What Size Backpack Do I Need? A Complete Guide to Choosing the Perfect Fit Introduction For over 10 years, we have been helping backpackers find the ideal outdoor gear. We understand that selecting the correct size backpack can make the difference between a successful adventure and a disastrous one. Whether going on a day hike, a multi-day camping trip, or traveling internationally, choosing the wrong size pack can lead to discomfort, insufficient packing space, or worse—you might forget to bring something important. Our guide will help you determine the appropriate size backpack for any activity, allowing you to prioritize comfort and enjoyment on your journey. Key Takeaways Backpacks range from 19L (day use) to 45L+ (extended camping trips). Match your size to the length of the activity and type of gear you’re using. Proper torso measurement is essential for fitting and comfort while on your trip and for weight distribution. Think about how you like to pack. Minimalist packers can usually go smaller. Remember to try it on for size before you buy, if possible. What size backpack do I need? Day hikes: 20-30L Weekend trips: 30-40L Week-long trips: 40-60L Extended trips: 60L+. Key factors include: Trip duration and activity type Personal packing style and gear requirements Body size and comfort preferences Weather conditions and seasonal gear needs Understanding Backpack Sizing Most backpack volumes are described in liters (L), a measure of total internal volume. Backpack size can be standardized and means the same globally, unlike clothing. Most manufacturers will also give you dimensions in inches or centimeters to grasp the actual physical footprint of the backpack. Volume vs. dimensions matter differently: A 30L pack might be tall and narrow (better for hiking) or wide and short (better for travel). Consider both measurements when determining what backpack size I need for your specific activities. Backpack Size Categories Small Packs (19-24L) Ideal for: Day hikes, city strolling, school, and work commutes. It contains water, snacks, first aid, a light layer, and small electronics. The pros are that it is lightweight, has minimal bulk, and is perfect for short trips. Medium Packs (24-35L) Best for: Day hiking with extra gear, weekend trips, school/work with a laptop. What fits:Everything from small packs plus camera gear, extra clothing, and lunch. Benefits: Versatile size, comfortable for extended wear Large Packs (30-45L+) Best for: Multi-day camping, backpacking trips, extended travel. What fits: Sleeping gear, cooking equipment, and multiple clothing changes. Benefits: Sufficient space for self-sufficient adventures Matching Size to Activity Hiking Adventures For what size hiking pack do I need? Consider your typical hiking style: Day Hiking (4-8 hours): 20-30L handles water, food, safety gear, and weather protection. Perfect for most trail conditions without overnight gear. For Multi-Day Hiking: A 40-60L backpack allows space for sleeping systems, cooking gear, and supplies for multiple days. The best backpack size for hiking depends on the trail’s infrastructure and the weather. Camping Expeditions What size backpacking pack do I need for camping? Base your choice on trip length and group dynamics: Weekend Camping: A 35-45L would work for campgrounds that have facilities. For Backcountry Camping: A 50-65L will work well for a full carry for a self-sufficient camping experience. For Extended Expeditions: A backpack of 65L or more will work for multi-day adventures, or in winter conditions. Travel Applications The appropriate size of a travel backpack is dictated by how you travel and what your airline’s restrictions are: Carry-On Travel– 35-40L maximum for most airlines (always check specifics). Extended travel- 45-55L in size for updated travel where you plan to visit multiple climates. Backpacking Travel- 55-70L for trips staying in hostels, carrying all your belongings. Essential Considerations In Selecting Size Duration of Trip: Longer trips require more consumables, but can be compensated for with optimized packing. Packing for a 3-day trip, with efficient gear choices and optimized packing, can take no more than 20% more space than packing for a 1-day trip. Climate Conditions: Cold weather gear takes significantly more space. Winter camping might require a 50% larger capacity than summer trips. Packing Style: Minimalist packers can go 20-30% smaller than average recommendations. “Just-in-case” packers should size up accordingly. Airline Restrictions: Limits on international carry-ons differ. Research specific airline requirements when deciding what size backpack for travel works best. Ensuring Comfort and Fit Measuring Your Torso Length Locate your C7 vertebra (base of neck, prominent bone) Find your iliac crest (hip bone top) Measure the straight-line distance between these points Match measurement to the manufacturer’s sizing chart Torso Length Guide: Short: 15-17 inches (38-43 cm) Medium: 17-19 inches (43-48 cm) Long: 19-21 inches (48-53 cm) Weight Distribution Tips When properly fitted, the pack distributes 80% of the pack weight to the hips rather than the shoulders. Look for a hip belt that is padded, adjustable torso length to accommodate height, and load-lifter straps. Avoid the common mistakes: Oversizing: Oversizing can lead to overpacking and unnecessary weight/bulk. More isn’t better! Ignoring Fit: The best size is pointless if it does not fit your body. Always test with some weight before buying. One-Size-Fits-All: Different activities require different characteristics in a pack. A travel pack is not best for hiking and vice versa. Forgetting Compression: Modern packs compress significantly when not full. A 40L pack can work for 25L loads with proper compression systems. Step-by-Step Selection Guide Step 1: Determine Your Major Use. Identify what the pack will mainly be used for: day hiking, weekend camping, international travel, or daily use. Step 2: Quality or Quantity. Are you a minimalist who takes only the essentials or someone who likes the safety of backup options? Step 3: Check Your Torso Length. Use the guide linked above to ensure it fits regardless of pack size. Step 4: Use Size To Meet Need. Use our recommendation for activity type as starting points, but adjust for personal preference. Step 5: Give It A Trial. Load the pack with appropriate weight, put it on, and wear it for around 20-30 minutes. When to Go Up or

