Author: Gary Baldry
If you know which features you're looking for in a backpack you will know how to choose a hiking backpack that is perfect for your needs.
There are several types of hiking backpacks: the difference is not only in size but also in the features you find in each of these backpacks that make each of them perfect for specific uses.
Hydration Backpacks
Many backpacks have a plastic hydration bag integrated, or have apposite room to carry a water bag with the hole for its attached drinking tube.
Waterproof covers
No backpack is 100% waterproof and this word is often abused: materials, pockets, different shapes and other factors make it rather impossible to make a backpack completely waterproof.
Some backpacks have a waterproof cover that you use to wrap the entire backpack putting it in a waterproof bag.
This may sound an weird solution but will actually make your backpack waterproof during storms.
Shoulder Straps
This part connects the upper part of your body to the backpack. The bigger the backpack, the softer, padded and wider the straps should be.
The straps of most backpacks have a chest belt to keep the backpack tight to your body relieving the stress from your shoulders and from your back.
The hip belt
The main purpose of this belt is to move the weight of the backpack from your shoulders to the lower part of your body distributing the weight on your hips.
Never underestimate the importance of a hip belt, specially during long hikes with loaded packs.
Cords
Every backpack has external cords that are useful to fix additional equipment to the backpack such as hiking poles.
The position of these cords can vary from a pack to the next. Despite it's always possible to find a suitable position for your equipment you might want to check if such cords are positioned where you need them to be.
Internal or External Frames
Today the internal frame is by far the most common one. The frame keeps the pack in shape and helps distribute the loads.
Plastic and aluminium are the materials used to build the frames.
About the Author:Gary Baldry writes articles for Best Hiking Backpacks , a website with thousands of backpacks for sale by multiple online stores and hundreds of different brands.In this article Gary explains Hiking Backpacks Features .
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/outdoor-sports-articles/features-of-hiking-backpacks-1202075.html