
During my earliest trip overseas in my young twenties, I arrived in Spain and found that I had indeed chosen the wrong pack, and subsequently I ended up buying another pack, shipping it and some other items home. I’m sure you can imagine how big of a pain in the butt that was. The funny thing is, it happened twice more on that trip, for the simple reason that I did not have the right pack to begin with. I took a canvas backpack that chafed my arms at first, so within three hours of arrival, I was already shipping things back. Then, I purchased a larger bookbag, which was not large enough for all my stuff, but I made do anyway… For a few months, then I couldn’t handle it anymore, as I had purchased a secondary bag to wear in my front. After all that, I finally realized that I needed to suck it up and transition over to a large rucksack. My original fear was that my back would hate me for wearing something so large and heavy. But to later hilarity, I found that choosing the right rucksack would indeed be a game changer for me and my travels.

The Hobo King is a large pack at 85-liters, which means it’s sizable enough to support a global trip for an entire year, or more. It’s described as robust, and there isn’t anything truer, because it is a hefty pack, with enough space to hold clothing, toiletries, camera/computer gear, as well as camping equipment. There are zippered pockets, with pockets inside pockets, providing the user with all kinds of space and organizational options. Compression straps are also included. A dirty laundry compartment is located separate from the rest of the bag at the base, which is something I never had, and I really, really wish I had! There are handles to carry the bag from the front, as well as extremely comfortable padded shoulder straps and waist band, which helps to balance the weight carried between your upper, middle, lower back and shoulders. What I love most about the shape of the bag is how the portion that sits upon the back is ergonomically designed so that it helps keep the arch your back requires, while also balancing the weight you carry. Not many packs successfully manage to help posture and stance, but the designers at Jack Wolfskin have knocked this one out of the park.

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Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen – Product shot © Jack Wolfskin.