![\"Atividades](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/ilustracao-atividades-ar-livre-gear-tips.webp\")
<\/p>\nChoosing a backpack for trekking may seem like something trivial, but there are some very important factors that need to be taken into consideration to ensure the choice is adequate.<\/p>\n
In this article, I will show you how to choose the ideal backpack for your trekking, explaining the types of hikes, the factors that influence this choice, and the main deuter models for different practitioner profiles.<\/p>\n
When we look at a mountain range, we can be surprised by the diversity of activities that happen simultaneously in the same natural environment. The image below \u2014 frequently used in my courses and presentations \u2014 illustrates this clearly:<\/p>\n
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In the same location, such as the first mountain in the illustration, we find:<\/p>\n
The environment is the same. What changes are the choices: type of activity, duration, level of self-sufficiency, type of accommodation, volume and weight of equipment \u2014 and, consequently, the ideal backpack for each situation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Although the activities are distinct, there is a common point between them: the need to carry equipment<\/strong>. Whether running, hiking, or cycling, everyone carries some type of backpack or cargo transport system. However, these systems vary greatly<\/strong> depending on the type of activity:<\/p>\n Despite the initial examples being from different outdoor activities, in this article I will focus only on trekking backpacks.<\/p>\n Specialized brands, such as deuter<\/strong>, which has accumulated over 125 years of tradition, develop backpacks specific to each type of outdoor activity.<\/p>\n The following images show how deuter segments its product line according to these activities. It is possible to observe the wide variety of available models \u2014 not counting the variations within each category!<\/p>\n This specialization allows practitioners to have more comfort, efficiency, and safety<\/strong> when using a backpack designed specifically for the activity they practice.<\/p>\n As seen previously, the same natural environment \u2014 such as a traverse through a mountain range \u2014 can host different outdoor activities. But there is another crucial point to consider: the climatic conditions and time of year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In the same geographic location, conditions can vary greatly. A trek carried out in summer, with dry weather and mild temperatures, will require fewer clothes (or lighter clothing) and a lighter and more compact sleeping system. The same traverse in winter, however, can demand bulkier cold-weather clothing, sleeping bags rated for lower temperature ranges, and extra accessories to withstand intense cold \u2014 thus requiring a backpack with greater volume and load capacity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n When we expand the analysis to different environments, another decisive factor comes into play: altitude<\/strong>. Activities in high mountains, such as climbing Aconcagua<\/a> or Denali<\/strong>, require more specific equipment to withstand the extreme environment. Therefore, heavier, bulkier, and more technical gear<\/strong>, which directly impacts the choice of backpack that will carry them.<\/p>\n In other words, beyond the type of activity, climate, biome, altitude, and season are determining factors for choosing the ideal backpack for each situation.<\/p>\n To be able to choose the appropriate backpack for a trek, we need to better understand some concepts. Among them, what types of outdoor walking exist.<\/p>\n When we talk about hikes, a variety of terms emerge: hiking, trekking, backpacking, thru-hiking, randonn\u00e9e, bushwalking, among others. The confusion is understandable, as nomenclature varies from country to country \u2014 and even among practitioners.<\/p>\n For working with European brands like deuter<\/strong> since 2001, I adopted here the European concept<\/strong>, which clearly distinguishes two major groups:<\/p>\n The main distinction between hiking and trekking lies in self-sufficiency and overnight stays<\/strong>:<\/p>\n How trekking<\/strong> is characterized by being a hike with overnight camping, lasting two or more days, the practitioner must be self-sufficient. They must carry their shelter system (tent or tarp or hammock, etc.), sleeping system (sleeping bag, thermal insulation, etc.), kitchen system (stove, pot, etc.) and other items.<\/p>\n Trekking can be practiced in different styles, classified according to the base weight<\/strong> \u2014 a topic we will address further ahead.<\/p>\n The classic crossing in Serra dos \u00d3rg\u00e3os National Park (RJ) is an excellent example of the variety of approaches:<\/p>\n Trail Run:<\/strong> Crossing done running in 1 day, with a light backpack; This example shows how the same crossing can be experienced in completely different ways, and each one will require a backpack with specific characteristics.<\/p>\n Petr\u00f3polis-Teres\u00f3polis Crossing \u2013 Photo: Mario Nery<\/p>\n The base weight<\/strong> is everything that is in the backpack, excluding consumables<\/strong> (food, water, and fuel). The classification of trekking types based on base weight is as follows:<\/p>\n The lighter the gear, the smaller the backpack can be \u2014 but it is essential to maintain safety<\/strong> (and comfort, as much as possible), especially in cold climates.<\/p>\n It’s worth noting that, in the graph above, I included weights in pounds, as this classification was made in the USA and, to make it easier, I added the conversion to kg.<\/p>\n Traditionally, in Brazil, backpacks are divided into:<\/p>\n With the popularization of ultralight trekking (UL), backpacks with the volume of attack packs started to be used in self-sufficient treks as well \u2014 as long as the equipment is light and compact.<\/p>\n Now that it’s clearer why there are so many types of backpacks for different activities, styles, and contexts, we get to the central point of this article: how to choose the ideal backpack for your trekking<\/strong>.