Backpacks - Coolhikinggear.com

What’s The Difference Between A Backpack And A Rucksack?

I was flicking through some gear sites yesterday and I noticed that some of them advertise 'rucksacks', not backpacks.

Now what made this interesting was that one leading brand, Berghaus, have several different backpack options but some of them are called rucksacks while others are given the title backpack.

This got me to wondering what is the difference between a backpack and a rucksack so I did a little investigation and thought I'd add up a short post on it.

Etymology

Now, that is a big word to start a paragraph on isn't it lol 🙂 but the first place to start was to look at the source of the words. From what I can find, Rucksack is derived from Germany. 'Rucken' meaning back in German and 'Sack' (meaning bag) obviously means a sack. So, a bag for your back effectively.

If we look at Backpack, well there isn't a whole lot of difference now is there, except it being in English, it is obviously a sack (pack), bag, for your back too. The word backpack seemed to originate in the US.

US and UK, are there differences?

I was curious as to if there were any differences and from what I can ascertain, in terms of how the words are used, not very much really. It seems that many people use the two terms interchangeably.

Broadly speaking, when looking at hiking gear providers in the US, the term backpack seems more commonly used. However, as mentioned in the comments below, it seems the US military may use the term rucksack quite a bit. I don't know anything about military equipment but it would make sense that they would need very functional backpacks / rucksacks.

I saw one mention that a rucksack is a mid sized pack used for multi day camping hikes of up to a week, and a backpack is different in terms of size and use in that it is bigger than a rucksack and is used for very long treks and trips into the wilderness, so for weeks to months. I couldn't find much to corroborate that though. On looking around, there seem to be equally large options, some referenced as a rucksack others as a backpack.

The UK also seems to lean towards the use of the term backpack as opposed to rucksack, however, in terms of hiking gear, it did seem that rucksack could be more commonly found than in the US.

Our Top Men's Backpack Pick: Osprey Atmos 65 AG

The Osprey Atmos 65 AG is a 65 liter is an excellent backpack that delivers outstanding ventilation and carrying comfort.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. It seems that in terms of backpacking or hiking, there isn't really a whole lot of difference in how people use the two terms backpack and rucksack. In the US, it seems that the term backpack may be more commonly used in terms of hiking gear. However, the term rucksack is also well known.

In the UK, it also seems it is a different word for the same thing. The only mention of a difference I came across in the UK was that a rucksack is a smaller version of a large backpack used for shorter hikes and backpacking trips. However, as mentioned, I couldn't really confirm that in any viable way so I won't take it as Gospel.

All in all, in seems that in terms of usage, many people use the terms backpack and rucksack interchangeably. When it comes to hiking gear, it also seems that the word backpack is more commonly used.

Now, I hope I have got this right and my research is correct. If not, please feel free to correct me in the comments below. I'd be interested to hear any thoughts.

Berghaus Verden 45+8 Backpack

Last year I got to climb Mont Blanc. It was an amazing experience and I had never taken on a challenge of that kind before.

As you can imagine a big part of that trip was preparation. While I needed to train to be sure I had the fitness to get to the top, there were a bunch of other things I needed to prepare for. As I was going high into the Alps, a key one was gear.While I would hire some of the various things I would need when I got there, for example crampons, there were also a lot of bits and pieces I needed to get in advance. One key thing was a suitable backpack.

I did a lot of looking around but I ended up going with the Berghaus Verden 45+8. Berghaus are a very well known brand in the UK and Europe but they don’t seem to be as well established in the US just yet. I’ve noticed that none of the main retailers stock there stuff.

However, I do recall reading some place last year that Berghaus was planning a big move into the North American market so perhaps they’ll start showing up in more stores soon. I have a few hiking gear items from Berghaus and I am very happy with them.

So, today I wanted to take a closer look at this versatile backpack from Berghaus.

Summary

Cool Hiking Gear Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Check Price on amazon.com

Available Colors: Black / Grey

Look and Design

When I was out buying the backpack, I recall standing in the store looking at backpacks. I had asked the store assistant to single out the ones that would meet my size needs for my Mont Blanc trip which was that it needed to be between 45 and 55 liters.

I had about 4 backpacks in front of me and the Berghaus Verden really caught my eye. I’m not sure what exactly it was but it seemed to have a much more technical look about it than the others. If I was going to go to the highest point in the Alps, this backpack looked like it had the technical capability to do it.

