Backpacking provides a lot of freedom to the wanderer, but it requires a special kind of person to live this sort of lifestyle, because if you go on a serious around-the-world trip then you are often alone, in a strange place, where you don’t speak the language. Initially, it can feel scary, since you’re carrying everything on your back. If you can’t find a hostel or place to crash one night, you might need to carry camping gear, tent, sleeping bag, etc. On top of that, you must carry clothing, toiletries, an emergency kit, along with any electronics, guidebooks, paperwork, camera gear, and beyond; even if you’re simply hopping around Europe, moving from one city to the next, hostel to hostel, the amount you must carry can move from life-saving-possibility to the oh-my-back kind of burden. I’ve experienced both, and I’m here to tell you about what to look for and avoid when choosing the right backpack, as well as how to approach the next step: the packing.
I’ve spent weeks backpacking the wilderness, and up to nine months roaming around Europe and Northern Africa, and what I learned the hard way has always stuck with me ever since. It’s very easy to cross the line between being over-prepared and being over-burdened. Consider where you’re going, the weather, the amount of physical labor required (with the pack on), as well as length of stay, because all of these factors (and more) play into just how much stuff you need. If you’re camping in the wilderness, focus on survival. If you’re hiking far out into the wilderness, say upwards of several hours to multiple days, that will have a tremendous affect on what to pack; I suggest bringing the basics, with a few multifunctional survival gear choices that can cut down on the amount of weight and the bulk. If you’re spending time outdoors, cut out the unnecessary creature comforts, and focus on the animate world around you. Or else, what’s the point? If you’re backpacking or doing an around-the-world trip, try and remember to trust the place you’re heading. I once packed an full-sized medical kit, a week’s worth of clothes, an entire camera system and laptop, along with two thick guidebooks to start a trip overseas, and I regretted it within the first hour. I ended up buying a new pack, shipping two boxes home, and spending hours readjusting everything, because I chose the wrong pack, the wrong gear, and simply overburdened myself.
In all of the above cases, I suggest a traditional rucksack style pack, with proper back support, weight distribution and multifunctional storage options. Now, if you’re simply going on a weekend trip to some big city, pack small, pack light, and save yourself the pain. Because the journey is what matters.
In all of the above cases, I suggest a traditional rucksack style pack, with proper back support, weight distribution and multifunctional storage options. Now, if you’re simply going on a weekend trip to some big city, pack small, pack light, and save yourself the pain. Because the journey is what matters.
One of my favorite go-to companies is Black Diamond, because they put a lot of thought and care into their gear designs, and focus on making their products the best ways possible, out of the best materials. And yet, they’re still affordable. It’s a rare talent of a rare crew that can pull that off. Today, I’d like to highlight the Mercury 65 pack, which is a lovely mid-sized pack, built strong for rough trail days and long hauls. Comfort is second to none for Black Diamond’s Mercury 65 pack, as they have incorporated their ergoACTIV XP suspension system which employs their custom 3D pivoting hipbelt and SwingArmTM shoulder straps which boost stability, balance and load transfer. Basically, it is built for more strenuous backpacking, such as wilderness treks, camping trips, and even one-day hikes since it’s small and light enough.
The Mercury 65 is a diverse pack, with a range of pockets and multifunctional storage options, with its large front zippered panel, giving the user access to the full insides of the pack, with several pockets, straps and dividers to help with your organization. There are loops for hanging gear, such as trekking poles for the terrain hiker or a tripod for the photographers, and so on, and since there are so many useable straps, loops, compression areas, and pockets, the Mercury 65 makes it easier to carry everything you need, and keep it organized, and dry. The entire pack is built very well, and is loaded with shoulder straps, back support, hip straps with pockets, and a large expandable area that works as a neck brace of sorts when filled. I found the fit to be very pleasing, with optimum back support (considering how bad my back has become over the years), the storage is adequate for small-to-medium trips (for longer trips like my nine month stint, I would suggest choosing a larger size than 65-liters), the hardware is strong and the range of functions meet and exceed majority of my trips, so it’s a high quality pack that can handle a variety of needs.
If you would like to find out more about Black Diamond, click here.
Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
The Mercury 65 is a diverse pack, with a range of pockets and multifunctional storage options, with its large front zippered panel, giving the user access to the full insides of the pack, with several pockets, straps and dividers to help with your organization. There are loops for hanging gear, such as trekking poles for the terrain hiker or a tripod for the photographers, and so on, and since there are so many useable straps, loops, compression areas, and pockets, the Mercury 65 makes it easier to carry everything you need, and keep it organized, and dry. The entire pack is built very well, and is loaded with shoulder straps, back support, hip straps with pockets, and a large expandable area that works as a neck brace of sorts when filled. I found the fit to be very pleasing, with optimum back support (considering how bad my back has become over the years), the storage is adequate for small-to-medium trips (for longer trips like my nine month stint, I would suggest choosing a larger size than 65-liters), the hardware is strong and the range of functions meet and exceed majority of my trips, so it’s a high quality pack that can handle a variety of needs.
If you would like to find out more about Black Diamond, click here.
Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
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