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Backpacks in lighter weight and weather resistant materials with innovative accessories have made the camping experience more accessible and comfortable for many people.
Although their price, size and style vary considerably, all backpacks may be said to fall into one of three categories: internal frames, external frames and daypacks. Of the three, the majority backpackers today buy internal frame packs.
"Whether it is a marketing strategy or a sign of the times, almost everybody is switching over to internal frames," said Doc Dowidat of Miller's Surplus in Tucson.
Although internal frame packs are slimmer and will fit into places where external frames would be awkward, each of the two styles has its own use.
For mountaineering, rock climbing, cross-country skiing and snow showing, Dowidat recommends the internal frame. But for the open trail, the external frame has the advantage of holding a sleeping bag and tent on its the exterior, leaving more room inside for other supplies.
The external frame is also easier on the body. Dowidat explains that with an external frame pack, 90 percent of the weight is carried by the hips. In contrast, only 75 percent of the weight of an internal frame pack is supported by the hips. The rest lies on the back.
The daypack has neither an internal nor an external frame. It is most often used by high school and college students as a book bag, but can also be used on the trail.
"Daypacks are great for hiking but not good for backpacking," said Dowidat. "You can do an overnight with a day-pack but you wouldn't want to take them on a longer hike."
A fitting reminder
A proper fit between the pack and the person is essential when buying an internal frame pack.
"Fitting a person with a pack is like putting tires on a car. You have to measure correctly," said Dowidat, noting that many manufacturers have solved the problem of the discrepancy between the male and female torsos by designing separate models for women.
Materials in backpacks have improved greatly over the years, said Dowidat.
"The nylon in the pack and the metal used for zippers have gotten better. You no longer have the old Boy Scout canvas packs where everything inside got wet when it rained."
Osprey Packs has been manufacturing high-end backpacks since 1974. Proper fitting of the pack is integral for enjoyment of backpacking, said spokesman Garreth Martins.
"There are quite a few differences between men's and women's packs, especially in the area of torso sizing," he noted.
Women tend to have shorter torsos and narrower shoulders than men, and a women's pack is designed and cut to fit that body type, while the women's hip belt accommodates a generally shorter distance between the bottom rib and the hip, he explained.
The harness in a women's pack is also padded differently, with more width in the collarbone region.
"All that said, there is a great variety of male and female body shapes so we encourage a man or a woman who is not finding a great fit to try a harness, hip belt or pack designed for the opposite sex," said Martins.
Osprey has introduced two new premium packs in its 2008 line: the Xenon series for women and the Argonne series for men.
"These are lightweight packs that allow the hiker to carry considerably more weight," Martins said.
Leaders of the pack?
Military surplus style packs and bags of all types is the specialty focus of Fox Outdoors. Company spokesman Ted Szewczyk noted that Fox produces many of its items from 22-ounce canvas as opposed to 16-18 ounces used by some manufacturers. In addition, Fox manufactures a variety of packs in polyester and technical nylon.
"The technical nylon includes a PVC back, which makes it more water repellent and stain resistant," said Szewczyk.
Fox enjoys strong sales of MOLLE packs to soldiers and law enforcement personnel.
"The military has gone full fledged with the MOLLE pack, which is manufactured with a series of rows of heavy duty stitched nylon that allow for attachments of the various MOLLE compatible pouches and accessories," Szewczyk said.
Fox also enjoys successful sales of military style briefcases in OD, black and khaki.
Designed originally as computer cases, each contains a main compartment, numerous organizer pockets and outside document and accessory pockets.
"A guy who works in an office or bank can have a nice briefcase made of technical, durable nylon with a lot of features. It is something not available in the chain stores," Szewczyk said.
Fox also does well with retro shoulder bags, which are particularly popular with women as pocketbooks. Fox has taken its four most popular shoulder bags - the Courier bag, Messenger bag, Hungarian shoulder bag and Departure bag—given them a washed out canvas look in OD and khaki and added patches including a peace sign, U.S. flag, skull and crossbones and eagle.
"We have done very well with these retro bags," said Szewczyk. "People do not want bags that look brand new. They want them with a fashionable surplus vintage look."
The variety of packs and bags available to merchants has expanded enormously, said Szewczyk. Some years ago, medium and large ALICE packs were often the merchant's entire inventory in the surplus pack line. Today there has been an explosion of imported, surplus style imported bags.
Rothco has expanded its line of vintage travel packs and bags, said spokesman Hans Blechschmidt. One of the most popular styles is the classic messenger case. All bags in the line are available in gently stonewashed OD, khaki and black.
The three-day assault MOLLE pack is a popular item for military, law enforcement and civilian use, said Blechschmidt, adding that Rothco still enjoys strong sales of ALICE packs.
"A young guy who has served in the military will take a three day assault pack on a camping trip," said Blechschmidt, who notes that the newer models have versatile modular components.
"You can change them around to take whatever you want," he said.
The M51 engineer's bag is a popular item with police and security, as are the parachute cargo bag and Mossad duffel bag. The latter is equipped with a vinyl bottom and an ID holder.
Elie Markin of Ledmark sells both canvas and nylon duffels and has enjoyed considerable success with his outback series in two-tone OD and black
"They are very attractive bag with a heavy padded shoulder strap and a greatly improved zipper," Markin said.
Boy Scouts still prefer external frame packs, said Markin, who also sells a European rucksack with two side zippers to Boy Scout suppliers.
"We are hoping for a strong camping season," he said. "The economy is down. A lot of people who took their kids to Orlando last year will be going to the National Parks. People are looking for an inexpensive vacation, and camping is the first thing that comes to mind."
author: by Howard Prosnitz