Camping and Caravanning UK

Choosing the Right Rucksac

Choosing the right equipment is essential for any journey, it is particularly important for you to be comfortable and have faith in your bag and to be sure that it is suited to your needs before you begin the expedition.

The first bag that is the Eurohike Wilderness 35, which can be bought in Millets for just over £30, a fair whack more than you would pay for a standard rucksack.

The bag is fairly large boasting a 35-litre capacity and is ideal for walking because it's lightweight and has a variety of different compartments inside and out which can store a variety of different items. The bag is big enough to hold a small tent and a sleeping roll on the outside, as well as a sleeping bag, warm clothes and a change of shoes on the inside whilst still fitting supplies in the side pockets and a map in the top pocket.

A major flaw to this bag is that a standard one litre drinking flask cannot be fitted into one of the side pockets easily especially if the bag is fully packed which makes packing annoying.

The bag is very hard wearing; and has been taken through some of the roughest terrain for the past couple of years and is still unmarked apart from some minor damage to the side pocket where the drinking flask was held and caused the zip to become slightly distorted. Although the rucksack is not waterproof it does have a rain cover that is easy to use and put back. However there is a problem with the rain cover in that the rain tends to drip down your back during heavy weather and soak the straps making the bag uncomfortable to wear after a downpour.

The biggest problem with the bag is the comfort of it, after roughly 13 miles of carrying it fully loaded it really starts to put a strain on your back and you begin to notice the straps at the side rubbing you quite irritatingly along with the bizarre buckle at the top that pokes your shoulders unless you strap it up.

Even with these factors taken into account, for 30 pounds you are getting a very sturdy and spacious bag that can survive a battering whether it's being used for camping, walking or other outdoor pursuits.