Now, the other backpacks, not all, had most of the requirements I was looking for too, however, they didn’t look very technical. Now, I was about to head up into the Alps, wear crampons for the first time, get roped up, use snow shoes, etc. All of that is technical so I think subconsciously, I was looking for something that had a technical look to fit the bill.

As far as design goes, the Verden 45+8, has a sleek look built on an internal frame. The pack is designed to be very adaptable. Now, that of course wasn’t the only criteria in this category. A technical look and overall design was one thing but it needed the technical functionality to back that up which I’ll look at below.

Fit

The Verden 45+8 has a lot of adjustable options available on it. The first thing to look at here is that the height is adjustable across 4 settings, see below, small, medium, large and extra large. This is adjusted via a sliding back panel as part of a ‘BIOFIT System’. I was a little concerned when I first saw this, thinking it might be a bit weak but it seemed sturdy enough on closer inspection.

As you can see, the back panels are are all well padded for comfort and that combined with the BIOFIT system enables your back to stay well ventilated.

Once you have the desired fit on your back, you can then further adjust for comfort using the tension straps which are available on the top, side and base of the backpack.

Overall, I found it pretty easy to get a comfortable fit quite quickly and easily with just some quick manipulation of the BIOFIT system and the various straps so it is very easy to use in that regard, plus it also held under actual use with heavy weight which is important. Sometimes with extra weight, straps can come loose which is a pain.

Capacity, Storage and Weight

The capacity of this backpack comes in at 53 liters, (45 + 8 ). This means that the main compartment in the backpack has a capacity of 45 liters but that there is an additional 8 liters available in pocket space, the floating lid, etc.

The dimensions come in at 75 x 32 x 28 cm. I haven’t used this pack for more than a two night camping trip in my regular hiking environment but I think it should be fine for longer week long treks too. Longer than that, you probably need something bigger. If you do need more there is a Verden 65 + 10 version available.

A key part of any backpack is weight and the Verden 45 + 8 comes in at 2.050 kg.

If we look at storage there are a lot of features. First up the base of the internal compartment comes with a bivi divider which can be zipped closed. Useful if you have wet gear that you want to keep separately or if you want to ensure something doesn’t slide down inside your pack into the depths below.

There is a top lid pocket which is a good size as well as two expansion side pockets. Another handy feature on the pack is that the main compartment has zipped access from either side of the pack which is handy if you need to get something out of the main compartment without having to open up the top. There are also two water bottle mesh pockets at the side.

Finally, there is a draw cord bivi closure at the top of the pack to give you the opportunity to string the top of the main compartment tight before securing the top compartment in place.

Other Features

There are a lot of other nice features with the Verden 45+8. There’s a grab handle at the top for handy lifting, for example, say onto an airport conveyor belt.

The pack is fully compatible with a hydration system with a sleeve at the back of the inside of the back as well as all the required tube ports, etc. There are attachment points on the lid and the pack has walking pole, ice ax, snow shoe attachments.

Finally, there is a built in rain cover with is something that can be handy to have, although I rely mainly on dry bags to keep my stuff completely dry inside any backpack.

Rain Cover Out — Rain Cover out of it’s Compartment

Price

The pack is reasonably priced I feel for all the features available in it. Plus having used it, I have the benefit of having experienced it first hand so I am very happy with the quality and overall makeup and functionality of the pack.

Overall I think it’s fairly priced for the quality you get.

Pros:

Good adjustable fitting options, so should be able to get a good fit for most folks
Lots of outdoor specific features e.g. walking pole, ice ax attachment loops, etc.
Hydration bladder holder works well
Rain cover included

Cons:

Hip belt pocket would be nice to have

Features:

BIOFIT back-system
Height adjustable, removable chest strap
Top tension straps
Raincover
Grab handle
Base compartment with bivi divider
Top lid pocket
Hydration system compatible
Two expansion side pockets
Zipped entrance to main compartment
Zipped front pocket
Side compression straps
Base compression straps
Attachment points on lid
Draw cord bivi closure
Synch straps on hip belt
Walking pole attachment

Conclusion

Overall, I was very pleased with my purchase of the Berghaus Verden 45+8 backpack. I think it is a great pack for a multi day hike but probably not best suited for an extensive backpacking trip, for that you would need to get the bigger 65 + 10 model.

It has all the capabilities, features and functions I would look for in a good backpack and it fits very comfortably. I have used it on my trip to Mont Blanc and on a few multi day camping hikes and I have been very pleased with it. Price wise, I think it’s reasonable for the quality you get.

