![\"Outdoor](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/ilustracao-atividades-ar-livre-gear-tips.webp\")
<\/p>\nChoosing a backpack for trekking may seem trivial, but there are some very important factors that need to be taken into account to make the right choice.<\/p>\n
In this article, I\u2019ll show you how to choose the ideal backpack for your trekking, explaining the types of hikes, the factors that influence this choice, and the main **deuter** models for different user profiles.<\/p>\n
When we look at a mountain range, we can be surprised by the diversity of activities happening simultaneously in the same natural environment. The image below \u2014 frequently used in my courses and presentations \u2014 illustrates this clearly:<\/p>\n
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In the same place, like the first mountain in the illustration, we find:<\/p>\n
The environment is the same. What changes are the choices: type of activity, duration, level of self-sufficiency, type of overnight, equipment volume and weight \u2014 and, as a consequence, the ideal backpack for each situation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Although the activities are different, there\u2019s a common point among them: the need to carry gear<\/strong>. Whether running, hiking, or riding, everyone uses some sort of backpack or load-carrying system. However, these systems vary a lot<\/strong> depending on the activity:<\/p>\n Although the initial examples cover different outdoor pursuits, in this article I\u2019ll go deeper only into trekking backpacks.<\/p>\n Specialized brands like deuter<\/strong>, with more than 125 years of tradition, develop backpacks for each type of outdoor activity.<\/p>\n The images below show how deuter segments its product line according to these activities. You can see the wide variety of models available \u2014 not to mention the variations within each category!<\/p>\n This specialization allows users to gain more comfort, efficiency, and safety<\/strong> by using a backpack designed exactly for the modality they practice.<\/p>\n As seen earlier, the same natural environment \u2014 such as a traverse in a mountain range \u2014 can host different outdoor activities. But there\u2019s another crucial point to consider: weather conditions and time of year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In the same geographic area, conditions can vary quite a bit. A summer trekking trip, with dry weather and mild temperatures, will require fewer (or lighter) clothes and a lighter, more compact sleep system. The same traverse in winter may require bulkier cold-weather clothing, sleeping bags rated for lower temperatures, and extra accessories to face intense cold \u2014 thus requiring a backpack with greater volume and load capacity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n When we broaden the analysis to different environments, another decisive factor comes into play: altitude<\/strong>. High-mountain activities, such as climbing the Aconcagua<\/a> or Denali<\/strong>, demand more specific equipment to withstand extreme conditions. Therefore, the gear is heavier, bulkier, and more technical<\/strong>, which directly impacts the choice of the backpack that will carry it.<\/p>\n In short, in addition to the activity type, weather, biome, altitude, and season are determining factors when choosing the ideal backpack for each situation.<\/p>\n To choose the right backpack for a trekking trip, we need to better understand some concepts \u2014 among them, which types of outdoor walking exist.<\/p>\n When we talk about walking, a variety of terms comes up: hiking, trekking, backpacking, thru-hiking, randonn\u00e9e, bushwalking, and more. The confusion is understandable, as the terminology changes from country to country \u2014 and even among practitioners.<\/p>\n Because I\u2019ve worked with European brands like deuter<\/strong> since 2001, I\u2019ve adopted the European concept<\/strong> here, which clearly distinguishes two major groups:<\/p>\n The main distinction between hiking and trekking lies in self-sufficiency and overnighting<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Since trekking<\/strong> is characterized by multi-day hiking with camping overnights, the user must be self-sufficient. They should carry their shelter system (tent or tarp or hammock, etc.), sleep system (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc.), cooking system (stove, pot, etc.), and other items.<\/p>\n Trekking can be practiced in different styles, classified according to base weight<\/strong> \u2014 a topic we\u2019ll address later.<\/p>\n The classic traverse in the Parque Nacional da Serra dos \u00d3rg\u00e3os (RJ) is an excellent example of the variety of approaches:<\/p>\n Trail Run:<\/strong> Traverse done running in 1 day, with a lightweight pack; Day Hike:<\/strong> One-day hike, starting very early and finishing the same day; Multi-day Hike:<\/strong> Three days, sleeping in the park\u2019s huts; Trekking:<\/strong> Three days, camping at designated sites.<\/p>\n This example shows how the same traverse can be experienced in completely different ways, and each will require a backpack with specific characteristics.