What Backpack Should I buy?

by Hina
(Iowa City, IA, USA)

I am 5' 2" and 125 lbs. I was wondering what specific backpack you would recommend for me to buy. I want to backpack and not use rollers.

Answer:

Hina, I can't recommend a specific backpack because we all have our favorites. You could start by having a look at the advice I gave Kim, and go on from there.

A good site for backpack reviews is backpackgeartest.com.

This video on How to Fit a Backpack might be helpful as well, and for more advice on how to choose a backpack, try this article on Vagabondish.

Finally, head for the women's backpack threads at both the Thorn Tree and BootsnAll forums. I hope you find what you're looking for!

Comments for
What Backpack Should I buy?

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Choosing my backpack...
by: Lena

Hina, I'm 5'4" and I was looking for a pack with female-friendly shoulder straps, i.e. the ones that start close, but are shaped to go around your boobs, as unisex backpacks are usually too wide for me. I also was looking for internal frame, external sleeping pad straps and a few other things.

You can read some of the details of my search here.
Women's Backpacks
by: Ruth

I am a 56-year-old woman and use a backpack for travelling - I bought a woman's specific backpack- tried it on in the store - and talked to the sales person who was very knowledgeable.....and absolutely love it. It is much easier than a wheeled suitcase for steps, etc. etc. My cousin, who is 5 foot and about 110 lbs also loves hers- she would never go back......the key is to buy one that fits you, and don't fill it to the hilt to start with until you are used to it. Mine started off an 11 kg and then by the end of the trip was close to 18 kg- and by then I was going up 2 or 3 flights of stairs with no problems.....

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