As I mentioned at the start, I don’t think Berghaus have made many inroads as yet into the standard big North American gear retailers but I would be surprised if we didn’t start seeing their gear popping up in stores in the coming months and years. I like their gear and have been happy with the quality of several items I have bought from them. We’ll see though I suppose.

Have you used the Verden 45+8 Backpack? I’d love to hear about your experience with it in the comments below.

The North Face Matthes Crest 72 Backpack Review

I first came across The North Face Matthes Crest 72 about a year ago when I was starting to look about for a backpack for my trip to Mont Blanc. As it turned out it was a bit too big for my needs but I still liked the look of it.

It seemed to be pretty new to the scene then and I forgot about it. However, I came across it again while doing an unrelated search online and thought I’d add a closer look up onto the site.

Summary

Our Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Price: Check price

Available Colors: Summit Gold / Asphalt Gray

Review

The North Face Matthes Crest 72 Pack is an Athlete Pick from The North Face. It’s a relatively recent addition to The North Face family and it looks like it means business.

Designed to be used all year round, as its The North Face, you know it has the quality, durability and reliability to meet all your backpacking needs.

At 72 liters, it’s perfect for backpacking trips and longer treks where you need plenty of room to carry all your gear and kit.

This state-of-the-art fully featured pack is designed with an Opti-Fit™ X suspension system for a dialed fit that improves large-load control without sacrificing ventilation. This means your weight is spread appropriately across your body and the ventilation functionality should prevent heat spots from forming.

There is an Integrated X Radial™ frame which is supportive while encouraging freedom of movement across technical terrain. This is an internal frame pack. If you’re not sure what an internal frame pack is, click here.

The pack has a shoulder harness which easily slides up or down to match the user’s back length and locks in place. To create a snug-fitting hipbelt, flip down the lumbar pad and adjust the cams located at the base of the pack. This more or less means you can adapt it to fit your body as required and is a must these days on any serious backpack.

Pros

5 points of contact from the pack on the shoulders, iliac crest of the hips and lumbar support maximizes ventilation.
Customizable fit for a range of body sizes.
Water resistant material used throughout pack body.
Removable top lid and easy access to pack via top loader and front zip.
Hydration sleeve inside the pack
Multiple gear attachment points.
At 72Liters this pack has plenty of space.
Modern state-of-the-art look.
Men and women specific versions available.

Cons

This pack is a bit pricey, but you know you’re getting quality so I reluctantly put it as a con.

Specs (at a glance)

Proprietary Opti-Fit™ X technology provides unparalleled fit and ventilation
Next-gen X Radial™ frame is light and strong yet provides superior carry
Top loader with an additional panel zip opening for quick access to gear
Opti-Fit™ adjustment system ensures perfect fit
Interior pocket and gear-attachment points
Removable top lid
Ski carry loops
Fabric: 210HT geo ripstop nylon, 630D ballistics nylon
Avg Weight: S/M: 5 lbs 11 oz (2580 g) / L/XL: 5 lbs 13 oz (2637 g)
Volume: 4393 in3 (72 liters) – note: other sizes are available

Other Points

Guarantee: Lifetime Warranty

Conclusion

This is a very technical pack for the serious backpacker or trekker. If you’re planning a major trip, especially into harsher conditions then this could we worth adding to your review list.

It’s a big pack at 72 Liters volume, there’s an 85 liter option available too, so you should be able to stay away for long periods at a time with the amount of gear you should be able to get into this backpack.

There are some nice features and from what I can tell, there seems have been a lot of research and effort put into getting a design that is balanced and comfortable for a large backpack.

Have you ever used The North Face Matthes Crest 72 Backpack? I’d love to hear your thoughts on it in the comments below.

How To Weight A Backpack For Training Purposes

Today I wanted to take a look at how best to weight a backpack for training for a bigger trek or hiking trip. As I have alluded to several times over the last month or two on here, I am planning to undertake my biggest hiking challenge, to date, this year in June. That challenge is to climb Mont Blanc in the Alps, the highest mountain in Western Europe.

One of the key pieces of kit I will need for that trip is of course a good backpack and my search for a suitable backpack is ongoing. (I've pretty much picked the backpack I will use and will likely purchase it this week).

