6 BACKPACK ACCESSORIES A NOVICE NEEDS

In recent years, developing countries like Vietnam and Myanmar are opening up for tourism. Budget airlines have also been on the rise for the past decade. These smaller fleets bridge the world to the lesser known paths. With that, backpacking has become the popular mode of travel. The convenience of a backpack beats a suitcase on wheels, trekking on roads unpaved.

The choice of backpack has become a science with the mountain of varieties in the market. The number of brands, materials, sizes and sizes alone are stifling. It is important to identify the purpose of your travel before picking your backpack.

How to pick your backpack
Identify the volume you need. More often than not, you need a smaller size than you expect. The rule of thumb is to fit a week to 2 weeks of clothes, a toiletry bag, extra shoes, raincoat or jacket at most. The other items will be your documents, books and, or electronics. This is the basic. And depending on the climate, a 50 or 70 litres backpack will suffice.

If you are using it for trekking, skiing or camping, it needs external attachments for your gears. If you are moving to a new place everyday, you will need specific larger openings. It is also important to be able to adjust your straps to balance the load on your back. These are some guidelines.

1. Dry compressed bags
Separate your clothes into usage, for the beach or for the night... Roll them and pack them into the bags. They keep your clothes dry in case of a wet accident. And as it says, compress your clothes to give you more space. Pick smaller bags as they act as compartments.

2. Bungees
There will be many external attachments on your backpack. They help to hold sleeping bags, shoes, walking gears or just about anything you want. Look at how other travellers use them. There is no hard rule about it. Bungees are straps with hooks or snaps. They can be elastic or not. They are useful in securing your belongings to the external attachments.

3. Snap hooks
Snap hooks are individual hooks with springs. They help to secure your hanging items or bags to the external attachments of your backpack. You can be hands free attaching a bottle or mesh tin, or small bag.

4. Rain cover
It is important to get a rain cover if you don't already have one that comes with the backpack. It protects your backpack from dirt and water. Most backpacks are water resistant but not waterproof. It covers the front of the backpack exposing the straps.

5. Attachable strap pockets
There are usually limited pockets and you will need pockets that are accessible. These pouches that hold your digital devices attached on your chest or waist straps .

6. Foldable bag
When the backpack is full or when you need to separate fragile items, it is useful to have extra storage bags. A foldable smaller backpack is the best and more secure than totes.

These are just some of the backpack necessities to start a novice. There are more accessories that are specific. Explore the world and add to it.