How to Choose and Use a Backpack from REI

HOW TO CHOOSE & USE A BACKPACK A brief and somewhat scientific guide to pack selection and trip preparation WHAT CAPACITY BACKPACK DO I NEED? DAY OR OVERNIGHT WEEKEND MULTIDAY EXTENDED 1-2 2-3 2-5 NIGHTS NIGHTS NIGHTS NIGHTS 20-50 50-60 60-80 80+ LITERS LITERS LITERS LITERS 1.5bs to 4.5 bs 2.5bs to 51bs 2.5 bs to 5+lbs 4 Ibs to 6+Ibs EMPTY PACK WEIGHT EMPTY PACK WEIGHT EMPTY PACK WEIGHT EMPTY PACK WEIGHT These sizes represent spring, summer or fall trips; winter trips usually require a larger pack. WHAT SIZE BACKPACK DO I NEED? Pack Size Torso Length Extra small Up to 15"+ Small 16" to 17"+ Medium/Regular 18" to 19"+ Large/Tall 20"+ (These are general figures. Torso-length ranges can vary slightly by brand.) HERE'S HOW TO MEASURE YOUR TORSO 1. Have a friend locate your C7 vertebra, the most prominent bony bump on the back of your neck when you tilt your head forward. 2. Put your hands on the top edge of your hipbones with your thumbs reaching behind you. Imagine a line running across your low back between your thumbs. 3. Using a flexible measuring tape, your friend should start at the C7 vertebra and measure down your spine to the point where the tape crosses the imaginary line between your thumbs. This distance is your torso length. х HOW REI DETERMINES PAČK VOLUME REI's test team uses a standardized test method, known as the ASTM F2153, to calculate the volume of our REI-brand backpacks. The tester fills the packs-including all the pockets-with gumball-sized plastic balls. The balls are then poured out into a measuring cylinder calibrated to measure liters. Extended Capacity? Many packs are designed with features to increase the carrying capacity beyond the normal capacity. This is also measured at REI, and listed as the Extended Capacity. Prefer cubic inch measurements? To convert liters to cubic inches multiply by 61. THE OLD GAME OF "GUESS THE NUMBER OF JELLY BEANS IN THE JAR" So how many of those 20mm balls would fill a 4,000 in pack? (If you said 15,384, you're correct!) AND NOW FOR THE REALLY SCIENTIFIC PART: How many of the following would fill a 4,000 in³ pack? ITEM NUMBER APPROX. VOLUME, EACH Bacon slices: 1.3 in 4 in 9 in 26.6 in 33.5 in 3,076 iPhones: 1,000 Clif Bars: 444 Hiking socks, rolled pairs: 150 Apples, medium: 119 Wall phones, rotary-dial: 16 250 in Cats, cooperative: Actual results may vary HOW DO I LOAD MY PACK? воттом Sleeping bag and things you'll need only at night (except for your flashlight or headlamp). DISTRIBUTING PACK WEIGHT MIDDLE Heaviest items such as food, hydration system, stove and cook set. They should be close to the spine for good support. Stuff softer, lightweight items around these, such as tent fly and extra HEAVY clothes. MEDIUM TOP LIGHTWEIGHT Lighter-weight items like clothing in a stuff sack and essentials that you'll need easy access to. OUTER POCKETS Snacks, map & compass, sunglasses, toilet paper and trowel, headlamp, sunscreen, first aid and other items you'll need to get to. STUFF POCKET You can stash hat, gloves and an extra layer in the stuff pocket if your pack has one. Some packs have convenient hipbelt pockets for a snack, lip balm, or moleskin, OUTER STRAPS Secure sleeping pad, trekking poles and tent poles with the bottom straps and side straps. Use the daisy chain and lash points for other items like crampons. HOW DO I ADJUST THE FIT OF MY BACKPACK? WHAT TO TAKE THE TEN ESSENTIAL "SYSTEMS" 1. Navigation (map and compass) 2. Sun protection (sunglasses sunse 3. Insulation (extra clothing) FOLLOW THESE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS: 4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight) 1. Put your arms through the straps and position the hipbelt on your hip bones. 5. First-aid supplies 6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles) 2. Clip the hipbelt buckle and pull the tails forward to tighten. (You should feel most of the weight of the pack on your hips, not your shoulders.) 7. Repair kit and tools (duct tape!) 8. Nutrition (extra food) 3. Snug the shoulder straps by pulling down on the webbing tails. 9. Hydration (extra water) 4. Pull the pack in toward your lower back with the adjuster straps on the sides of the hipbelt. 10. Emergency shelter 5. Pull the pack in toward your upper back with the WHAT TO LEAVE AT НОME webbing at the top of the shoulder straps. 6. Slide the sternum strap up or down the shoulder straps until comfortable; clip the buckle and tighten. 1. Blow dryer 7. Some sternum strap buckles have a built-in whistle-you may blow it now to signal that your pack is adjusted and you're ready to go. Just kidding. Use for emergencies only. 2. Garden tools 3. Cranky in-laws 4. Fast food 8. And finally, if you are carrying any cats, secure the pack lid prior to takeoff. 5. The Interweb SOURCES REI Expert Advice http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backpack.html http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/loading+backpack.html http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backpacks+adjusting+fit.html http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/ten+essentials.html American Society of Testing and Materials International (ASTM) Designation F 2153 - 01: Standard Test Method for Measurement of Backpack Capacity HET Shop all backpacks at http://www.rei.com/category/4500001_Backpacks