Pick your pack based on the type of trips you envision taking – overnight and weekenders; week-long adventures; or long expeditions. Most newcomers rightfully expect only to do a weekend at most, but it’s a shame to have a get a larger pack later if you really like the activity and want to venture out further. That’s why renting is such a bargain – get only exactly what you need, only when you need it!
Backpacks are most often sized in terms of cubic inches or liters, referring to the volume capacity of the gear-holding compartments. Most models also come in different lengths (usually referenced as long, medium or short) to meet the different torso lengths of potential wearers. Following are more details on each measurement.
Your cubic-inch/liter needs will be dictated by factors such as how many days’ supplies you need to carry; whether it is warm or cold weather, and if you are a minimalist or comfort-seeking hiker. Packs up to 3,000 cubic inches (~50 liters) are excellent for day hiking or a 1-night trip in warm weather where your supply needs will be minimal, or when you utilize minimalist gear. Packs of 3,000-4,000 cubic inch capacity (~65 liters) will typically hold enough gear for 2 – 4 nights out, and maybe more, again depending on weather and your comfort needs. Once you get a bit over 4,000 cubic inches, your options really bump up. This range is still small enough to not be so heavy by itself, but flexible enough to carry several days worth of gear. You can typically carry up to 40 pounds including the pack in this size range, but your weight-goal should be a lot less.
Packs above 5,000 cubic inches (~85 liters) can accommodate most any trip – plenty of capacity for 7-10 days of gear in even cold weather (extra clothes take up room in cold weather). A pack in this size range offers a lot flexibility for backpackers when you have to carry a lot of heavy gear.?
Note that not all manufacturers calculate cubic inch (ci) volume the same way, and that an external frame pack will usually hold more gear than an internal of the same rated size. Also, don’t “supersize” your pack if you know you’ll never need it at full capacity – no point in carrying around the extra weight of a larger, heavier pack itself, and there is a tendency to overpack if you have the room to stuff extra gear into it. Watch our video on our backpack selections. The specific models of various sizes we make available for rent include:
1) For the typical weekend or 3-4 day trip carrying gear for yourself, consider one of our Medium Capacity Backpacks.
2) For a week-long trip in cold weather, or weekender where you're packing a lot of gear and food for yourself and maybe others, one of our Hi Capacity Backpacks will do the trick.
3) We also have some Lightweight Packs for those trips where every ounce counts and Expedition Packs for those that are a little more serious about their backcountry adventure.
The other sizing factor to take into consideration is the torso length of the pack. What is a torso length? It’s the length along your spine, starting at the top at the C7 vertebrae, which is the bone at the base of your neck that sticks out when you bend your neck forward, down to your lower back even with those hip bones that stick out and support your spare tire – the iliac crest is what that’s called. It’s tricky to measure yourself, so get a friend with a measuring tape to help you figure it out. For a picture/diagram of how to measure your torso, see here. And just because you think you're tall doesn't mean you have a "long" torso - you might be all legs - so always measure to be sure.
The importance of this torso measurement isn’t the capacity of the pack, but the way the load can be shared between your hips and shoulders. A pack with a too-short torso setting for your build will be too heavy on your shoulders, and vice-versa.? Our packs all have adjustable settings so you can fine-tune the fit.
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