Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Material
While it does not need to be 100 percent waterproof, make sure your bag is made of a semi-waterproof ma-
terial so everything doesn't get wet in a drizzle (many packs come with tarps you can put over them in case
of a severe downpour). Moreover, make sure the material won't stay wet long and thereby get musty. I look
for material that is a little thick but somewhat lightweight. I should be able to pour a cup of water over it
without the insides getting wet. I'm not traveling a lot during torrential downpours or monsoons, but I have
been caught in small rainstorms before, and because my backpack is made out of a good waterproof mater-
ial, I've never opened my bag to find wet clothes.
Lockable Zippers
Make sure each compartment has two zippers so you can lock them together. While I am not really worried
about people breaking into my bag and stealing my dirty clothes in a hostel or hotel, I like locking up my
zippers when I am traveling. I'm always paranoid that someone is going to put something in my bag or a
grabby baggage handler is going to take my stuff. When purchasing locks, make sure the package says they
are TSA-friendly locks. These locks have a special release valve that allows the TSA to open and check
your bag. That way when the TSA checks your bag for security, they don't have to break your locks. You
can purchase TSA locks at any large retail store, such as Target or Walmart.
If your pack doesn't have two zippers, you can always get Pacsafe (pacsafe.com), which wraps a lock-
able metal mesh around your whole bag and can be tied to a large object. It means that not only is no one
breaking into your stuff, no one is walking away with it either. Pacsafe is a good form of protection for your
bag, especially if you are going to be somewhere where your bag will be unattended for a long time. One
thing to remember about Pacsafe is that this metal mesh also adds a lot of weight to your bag and it can
be burdensome to carry around. Most people I know who use Pacsafe are photographers who carry a lot of
expensive equipment around.
Multiple Compartments
I like a bag to have multiple compartments. This way, I can break up my belongings into smaller sections
so it's easier to find and access the stuff I need. My clothes are in the main compartment of my bag, my
umbrella and flip-flops in the top, and my shoes in the separated side compartment (that way they don't get
anything dirty). It saves time I'd spend having to dig around my bag. You want convenience, and multiple
compartments help give you that.
Internal Frame
The majority of backpacks today are internal-frame packs, meaning the support rods and frame are built
into the backpack and hidden from view. However, there are still some external-frame backpacks out there,
where the rods are separate from the actual pack and stick out. Think backpacks you see in old hiking movies
or movies about people backpacking Europe in the 1970s. A big clunky metal frame. Don't get one of those.
An internal-frame backpack not only looks better, but the rods won't get caught on anything and your bag
will be slimmer, making moving around easier. Additionally, internal-frame packs tend to be lighter, as the
frame is composed of a lighter alloy.
Padded Hip Belt
Most of the weight you carry around will be pushing down on your hips, so you'll want a padded belt to
make supporting the weight more comfortable. The belt will help provide support and distribute the weight
