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The Ultimate Guide To Backpack Sizes and weight

weihanbag  November 12, 2021

How are backpacks size measured or how to measure backpack dimensions

Backpacks are used by a wide range of groups, and the backpack size and backpack weight determine that different groups of people should use different backpacks. when you are told that you need a backpack of the right size for daily use or weekend hiking, people always think of this question in their minds: How are backpacks' sizes measured.

But the answer to these questions is simple:

  • The size of the backpack is graded by how many liters of capacity it is. Except for those with peculiar shapes, you can find out whether most backpacks are suitable for you by simple comparison. A common backpack size is a 30L backpack, and the external size is 21" x13.5" x 9.5". The size of a 70L backpack is about 28" x 14" x 12"

See the table below for other types of backpack sizes

Backpack sizeBackpack size
8L17” x 8” x 5”
25L21” x 11” x 6.5”
30L21" x13.5" x 9.5"
40L21” x 14” x 9”
50L29.5" x 13" x 10"
70L28" x 14" x 12"
11L30” x 18.5” x 12.5”
  • If you want to measure Measuring Actual imensions backpack by yourself, All you need is a tape measure or a soft ruler. Use your soft ruler to find out the length, width, and height of the bag in question.

Pay notice that many backpack brands or manufacturers include the side and hidden small bags when calculating the size of the backpack.

So there is a high probability that the backpack size calculated by yourself will be smaller than the manufacturer’s label.

Some people will wonder, except for the small pockets, is my backpack really the same size as the manufacturer's label? In fact, it is not. We also know that the backpack is not a marked cube. The result of multiplying the length, width, and height must be greater than our actual capacity. Everyone knows that the bottom thickness of the backpack is greater than the width near the shoulders.

How to get the real volume? This is actually a function problem in advanced mathematics, which requires the calculus theory that you studied in university. But we all know that this is too unrealistic. Few people will have this time to calculate such boring things. In fact, the brand and manufacturer of your backpack will not make the products so precise. We only need to know how big a 25L backpack is, and how big a 70L or 100L backpack is.

You need to evaluate your own body height, short, fat, and thin, and the subsequent use scenarios of your backpack. You go to the gym with a backpack or go hiking with 3 days of equipment. Obviously, you need two backpacks of different sizes.

What size backpack should I use?

We know the measurement methods of backpacks and the size of general backpacks, so to find a suitable backpack size, we need to measure our own body data at the same time so that we can find the backpack size that matches our own.

  1. To do this, you need an assistant and a flexible tape measure, and then follow these simple steps:
  2. Tilt your head forward and feel the bone bulge at the intersection of your shoulders and neck. This is the highest point of your torso length
  3. On each side of the body, slide your hand down from the chest cavity to the top of the hip bone. Now that your index is pointing forward and your thumb is backward, draw an imaginary line between your thumbs; this is the bottom of your torso length.
  4. Stand up straight and have your friend measure the distance between your shoulder and neck with a tape measure, all the way to the imaginary line formed by your thumb. This is the length of your torso.
  5. Then, you can measure the length and width of your body to find the perfect size of the backpack that fits your body.

Frequently asked questions about the size of the backpack and the usage scenarios of the backpack

  • what size backpack for backpacking
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  • how to pick a backpack
  • how to choose backpack size
  • how to choose the right backpack

There are many suggestions for buying a backpack, but most of them are bad remarks. It is enough to understand your carrying capacity and physical data to protect yourself, and then choose a suitable size. To go further, choose the one you like.

Here attach a usage scenario of a common size backpack, you can make up your mind according to the size suggestion.

  • 0-10 liters

Most hydration packs, trail running bags, and waist packs fall into this capacity category. It is minimalist at its best, designed to truly carry only the essentials, such as a water tank, a light rain cover, and some snacks.

  • 10-20 liters

This backpack capacity is suitable for adventure activities that require you to travel quickly for no more than a day. These include commuting or hiking during the day, you only need one day's food and drink, lightweight insulation, a headlight, two liters of water, a headlight and a space blanket.

  • 20-30 liters

Most backpacks fall into this category. These include necessities such as food for the day, lightweight insulation (fluffy or fleece jacket), rain cover, headlights, small first aid kit and space blanket.

  • 30-40 liters

-40L Camera Backpack

This is the category that most weekend and overnight backpacks belong to. If you really want to go hiking, if you have a partner who can put your sleep system in a backpack, then a backpack of this capacity will be suitable. Otherwise, for a backpack of this size, you should choose an ultralight sleeping pad or a down sleeping bag.

Backpacks of 30-40 liters are usually designed with extra pockets and compartments on the exterior and waistband to store headlights, snacks, and knives. Please remember that this size backpack is designed to meet various torso lengths, so it is best to choose a backpack that suits you to ensure comfort and safety during the journey.

These backpacks can hold everything needed for a 2-day or 3-day adventure, including a light sleeping bag, food for up to 6 meals, hammock/light tarp/ultra-light single tent, nap mat, underwear and an extra pair of socks.

  • 40-50 liters

The 40-50 liter backpack is ideal for multi-day travel. It is suitable for packing everything you need in a smaller backpack, including small pots for cooking, food that can carry food for up to 6 days, camp fuel and stove, Change of clothes, water filter, and down couch.

  • 50-60 liters

These backpacks are an upgraded version of the 40-50 liter capacity, allowing you to carry all the items in the previous category, and provide extra breathing space for larger sleeping mats and tents.

