source: flickr © hairy matt - hiking with backpack

The trouble with hiking backpacks is that it’s always easier and more pleasant to walk without them. The freedom of hiking sometimes feels hampered by all the equipment we deem necessary to take with us nowadays. For ease of walking, freedom of movement and simplicity, it’s better to hit the trail without a backpack.

But if you’re going for a walk longer than a few hours, a rucksack starts to become a necessity. As well as carrying food and drink, waterproofs and a map, a backpack becomes a safety item for long walks into isolated areas. It enables you to carry first aid kits and warm clothes in case of accidents, and GPS devices to ensure you don’t get lost.

And now there are some very comfortable, lightweight backpacks on the market, you can enjoy the best of both worlds and retain manoeuvrability while carrying essential items. As long as you don’t pack anything excessively heavy, you might even forget it is there.

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