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Viewing Backpacking for Beginners - Choosing the Right BackpackBackpacking for Beginners - Choosing the Right Backpack
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Backpacking is becoming an increasingly more popular leisure pastime. However, backpacking for beginners can be a little bit daunting when it comes to choosing the right type of gear, and even uncomfortable if you do not buy the right backpack. By Mike Legg Backpacking is a great way of getting fit, while enjoying what nature has to offer in the Great Outdoors. It is becoming an increasingly more popular leisure pastime. However, backpacking for beginners can be a little bit daunting when it comes to choosing the right type of gear, and even uncomfortable if you do not buy the right backpack. My first tip would be to buy the best backpack that you can afford, (probably an obvious tip, but worth keeping in mind), and try to buy it from a store that specializes in outdoor activities. Ask the advice of the shop staff, especially if they are hikers or backpackers themselves. Some stores will actually pack a backpack for you, so you can get a feel for it and see how comfortable (or not) it is. There are so many types of backpacks available on the market these days - anything from daypacks that will allow you to carry just enough gear, food, and water, for a day's hiking. Right up to huge expedition-size packs that will carry all you need for weeks of travel. To start with, I would suggest buying something in between these, something that would be fine for a day's hiking, but would be large enough for a slightly longer trip if required. (Remember a pack that is slightly too big can still be used without being full; a pack that is too small will not hold all the things you may need for a longer trip.) Again, talk to the shop staff, and explain what type of backpacking for which you intend to use it. Make sure your backpack has a padded hip belt, as this makes the pack far more comfortable to carry on longer trips. It also makes the whole load more stable and stops it from bouncing around on your back, especially when walking on rougher ground. There is nothing worse than a backpack that feels so uncomfortable it makes your trip feel like a struggle. Buy a pack with a decent amount of external pockets, for all the items that you will need to handle during the day. (This will stop you from having to empty out the main pack to find things that are at the bottom.) I like to keep things like my cooker, food, and water in side pockets, so that they are easy to get at when I want to stop for a hot drink or a snack. Backpacks with a separate lower compartment are great for keeping your sleeping bag, and kip mat etc., again just for the ease of locating them. This way you know exactly where everything is at any time. Do not forget to keep everything dry, either, with a waterproof liner or in individual plastic bags. Lastly when you are happy with your pack, do not try to do too much on your first hike. Start with small day hikes and build up to long weekenders, before you attempt any major expeditions. Most importantly ENJOY IT. After all, it should be FUN not a chore. These are just a few backpacking basics on backpacking for beginners. If you are serious about taking up backpacking, then I would recommend buying a good book or guide that covers all the different areas of backpacking. This way you will have a good starting knowledge of backpacking for beginners, and it will help you avoid making all the usual mistakes. About the Author: Click here for the best backpacking guidebook:www.buytryreview.com. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com) More free articles: 1st Rate Articles - 1stRateArticles.com |
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