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| Daypacks |
Daypacks |
A word for a type of backpack for a particular situation is a daypack. These come in various shapes and sizes depending on the activity planned. Daypacks serve multiple functions like carrying a sweatshirt on a day where it may or may not be needed, carrying outdoor gear for a planned hike and/or camping supplies. There are also daypacks for children, fisherman and skiers – all of which require different features. Among types of daypacks are fanny packs, sling bags and heavy duty backpacks.
Daypacks are usually 2,000 cubic inches in volume on average. Along with the standard twin shoulder straps, there is also a waist strap and a padded back. There are special daypacks for women with curved shoulder straps and more support. Almost all daypacks now come with water bottle holders and extra pockets for camping supplies.
The best daypack for Boy Scout gear is a compact carrier that can serve multiple functions. Having lots of pockets and straps is a good idea for holding various camping gear, freeze-dried food, hydration packs, binoculars and lanterns while also having freedom of motion for the journey to the final destination.
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| External Frame |
External Frame |
A good choice for a backpack to carry heavy camping equipment is a large backpack which offloads the majority of the weight onto padded hip belts. In this case the shoulder straps stabilize the weight instead of sustaining the entire impact. In the 1950’s, backpack manufacturers began building backpacks supported by a rigid external frame made out of metal. Now these frames are usually made of aluminum. Straps and pads are used to keep the backpack and the frame from coming in contact with the body, thus providing a ventilation system and decreasing the amount of sweat that can arise from material against the body while being active.
The external frame ranges from above the backpack itself to below. The extra space here provides room for large or awkwardly sized items that can not fit inside the pack itself. Items like tents, sleeping bags, coolers, cookware and other various oversized camping supplies would be strapped to the external frame, while smaller compact items like freeze-dried food, hydration packs and boy scout gear would be housed in the main compartment.
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| Internal Frame |
Internal Frame
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Different from an external frame, the internal frame is integrated within the main compartment of the backpack. The internal frame itself is made of metal or a specially designed polymer. These materials are formed to fit perfectly against one’s back. The idea of an internal frame is to completely support all of the cargo to be carried inside the main compartment. There are not as many external carrying points on this type of backpack, but there is significantly more room inside for a variety of Boy Scout gear and camping supplies. It is not likely to see bulky outdoor gear like tents or stoves in an internal frame because those large items can not fit in the main compartment.
Internal framed backpacks are more popular for hiking and rock-climbing because the snug fit of this style allows for intense upper body movement without the gear bouncing or coming loose. Since the cargo is all internal to the main pack, there is nothing to get caught in the wilderness. Another perk of the internal frame is improved balance and agility. The only downside of this style pack is the price, as it ranges from $150-250. The external frame is more reasonably priced at around $100. In the end, though, it all depends on the quality of backpack and the required features for the activities to be done.
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| Stuff Bags |
Stuff Bags
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When it is known to be a rainy day or a wet environment for the adventure planned, stuff bags are the key to preserving the dryness of the outdoor gear. Stuff bags are made of material that does not absorb water, therefore keeping the contents of the bag protected. The size of stuff bags may vary; smaller stuff bags could serve the purpose of keeping small-sized outdoor gear, freeze-dried food and hydration packs, while larger stuff bags could be for holding an entire family’s sweatshirt collection for a trip to the top of a mountain. Oftentimes, stuff bags are made with loops or straps to attach to a backpack for transportation. They also have handles if the only cargo to be carried fits into the stuff bag. |
| Stuff Sacks |
Stuff sacks |
Stuff sacks are similar to stuff bags in that they are used to hold supplies. The difference between stuff bags and stuff sacks is the material and holding mechanism. Stuff sacks are made of a type of nylon material that is also usually water repellant like stuff bags. The sack is closed and carried by means of a drawstring. The stuff sack is a popular carrying case for bulky sleeping bags, which can be stuffed and contained within the sack and carried by the drawstring. Other examples of cargo to be carried in a stuff sack consist of camping supplies and other outdoor gear that fits in the given size bag. |
| Waist Packs & Canteens |
Waist Packs & Canteens |
Waist packs and canteens are mostly used on camping or hiking trips. When traveling to a destination in the wilderness where food and water are not in abundance, it is necessary to be prepared for survival. Canteens are containers that hold water and they come in an assortment of sizes to choose from. Some features of desirable canteens are durability, ease of carrying, insulation (for keeping the water cool) and capacity. Canteens can either be water bottles or flasks that could be held in a backpack or waist pack, or fully supported hydration systems that attach to the body with a bite valve for convenient use.
Waist packs or fanny packs are compact carriers that attach to the waist to provide easy access to the products being stored. On a hiking trip, one could put a canteen in the waist pack along with lunch or a snack. Additional items for a waist pack are binoculars, Boy Scout gear and/or a compass.
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