Why You Should Choose A Backpack That Fits Well
Your backpack needs to fit you properly, especially if you’re carrying heavy items or wearing it for extended periods of time. Unfortunately, many of us overlook this detail, often in favour of backpacks that are stylish, come in a colour we like or simply have the compartment space we’re looking for.
If you’re looking to purchase a new backpack you intend to wear frequently and to carry heavy objects, however, it is well worth investing time in researching and selecting a backpack that not only meets these queries, but also fits your body size and frame.
Here we’ll look at why it’s important to select a bag that fits you properly, the common side effects of carrying a heavy, ill-fitting bag and how to find the perfect fitting backpack.
Why do I need a well-fitting backpack?
It doesn’t matter how much extra weight you carry with you, if you are doing this regularly it can impact your gait (the way you walk), your posture (the way you stand) and even cause you physical pain, often in your back.
Selecting a backpack that fits you properly will help you avoid all of these negative side effects, enabling you to carry heavier weights for longer, with less discomfort.
There are numerous impacts an ill-fitting backpack can have on your body, namely:
It can negatively affect your posture
You are more likely to develop arthritis in your joints
Your spine can be affected and even become misaligned
You can get headaches from the strain of the bag pulling on muscles connected to the base of your neck
As expected, you can develop painful back pain from leaning forward to balance out the weight of your bag
RELATED: What Happens to Your Body When You Wear a Heavy Backpack Every Day
Women's Backpacks
How to find a backpack that fits well
The key to a well fitting backpack is having, sturdy padded straps to evenly distribute the weight of your pack across your body. Sharing the loads across both shoulders and your hips will reduce the strain on any one muscle group and make you less likely to tire quickly.
Hip straps are essential. According to some studies, women tend to have 40% less upper body strength than men and roughly 30% less lower body strength. However, hip straps are similarly helpful for men and women. You may wish to wear yours just above or on your hips - wherever is most comfortable for you.
Shoulder straps should align with your shoulders and carry on down your back, following the natural curvature of your body.
Can a woman wear a man's backpack?
Of course it is physically possible for a woman to wear a man’s backpack. What is most important here, however, is not your gender, but your physical size and shape.
Men’s backpacks are best designed to fit the vast majority of men’s bodies, while women’s backpacks are designed to fit the typically smaller frame of a woman.
Rather than getting bogged down in whether or not the bag you are considering is in the male or female section of the store, instead it is far more important to check that firstly the bag is of a size big enough to suit your needs, and secondly it has the right pocket space.
Generally speaking however, if you are looking for a bag that will typically fit the average sized woman, and comfort and maintaining good posture are important to you, wearing a woman’s backpack will suit you better than carrying a backpack designed for the typical male body, which is generally much larger.
Men's Backpacks
Are backpacks better than shoulder bags?
Of course, the answer to this question depends on exactly how you intend to use your bag, how heavy your items are and how long and frequently you intend to wear your bag.
For anyone wearing a bag more often than a couple of times a week, you’re better off carrying a backpack rather than a shoulder bag.
The advantages of a backpack are that they evenly spread the weight across both of your shoulders, allowing you to walk more upright rather than having to tilt to one side to offset the weight of your belongings.
If stuck deciding between a backpack and a shoulder bag like a tote, consider The North Face’s urban backpack range for items that are practical, convenient, and look at home in the city.
With a better understanding of exactly what you need to look for when purchasing your next backpack, you may wish to look for a bag that not only fits you but is made from breathable, durable materials and has enough pockets and compartments to suit your needs.