Since the beginning of time, man has used some form of pack to carry things like freshly killed game back to his base or home. Putting the load on his back allowed her to carry a greater load than if it were in his hands alone. Gradually over time, and often dictated by the needs of soldiers in the field, the pack evolved from a simple open sack to the complicated internal and external frame packs of today. During the Revolutionary War, there was a combination of backpacks and simple bags that were carried more like a large bag, slung over the shoulder. At the time of the Civil War, soldiers carried their equipment on their backs in a simple backpack with straps over both shoulders and the weight of the load on the shoulders.

Sometimes a chest or waist band was used to keep the load closer to the body. The actual term, “rucksack” did not come into use until 1910. The basic design did not change until 1920, when Lloyd F. Nelson developed the wooden rucksack. package board for backpacks. This innovation stabilized the load and moved it away from the body. The backpack eventually evolved into the external frame backpack we know today. The frame is now made of aluminum or another lightweight material. It also has a belt that transfers the weight of the load to the hips, which are better suited and stronger than the shoulders to support the weight. In 1967, Greg Lowe invented the internal frame backpack that moved all the load to the hips.

The activity we know today as “backpacking” began to become popular after World War II and received a major boost in 1968 with the passage of the National Trail System Act of 1968, along with the National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails. . The first trails to be so designated in 1968 were the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. These trails, and many others sponsored by both the federal and state governments, have made it relatively easy to get out into nature.

Today, backpacks come in three basic types:

Backpacks

Internal Frame Backpacks

External Frame Backpacks

Backpacks are used for single day trips, whether it be a hike, a climb, or a bike ride. They are frameless and intended for light loads. They are lightweight and usually include a waist strap to hold the pack to your body so it doesn’t bounce with each step. They are also frequently used as backpacks by students. They typically have a capacity of less than 2,500 cubic inches (40 liters).

External frame backpacks, whose origins date back to the 1920s with the original pack board packs, are used for large loads. They are better suited for trail walking, rather than climbing or skiing. The pack sack itself is attached to an aluminum frame that keeps it away from your body. The frame also accommodates things like sleeping bags attached outside of the pack sack. The bag of the backpack usually has several exterior pockets to more easily organize your equipment. External frame packs have a higher center of gravity than the internal frame pack, allowing for good weight transfer to the hips and a more upright posture than is possible with a fully loaded internal frame pack. It also allows for better air circulation between the pack and your back, which can make all the difference in hot weather.

Internal frame packs hug your back, holding the load next to your spine. They are “worn”, rather than carried, and need a proper fit for comfortable use. Internal frames are made from aluminum brackets, plastic frames, curved Dulrin rods, or a combination of those things. The length of your back determines the size of the internal frame backpack you use. The hip belt is also of the utmost importance, as it is where the weight is carried. Since internal frame packs are narrower and fit closer to your back than external frame packs, they are better suited for activities that require the use of your arms and also a narrow center of gravity. Bushwhacking, rock climbing or skiing are examples of the type of activity where an internal frame pack is the best option. For backpacking in hot climates, there are “ventilated” internal frame packs that have breathable mesh throughout the frame that allows air to circulate between the pack and your back.

There are three general categories of backpacks based on the capacity of the pack.

• Weekend packs have a capacity of 2,500 to 3,999 cubic inches (40 to 65 liters). They are designed to contain everything you need for a weekend in the countryside.
• Week-long packages have a capacity of 4,000 to 5,999 cubic inches (65 to 95 liters). They can carry whatever you need for a whole week in the desert.
• Expedition packs have a capacity of more than 6,000 cubic inches (95 liters). They’re meant to carry extra gear, on top of what’s in a week’s pack, like mountaineering gear or bear boats (sealed food containers needed in bear country).

There are also separate categories of backpacks for men and women. Due to the difference in male and female tomies, the best quality backpacks are tailored to accommodate these differences.