The term backpacks is used to cover day packs, rucksacks, and travelling packs.
- The day pack is a small pack with no frame, that is used only on day walks.
Used to carry your lunch, wet weather gear and camera.
- The rucksacks are hiking backpacks that have a top opening, which is generally closed
by a draw string setup. A hiking rucksack can have no frame, an external frame or an
internal frame. The value of a frame is that it holds the backpack in a better
shape, making it easier to carry the backpacks while hiking. (beware the external frame backpacks can easily be
caught on branches when hiking in rough country)
- The travelling backpacks are quite sophisticated affairs, they zip open
like a suit case (i.e. you place it on the ground and then zip open the front),
are usually made such that they can be paddlocked shut, harness and straps
can be zippered shut (for going through airports and the like), and good ones
have small packs that zip off the front and can be used as a day pack.
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