7 Best Lightweight Backpacks of 2016

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Whether you’re planning an epic thru-hike, a 5-day trek in the mountains, or a quick weekend jaunt in the woods, keeping pack weight down is key. The lighter your backpack, the more you’ll enjoy hiking, which makes a world of difference on backcountry trips.

Lightweight backpacking isn’t just for long-distance trekkers anymore. The entire outdoor industry is going lighter and there’s good reason for that. Lighter packs are more comfortable. Your backpack will be one of the four heaviest items on your back (backpack, shelter, sleeping bag, sleeping pad), so it’s a great place to start reducing overall weight.

I’ve researched and tested dozens of lightweight backpacks to narrow this list down to the very best of the best. Whatever your hiking goals are, I hope this post helps you find the perfect pack to keep you comfortable on the trail for many years to come. Enjoy!

CRITICAL BACKPACK CONSIDERATIONS

COST - A solid lightweight backpack shouldn’t break the bank. That said, if you take care of your backpack, it will last for many years and thousands of trail miles. So it’s not a bad idea to invest in a good piece of equipment. I recommend a range of packs from budget buys to high-end purchases and talk about the pros and cons of each.

WEIGHT - Your backpack will be one of the four heaviest pieces of gear you carry on backcountry trips (backpack, shelter, sleeping bag, sleeping pad), so it’s an important piece of gear for keeping overall weight down. The options I recommend have a good balance between weight, comfort, and durability.

FRAME - The lighter your overall pack weight, the less frame you’ll need. Most of the packs I recommend have simple frames that will be very comfortable carrying loads up to 35lbs. If you prefer to carry heavier loads, choose one of the packs I recommend with a sturdier frame.

VOLUME - The volume of your bag will limit how much gear you can carry in it. Most experienced lightweight backpackers can easily fit their gear in a 40-50L pack, even for a thru-hike. If you’re new to lightweight backpacking, you might want to choose a pack with a larger volume and work your way down. Also, if you plan to use your pack for snowy winter trekking, consider bumping up a size in volume.

DESIGN - A backpack doesn’t have to be complex to be exceptional. It’s often the companies that keep design elements simple and streamlined that make the best packs. At the end of the day, your backpack is just a sack to carry other gear comfortably. So don’t feel the need to overdo it with a ton of excess compartments, pouches, zippers, clips, and straps.

MATERIAL - Most lightweight backpacks are made from one of two materials: ripstop nylon or cuben fiber. In general, cuben fiber is lighter, but more expensive. Both materials are durable and highly functional for backpacks.

FIT - Fit is one of the most important factors in a comfortable backpack, but it’s also one of the toughest features to pin down until you have a pack fully loaded and on your back. The packs I recommend are well known for their comfort. Measure your torso length and hip belt size before ordering and you should be good to go.

BUYING ONLINE - Check the seller's return policy before you buy, but you can almost always return an unused pack within a certain timeframe after purchasing. I recommend buying your top choice, trying it on at home when you get it, and returning/exchanging it if it doesn’t fit quite right. I’ve been buying lightweight backpacks online for years and I’ve yet to have any problems.

KEY DESIGN FEATURES

MAIN COMPARTMENT - Most lightweight backpacks have one large top-loading compartment for storing the majority of your gear. That’s really all you need. Extra compartments and zippers add unnecessary weight. Pack items you won’t need until camp (shelter, sleeping bag/pad, stove) in the bottom of your pack and you’ll be set.

REAR MESH POCKET - Most lightweight packs have a large mesh pocket on the back. This feature comes in very handy on the trail. It’s great for gear you want to stow quickly or keep easily accessible, like a rain jacket or water purifier. It’s also good for airing out wet gear.

HIP BELT - A good hip belt is a critical feature of any backcountry pack. Your hip belt will hold most of the weight of your pack on your hips, which keeps your shoulders from tiring. Hip belts should be comfortable and transfer weight without slipping. Every pack on this list has a solid hip belt.

SHOULDER STRAPS - Shoulder straps will hold a significant amount of your pack weight as well. You’ll want them to have comfortable padding and be well spaced to avoid chafing and odd pressure points. Every pack on this list has comfortable shoulder straps.

HIP BELT POCKETS - I’m of the opinion that a backpack isn’t suitable for the trail unless it has hip belt pockets. With a lightweight pack, you won’t need to take breaks nearly as often, so you’ll want some items easily accessible (snacks, sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, camera, etc.). Most of the packs I recommend come with built-in hip belt pockets. If they don’t, I highly recommend buying aftermarket hip pockets.

