Outdoor Backpack Picks For The Wild Wanderer

At Sun & Sand Sports we can’t get enough of the excitement around outdoor adventures, and as much as the clothes on your back are important, so is the bag on your back! It’s not about the amount of gadgets such as walking poles, tripods and tents you can squeeze inside, but mainly being sensible with the choice of bag you carry. Big doesn’t always mean better. The last thing you want is to head out on a day walk and carry kit that weighs as much as you do. So, we’ve picked the best packs from our outdoor backpack and bag collection to help match them to your activity.

Day walks on the trail

On a day walk or on the trail, there’s every chance you will be walking for a while, but you’re likely to turn back within daylight hours, and you have a limited time to enjoy your beautiful surroundings. So we advise that you go small and pack light. The Columbia Bridgeline™ 25L Backpack is great if you want to pack numerous items such as nutrition, protein shakes, headlamps and gadgets. It’s perfect for the organised walker who prepares for anything and may be walking off the beaten track – featuring small mesh compartments, a three-litre compatible hydration and a built-in rain fly.

Integrated pack rain fly
3L hydration compatible
Compression straps

There is also an alternative for the day walker who may not be too far away from their vehicle or in town, near civilization. Under Armour Expandable Backpack has a slightly larger capacity of 27L that starts off small and light but can expand, as the name suggests, for storing extra clothing on a whim, or those basic essentials.

Small but expandable volume
Highly water resistant
Large compartment for easy reach

Impromptu hikes

If you want more than a day hike and more of an overnight bag to carry that bit more clothing, perhaps some tools, a leeping bag and food, try The North Face Stormbreak 35 Backpack . Just enough to ensure you don’t over-pack more than 20-30% of your body weight, this outdoor backpack comes with essential load-control straps throughout to distribute weight correctly. Every pocket provides you with a place to store your belongings correctly, such as the bottom pouch for wet items or soft sleeping bag, separated from the rest of the bag, two tool keeper pockets and an easy-reach main-loading compartment with hydration compatibility.

Ample load-control straps
Strategic compartments for tools and gadgets
Easy-reach compartment for hydration

Camping

When you need a similar amount of gear for an overnight stay, but won’t be carrying it on your back and maybe from your vehicle, The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag is a firm favourite – relatively unchanged in design in a decade. Depending on how many people are camping with you, Sun & Sand Sports has a variety of sizes for packing for the whole family. No straps flapping around, just a solid, sturdy bag with great water resistance.

Large volume
Sturdy, water resistant outer layer
One of the most reliable bags from The North Face

Endurance events

With event season in full swing, you might want to pick up your pace, and you’ll need a hydration backpack to see you through – such as The North Face Enduro 13 Backpack . Without wasting material on the bag, whatever you pack will fit snugly against your body, rather than sloshing around, and will give you enough space to accommodate the bare minimum 3L of water.

Lightweight and breathable
3L water storage
Pockets for nutrition

Be prepared for whatever your adventure may bring with the most comfortable, ergonomic and dependable outdoor backpacks and bags. Check out the SSS outdoor range for all genders and activities, and subscribe to our newsletter for more gear, guides and tips.

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