File under: Luggage & Travel , Camping & Hiking

The next time you’re out and about, take a count of how many folks are wearing backpacks; from school kids to teens at the mall, to folks buying stuff at the store. They’re all over the place, to the tune of millions sold a year. You just can’t get along without one, it seems, given the amount of stuff we find ourselves carrying — audio gear, sporting equipment, laptops, school and work material.

After the jump, a look at backpacks; from the everyday to sports-specific models. Good stuff.

First things first — when buying a backpack, be sure you consider what the backpack is going to be used for — travel, hiking, school. Don’t get an ultralight pack if you plan to carry a bunch of stuff to the mountains and, conversely, don’t carry a 5000 cubic inch monster on the airplane and plan to stick it in the overhead compartment. Do your homework and think ahead.

I like this ladies North Face Isabella backpack; at just over 1 1/2 pounds, it has a bunch of internal compartments, a bungee cord external tie-down system, water bottle pockets, and a carry handle — for when you stuff it in the overhead.

If you are planning on a weekend’s worth of hiking and camping off the beaten path, look at this JanSport Klamath outfit. Sleeping bag compartment, external carry pockets, and two entries into the bag all make for a well-designed backpack.

If you are headed out to the woods for a longish trip, you could take the MountainSmith Cross Country backpack, with its removable day pack, water bottle holders, hydration compatible access, clear map case, and a bunch of internal and external pockets. This guy will help keep you comfortable on the trail for days.

I own a Gregory backpack and it has served me well for a number of years. It is well-designed, very abrasion-resistant, and very light for the gear it will haul. I like the design of this ladies Gregory backpack — the Jade 35 lightweight model — with bottom sleeping bag straps, multiple access points, and water bottle pockets.

Day bags — I like this Ogio day pack; it has a great design which includes a padded laptop sleeve and miscellaneous pockets for the necessary electronics accessories — mouse, power cords, et al.

A day bag for the young ladies in the family is the Roxy Me Oh My model. Padded straps, mesh side pockets, and a roomy, zippered main compartment. A great gift, I would think.

For the young men — a High Sierra day bag with five zippered compartments, padded straps, and a carry handle to make it easy to put into a locker or under a desk.

With Christmas just around the corner, now’s the time to think about a new backpack for yourself or a loved one. It will be a much appreciated gift. And, you can’t get along with just one backpack, right?

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By Bill Volk