Most of us prefer to have a fairly relaxed view of the world we live in, whether that's valid or not. We tend to make the presumption that if something costs quite a bit more in comparison to similar items, it should be of good quality and meet our requirements well. A common, but frequently inaccurate, evaluation. Backpacks need to fit their wearer well to increase load-bearing capacity and minimize skeletal and muscular strain.
Even the backpack you acquire for a one-off adventure into the wilds should be, not only of at least a reasonable quality, but specifically appropriate to yourself; your current body shape and fitness. Novice backpackers often presume that there is no significant difference between backpacks besides brand name and price. They may purchase one that they envision will fulfill their needs. If they stick with it as they become more and more experienced, their familiarity may lead them to recommend it to those following in their footsteps, without any legitimate comparison to the alternatives available.
The reality is that backpacks are no different to clothes. A unisex, fits all sizes garment, may cover and protect your body within general terms, but it fails completely to meet specific circumstances. We select and wear attire that both fits us and is suitable to the situation we expect to encounter. Our choice of backpack should be exactly the same; its aesthetic appeal is peculiar to ourselves, but its functionality is dependent on how well it conforms to our body shape and meets the particulars of our intended trip.
The backpack that will allow you to enjoy or achieve the maximum from your backpacking adventure is the one you have spent the time and effort to choose properly. And there are perfectly valid anatomical and physiological reasons for you to take that time and make that effort.
The femur (thigh bone), tibia and fibula (lower leg bones) are relatively thick and strong. The pelvis is also comparatively thick and strong. Above the pelvis we have the spine, composed of vertebrae that enable us to bend and adjust our posture in highly beneficial ways, supported and aided by our back and abdominal muscles; but this stunning skeletal structure is inherently fragile.
The backpack we use needs to be suited to our individual anatomy to avoid incurring health problems, whether immediate or in later life. Back problems, such as a slipped disk or pulled muscles, can be not only extremely painful but inhibit us from engaging in activities we previously enjoyed.
Our backpacks, therefore, need to fit us appropriately, to minimize any long-term anatomical or physiological harm. A backpack that is excellent for one person may be totally unsuitable for someone else; it may in fact it be harmful, no matter how costly it is. Getting a backpack to fit ourselves is not always a matter of adjustment, it depends on purchasing or renting a quality backpack that we have tested for suitability first. One whose design is maximized towards suiting our individual physical form. If we have the financial resources to indulge, a tailor-made backpack will beat a shelf-bought hands down every time!
Sadly, the economic reality is that most of us are unable to afford such an expense. We may even be unlikely to be allowed to realistically test backpack options at most "outdoors" retailers, unless we are known or can insure the manager beforehand that we will be purchasing a high-item backpack after our evaluation.
Evaluating what is available in your local area and determining the store where you are most likely to find the best backpack for you, should be essential research for anyone intending multiple excursions into the wilds. If the supplier agrees to your testing of their available backpacks, take with you all the items you would expect to be transporting in the backpack. Consideration for the retailer is important here, heavy and sharp items should be securely wrapped so as to cause no damage to the backpack you are testing. A proper evaluation is only that if the backpack you are testing is loaded with the items you would take, so that they not only weigh the same in the same places, but dig into your body at just the same angles, although softer because of your protective wrappings.
The belly or stomach band is one of the most crucial aspects of a backpack. It needs to center the backpack's weight on your pelvic region in the small of your back, where you have the strength to support it. This allows you to carry the weight with your legs, rather than placing excessive strain on your spine or the muscles of your torso. A well-fitting backpack is not only dependent on its structural conformity to your physical form, its also depends on you packing it based on the weight and shape of the items you wish to carry with you. Even the best quality pack most suited to your physique will cause you pain and discomfort if heavier items are towards the top rather than bottom. The shoulder straps of a backpack are there in a supportive role, not as the primary weight-bearing components.
While a backpack attuned to yourself is best, not having one is no reason to miss the chance of getting out into the beauties of nature. As long as you recognize the limitations of your equipment and how that translates into the activities you can enjoy, go for it! The first concern should always be your personal safety, but the second should be enjoyment that causes no harm to anyone else or the environment visited. If the backpack you have available to you is not going to fit you well, use it anyway; just recognize your own capabilities, modify your activities appropriately and don't put as much stuff in it!