Last Updated on 6 years by Naveen Kumar

Backpacks and men are quite inseparable, among the other accessories. Be it college or office, you would hardly see a man below 45 (on an average) without a backpack. And today, its also considered as one of the stylish accessories, given that most brands have their own line of backpacks.

Since its recognized yet underappreciated as one of the essentials for men, its time that you choose wisely and invest in a good backpack.

But how to go about it? There are confusing number of choices available in the market and online, that choosing one can seem like a Herculean task. So we have simplified that task for you.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing the right backpack as well as some of our top picks today.

Tips to choosing the right Backpack

1. Backpack Size

There are different kinds of backpacks, and one of the most common and key categorization is on the basis of the backpack volume. So lets just divide it as:

15 – 30L Office/College & school/Day treks & hikes
30 – 50L Overnight (for 1+ nights)
50 – 65L Weekend (2 or 3 nights)
65L+ Extended Trips (more than 3 nights)

Now that you have a fair idea about the volume or size, you can choose one according to your needs.

For example, you want a backpack to take to college or office, you can choose one in the 15-20L/25L size bracket. That would be more compact yet accommodate your laptop, lunch & other essentials.

And if you are someone who constantly travels on overnight or weekend trips, you can choose one in the 30-60L bracket size.This size guide would be of great help especially when buying backpacks online.

2. Backpack Features

Once you are confident about the size, you can think about what features you are looking for. And some of the most common and functional backpack features to check out are:

Rain Cover: Perfect for people who are constantly trekking or hiking or travels on bikes.

Pockets/Compartments: The number of pockets is another deciding factor. If you have minimal gear, you can opt for lesser pockets.Similarly, you have options of side pockets for bottles.

Padding: Padding applies to both the inner padding of the backpack as well as the padding of hip-belts. Cushioned or padded hip-belts are a great idea when trekking or carrying heavy gear to give your back the right balance. And if you are someone who carries expensive gear like photography or camera equipment, then ideally choose backpacks with inner padding.

Laptop/Tablet Sleeve: Today most backpacks come with at least a laptop sleeve.

Ventilation: Ventilation “chimneys” that are built into back panels and promote airflow are another option meant to solve the issue of sweaty backs.

Wheels: There are so many options available in wheeled backpacks for men.

3. Backpack Fit

The right fit is one that offers:

  • A size appropriate for your torso length (not your overall height).
  • A comfortably snug grip on your hips.

4. Backpack Weight

Backpacks with wheels and handles are a great invention, but in reality, these extra features can add a lot of weight. So make sure you check the empty weight of the bag carefully because this can use up a lot of your baggage allowance when traveling by air.

5. Backpack Price

The cheapest price is not usually the best option when purchasing a backpack unless you have a budget constraint. Better brands will last proportionately longer, hence price should be your last consideration and you should pay as much as you can afford for quality.

Hope these tips will make your make your process of choosing a backpack easy!

Here are a few of our top picks of compact and medium backpacks.

Flying Machine Elegant Youth 18 L Backpack

 

Flying Machine Elegant Youth 18 L Backpack (Black, Blue)

Price Range: Rs 500 – Rs 1,500

Buy now

Nike NK SB CRTHS – AOP 25 L Backpack

 

Nike NK SB CRTHS - AOP 25 L Backpack (Multicolor)

Price Range: Rs 2,800 – Rs 3,500

Buy now

PUMA Sole Backpack Plus 21 L Laptop Backpack

 

 

Puma PUMA Sole Backpack Plus 21 L Laptop Backpack (Blue)    Puma PUMA Sole Backpack Plus 21 L Laptop Backpack (Blue)

Price Range: Rs 1,800 – Rs 2,900

Buy now

Wildcraft Guide Blue 30 L Medium Backpack

 

Wildcraft Guide Blue 30 L Medium Backpack (Black, Blue)

Price Range: Rs 600 – Rs 2,200

Buy now

Skybags Tropic 45 Black 45 L Laptop Backpack 

 

Skybags Tropic 45 Black 45 L Laptop Backpack

Price Range: Rs 3,500 – Rs 5,500

Buy now

Fastrack AC031NBL01 17 L Backpack

 

 Fastrack AC031NBL01 17 L Backpack

Price Range: Rs 600 – Rs 1,200

Buy now

Flying Machine LAPTOP BAGS 15L Backpack 

Flying Machine LAPTOP BAGS 15 L Backpack       Flying Machine LAPTOP BAGS 15 L Backpack

Price Range: Rs 500 – Rs 1,500

Buy now

 

Hope you liked this one! Do let us know through your comments.

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