Since the dawn of time, man has used some kind of pack to carry things like a freshly killed game back to its base or home. Placing the load on his back allowed him to carry a larger load than if it were only on his hands. Gradually, over time, and often dictated by the needs of soldiers in the field, the backpack evolved from a simple open sack to the complicated external and internal frame backpacks of today. During the Revolutionary War, there was a combination of backpacks and simple bags that were carried more like a large bag, slung over the shoulder. At the time of the Civil War, soldiers carried their equipment on their backs in a simple backpack with straps on both shoulders and the weight of the load carried on the shoulders.

Sometimes a chest or waist band was used to keep the load closer to the body. The actual term, “backpack” did not come into use until 1910. The basic design did not change until 1920, when Lloyd F. Nelson developed the package board for backpacks. This innovation stabilized the load and moved it away from the body. The packing board eventually evolved into the outer frame backpack we know today. The frame is now made of aluminum or another lightweight material. It also has a belt that shifts the weight of the load to the hips, which are better adapted and stronger than the shoulders to support the weight. In 1967, Greg Lowe invented the internal frame backpack that moved all cargo to the hips.

The activity we know today as “backpacking” began to become popular after World War II and received a major boost in 1968 with the passage of the National Trails System Act of 1968, along with the National Scenic Trails and the National Historic Trails. . The first trails to be so designated in 1968 were the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. These trails, and many others, sponsored by both the federal and state governments, have made it relatively easy to get out into the wild.

Today, backpacks come in three basic types:

Backpacks

Backpacks with internal frame

External Frame Backpacks

Daypacks are used for single day trips, be it a hike, a climb or a bike ride. They are frameless and designed for light loads. They are lightweight and generally include a strap at the waist to hold the backpack to the body so it doesn’t bounce with each step. They are also frequently used as book bags by students. They generally have a capacity of less than 2500 cubic inches (40 liters).

External frame backpacks, whose origins date back to the 1920s with the original package Council packages, are used for large loads. They are better suited for trail walking, rather than climbing or skiing. The backpack bag itself is attached to an aluminum frame that keeps it away from your body. The frame also accommodates things like sleeping bags placed outside the backpack bag. The backpack bag usually has several outside pockets to more easily organize your gear. Outer frame backpacks have a higher center of gravity than the inner frame pack, allowing for good weight transfer to the hips and a more upright posture than is possible with a fully loaded inner frame pack. It also allows for better air circulation between your backpack and your back, which can make a difference in hot weather.

Internal frame backpacks hug your back, holding the load next to your spine. They are “worn” rather than carried and need a proper fit for comfortable wear. The internal frames are made from aluminum brackets, plastic frame sheets, Dulrin curved rods, or a combination of those things. The length of your back determines the size of the internal frame backpack you wear. The hipbelt is also of utmost importance, as this is where the weight is carried. Since the internal frame packs are narrower and fit closer to the back than the external frame packs, they are more suitable for activities that require the use of the arms and also a narrow center of gravity. Walking, climbing, or skiing are examples of the type of activity where an internal frame pack is the best option. For backpackers in hot climates, there are backpacks with an internal “ventilated” frame that have a breathable mesh throughout the frame that allows air to circulate between the backpack and the back.

There are three general categories of backpacks based on the capacity of the pack.

• Weekend packs have a capacity of 40 to 65 liters (2,500 to 3,999 cubic inches). They are designed to store everything you need for a weekend in the field.
• One week packs have a capacity of 4,000 to 5,999 cubic inches (65 to 95 liters). They can carry everything you need for a whole week in the desert.
• Expedition packages have a capacity of more than 6,000 cubic inches (95 liters). They are meant to carry extra gear, on top of what’s in a week’s pack, like mountaineering gear or bear boats (sealed food containers needed in bear country).

There are also separate categories of backpacks for men and women. Due to the difference in male and female anatomies, better quality backpacks are tailored to accommodate these differences.