system is ideal for long distance hiking , it is not suitable for more active sports.

Back to contact : A rigid foam plate that acts as a dense, thermo-formed frame is molded with ventilation channels and perforations to maximize ventilation. The load is pressed against the back but only in very specific areas. Perfect for active sports like cycling .

Contact Back : The mesh provides ventilation through its honeycomb construction. They vary in rigidity and weight depending on the use and volume of the backpack.

What is the Difference Between a Daypack & Backpack ?

Daypacks are the smallest of the backpack family, typically measuring between 20 Litres – 40 Litres. Unlike larger, overnight backpacks, daypacks do not have an internal frame and are designed to carry loads of no more than 20 to 25 pounds. A a small backpack (= a bag used to carry things on your back), used especially when travelling or walking for a day.

While backpacks can have many uses (and are a great choice for everyday use), daypacks are best used for hiking or overnight trips. A daypack, in comparison to a backpack, usually carries more items, is made of more durable materials, and is designed specifically for lighter loads.

You can’t use most daypacks for overnight and weekend backpacking trips because you need to carry a lot more gear, such as a sleeping bag/quilt, sleeping pad, sleeping clothes, tent/shelter/hammock, stove, cooking pot and utensils, and more food.

Summarizing, The daypack is tasked with carrying all of the essential gear for a day outside, making it a smaller cousin to the classic backpacking pack. Whether you’re heading out for a quick hike, an all-day epic, or anything in between, the right daypack can mean the difference between having a good day and having a great day.

Below, we review 3 WOMENS DAYPACKS = Part (1).

Part (1).

Below is our review of 3 Women Specific BACKPACKS

= Part (2).

Part (2).

How to fill your Day/Backpack

Choosing the ideal design of your bag according to your activity is imperative in order not to get hurt. To improve your comfort, be careful to distribute the volume well so as not to be unbalanced while walking. Use the compression straps to keep the package compact.

• Rule n ° 1: Keep the equipment you need regularly at hand .
• Rule n ° 2: Even if the bag is bulky, avoid the superfluous.
• Rule n ° 3: The center of gravity of the bag is the middle of the back. Place heavy objects closer to the back (not outside the bag) and under the shoulders.

• DON’T FORGET : (a) Try to make sure your belongings do not move otherwise you will be unbalanced during the walk ; (b) Use the compression straps to keep the backpack unit compact.

WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO WITH YOUR FUTURE PACK

Don’t wear the pack too low on your back since this can cause serious problems/discomfort OR even injury. ALSO

• Don’t overload your pack.Only carry the weight you need to i.e. never more than 15% of your body weight.
• Don’t pack heavy items away from your body
• Your day/backpack is /will be suited to your requirements.Never share / loan your pack to other persons.

EXTRA TIPS

Issue	Advice
Picking up your backpack	– Learn several ways to lift a heavy backpack. For example : face the back of your pack with its shoulder straps facing you. With your knees slightly bent and one leg forward, slide the pack up to your thigh. Then, put one arm through its shoulder strap and swing the pack onto your back. – Bend your knees and lift your pack using both hands. Have a friend hold the pack whilst you insert your arms.
Wearing your backpack	– Use BOTH straps rather than slinging the pack over one shoulder. This will ensure that you distribute the weight of the pack, evenly. – Adjust the straps so that they feel secure & comfortable – Utilize the waist belt if supplied with the model.

Daily Essentials For Your Backpack

NOTE WELL !

There’s no need to confine your backpack kit to just the bare basics. Ultimately, you’re only limited by your imagination and the amount of space in your pockets or bag.  Again, that doesn’t mean you should go wild and carry a heavy suitcase around, but you can pack first aid essentials and other critical supplies.

A ‘few’ suggestions to help you get started…. Hygiene: Lip balm Feminine hygiene products: E.g. CLICK HERE Hand sanitizer Travel toothbrush and toothpaste Toilet paper Baby wipes First Aid: Face mask Adhesive bandages Gauze pads Tweezers Alcohol wipes Antibiotic cream Pain reliever (like aspirin, Tylenol, or ibuprofen) Extra prescription medication Burn cream Ace bandage Latex gloves Hydration: Bottled water Water purification tablets Portable water filtration straw like the Sawyer Mini *or Lifestraw * (*Refer to our Food & Water menu if you want to rule out the possibility of having to drink foul-tasting tap water OR muddy water from a stream). Outdoor Survival: Sunscreen Bug spray Fire starter Emergency tinder (like Vaseline soaked cotton balls or char cloth) Mylar emergency blanket Portable compass (Make sure you learn how to use it.) Map of area and/or destination Signaling mirror (Also handy for fixing make-up disasters) Other Supplies: Super glue Safety pins Rubber bands Zip ties Small trash bags Energy or protein bars Solar charger for cell phone Paracord or twine Duct tape Map of area and/or destination Notepad and pen

This is a pretty long list but and nobody is expected to carry a backpack containing ALL these items and supplies. The best advice to give you is (1) start ‘small’ and choose a number of items you consider a must have. Then, (2) slowly add to your collection where and when you wish.

Our Risk Assessment Matrix (Members’ Area) will certainly help you with your selection/s. However, for the meantime let’s now go onto to discuss Backpacks for other adults (Men), section 6.

CLICK HERE to go to SECTION # 6

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