You can get some nasty back problems from backpacks if you don't know what you're doing with them, or if you are careless. One common problem is wearing a badly-adjusted backpack. That will give you some painful back problems from backpacks, I can tell you. It takes a fair amount of camping equipment to keep you warm, dry and comfortable on a camp. And adds up to a whole lot of weight when carrying all your camping gear on your back. It's okay for the car campers. They just throw it all in the back of the automobile and drive to where they're going. It's the hikers foot-slogging away who'll feel the discomfort after the first hour. You need to have a backpack which adjusts properly, so it can fit you well and distribute the weight in the right places. There are two schools of thought here. The old fashioned European frame rucksack usually had a steel frame, with leather padding, which placed the weight on your hips and lower back. Then US-designed, tall framed backpacks came along later and put the center of gravity much higher up. That way, you could stand up much more erect when walking. You didn't have to stoop. There are also backpacks with internal frames, and packs with no frame at all. I don't recommend frameless backpacks if you're going to be toting a heavy load - more than 20 pounds - but they're fine for carrying some sandwiches and a bottle of water or soda. Nothing more. As long as they are adjusted well, with the weight in the right places, you won't expect to get any back problems from whatever kind of backpack you own. But if your back pack is badly adjusted, you'll get quite strained after walking a few long miles. It's worse if there's something hard or pointy digging into your back. That will make every step of your nature walk into plain torture... So make sure the side of the pack towards your back is well-padded with soft things like clothing, a towel or your sleeping bag. It's better to pack everything carefully in the first place, that to have to call a halt in the middle of a group hike. Do that, and you'll have all your walking companions waiting around impatiently while you fix what you should have gotten right in the first place! The most important thing to keep in mind when hiking with a rucksack or backpack is to keep your load as light as possible. That's the best way to avoid any back problems from backpacks. Some people take this wisdom to a whole new level, byt lightweight camping is another subject - for another article! |