SHOULDER POUCH - I’m also very fond of using a shoulder strap pouch on my packs. I use it to hold my camera and sunglasses while I hike. That way those items are always protected and easily accessible. A couple of the packs I recommend come with shoulder pouches, but most don’t. So you might consider an aftermarket shoulder pouch if it sounds like a good fit for you.

WATER BOTTLE HOLSTERS - Hydration is key, so your water bottles should always be easy to get to. It’s shocking to me when I test packs where I can’t reach the water bottles with the pack on. That’s just not acceptable. Every pack on this list will allow you to grab your water bottles easily while hiking.

WATERPROOFING - In general, it’s not a good idea to rely on any backpack for waterproofing. Cuben fiber is a waterproof material, but seams sewn into a pack will keep it from being 100% waterproof, even if taped. In wet weather you’ll want to pack important items (sleeping bag, clothes, electronics, etc.) in waterproof stuff sacks or plastic bags inside your pack.

HYDRATION PORTS - If you’re a backpacker that likes to use a water bladder for hydration, not having hydration ports can be a dealbreaker. I’m not a huge fan of water bladders, so it’s not as much of a concern for me. That said, most of the packs I recommend do have hydration sleeves and ports.

TOP LID - Most lightweight backpacks don’t have top lids these days in order to reduce weight. Instead, they use roll-top closures, clips, and straps to keep gear secure, which is very effective. I do recommend a couple of packs with top lids, but if you don’t have one, you probably won’t miss it.

STERNUM STRAP - Sternum straps are included on most backpacks these days. They give you the option to connect your shoulder straps across your chest for a more secure feel. It’s a nice touch when the sternum strap has an elastic section for a little give and the clip has an emergency whistle built in.  

LOAD LIFTER STRAPS - Load lifter straps can be used to pull the tops of your shoulder straps back towards your backpack. This will transfer some of the weight of your pack to the front of your shoulders and release some downward pressure. Many lightweight backpacks don’t have them and they are not really necessary if you’re carrying a light load.

TREKKING POLE & ICE AXE LOOPS - Trekking pole and ice axe loops are a nice touch. They make it easy to stow your sticks when you’re not using them to hike. I find that I use mine quite often. Most of the bags I recommend come with these stowing options.

5 of the best travel backpacks for global adventures

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One of the most important things a backpacker can find is a great travel backpack. It holds all your gear, it’s with you almost all the time, and in some bizarre, anthropomorphic way, it’s your best friend. I still remember the feeling of coming back from my first solo backpacking trip, and walking around without a backpack. It felt wrong. Like something was missing.

Over the years, I’ve gone through packs like nobody’s business. I’ve never used the same pack for more than two trips, and no matter how many hours I spend either online or in the store, it seems like finding the right pack is always going to be a horrific ordeal.

Discomfort, poorly designed features, dangly straps, sizing issues, and all manner of nonsense have thwarted my path at every turn. It’s tough finding something that fits you properly, and I think, given the high user ratings of certain packs I hate, maybe I just have a bizarrely crooked spine and it’s not their fault.

But I refuse to let them get away with rant-free ease.

“Travel” packs barely exist

Part of the problem is that, up until very recently, the only options were top-loading hiking backpacks, or wheeled suitcases. Other options like duffel bags or school backpacks exist as well, but these are rarely suitable for round-the-world travel.

But since these were the only options, accepting their flaws was all I could do. And besides, high-quality hiking backpacks will stand up to most abuse, and they’ll be super comfortable if they fit you properly. But they’re not ideally suited for travel.Hiking packs work, but we’ve only been using them because nothing else was better.

The problem(s) with hiking backpacks:

Now don’t get me wrong; hiking backpacks are great, and I’ve used them on plenty of trips. Some designs have none of these flaws; it’s just that they usually do:

• Packing inconvenience: Hiking packs are usually top-loading, cavernous cylinders that swallow your gear and you have to dig everything out to find whatever’s at the bottom. You can mitigate this problem with packing cubes, but suitcase-style openings are so easy to manufacture that it’s insulting how rarely they’re implemented.
• Extraneous strap dangle: Hiking packs have all sorts of compression straps and attachment points. These are useful for walking around, but they’ll get scratched up when you throw them in the luggage compartment for a bus ride. And I’m including shoulder and hip straps here, too. If you ever have to check your bags for a flight, they’ll come out a little more damaged every time.
• No locking mechanism: Top loaders usually use a drawstring opening, which offers no security whatsoever against unscrupulous hostel bunkmates. This problem can be mostly solved with a laptop sleeve that can lock itself to a bed, but lockable zippers would be easier (though I’ve softened this requirement, as zippers can be easily bypassed, even when locked).

