The Gory Details of Rucksacks (How to Pack a Backpack)

While the process of gearing up and readying for that grand outdoor adventure is both exciting and fun, taking the time to truly know the object you’re taking with you is an often-overlooked step in the whole getting out there and having fun equation. From the early development of what Germans call a Rucksack (pronounced ROOK-sack, literally a “back sack”) to why modern packs have hip belts, the history of backpacks is a fascinating study in innovation.

So strap in and prepare to become an expert in how these handy carriers have evolved from humble beginnings to modern-day masters of load-carrying convenience and comfort, or at least the more comfortable we have managed to make them thus far. Let’s talk about rucksacks!

Choosing the Right Sized Rucksack

Size matters when picking a pack — too small and you can’t fit everything; too big and you end up carrying dead weight. To give context:

• Day-trip or city touring: 1–6 L packs.
• Full-day adventures: 10–30 L.
• 1–3 nights: 30–50 L.
• Multi-day or expedition: 65 L+.

One popular choice on Planet Camping is the Discovery 45 L Rucksack by Highlander, offering a well-balanced size for both day and short overnight trips. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

How Is It Physically Possible for You to Carry Something on Your Back Without Toppling Over?

Evolution is the true enemy of the rucksack and why this form of carrying heavy loads on your person has become as refined as it has. As humans have never really been evolutionarily selected for carrying anything except the occasional baby on their backs, there is a lot of design that has to go into making a pack actually workable for day-to-day activities.

One of the first things a modern rucksack does is work to get the load you are carrying to the most optimal place to be carried on your body, which is to say off of your shoulders and onto your hips. Since your hips and the muscle groups associated with the hips and pelvis are much stronger than your shoulders and the muscle groups around the shoulder, this simple transference of weight saves your back a lot of grief.

For larger, more rugged loads, the Osprey Rook 65 L Rucksack delivers excellent load distribution and support, particularly for multi-day hikes. 

Rucksack Materials Matter

We’ve come a long way from canvas duck cloth, fabrics lik:

1. 210-denier ripstop nylon
2. 1000-denier Cordura
3. Ultralight Dyneema

all deliver durability and lighter weight.

To guard against rain, look for packs that offer raincovers or water-resistant materials. A Rucksack Raincover is also a handy add-on to add protection to existing packs. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Other Essentials

• Hydration bladder compatibility
• Built-in pockets and easy-access exterior compartments
• Compression straps, tool loops, side pockets
• Heavy-duty zippers (YKK), buckles, and suspension hardware

Modern backpacks such as those from brands like YKK and Osprey include these thoughtful features for a better carry experience.

The Backstory: An “Origins” Story of a Sort

It all started back in 19th century Germany. Military recruits were marching off to do who knows what, carrying all of their worldly belongings in whatever pockets, pouches, or even their undies, which apparently was a thing back then and probably still is, just behind closed military bases. A group of some pretty practical-minded people came together and developed what they termed a “rucksack” which is a funny German word for “backpack” and all that entails. (I’ve always felt it was a rather technical word for such a colloquial invention.) These early packs were simple, frameless bags that were worn with a pair of shoulder straps. The military was and is a major influence and user of backpacks, so many of the early developments in the rucksack’s history have their roots firmly planted in places with the most effective soldiers.

These were originally designed to hold as much gear as was necessary for daily living as a soldier and were about as comfortable to wear as an army cot would be if you strapped that onto your back. But with time and use, they became more and more refined. The definition of refined in this case was as refined as a weapon of torture could get, but hey, at least they had one.

A “Civilian” Use

There eventually came a time in European countries (not Germany) when people decided it would be fun to go wander around in the wilderness of their country’s European countryside on purpose and for fun instead of as part of some organized military campaign. And by “fun”, of course, we mean “voluntarily accepting to suffer in some remote mountains just to look at some trees”. Such was the mentality of those early adventurers! Alas, they discovered that surplus military packs made perfectly good civilian rucksacks too, and because of the gear those early pioneers decided to carry with them, many of the same innovations followed as did for military uses as well. After all, military and civilian packs were pretty much the same thing until the late 1800s, with no real significant differentiation between the two forms of rucksack.

Modern backpacks and their origins began to evolve a little bit with the development of the Trapper Nelson pack in 1922 by Lloyd Nelson, who is now the patron saint of backpackers everywhere. This pack was one of the first to have a frame that went outside of the pack itself and helped to distribute the weight of the pack more evenly.

After this point in time, a number of companies such as Kelty and JanSport began manufacturing backpacks in a wide variety of styles for regular old people like you and me to use. Backpacks went from being exclusively for highly organized institutions to everyday equipment for all manner of hikers and outdoor types.

The 1960s were also a great decade for making packs more functional and lighter to carry around with frames made out of aluminum, helping a lot with both the weight and comfort department. Eventually, this all led to the development of internal frame packs in the 1980s.

This takes the frame and hides it inside the pack itself. Early versions of these were pretty hideous and not all that comfortable but have since improved upon that past so that modern internal frame packs are some of the most lightweight and comfortable packs to carry around.

This is the short and sweet version of why we have rucksacks of course. There’s much more to be told as to why packs are as they are, but we’ll get to that bit by bit.

are the ones that are very important to bear in mind: Built-in Pockets, Hydration Bladder, Exterior Straps, Exterior Pockets, Water Resistance/Raincover, Loops. 

Before you dive into comparison, we encourage you to check out Buyer's Guide for Rucksack Bags, where we go into much more detail!

So there you have it – the complete story of how humans figured out how to strap increasingly sophisticated bags to themselves and call it recreation. The trail awaits, your rucksack stands ready, and your chiropractor's retirement fund thanks you in advance.

Happy trails!