  |
Men's Backpacks
Ever wonder what makes a pack a “men’s backpack?” Obviously, you won’t find too many backpacks for men that are pink. But you may be wondering – other than color – exactly what the differences are between men’s backpacks and women’s backpacks.
There are many structural differences in how the backpack is built that make it more suitable for men than women. These differences are based on the general differences in body shape between men and women. Guys generally are broader in the shoulders and women smaller in the waists. Women have wider hips and an overall smaller frame. To make packs that are comfortable for men and women engineers designed packs that distribute the weight best for each of these body types.
One critical difference the location of the chest straps. A man’s backpack will have straps across the chest, whereas women’s will have straps placed a bit higher to make it more comfortable for women. This prevents the straps from cutting into women’s breasts which would be very uncomfortable on any long journey.
Another difference lies in the placement of the hip-belt. Women’s hip-belts are set at an angle because on average women have wider hips and smaller waists than men. Shoulder straps on men’s backpacks will be wider and not curved inward because men have wider shoulders than women.
And while you might think that women’s backpacks would have more pockets for storage there is actually no differences in the main bag or its frame measurements between men and women’s backpacks. The torso on the average woman is shorter than on the average men, so the length of the pack in men’s backpacks will be longer. However, there are many packs these days that allow you to adjust the back piece to shorten or lengthen the torso. This helps properly distribute the weight and increase comfort and balance.
Buying the right backpack for your needs and size are important so there are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing your backpack. Go to a good outfitting store look over the backpacks. Select several that you feel have all the pockets and options that meet your needs. Next, you’ll want to actually try on many packs. Be sure that you load them up so that you have a realistic feel for how they will feel when loaded.
There’s nothing worse than finding out that your backpack is uncomfortable when you are out on the trail. If none of the men’s backpacks fit, don’t be hesitant about trying on a women’s backpack. If you are on the smaller side – or you’re looking for a pack for a younger boy then a women’s pack may fit better.
You may find some backpacks labeled with small or extra small instead of women’s or men’s backpacks. This is because manufactures don’t want to discourage smaller men from buying their backpack, simply because it is labeled as a women’s backpack. The smaller backpacks will better fit women – they’ve just been labeled differently for marketing purposes.
Occasionally you will find that the small or extra small packs also offer men’s and women’s “suspension.” The suspension differences will include all the strap placement differences mentioned earlier.
Finding the right fit is essential for comfort on the road or trail so it’s worth taking the time and doing your research. This will ensure you’ll enjoy your trip pain-free and spend many happy years using it.