<\/p>\n One of the most common mistakes<\/strong> made by those just starting out (and even by experienced practitioners) is starting from the end<\/strong>: choosing the backpack before defining the rest of the gear. But the correct process is exactly the opposite.<\/p>\n The backpack is not a starting point, but rather a final answer<\/strong> to a series of previous decisions. After all, it’s impossible to know which backpack you need without first knowing the volume and weight<\/strong> of everything you will carry: tent, sleeping bag, clothes, cooking utensils, food, water, and fuel.<\/p>\n That’s why the first step is to size the contents of your backpack<\/strong> \u2014 and this includes both the base weight<\/strong> (gear inside the backpack) and consumables<\/strong> (items that will be used over time, such as food and water). Even a light base weight can be accompanied by a significant volume of consumables, depending on the duration and characteristics of the trail, which will require a larger backpack with greater load capacity.<\/p>\n When choosing a backpack, two main factors should be taken into account:<\/p>\n Attention:<\/strong> Some brands, mainly ultralight trekking ones, consider the total volume including external mesh pockets.<\/p>\n Here comes an essential point: load capacity (and consequently comfort) is not about backpack durability, but rather about ergonomics<\/strong>. A good trekking backpack transfers most of the weight to the hips through the load transfer system (straps, back panel, and hip belt), relieving the shoulder load. This efficient transfer can reach 70% or even 80% of the total weight, reducing fatigue and preventing pain \u2014 what we call perceived weight reduction. Perceived weight is the weight we feel on our shoulders.<\/p>\n On the other hand, there are those who prefer lighter backpacks with minimal structure, even if it means carrying more weight on their shoulders. This choice is valid \u2014 as long as it is conscious<\/strong> and in accordance with the trekking style and the practitioner’s physical limits.<\/p>\n Although there are countless backpack brands in Brazil and around the world, I present in this article the deuter backpacks. Because it’s a brand with several models, we’re able to make educational comparisons between different backpacks based on volume, load capacity, and type of use.<\/p>\n deuter offers backpacks with different weights, volumes, and load capacities<\/strong> \u2014 that is, the ideal weight that the backpack was designed to carry comfortably. Below, see the main models recommended for trekking (including backpacks traditionally seen as “day packs,” but that fit within the ultralight trekking logic):<\/p>\n Highlights:<\/strong><\/p>\n Watch the video:<\/strong> All about the Deuter Aircontact PRO<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Highlights:<\/strong><\/p>\n Watch the video:<\/strong> All about the Deuter Aircontact Core<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Highlights:<\/strong><\/p>\n Watch the video:<\/strong> All about the Deuter Aircontact Lite<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Highlights:<\/strong><\/p>\nSimilar equipment, different needs<\/h2>\n
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Technical choice: the right backpack for each activity<\/h2>\n
![\"Tipos](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/tipos-mochila-por-atividade-1.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"Tipos](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/tipos-mochila-por-atividade-2.webp\")
<\/p>\nClimate, altitude, and season: essential factors in choosing a backpack<\/h2>\n
![\"Biomas](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/biomas-brasileiros.webp\")
<\/p>\nHiking vs. Trekking: what’s the difference?<\/h2>\n
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The central difference: sleeping in a shelter or camping<\/h2>\n
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Trekking \u2013 the focus of this article<\/h2>\n
A didactic example: Petr\u00f3polis to Teres\u00f3polis Crossing<\/h2>\n
\nDay Hike:<\/strong> Hike in 1 day, leaving early and arriving the same day;
\nMulti-day Hike:<\/strong> Hike in 3 days, sleeping in the park’s shelters;
\nTrekking:<\/strong> Hike in 3 days, with camping at designated points.<\/p>\n![\"Travessia](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/travessia-petropolis-teresoposlis-mario-nery.webp\")
<\/p>\nTypes of trekking: classification by base weight<\/h2>\n
![\"Gr\u00e1fico](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/grafico-peso-base.webp\")
<\/p>\nBackpack Classification by Volume<\/h2>\n
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How to Choose Your Trekking Backpack<\/h2>\n
Load capacity vs. volume<\/h2>\n
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Checklist: how to choose your trekking backpack<\/h2>\n
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deuter backpacks for trekking<\/h2>\n
\n![\"Mochila](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/mochila-trekking-deuter-aircontact-pro.webp\")
<\/div>\n\nAircontact PRO<\/h3>\n
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\n![\"Mochila](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/mochila-trekking-deuter-aircontact-core-1.webp\")
<\/div>\n\nAircontact Core<\/h3>\n
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\n![\"Mochila](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/mochila-trekking-deuter-aircontact-lite.webp\")
<\/div>\n\nAircontact Lite<\/h3>\n
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\n![\"Mochila](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/mochila-trekking-deuter-futura-air-trek.webp\")
<\/div>\n\nFutura Air Trek<\/h3>\n
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![\"Mochila](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/mochila-trekking-deuter-aircontact-ultra.webp\")
<\/div>\n![\"Mochila](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/mochila-trekking-deuter-trail-pro.webp\")
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