For your self-guided walking tour, you need to choose a backpack that will be :
- Well adapted to walking and simple to pack
- Light weight and with comfortable straps that will not rub
- Large enough to carry a picnic, water bottle and warm clothes
1. Choose a backpack that is well adapted and equipped for your self-guided walking tour or self-guided short walking break. The straps must be wide and adjustable and with an adjustable waist strap to help transfer the weight of the bag from your back to your hips during the walk. The bag should ideally be equipped with exterior pockets : a small front pocket that will keep your keys, documents and/or telephone nice and safe, and 2 side pockets that will allow you to place a water bottle that you can easily access without having to open the bag each time you need to drink.
2. Choose a backpack that is comfortable to wear. An empty bag should be very light weight (between 1 and 2 kg in weight maximum). It is important to test the comfort of the bag before buying it to ensure that it is suited to your morphology. Make sure to fill the backpack and carry it heavy as well as empty and test the adjustable straps, including the waist strap to ensure maximum comfort. Ideally, you should carry the backpack on your back for a few minutes to really get a feel of it. The perfect backpack will not be of any nuisance during your self-guided walking trip.
3. Choose the right size backpack. The size of backpacks is measured in litres. For a day on the trail, a bag measuring 30 litres is just right. It will allow you to carry a picnic, a couple of water bottles, some warm clothes and a small first aid kit. Whether you are planning to get away for just a few days on a short break walking holiday or are planning a longer self-guided walking trip you must be prepared for a change in the weather. It is therefore recommended to carry warm clothes and a lightweight waterproof and wind proof jacket.
With the right backpack, you can fully enjoy your self-guided walking holidays in Provence, Portugal or Italy! Check out our blog ‘A day on the trail’, put on your backpack and step into the shoes of one of our many walkers!
