Deciding between a top or front-loading backpack is one of the most important choices you can make when it comes to traveling. Pick the wrong one and you’ll find yourself walking from hostel to hostel with a mismatched package and package-induced back pain. It is not an uncommon problem.
The most important thing to remember is that you will probably carry your backpack from one location to another several times a week, so making sure it is comfortable and supports your back, shoulders, and waist is very important. You will also find yourself unpacking and repacking your backpack at least once a day while staying at the hostels, so you’ll want to make sure it’s quick and easy to do.
So the decision is: front loading or top loading. There are benefits and problems with both. Here’s how to evaluate which option is best for you.
Advantages of a front loading backpack
For some travelers, the front-loader (the Osprey Farpoint package, for example) is the package of choice for several reasons.
They are safer: In general, front-loading backpacks offer more security than top-loading ones. While it’s rare to get robbed on the go if you’re nervous about it happening, these packages offer added peace of mind. Front loading backpacks work more like a suitcase with straps, as they are secured with a zipper around the front. What this means is that you can easily add a lock to the zipper to prevent thieves from looking for a quick robbery. Top-loading backpacks are often secured by a drawstring and plastic zippers, making them easy to access.
There isn’t much you can do to secure them beyond buying a mesh protector for your backpack.
They’re easier to pack: Front-loading backpacks are significantly easier to pack and unpack than top-loading ones. Just unzip your backpack, and it works like a suitcase – you’ll be able to put everything exactly where you want it to go, avoiding the hassle of trying to push everything through a small hole in the top. Travelers often regret having to unpack their top-loading backpack to find something that has gone all the way to the bottom only to have to do it again ten minutes later.
With a front-loading backpack, you will no longer feel like you’re packing and unpacking every day.
They are sturdier – Front-loading backpacks are generally made of a much stronger material than their top-loading counterparts. This is generally because top-loading backpacks are designed for hiking and adventure activities, where weight is important. But then it depends on the brand and the materials. Travelers have reported that a front-loading backpack broke in the cargo hold of an aircraft, while their friend’s top-loading backpack remained in one piece.
They are less likely to have a frame – There are two schools of thought on whether a framed backpack is good or bad. It can help your pack hold its shape if it’s not completely full, but it can also make your bag unusable if the frame breaks. Most travelers place a frame on the handicap column, giving the front-loading backpack another check.
Advantages of a top-loading backpack
Top-loading backpack enthusiasts travel with backpacks like the Osprey Exos Backpack and they love it. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and perfect for a smaller person. Unfortunately, there are some downsides like the ones mentioned above.
Here, however, are the advantages:
Better for Smaller People: Top-loading backpacks are thinner than front-loading ones, making them much easier to handle if you’re walking through crowds or trying to move down the aisle of a crowded bus. If you are a smaller person, you will find that its slimmer width adapts better to the shape of your back, making it much easier to transport. This is a huge advantage of a top-loading backpack.
Offer Better Support – Top-loading backpacks are generally made for long-distance hikes, which means they’re designed to take weight off your back and hips. They are more comfortable for walking long distances. Some are so comfortable that you can often leave them on your back when you take a break from walking. Some report wearing it happily for hours without tiring. If you don’t have a lot of back strength and have a hard time walking with a heavy load in your backpack, a top-loading backpack will definitely be more manageable for you.
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They Are Lightweight – Because they are generally hiking backpacks, they are made to be as lightweight as possible, making carrying your bag even easier. After half an hour wandering in circles looking for your shelter, you’ll be thankful that your bag isn’t heavier. You may find that your top-loading backpack will feel lighter on your back than when you picked it up.
recommendations
Head to an outdoor store that specializes in backpacks, like REI, and try front and top loading backpacks. See which one feels the most comfortable and offers the best support. Be sure to fill your backpack with random items from the store to see how it feels once you have some weight. You may prefer comfort for that time when you find yourself wandering the same streets trying to find your guest house in 100 degree heat. Some of you may prefer the peace of mind that comes with being able to lock your bag.
It depends on what your priorities are, and the best way to solve this is by checking the backpacks in person and seeing which ones work best for you.
Shorter people find top-loading backpacks much more comfortable to use than front-loading ones. The Osprey top-loading backpack, for example, appears to dramatically decrease in weight when placed on the back, a major selling point.
However, there are definitely some safety issues that come with buying a top-loading backpack – the top of the backpack is closed with a drawstring and clips, which cannot be secured with a padlock. If someone decided to steal something, it would have taken them about five seconds to go in and get some things out.
With a front-loading backpack, the heavier of the two, travel days are much more difficult and you can’t walk that far when wandering around trying to find a shelter. However, for many, the added security and ease of packing make a front-loading backpack worthwhile. You can lock your backpack when you go exploring and know that your things are safe, and if you ever need to find something in your backpack, it will take you twenty seconds instead of five minutes to locate it.
Osprey backpacks are a popular brand because they have a lifetime guarantee – if any of their backpacks break for any reason, they will replace it no questions asked, even if the backpack is 20 years old.