However, many overnight and weekend backpacks also use this size range to meet the three basic items you need during a night hike: shelter, sleeping bag and cushions, which are usually bulky when needed, if you don’t. if. Buy ultra-light varieties. This size backpack can hold more extra clothes, a pillow, a larger sleeping pad, a tent suitable for 2-3 people, camping shoes and a synthetic sleeping bag.

  • 60-70 liters

These size backpacks can also be used for multi-day backpacking trips, which can accommodate all the conventional equipment and items you need in the previous category, but these backpacks will also provide extra space for non-essential items, making your trip more comfortable and exciting joy.

Many hikers prefer to use this capacity for backpacks because it allows you to carry more items, such as a larger first aid kit, food for up to 10 days, and additional cooking utensils, such as additional pots or frying pans.

  • 70-80 liters

-70L extra large backpack

If you carry a backpack of this size, it means that preparing for your adventure is a top priority. This may also mean that you are carrying supplies for other people, such as your children or other hiking partners. The only limitation of packaging this size is the weight you can carry.

A 70-80 liter backpack is also essential for high altitude climbing. If preparation is important to you, then you will want to make the most of all the available space on these bags. It allows you to pack all the items in the first few categories, plus a tent suitable for four people, a highly insulated and cushioned sleeping pad, and a down or synthetic sleeping bag.

How much does a empty backpack weigh

In addition to those tactical backpacks that require additional performance requirements, common backpacks need to be light and strong. This is an important indicator for evaluating whether a backpack is worth buying. After all, being too heavy will put additional shoulder pressure on consumers.

In order to show the weight of our common backpacks, we also summarized the weight of some common types of backpacks.

How much should my backpack weight

Many people (especially all types of outdoor sports enthusiasts) have encountered the question "What should be your ideal backpack weight?" When determining the weight of a backpack, many different factors need to be considered. This makes it challenging for hikers to know the ideal weight recommendation to some extent.

But before they make a decision, they must first understand the definition of basis weight. The basis weight is defined as the total weight of the entire equipment, excluding consumables such as fuel, water, and food. Consumables are not included because the quantity varies depending on the conditions and length or duration of the trip.

The following content can guide you to determine the appropriate backpack weight:

Lightweight backpackers carry a base weight of fewer than 20 pounds

Ultralight backpackers have a base weight of fewer than 10 pounds

The ultra-light backpack carries a base weight of fewer than 5 pounds

For comparison, if you use 10 pounds as the weight of consumables, such as a 5-day trekking or backpacking trip, the total weight is 30, 20, and 15 pounds, respectively. It is said that these numbers assume that your basic weight is in the most likely category. Traditional backpackers will only calculate the total package weight, which is usually about 35 pounds or more.

When determining the weight of a trekking backpack, you need to follow the following guidelines:

A backpack should not weigh more than 20% of your body mass. If you weigh about 150 pounds, your backpack should not weigh more than 30 pounds. In addition, the weight of a loaded trekking backpack should not exceed 10% of your body weight.

Using the above weight percentages as your guide will definitely help you maintain the correct backpack weight and ensure that it stays within a manageable weight range. However, individuals need to be aware that this does not apply to all situations. So, for example, petite backpackers usually carry more than 20% of their luggage because they can only reduce the weight of their backpacks. In addition to weight, other factors also play a vital role in determining the overall quality of the backpack.

What size backpack for kindergarten

-kindergarten backpack

The most important thing to choosing a backpack for kindergarten children is to determine the appropriate size. An oversized backpack will not be conducive to children’s walking, thereby affecting the child’s development, and the extra space is useless. After all, kindergarten children don’t have many items to carry on their own. A backpack that is too small may not be able to hold the items that the child needs to carry every day, such as crayons, markers, pencil cases, and water cups, and sometimes the child’s coat is required.

Unlike adults, children almost only need to consider two points when choosing a backpack:

1. The distance from the child's shoulder to the belly button. Add 2 inches to this measurement to determine the ideal backpack length for your child.

2. Measure between the child's shoulder blades. This size (up to 2 inches in length) is their ideal backpack width.

Use this reference form below to help determine the correct size backpack for your child:

 MINISMALLLARGEROLLING
OVERALL(W, D, H)8.5'' x 4.25'' x 10.75''12'' x 6'' x 15''13.75'' x 7.5'' x 17''13'' x 7'' x 18''
INTERIOR(W, D, H)8'' x 3.75'' x 10.25''11.5'' x 5.5'' x 14.5''12.5'' x 6.5'' x 16.5''12'' x 6'' x 17''
SHOULDER STRAP (2)(W, L)2.2'' x 12-19.5''2.5'' x 17.25-32.25''3'' x 18-34''3'' x 21-34''
CARRYING HANDLE(W, L)1'' x 6''1.25'' x 7.5''1.5'' x 6.25''1.5'' x 8.75''

Best backpacks for high school

what is the best backpack for high school?

After the above content, we know how to choose a backpack of the right size for high school students. High school students are notoriously busy, some students go to school for physical exercise at 6 in the morning, then go to class, participate in volunteer activities, or even do some part-work, and do not go home until dark. They need very durable backpacks to support textbooks while protecting that expensive equipment.

The most important thing is that high school students are in a psychology sensitive period. He may have learned how to conduct a basic social interaction rule. In this period, students pursue individuality and want to be the focus of their classmates. So in addition to appropriate backpack size and quality, they also need to pay attention to the backpack appearance, maybe not to be the most dazzling, but it can't be an outdated backpack, which is not conducive to him establishing a confident attitude towards life. So, choose an appearance that high school students like and show that you are cool or friendly.

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