Trip Planning for Treks & Climbs | BY Rami Rasamny | PUBLISH DATE: June 02 2023 | READ TIME: 3 mins | UPDATED DATE: September 29 2026
How to Choose the Right Hiking Backpack
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Start with the load you will carry, fit the backpack to your body, and practise using it before your trekking holiday.
Choose a backpack by the kit you must carry and how it fits your body. The number of days on the trip is only part of the decision. On one itinerary, a porter or transfer carries your main bag; on another, you need overnight essentials on selected stages.
Work out the load first
| Trip arrangement | What your walking pack needs to hold | Question to settle |
|---|---|---|
| Day walking with access to other luggage each evening | Daily essentials, weather layers and the water/food you need | What is supplied, and how much must I carry between stops? |
| Supported trek with selected overnight carries | Daily essentials plus the specified overnight kit | On which nights is my other bag unavailable? |
| Trek with personal kit carried separately | Essentials you need before the main bag reaches camp or lodge | What should stay with me throughout the day? |
| Technical mountain trip | The equipment and carry system required for that activity | Which pack features and equipment combinations does the guide require? |
Lay out the actual list before choosing a capacity. A larger bag can tempt you to bring items you do not need; a smaller bag is not an advantage if essential layers are strapped on insecurely or hard to reach.
Fit matters more than the label
Pack sizing depends on torso length and the fit of the harness and hipbelt, not just your height or clothing size. Try the pack loaded. Check that the hipbelt sits appropriately, the shoulder straps fit comfortably and you can move without rubbing or instability. Different models fit different bodies; an adjustable pack still needs adjustment.
Use the manufacturer’s fitting instructions and ask a knowledgeable fitter if you are unsure. You should be able to reach frequently used items without undoing the whole packing system. Check access while wearing the layers you expect to use.
Check the support on your route
On LHO’s Walker’s Haute Route, the main travel bag goes directly to Zermatt and the route duffle is available at selected valley stops. You carry overnight essentials on intervening stages. On the Peru trek, personal duffle support does not replace the daypack you carry yourself. These are different systems, even though both are supported trips.
Read the departure kit list before treating a familiar capacity as the correct answer. Water bottles and hydration systems also need to suit the conditions, access requirements and your own ability to keep them working; no single system is right for every mountain trip.
Test before you travel
- ☐ Pack the real essentials, including weather layers and the expected water load.
- ☐ Adjust the harness and hipbelt using the manufacturer’s guidance.
- ☐ Walk on inclines and descents, checking movement and pressure points.
- ☐ Practise reaching water, layers and other essentials.
- ☐ Protect items that must stay dry; test closures and rain protection.
- ☐ Recheck the load against the operator’s carry and transfer limits.
For the wider buying decision, use gear tips for first-timers. If you are planning the Alps, read the Walker’s Haute Route baggage and itinerary details.
Unsure what your pack needs to carry? Ask LHO about your chosen itinerary before buying a new one.
CONTINUE YOUR RESEARCH
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rami Rasamny
Rami Rasamny is the founder of Life Happens Outdoors, a premium adventure travel company that uses the outdoors as a catalyst for human transformation. His work brings people into the mountains not only for challenge, but for clarity, confidence, and connection. He believes that when people answer the call to adventure truthfully, they come back different.