And in many cases, plenty of hiking packs have dumb design errors anyway, even if you’re just hiking.

The problem(s) with so-called “travel backpacks:”

Several companies design what they call “travel backpacks,” which have betterfeatures, solving some of the problems listed above, but they generally screw things up in the meantime as well:

• Size: They’ll make them so gigantic that you have to check them on a plane. Some of these “travel backpacks” go up to 80 liters. I’ve done RTW travel with 20. The carry-on max of 45 liters is plenty! Who the hell needs 80?!?!
• De-hydration pockets: They’ll skip the damn water bottle side pockets and then where the hell do they go?!?!?
• Filthy dirty lie “panel” loading: They’ll forget to make the suitcase-style opening go all the way around, thus defeating the purpose of the panel in the first place.

Sigh.

Which is why I’m so gleefully pleased that certain companies have been designing travel backpacks. Correctly, I might add.

I don’t know why the other people didn’t bother doing it before.

What the best travel backpacks get right

I’ve compiled a list of some of the best travel backpacks for carry-on use I can find. These packs are made for travelers, not hikers. They’ve got panel-loading convenience, not top-loading caverns; they’ve got lockable zippers, not drawstring uselessness; they’ve got carry-on dimensions, and minimal, hide-away straps, not monstrous bulges and streamers hanging from every angle. They can be carry-ons, or they can be checked luggage, without getting ruined.

Oh, and they’re not ugly. To me, that counts. Who the hell ever thought fluorescent orange was sexy? The 80s? Yeah, stay there.

I’ve organized this list by type. Let’s begin:

Full size and full-featured:

These packs have everything you could want; maximized dimensions, panel access, a laptop compartment, and lots of internal and external organizational pockets. There’s nothing missing.

1) Tortuga Backpack

Tortuga V2 Backpack: Panel-loading, lockable, svelte, classy pack.

Tortuga was started by a random team of people who found themselves complaining about how they couldn’t find a travel pack that didn’t suck.

The full-length panel-loading design allows plenty of easy access to everything inside, and a dedicated laptop compartment keeps your kitten-picture machine safe and sound. Locking zippers, too. The side pockets opens up to accommodate a water bottle.

As with other travel packs that are actually travel packs, it has a minimum of exterior straps, so although it’s designed as a backpack, you could stow the backpack straps and send it through as checked luggage if necessary. It also has a seriously padded hip belt, which is rare for these packs.

You can get it from Tortuga, or Amazon. Their blog is also great, with all sorts of packing and travel tips.

2) Rick Steves Convertible Carry-on

Rick Steves Convertible Carry-on: Designed by a traveler, for travelers.

Long before anyone else got started in the carry-on travel backpack game, Rick Steves was galavanting around Europe with his own personal travel gear, designed exactly the way he liked it.

This pack has quite a few of the obvious features you’d expect, such as a fully opening panel that allows easy access to everything, and hidden backpack and waist straps in addition to the suitcase-style handles. Exterior pockets are also quite generous.

But it has a few extra touches, such as a separate interior compartment for shoes or dirty clothes, and includes two mesh bags and a removable documents pouch, which you can remove and take with you instead of leaving it in a room. A separate laptop slot has been added to this newer version as well.

The pack is sized to accommodate carry-on dimensions, but can expand with a compression zipper in case you stock up too much on souvenirs. It’s also quite cheap compared to others. It’s a good one, and it’s what Rick Steves himself has used for…quite a few trips.

Svelte and Slim:

At 35 liters each, these are for lighter travelers who don’t need to max out on the size, but still want all the convenience of easy packing and laptop compatibility. They’ve got all the important features you’d want, in a slimmed-down size.

3) Minaal Carry-on Backpack

The Minaal travel backpack: Svelte and simple, but with fold-open convenience.

This one is yet another creation in the long, adorable line of things that were invented because people got sick and tired of endlessly having to deal with things that sucked.

This Kickstarter-backed project came about when two long-time travelers decided to make the pack they would have wanted. They set out to create the perfect travel pack for digital nomads, and its design (and Kickstarter success) just goes to show how rarely some of the major players stop to think about the needs of backpackers.

