Durable backpack that won't rip if carried on one shoulder
I'm looking for a backpack that I can use to schlepp all my stuff around while hiking and taking buses around the country (and possibly out of it).
Every backpack I've used so far has eventually ripped due to the weight of the stuff I carry around, so I'm looking for something extremely durable. Preferably not too expensive, but that's going to be hard to find.
I need to carry roughly 20–25kgs of stuff, including a laptop + charger and a water bottle, clothes, etc.
Waterproof would be ideal but not necessary, as well as several different compartments for keeeping things separate.
I tend to carry my backpack hanging off of my right shoulder. (My left shoulder tends to have my beret on my military uniform at the moment.) This means that the weight is concentrated on that right shoulder strap, and that's been the first thing to rip with my backpacks. This probably means that I need a backpack that can handle double the weight I carry around, because they're assuming equal distribution, or something that's designed to withstand being carried on one shoulder.
1 answer
20-25 kg, or 45-55 pounds weight, is too much to expect to carry on your shoulders. That's especially true if only over one shoulder. Not only will that put a lot of stress on the shoulder straps, but a lot of stress on your shoulders too.
However, that weight is within range of a "overnight" backpack, the kind that transfers the weight to your hips. Look at large decent quality full backpacking backpacks.
Fit is very important with such packs. They need to be carefully sized and adjusted to your body. If not, the weight doesn't stay on the hips, or it slides down, or makes you unstable, etc. When properly fitted and adjusted, it can be surprising how comfortably you can carry that weight for long distances.
There are two basic types, external and internal frame. Both can work well. The choice depends a lot on what works best with your body, and what kind of things you want to carry. Internal frame packs are mostly one large compartment you cram everything into. They can be more comfortable in the right situations. On the other had, external frame packs allow for more smaller compartments and lots of pockets. That can be useful if you need quick access to different things, like if you're on a photography mission.
With any pack in your weight range, you have to try on the specific pack fully loaded with your intended weight. This is not something you want to buy on-line from specs only.
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