In the final installment of How to Choose and Fit a Backpack, we will pass on a few tips that will help keep your new pack in good shape, even after many uses—after all, you’ve invested a lot of time and money into finding the perfect pack!
(Read Part One and Part Two of How to Choose and Fit a Backpack)
When packing before a trip, try to wrap any hard-edged items (like a cook stove) with spare clothing. This will prevent rubbing and wearing down or poking holes in parts of the pack.
After each trip, clean out your pack and shake any residual dirt, sand, or food crumbs. You would be surprised at what can accumulate over the course of a weekend hike. If it’s really dirty, wipe it down with warm water and a mild soap, then air dry (but out of the sun).
Inspect it regularly for frays, loose seams or rips, or worn zippers, and repair as needed. What looks like a minor problem now could be much worse three days into a week-long hike when the pack rips open!
Store your pack in a cool, dry place, away from moisture. Heat and mildew can damage the waterproof barrier, rendering it useless against rainstorms on the trail.
While just a few tips to keep your pack in good shape, in the end, it’s always best to use common sense.