In addition to the expected features, like the full-length, suitcase-style opening, a locking laptop compartment, several exterior pockets, no dangly things, and hide-away straps, it also has a rain cover. It also has a hip strap, though it’s not padded. That’s fine for smaller packs like this one, but you might want to take extra breaks if you’re hauling it around for a couple hours at a time.

4) Gregory Border 35

The Gregory Border 35: A well-designed pack from a company less well known than it should be.

So Gregory is primarily a hiking pack company, and not as widely known as some of the bigger names in the industry, but whose packs I think are designed better than many of its competitors.

Their Border series consists of urban/travel backpacks, and this 35 liter version has not only a full-length panel-loading main compartment, but also a full-length panel loading laptop compartment; this means you just unzip and unfold this compartment, and lay it down on the airport security scanner, rather than removing the laptop at all. It’s quick and easy, and makes airport life just a little more convenient.

Other features include several exterior pockets, including a stretch mesh outer stuff pocket for stashing wet clothes, and although it’s missing a side water bottle pocket, lately I’ve gotten in the habit of finding a good zippered compartment that’ll hold a water bottle more securely than side mesh pockets, and I think the top pocket would do it.

This is not a convertible backpack; the straps can’t be stowed, and it has no suitcase-style carrying handle. But if you’re only ever going to use it in backpack form anyway, then you’ll be fine.

Walmart coupons: Choosing safety baby products

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All toys you select for your baby should meet safety standards. The tips below can help you find safe toys for your little one. Once the toys are at home, check them often for loose or broken parts.

What to look for:

• Always follow all manufacturers' age recommendations. Some toys have small parts that can cause choking, so heed all warnings on a toy's packaging.
• Toys should be large enough — at least 1¼" (3 centimeters) in diameter and 2¼" (6 centimeters) in length — so that they can't be swallowed or lodged in the windpipe. A small-parts tester, or choke tube, can determine if a toy is too small. These tubes are designed to be about the same diameter as a child's windpipe. If an object fits inside the tube, then it's too small for a young child. If you can't find one of these products, a toilet paper roll can be used for the same purpose.
• Avoid marbles, coins, balls, and games with balls that are 1.75 inches (4.4 centimeters) in diameter or less because they can become lodged in the throat above the windpipe and restrict breathing.
• Battery-operated toys should have battery cases that secure with screws so that kids cannot pry them open. Batteries and battery fluid pose serious risks, including choking, internal bleeding, and chemical burns.
• When checking a toy for safety, make sure it's unbreakable and strong enough to withstand chewing. Also, make sure it doesn't have:
  • sharp ends or small parts like eyes, wheels, or buttons that can be pulled loose
  • small ends that can extend into the back of a baby's mouth
  • strings longer than 7 inches (18 centimeters)
  • parts that could become pinch points for small fingers
• Most riding toys can be used once a child is able to sit up well while unsupported — but check the manufacturer's recommendations. Riding toys like rocking horses and wagons should come with safety harnesses or straps and be stable and secure enough to prevent tipping.
• Hand-me-down and homemade toys should be carefully evaluated. They may not have undergone testing for safety. Do not give your infant painted toys made before 1978, as they might have paint that contains lead.
• Stuffed animals and other toys that are sold or given away at carnivals and fairs are not required to meet safety standards. Check carnival toys carefully for loose parts and sharp edges before giving them to your infant.

Check to see if a toy has been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) by browsing their recall page, here. You also can join a mailing list to receive news about the most up-to-date toy recalls.

SAFETY NOTES:

• Never give balloons or latex gloves to kids younger than 8 years old. A child who is blowing up or chewing on a balloon or gloves can choke by inhaling them. Inflated balloons pose a risk because they can pop without warning and be inhaled.
• Never give your baby vending machine toys, which often contain small parts.
• Keep older siblings' toys out of the reach of infants.

Top 5 Best Small Kitchen Appliances for Foodies

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If you are a foodie, you cannot miss these top 5 best small kitchen appliances. You can pick up one of these counter-top or stove-top appliances because they can appeal to any foodie on at all events. If you want to choose one, check out the reviews and compare prices.

1. FoodSaver Vacuum Food Sealer

If you need a home vacuum-sealer, this FoodSaver V2840 is the best choice, because the FoodSaver is always a leader in home vacuum-sealers. It has all bells and whistles and it will not make you disappointed. It has 2 vacuum speeds and can seal and shut automatically. It features CrushFress instant steel and extra-wide nonstick sealing strip. This best vacuum food sealer will be your helper in the kitchen.