Anyway, once I have my backpack, it occurred to me that I can't just show up to the Alps with my new backpack filled up with gear and head for the summit! I will not be used to carrying gear for multiple days on my back while ascending a very large mountain like Mont Blanc. Therefore, I will need to 'pack' my pack, so to speak, in advance and get used to carrying a similar weight of gear on my back.

This was fine and I figured that once I got my backpack of choice, I would weight it up to take on my normal weekly hikes. That should get me up to some reasonable level of being used to hiking with the heavier weight of gear on my back when doing the real thing.

However, the next thing that occurred to me was, what should I pack it with to add weight!?

Our Top Men's Backpack Pick: Osprey Atmos 65 AG

The Osprey Atmos 65 AG is a 65 liter is an excellent backpack that delivers outstanding ventilation and carrying comfort.

Weights and Bricks?

Now, you may be thinking, don't be silly, just get some heavy bricks or a dumbbell or two and fire them in. Well, when you think about it, they probably wouldn't be very good things to put in a backpack. They are heavy but over quite a small surface area. If anything, this could very well damage a backpack as it would have too much pressure on one smaller part of it. It could very easily rip a hole open or warp the backpack in some way!

After some consideration, I thought I would consult one or two of my hiking friends who have been on many backpacking expeditions before to get some tips. Here's what they recommended to use when trying to weight your backpack for training purposes.

What to Use to 'Weight' Your Pack

Bottled Water

This was top of the list. A few big bottles of water can easily fit into pack and laid across the bottom. This should spread the weight relatively evenly across the pack. Another great advantage of water is that it's easy to offload if things get too hard to carry. Just open the bottles up and pour the water out!

Old Books

Another easy and convenient thing to use is to put a few big books into your backpack. This will add some significant weight to the pack but you probably need to add a fair few of them in.

Be sure to use books you don't care for too much as they will likely get a bit rustled up in your backpack while out on the trail with you!

Magazines

Similar to books, although they do have the extra advantage of being more disposable. That is, you're probably less concerned with what happens to some old magazines of yours than part of your book collection 😉

OK, I was happy that I had several easy options for weighting my pack but then another question formed in my head!?

How Much Weight Should I Add to the Backpack?

The approach I have taken to this is very logical 🙂 and I hope sensible! In short, I am going to pack the backpack up when I get it with all the gear I think I will need to have in it for my trip.

Now, unfortunately some of the gear I don't actually own and I will have to hire it when I get to the Alps. For those pieces, I will need to do some research and make approximations. The company I am going with have provided a gear checklist so this should be relatively easy to do with a bit of research.

When I have all of that, I should be in a position to give a pretty good estimate of the weight of the backpack I will need to carry for the 6 days on my trip. Then I can weight up accordingly for my normal weekly hikes in preparation!

Conclusion

I was in two minds about whether this should be a post or not as, like most people, when you first think about weighting a pack for training purposes, you assume it's very straightforward i.e. just put heavy stuff in your backpack.

However, after consideration there were a few things I wasn't sure about and so thought it best to ask around to see what may be the best approach. I'm happy that I have found the best approach for this which is to use bottled water, large bottles, to an approximate weight of the actual gear I will carry in the backpack for the trip. A few of my regular hiking outings with that before June should get me in good shape for the real thing 😉

As an aside, It's worth noting that there is a whole method and science to how you 'pack a backpack' too. That is, what items you should put to the bottom first and so on. This makes a lot of sense and is something important to learn for any trip you will be undertaking with a backpack.

Check out this guide on what I take for a 2 to 3 day backpacking trip, that goes into the details. In short summary, pack what you will need soonest, say rain gear, at the top of your backpack and what you won't need soon, say a sleeping bag, at the bottom.

I think everyone needs to develop their own optimum solution or system to this but these basic guidelines help simplify the process. I'll be sure to add up a post on that at some point and link to it from here, it may be helpful to folks new to backpacking / wild camping.

Finally, if you're looking for a backpack or a day pack, you can start your search right here. Check out some nice day packs here, these are perfect for a day hike on the trail. If you need something more substantial and in the vein of this post, to carry kit for several days, check out our top pick backpack in the red box above.

Have you ever weighted a pack for training purposes? Any other suggestions on how best to do it? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

Gregory Backpack – The Gregory Z65 Backpack Internal Frame Review

Today I want to review a Gregory Backpack, the Z65 Internal Frame. I mentioned in a recent post that I need to get a new backpack for my trip to Mont Blanc in June so the hunt has begun for a suitable pack for the trip. I have already decided that an internal frame as opposed to an external frame pack is the best way to go for this particular trip.

