Big Backpacks
Beginning Hikers Do Best with a Waist Backpack by Jennifer Q. Daily
Are you excited to get outdoors and hike some beautiful trails? Here is some information on choosing a backpack that could make your hike more enjoyable.
Sometimes beginning hikers are over eager to get out on the trails with lots of gear in their Backpacks. And beginning hikers usually buy a typical shoulder backpack for the hike because there is an assumption that it will be the best way to carry their food and water or because its’ the only type of backpack they have every carried. Once on the trail, they usually discover that these backpacks with weight supported on shoulder straps weigh very heavily on the shoulder muscles causing these muscles to fatigue quickly and resulting in a sore neck or back and shoulders. This can ruin your hiking fun quickly.
Now there is better option. The fanny pack, or waist backpack, also called a Lumbar Backpack, does not cause this upper body stress, sore shoulders or neck, so it is ideal for taking your first hikes.
The benefits of the waist pack over the shoulder pack for hiking are many. First of all, the weight of your food, water and gear will be carried by the large muscle groups of the legs and hips, instead of being carried by the smaller muscles of the upper back and shoulders. I’m sure you’ve heard it said that when you lift something heavy you should use your legs to lift. Well, when you hike and carry a pack, you are lifting that weight with every step. Our bodies are designed to carry weight with our legs, the large strong muscles – quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscle group, not with the shoulders.
Secondly, it’s much easier to access the contents of a waist backpack than a shoulder backpack. You can simply reach around and unzip the top to access the items inside, or easily slide the waist pack to the front of your body for access. You can even carry the pack on the front for a while if you choose to.
Another benefit is that using a waist backpack will prevent tingling or numb feelings in the hands or arms caused by cutting off of circulation or pinching of nerves, which can occur when carrying a heavy pack on the shoulders.
And lastly, packs worn on the waist, often called fanny packs, look great. They have recently made a big fashion comeback and are perfect for the modern trail hiker. They come in all sizes and colors. For hiking, you’ll prefer the ones with water bottles and a large main compartment for food and extra clothing.
So, for your beginning hikes, choose to carry your weight on your waist and hips, carry enough water, and take lots of pictures (easy access to your camera with a waist pack!)
About the Author
Great packs and bags for travel, hiking, biking, skiing, canoeing and running. The perfect waist backpack or travel bag makes any adventure so much more fun. For great deals on packs, visit my website at www.waistbackpack.com.
Big Backpack
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