How to Repair a Sleeping Bag: Easy Fixes to Extend Its Life Introduction Imagine you’re on day 3 of your camping trip, deep in the backcountry, when you suddenly notice a progressively worsening rip in your sleeping bag. With temperatures dropping and no gear shop for miles, knowing how to repair a sleeping bag becomes essential survival knowledge. After more than 15 years of working with outdoor gear, we have helped thousands of adventure seekers prolong the life of their outdoor gear with proper maintenance and repair skills. After all, a great sleeping bag is a lot of money (sometimes hundreds of dollars), so repair skills benefit any outdoor person. In this comprehensive guide, we will help you repair sleeping bags from patch repairs for small rips to advanced zipper repairs so you can enjoy your sleeping bag for many more years.  Key Takeaways While there are times when sleeping bags need to be repaired, most damage can be repaired at home with basic tools and materials.  Sleeping bag repairs typically include cleaning, patching, and stitching.  Most common zipper troubles involve not replacing the zipper, but minor adjustments. Some preventative maintenance also goes a long way in prolonging your sleeping bag’s life. Finally, if you are in a sticky situation, you can do emergency repairs in the field to save a campsite from being ruined. How do you repair a sleeping bag? Clean the damaged area, patch or tape over torn areas, and repair broken zippers using zipper repair techniques. Key repair methods include: Fabric patches for small tears Seam sealer for minor holes Zipper slider replacement or adjustment Professional repair for significant damage Best Tools and Materials for Sleeping Bag Repairs Having the right tools makes repairing sleeping bag damage much easier. Here’s what every outdoor enthusiast should keep on hand: Tool/Material Use Case Cost Range Fabric patches (ripstop nylon) Small tears and holes $5-15 Seam sealer Waterproofing repairs $8-12 Zipper repair kit Broken sliders and stops $10-20 Needle and thread Hand-sewing repairs $3-8 Duct tape (outdoor grade) Emergency field repairs $5-10 Fabric glue No-sew patch application $4-8 Tool/Material Use Case Cost Range Fabric patches (ripstop nylon) Small tears and holes $5-15 Seam sealer Waterproofing repairs $8-12 Zipper repair kit Broken sliders and stops $10-20 Needle and thread Hand-sewing repairs $3-8 Duct tape (outdoor grade) Emergency field repairs $5-10 Fabric glue No-sew patch application $4-8 Types of Sleeping Bag Damage Recognizing the typical types of damage will be helpful when learning how to fix a sleeping bag: Fabric tear: A small hole due to contact with branches, rocks, or simple wear and tear Separated seam: Stitching failure along the edge of a piece of gear Zipper issues: Broken teeth, sliders that won’t budge, or zipper separation Down leakage: Feathers escaping through worn fabric Waterproof coating damage: Compromised DWR treatment Step-by-step directions for fixing a sleeping bag tear or hole: When you’re working with fabric damage, the procedure for how to repair a sleeping bag is the following: Step 1: Clean and Assess. Clean the area with a damp cloth and let it dry completely. Identify if the tear is in the shell, lining, or both. Step 2:Pick your patch. Choose a patching material that matches your sleeping bag, both in weight of fabric and color. For most repairs, ripstop nylon will work well. Step 3:Attach the patch. If the hole is small, less than an inch, apply some fabric glue around the edges and place the patch down firmly. If the tear is bigger, hand-stitch on the patch using a back-stitching technique. Step 4: Seal up the repair. Apply seam sealer around the patch’s edges to ensure waterproofing, especially for an outdoor shell! Zipper Troubleshooting: Fixing a Broken or Double Zipper Zipper issues are one of the most common problems with sleeping bags. Here is how to fix a broken zipper on a sleeping bag: Single Zipper Repairs Stuck slider: Apply soap or candle wax to the teeth Loose slider: Use pliers to squeeze the slider sides gently Missing stopper: Sew a fabric stopper or use a zipper repair kit Double Zipper Solutions Learning how to fix a double zipper on a sleeping bag requires understanding alignment: Ensure both zipper tracks are correctly aligned at the bottom Start zipping slowly from the bottom, keeping the tracks straight If separation occurs, back the sliders down and realign Replace worn sliders if the adjustment doesn’t work Field Repair Tips: Fixes on the Go When you are out camping, knowing how to fix a sleeping bag can save your trip: Duct tape patches: Clean and dry the area, then apply some outdoor tape of good quality Safety pins: Pinned will temporarily hold the tears until I can sew them properly Emergency sewing: Use dental floss, or strands from a piece of paracord for stronger stitching Take a small lightweight repair kit, patches, tape, needle, and thread, for emergencies. Determining the correct repair method for your damage Determining what repair method to use depends on a few considerations: Amount of Damage: For holes less than 2 inches, you can use patches; for larger tears, use a professional repair Location of Damage: High stress area justifies a reinforced repair Fabric type: Down-proof fabrics require specific patch materials Usage frequency: Heavy-use bags benefit from professional reinforcement Use a bright flashlight to thoroughly inspect damage before beginning repairs. Maintaining Your Sleeping Bag to Prevent Damage Prevention is the best approach to how to repair sleeping bag issues: Proper storage: Store uncompressed in a large cotton sack Gentle washing: Use a down-specific detergent and low heat drying Campsite setup: Clear the ground of sharp objects before laying out your bag Regular inspection: Check for wear spots and minor damage during each trip When to Seek Professional Help Some repairs require professional expertise: Major tears longer than 4 inches Multiple zipper track damage Insulation redistribution in down bags Waterproof membrane replacement At Gipfel-Outdoors, we understand the importance of reliable outdoor gear. As a trusted provider of high-quality