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. . . Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize Your Backpack

Hiking Backpack Accessories really can help to make your backpacking adventures easier and more comfortable . . . and therefore even more enjoyable. Don’t panic, when we say backpack accessories we’re not talking “backpack bling” . . . we’re not talking diamante studs, fluffy dice and other dangly bits (although that might not be a bad idea), we’re talking about really serious stuff here (just for a change).

Hikers are a practical bunch, well, you have to be when you choose to spend your leisure time in the middle of nowhere without the comforts of home . . . everything you could possibly need has to be carried on your back, so you do need to make sure that everything is carried as comfortably and economically as possible.

Top 5 Hiking Backpack Accessories

So let’s take a look at what sort of accessories you might want to buy to make your backpack more comfortable and practical. Bear in mind, aaaaahhh, (not that kind of bear stupid . . . ) that many top notch and well chosen backpacks will have some of these accessories already built in, but if yours doesn’t then don’t panic, you can buy something separately if you need to.

• Back Pack Rain Cover – even “fairweather” hikers and backpackers can get caught out in the rain sometimes, it kind of goes with the territory. If there’s one thing worse than lugging your soggy back pack up the mountain trail (just think of how heavy it becomes) it’s finding that all of your hiking equipment is wet through when you get there. Wet bed, wet clothes, soggy stuff . . . yuk! Some  back pack rain covers are designed just to cover your backpack, but some hiking rain gear covers not only the backpack but the backpacker too . . . it does make you look a little like a snail, but you’ll have the last laugh when you reach the end of the hiking trail and all of your backpacking equipment is nice and dry and you’ve got some nice dry hiking socks to slip on.

Okay, enough already with the Quasimodo jokes . . . the bells, the bells! You’ll be sorry when you have to sleep in a wet sleeping bag . . . unless you take a few tips from this next vid . . .

Good idea, simple but effective, yes, I like it.

• Back Pack Hip Belt – you might not need one of these, but if your backpack isn’t held into position around the hips as comfortably as it should be, or if your hip belt becomes damaged in some way, then a new hip belt for your backpack can make a world of difference. They’re very often specifically designed for your particular make or model of backpack, so if you are looking to replace the hip belt on your backpack it’s a good idea to go back to the original outdoor and hiking store where you bought it in the first place, or you can always order online of course . . . .
• Backpack shoulder straps – if you have a well fitting and well adjusted backpack it will enable you to carry more weight in comfort for much further . . . you will be amazed at the difference a new set of shoulder straps can make if your backpack starts to sag a little – it’s called gravity and it happens to us all. I wish it was as easy to hold some body parts up as it is to adjust your backpack shoulder straps. Life is so unfair when you get past 21 . . . two or three times past!
• Backpack water reservoirs – have come along in leaps and bounds (a bit like me on the downhill bits of a mountain trail) so even if your backpack isn’t fitted with the latest water reservoir system don’t despair, you might be able to add one to it. Water reservoirs in your backpack do make taking your daily recommended dose so much easier than searching for your water bottle every time you need to take a slug. Because it’s easier to sip your water frequently throughout the day it’s also much better for you.

I know it’s just me being “prissy” but I really don’t like it when they talk about bladders . . . it makes me want to go somewhere . . . back in a minute . . . . oh, that’s better.

• Backpack accessory pockets – Can you ever have enough pockets in your backpack? When you go to buy your new backpack you might think that there are plenty of pockets for your bits and pieces and hiking equipment, but pretty soon you’ll be wishing that you had another couple of pockets (a bit like the closet space in your bedroom, no matter how much space there is to hang your clothes, and no matter how many drawers you have for your smalls, pretty soon you wish you had a couple more).  There’s a great collection of back pack accessory pockets available which clip, strap or otherwise attach to your backpack and carry all of those little extras you can’t possibly live without on your hiking trip.

So there you have it, the five things which you can buy which really can help to accessorize your backpack to help make your next hiking trip even better . . . and not a bit of back pack bling in sight.

Hey, what are you doing here? I said I didn’t want any backpack bling . . . now clear off with your sparkly backpack tags! Really, what a nerve . . .