Back packs
1. How big does my backpack have to be?
The maximum capacity of backpack you are able to purchase and fit correctly will depend on your body size or more specifically your Torso length, which then determines the total backpack capacity. We would suggest purchasing the largest backpack capacity available for your Torso Length, or the largest backpack available for a particular purpose. The really good thing about internal frame backpacks are the compression straps provided when you don’t need all that extra space. suggest the best guideline is the longest trip you would take while relying on the backpack to carry all your supplies. This would depend on type of equipment and individual requirements.
We can provide an approximate estimate as follows:
Day Trips: under 40lt
Overnight Trips: 45lt to 55lt (overnight, Long Days, Climbing or Skiing backpack, where there is little room for anything other than the very essentials)
Week End Trips: 55lt to 65lt (overnight, 2 - 3 days, larger Skiing or Climbing backpack allowing enough room for the basics, a tent, sleeping bag, stove, food and essential clothing)
Longer Trips: 65lt to 80lt (4 - 7 days allowing for the additional food and clothing)
Extended Longer Trips/ expeditions: 80lt and up (7 days or more)
2. What do I look for after choosing the correct size?
After fitting is the harness system comfortable?
Does it follow the contour of your body?
Is the backpack of the correct length?
Does the backpack feel comfortable on your back?
Does it pinch, bind or restrict your freedom of movement?
Can you look up without hitting the backpack with your head?
Can you squat down/ pull your legs up without cutting off the circulation to your legs
Are all the organizational features you need available? (Places to put the sleeping bag and foam mat, pockets for often used items, daisy chains or other facilities to lash things to the backpack, on a hike pack a extended loading facility, compression straps to secure the load, a
covered harness, carry handles and shoulder strap for travel packs, internal compression system for panel loading backpacks etc.)
3. Is the backpack waterproof?
No, the Helsport backpacks are made of water repellant but not waterproof materials so you will always need to use the rain cover that comes with it. It is also always a good idea to pack your things in waterproof bags inside the backpack.
4. Is the length of the back important or is it ok to borrow and use a pack even if it is not the correct length?
It is very important that your pack fits you well. You would not want to go on a trip with shoes the wrong size either. A pack that does not fit can ruin the whole trip. See our homepage for more tips on fitting your pack and checking that it is the correct size.
5. How can I wash my backpack?
Refer to our homepage and see the videos on washing your backpack, the best way to clean it is just with a cloth and some warm water. Normally it does not affect the material if they are a little dirty. It is important though to clean the inside of your back pack for hygienic reasons and check it so that you don’t set out on a trip with the remains of the lunch from your last trip somewhere in there.
6. How important is the weight of the backpack?
This is hard to answer. Obviously it is always better to carry less weight but if you are going on a longer trip make sure that the pack you choose is stable enough for your load. If you will be carrying loads above 15kg the pack and the frame will have to be stable enough to handle that sort of load. Generally you can say that if you want carry heavier loads you will not be happy with a really light weight backpack since there will have to med some compromises here when choosing the frame and pack materials and constructions. On day packs etc it does not make such a big difference. In the end it is more or less up to you. But always try the pack on in the store with the kind of weight you will be carrying when on tour and walk around with it for a while, maybe up and down some stairs as well to get a feeling of how it will feel when on tour.
7. Is it better to strap things on to my pack or should I try to pack everything in the backpack?
The most important thing is to distribute the load evenly on both sides. It is normally easier to do this when you pack everything in the pack. You also get a “snugger” load without a lot of things jangling around as you walk along. See more tips on loading your pack on the homepage. Things like a tent or a ground pad are often strapped on the outside of the pack as they are quite easy to put on the top or the bottom of your pack using the packing straps. There is also the advantage of having everything water tight if you pack everything in your backpack and cover it with the rain cover.
8. What is better a top loading pack or a front loaded one?
The best thing is a combination of both. The “top loaders” have the advantage that it is easy to expand them just by raising or even just packing things under the lid of the backpack and the front loaders that the things are easy to access at all times. But the combination is really the best. If you want to use it as a travel backpack it is almost essential that you choose one that has the front loading option as well since this will help you a lot, so that you don`t have to unpack everything all the time when you want something that is in your pack.
9. Is it important to have the option to use a hydration system with my pack?
Yes we think so. All Helsport Backpacks give you the option to use the hydration pack of your choice with your pack. In the winter they do not work great even if you use insulation tubes or always blow back the water etc, but during the warmer months they work great and really make it so much easier to drink while you are walking and thereby keep you fitter and in better shape during the day.
10. If something needs to be repaired on my backpack can I send it to Helsport?
Yes, of course! Our highly skilled service and repair department can take care of anything. It is extremely seldom that something happens to a Backpack and if the material starts to wear out after years of extensive use you might just want to start looking for a new one but if you want something fixed on your pack just take it to your local outdoor retailer and they will send it to us so that we can have look at it. We will always make sure that the repairs done are made at the lowest possible cost for the customer.
