How Much Room Do You Need For A Hiking Backpack?

Hiking isn't only an excellent way to stay in shape, it's also a lesson in preparedness and surviving in the outdoors. Depending on the length of hiking trip you have planned, you'll need to pack an appropriate amount of gear, sometimes including food, cooking utensils, clothing changes and shelter. If you prefer day trips, you'll need much less room than someone who takes multiple day trips.

Trip Length

The amount of room you need in your hiking backpack depends heavily upon the length of your hiking trip. Short day trips require little more than snacks and adequate hydration; you can take a small backpack or even a fanny pack for very short trips. When you need to bring more gear for trips that are more than a day, you'll want larger capacity to ensure that you're able to pack all of your necessities and some emergency preparedness gear to help keep you safe on your hike. Depending on the season, you may need a bigger pack for a shorter trip, since you'll need more gear come wintertime.

Backpack Size

Backpacks are sized using cubic inches or liters, depending on the brand of hiking backpack you choose. A day trip only merits a backpack of about 1,500 cubic inches in the summer and up to 3,000 cubic inches in the winter. If you plan on hiking over one or two nights, look for backpacks that are at least 2,500 cubic inches for summer hiking and as much as 5,000 cubic inches for winter. Start with a 3,000-cubic-inch backpack when hiking over three to five nights in the summer and look for a backpack of more than 5,000 cubic inches for winter hiking. More than five nights merits at least a 4,000-cubic-inch backpack; choose one with more than 5,000 cubic inches for winter hiking.

Features

The size of the main pocket is an important consideration when purchasing a backpack for hiking, but design counts as well. Having plenty of easily accessible smaller compartments means that your larger items stay safely stowed until you need them, while allowing you to access items like food, water and flashlights. If you're an avid hiker who prefers longer trips, a steel frame can offer more support and storage capacity for items such as sleeping bags.

Packing

Be prepared, but don't over-pack your bag so that it is bulky and heavy. Look for smaller versions of the gear that you need so you're able to pack a more compact backpack. Thin, heat-reflecting blankets; dried foods; water bladders instead of bottles; and small first aid kids can all save you space and weight.