Backpacker Magazine Gear School: Fit A Backpack Right
How to Find a Backpack Questions
How to find the size of a backpack, cubic inches?
Don’t laugh. I recently bought a large backpack- hiking type- and was wondering how can I find out what size- liters wise and how many cubic inches it can hold. I can not find a tag or brand or any of that on it and was just curious. Thanks. Yeah I know silly question, but hey?
Cubic inches are calculated by multiplying length x width x height, just like what mountain man said!
Estimating Size
1) Take all of the gear that you will be carrying on your hike (including food and water) and pile it in the floor.
2) Remove the clothes that you will be wearing on the trail, any water bottle that you will carry outside of your pack, your boots, socks, gloves, and hat.
3) Find a rigid container to contain the pile. You can use a plastic tote or even a cardboard box. Place the remaining pile of gear into the box and press to compress firmly but not hard. Mark the container at the top of the gear.
4) Remember that formula? Now, measure the width and length of the container as well as the height that you marked. Multiply these three numbers together. You now have an estimate of the size pack you will need in cubic inches.
This is only an estimate because your pack will load or stuff differently than your container did. However, this gives you a very good starting point.
