This is part 2 of a 4-part article. (Read part 1 - part 3 - part 4)

Previously, we addressed the needs of bug out bags and how to use them. In this section we’ll highlight some factors to consider when choosing a bag to house your bug out material.

Capacity
You’ll want to make sure all of your stuff can fit inside. How you go about that is up to you. You can collect your items first, and then determine the backpack you’ll need or you can buy the bag and then pack it.

We recommend that you choose a bag first and then pack it. This will limit the things that you can take with you. Some people tend to continue to add to their bag and they’d have to have a small car to pack all of their stuff. Start with a bag and then determine what is essential and what can stay behind.

REI recommends the following sizes for camping backpacks:

(Information courtesy of REI’s Expert Advice.)

Torso Size
Instead of choosing a pack on how tall you are, pick a bag depending on your torso size.

You would think that you would search for hiking backpacks based on your height, yet this is not so. Camping backpacks go based on your torso length.

To find the correct size that you will need, make sure that you have someone measure you from the base of your neck to your hipbone. Women and children need to look for backpacks made specifically designed for them, since they have shorter torsos than men. Most manufactures sell women and children’s sizing. (Read the Smart Camping Guide article.)

You can use this data to determine what size range you fit into.

(Courtesy of REI Expert Advice.)

Load support
There are a few different types of frames with backpacks. There are external, internal and hybrid framed backpacks. What you choose is really just according to your own preference.

We recommend a perimeter frame. These backpacks have an aluminum tube around the side of the bag to disperse weight like an external frame pack but also allow the bag to be close to your body like an internal frame pack.

Gear Access
Make sure that your bag is accessible. If you have to unload your whole pack to get anything, that’s not going to help you very much. Be sure that you pack has a main compartment, pockets on the front, side, zipper access, a top lid and attachment points.

Be sure to read our next section on how to pack a bug out bag.

You can also read part 1 and part 4.