Buying an outdoor bag is not something you do every day. So, when you buy it, you should consider it as a long-term investment and choose the right product. Here are some important tips to consider when you shop around for an outdoor bag.
- It must be made out of water-resistant material
You don’t need to go for a 100% waterproof outdoor bag unless you are planning to stay several nights out in the jungle. So, you may opt for a water-resistant outdoor bag to protect the stuff inside from the occasional drizzle. In fact, most of the backpacks today are protected with tarps to assure its goods from heavy rain. In addition to that, make sure that you go for a material that doesn’t retain water.
- It must have lockable zippers
You must ensure that each of the compartments of the bag comes with two zippers. Such setup will make it easier for you to lock them together so the contents are protected. Although you are 100% sure about your companions, it is always a nice thing to have lockable zippers for the sake of security and peace of mind.
- Buy a bag that has multiple compartments
A good outdoor bag should have several compartments. This is a great assistant to pack your bag in an organized manner. You can assort your belongings rationally and that would be easier and hassle-free when taking them out upon a requirement. Also, multiple compartments help you keep dirty and wet clothes separately so fresh clothes stay fresh.
- Internal frame
A solid internal frame is a great value addition to any outdoor backpack. That means the rods and the frame of the bag is invisible. Nevertheless, you can still see some backpacks with external frames. In that case, the rods are placed as a peripheral component. We don’t recommend the backpacks with external frames, however. Backpacks with internal frames have a better appearance and the rods will not get caught on the stuff you come across when hiking. Moreover, the bag becomes thinner when the frame is internally installed. Usually, these frames are made with carbon fiber or something similar material to achieve both lightweight and strength.
- Hip belt and shoulder straps with padding
When you hike, a substantial portion of the backpack’s weight will be pushed on the hips of the carrier. So, the hip belt of the bag must be comfortable and strong. This is when padding comes to play. A padded hip belt ensures that you can bear the weight for long hours and it helps to maintain correct posture.
Shoulder straps must have very comfortable padding because your shoulders have to bear a considerable amount of weight for a long period. Padded shoulder straps will reduce the pressure so go for such a product.
In addition to that, you must focus on other aspects like padded or contoured back and front-loading ability. There is a nice collection of outdoor backpacks with all those features if you visit prooutsiders.com online store.