Summary

Our Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Available Colors: Ember Orange (Pictured), Navy Blue

Where to Buy: Check Price on Amazon

Review

The first thing I want to comment on about this pack, is that it’s ideal for extended multi-day hikes. With a capacity of 65 liters, it is a multi day backpack. Good for a few days wild camping where you need to carry a fair bit of camping kit with you. With that in mind, it is not really suitable as a day pack, just too big in my opinion. This is something to factor in if the majority of your hiking is day hiking. It may not be a great idea to buy a pack that is best suited for extended trips.

The next thing to comment on that many folks complimented this pack on, was it’s airflow ability. Internal frames can be known to cause your back to get very sweaty so to read that this one has a good airflow via the JetStream LTS construction, one that works I hasten to add, is really good. The pack also has moisture-wicking mesh and breathable foam throughout.

Next, we move on to storage. One of the cons of this pack I feel is that it could have more pockets. However that is really down to personal preference. There is ample space in the main compartment and the pack comes in three sizes, small: 3539 cu.in (58 Liters), Medium: 3906 (64 Liters) cu.in and Large: 4272 cu.in (70 Liters).

The main compartment is accessed by an all-access front zip (highlighted in the picture to the left) which means its handy to get into the pack. This is very useful to get at stuff further down in your pack after it has been packed up. Otherwise, you need to take stuff out to get at the contents below.

The Gregory Z65 backpack also has quick access waist-belt pockets which are good for things you need to keep on hand. To conclude on the storage capabilities, the Z65 also has dual hydration ports and sleeve so you can easily carry a hydration pack.

The zippers throughout the pack are welded and water resistant to prevent rain drip through them so your gear stays dry. I highly recommend always putting the contents inside your pack into either bin liners or dry bags, to help keep you kit dry. If you’re hiking in winter type conditions, or climbing a mountain like Mont Blanc, you can take advantage of the ice axe loops on the Gregory Z65. There are additional attachment options available on the pack as well.

Moving on, a key function I want in a backpack is good weight distribution so I can carry all my gear on the trail as comfortably as possible. The Gregory Z65 has a lightweight framesheet made with a hollow aluminum stay. This design enables easy support of heavier loads while keeping you as comfortable as possible as you move. The weight is further catered for by the exterior compression straps that ease the weight load on your back. The dual-density lumbar foam pad transfers weight from your back to your hips, and the adjustable waist belt has a plastic HDPE stiffener for a better carry.

The pack has an auto-fit harness system which can be adjusted to fit comfortably. These generally speaking work quite well in my experience. The harness is also specially designed to eliminate hot spots which can develop in many packs. Finally, It’s worth mentioning here that this pack is designed to be used by both men and women.

Pros:

Good suspension – secure, stable and comfortable
Allows good airflow to your back (A common problem with internal frames)
Easy to load and good capacity

Cons:

Could have more pockets available

Specs (at a glance):

Pack material: 210 denier double-diamond ripstop nylon and nylon twill
Frame type: Internal
Frame material: HDPE framesheet and aluminum stays
Hydration compatible: Yes
Pack loading: Top and front
Recommended use: Backpacking Multiday
Volume liters: 58 to 70 liters
S:
Dimensions: 28x12x11″
Pack capacity: 58 Liters (3539 cu.in.)
Weight: 3 lb. 15 oz.
Fits torsos: 16-18″
Fits torsos: Small: 16-17-½” Medium: 18-19-½” Large: 20-21-½””
M:
Dimensions: 30x12x11″
Pack capacity: 64 liters (3906 cu.in.)
Weight: 4 lb. 3 oz.
Fits torsos: 18-20″
L:
Dimensions: 32x12x11″
Pack capacity: 70 Liters (4272 cu.in.)
Weight: 4 lb. 7 oz.
Fits torsos: 20-22″
Pack style: Backpacks
Pack gender: Men,Women

Conclusion

The Gregory z65 Backpack is a popular pack and ticks many of the boxes I need for my trip to Mont Blanc. The key attractions for me for this are good air ventilation to the back when carrying, as well as good suspension and weight distribution allowing easier weight carry. The easy access zipper into the rucksack from the front is also a nice feature (Getting into your gear can be a real pain in some backpacks if it’s packed at the bottom!).

Overall, this pack looks and acts the part and has a a lot of positive customer feedback to support it!

Have you used Gregory backpacks before? How did you find them? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below.