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About Rucksacks and Backpacks

Whether you call it a rucksack or a backpack, when you set off on a walk carrying all you need to stay out over night on your back, you will need a comfortable one. Choosing the right one can make the difference between an enjoyable trip and a nightmarish one. The most important feature to consider is the back system. For loads much over 12 kg (26 lbs) a padded hip belt is needed so you can carry most of the weight on your hips, which are designed to bear weights, rather than on your relatively weak shoulders. This belt must fit properly and the key to this is matching the length of the pack to the length of your back.

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Small Rucksacks

The North Face Aerofoam Backpanel consists of soft, breathable, laminated Aerofoam that is compressed and released whilst hiking. This facilitates airflow through air channels to keep your back cool and dry. The VauDe Aeroflex System achieves similar results by using a mesh panel between your back and the back of the rucksack. The Karrimor Coolmesh back system ensures airflow, keeping the back dry and comfortable. The system is lightweight as no frame is used and it can be easily adjusted on the move. The harness and belt are anatomically shaped and filled with closed cell foam for excellent load bearing.

Lowe Alpine's lightest rucksacks and beltpacks use another system, the Wicking Back System. The use of a hydrophilic (water absorbing) polyester fabric means that moisture is transported away from your back. This helps to keep your back dry and ensures maximum comfort. The polyester fabric is laminated onto foam to give a rapid drying, quick wicking body contact fabric. The Air Cooled Back System from Lowe Alpine (opposite) shows some of the typical features found on the back systems of small rucksacks.

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Large Rucksacks

Rucksack brands include: Lowe Alpine, The North Face, VauDe, Salomon, Berghaus, Aztec, Camelbak.

Lowe Alpine APS Rucksacks

"Comfort, unbeatable durability and an easily adjusted fit-to-size" - this was the Research and Design brief for the Lowe Alpine APS (Advanced Paralux System) rucksacks.

Customizing: Two aluminum staves within the back of the rucksack play a vital role. Crucially, they transfer a proportion of the load from the shoulders to the hips, while simultaneously flexing to absorb jolts. The staves are pre-shaped in an elongated 'S' to match the average back profile. The alloy is malleable by hand, so your pack can be customized for a precise fit. Once reshaped and refitted, customized staves behave exactly as before.

Strength: The APS frame is tougher than it looks. What you can't see beneath the plastic cover are the eight lines of stitching that secures the adjustable web to the shoulder harness. Independent tests have shown that this crucial component can withstand a load in excess of 300kg (660 lb.). You need never worry that the APS harness will fail.

Comfort: Special bi-laminate foams are used in APS waistbelts and back pads. Bi-laminate foams work best because pads should support as well as soften. The closed-cell layer provides shape and firm support, while the open-cell layer ensures contact comfort. Lowe Alpine bi-laminate foams 'memorize' their original form, and so retain shape and resilience even after prolonged use. The APS Series 9 uses 3-dimensional Spacer mesh in body contact areas, allowing breathability and airflow.

Reliability: Part of the beauty of the APS is its simplicity. There's no complex machinery in there. Lowe Alpine is the only quality backpack manufacturer still insisting on stitched construction throughout. With no riveted metal or plastic parts to break, all Lowe Alpine packs can be maintained in the field simply by using needle and thread. The APS has been designed for no-fuss customization. Adjusting the back length takes just 30 seconds. That done, all other fine tuning adjustments - such as to redistribute the load between the shoulders and hips - can be made while you are on the move.

VauDe Rucksacks

When looking to save weight, simple is better. The VauDe Tergoform Vario rucksack suspension system is testimony to that theory. A sheet of lean polyethylene is combined with an adjustable aluminium A frame. This is attached to a thickly padded back that features a central air channel and a soft hydrophobic (water repellant) fabric cover. A die-cut anatomically curved shoulder harness is added - this can be adjusted up or down using the ingeniously simple Vario latch. The system is completed with a removable dual-density foam hip belt.

Vango Rucksacks

	The Quick Adjust back system is easily adjustable and has extra stabilising through a "uni-rigger" base stabiliser. It is ideal for backpackers or trekkers going for a trip round Europe or for a week in the Alps. It offers the perfect combination of comfort and fast, easy adjustment.
	The Self Adjust back system guarantees excellent comfort and ventilation. The simplicity of the 4 option adjustable back length combined with the padded hipbelt and harness ensures perfect comfort and equal weight distribution when in use.
	The Air Force back system is simple with effective back breathability. A continual flow of air is circulated between your back and the rucksack, preventing any moisture accumulating.

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