2. Crock-Pot Slow Cooker

This Crock-Pot SCVT650-PS is not your grandmother’s slow cooker. The touchscreen control panel allows you to control it easily without any static clings. You can program the cooking time and make it always keep warm for you. It has a polished stainless steel exterior, which is very easy to clean. The metal side handles have silicon stay-cool warps, so it is very safe to hold. The crock and glass lid is dishwasher-safe. What’s more, a bonus cookbook is included. If you need a slow cooker, you cannot miss this best slow cooker.

3. Nesco Roaster Oven

This 18-Quart Roaster Oven is a countertop stand-along oven. It seems a standard range oven but with a temperature dial. Unlike a slow cooker, such a roaster oven allows you to regulate the temperature according to your recipe. And this Nesco roaster oven allows you to adjust the thermostat 425 degrees. Compared with a standard range oven, it uses less power and you don’t worry that it can heat up your kitchen. It deserves a try.

4. T-fal Deep Fryer

This best deep fryer can hold 3-2/7 liters of oil and 2-2/3 pounds of food. It can automatically drain and filter oil and stored the oil in the integrated oil container for future use. It also features adjustable thermostat, temperature-ready light, permanent odor filter and external basket handle. If you like fry foods, this Stainless Steel Immersion Deep Fryer is the best option.

5. Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler

This 5-in-1countertop unit is really a versatile helper for you. It can be a contact grill, full grill, full griddle, half grill/griddle and Panini press. It has dual temperature controls and indicator lights which make it easy to use. There are so many people who have purchased it. The average rating is 4.2 out of 5 stars. As the bestselling one, it can satisfy all your requirements.

As a foodie, it is a good ideal to share the delicacy with our family and friends and these top 5 best small home kitchen appliances can help us create delicious home-cooked meals for loved ones.

5 Fab Alternatives to Stainless Steel Appliances in the Kitchen

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Last month, Curbed launched a debate about whether stainless steel mania has peaked, as the look has long been invading kitchens old and new, and of various styles. A corresponding poll that asked readers how they felt about stainless steel drew nearly 2,000 votes and though a whole lot of people vouched for the shiny, "industrial-chic" material as the modern standard, the greatest number of votes (849) went to "Open to other options." So, here now, are five groovy stainless steel alternatives worthy of considering, many drawn from readers' wisdom left in the comments section. Is brown the new black? Is "colored" stainless steel a strong new contender? Take a look.

1. "Colored" stainless

Samsung's new black stainless steel suite—Photo via Samsung

Samsung, LG, and KitchenAid all very recently launched "black stainless" collections, which essentially offer the same ol' stainless steel appliances with a smooth, black-hued coating. In a similar vein, Whirlpool has been working on a new kitchen suite featuring a "sunset bronze" look, though purchasing information has yet to be made available. Blue Star, which specializes in commercial-style appliances for residential use, has a "Precious Metals" collection that includes finishes like "Infused Copper", "Statuary Bronze," and "Enchanted Sand."

The "Sunset Bronze" series from Whirlpool has yet to go on sale—Image via Whirlpool

2. Glossy Black, Brown, Slate

"Truffle brown" ovens from Miele—Photo via Miele

Major appliance-makers like Samsung, GE, and Miele all sell fridges and ranges in glossy black and white finishes. Miele even has it in a groovy "truffle brown."

3. Matte Black or Slate

The Slate series from GE—Image via GE

Not a fan of gloss or shine? GE also offers a selection of its kitchen products in a matte slate finish. The aforementioned "Precious Metals" line from Blue Star also includes a matte black option.

4. Modern Color

A bright red range from Bertazzoni—Photo via Bertazzoni

Brands like Viking, Bertazzoni, and Blue Star offer commercial-style modern appliances in colors like red, blue, orange, and yellow (Blue Star actually offers ranges in 750+ different colors.)The Big Chill's "Pro" line delivers modern without the professional-grade look; the clean-lined fridges and ranges come in 12 colors, including green, cream, and cabernet.

5. Retro Color

Colorful appliances with a groovy throwback look can be had with products from brands like Smeg, which offer fridges in dreamy pastel blue, green, pink, orange, and more (They also offer ranges in black and red), as well as The Big Chill, which sells retro fridges, stoves, and ovens in eight (also mostly pastel) shades.