<\/p>\n Petr\u00f3polis\u2013Teres\u00f3polis Traverse \u2013 Photo: Mario Nery<\/p>\n Base weight<\/strong> is everything in the backpack excluding consumables<\/strong> (food, water, and fuel). The classification of trekking types based on base weight is as follows:<\/p>\n The lighter the gear, the smaller the backpack can be \u2014 but it\u2019s essential to maintain safety<\/strong> (and comfort, as much as possible), especially in cold climates.<\/p>\n It\u2019s worth noting that, in the chart above, I included weights in pounds because this classification was made in the United States; for convenience, I added the conversion to kilograms.<\/p>\n Traditionally in Brazil, backpacks are divided into:<\/p>\n With the growing popularity of ultralight (UL) trekking, packs with \u201cdaypack\u201d volumes are also used for self-supported trekking \u2014 as long as the gear is light and compact.<\/p>\n Now that it\u2019s clearer why there are so many types of backpacks for different activities, styles, and contexts, we reach the central point of this article: how to choose the ideal backpack for your trekking<\/strong>.<\/p>\n One of the most common mistakes<\/strong> made by beginners (and even by experienced users) is to start at the end<\/strong>: choosing the backpack before defining the rest of the gear. The correct process is exactly the opposite.<\/p>\n A backpack isn\u2019t the starting point but rather a final answer<\/strong> to a series of prior decisions. After all, it\u2019s impossible to know which pack you need without first knowing the volume and weight<\/strong> of everything you\u2019ll carry: tent, sleeping bag, clothing, cookware, food, water, and fuel.<\/p>\n Therefore, the first step is to size the pack\u2019s contents<\/strong> \u2014 which includes both base weight<\/strong> (gear inside the pack) and consumables<\/strong> (items used over time, like food and water). Even a light base weight may come with a significant volume of consumables, depending on trail length and characteristics, which will require a larger pack with higher load capacity.<\/p>\n When choosing a backpack, two main factors should be considered:<\/p>\n Attention:<\/strong> Some brands, mainly in the ultralight segment, consider total volume including external mesh pockets.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s an essential point: load capacity (and thus comfort) isn\u2019t about the pack\u2019s raw strength \u2014 it\u2019s about ergonomics<\/strong>. A good trekking backpack transfers most of the weight to the hips through the load-transfer system (shoulder straps, back panel, and hipbelt), relieving the shoulders. This efficient transfer can reach 70% or even 80% of total weight, reducing fatigue and preventing pain \u2014 what we call reduced perceived weight. Perceived weight is what we feel on our shoulders.<\/p>\n On the other hand, some prefer lighter packs with minimal structure, even if that means carrying more weight on the shoulders. That choice is valid \u2014 as long as it\u2019s conscious<\/strong> and aligned with the trekking style and the user\u2019s physical limits.<\/p>\n Although there are countless backpack brands in Brazil and worldwide, in this article I present deuter<\/strong> packs. Because the brand offers many models, we can make didactic comparisons among different backpacks based on volume, load capacity, and intended use.<\/p>\n deuter<\/strong> offers backpacks with different weights, volumes, and load capacities<\/strong> \u2014 i.e., the ideal weight the pack was designed to carry comfortably. Below are the main models recommended for trekking (including packs traditionally seen as \u201cdaypacks,\u201d but which fit the ultralight trekking logic):<\/p>\n Highlights:<\/strong><\/p>\n Watch the video:<\/strong> Tudo sobre a Deuter Aircontact PRO<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Highlights:<\/strong><\/p>\n Watch the video:<\/strong> Tudo sobre a Deuter Aircontact Core<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Highlights:<\/strong><\/p>\n Watch the video:<\/strong> Tudo sobre a Deuter Aircontact Lite<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Highlights:<\/strong><\/p>\nSimilar gear, different needs<\/h2>\n
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Technical choice: the right pack for each modality<\/h2>\n
![\"Backpack](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/tipos-mochila-por-atividade-1.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"Backpack](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/tipos-mochila-por-atividade-2.webp\")
<\/p>\nWeather, altitude, and season: essential factors in choosing your pack<\/h2>\n
![\"Brazilian](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/biomas-brasileiros.webp\")
<\/p>\nHiking vs. Trekking: what\u2019s the difference?<\/h2>\n
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The key difference: sleeping in huts or camping<\/h2>\n
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Trekking \u2014 the focus of this article<\/h2>\n
A didactic example: Petr\u00f3polis x Teres\u00f3polis Traverse<\/h2>\n
![\"Petr\u00f3polis](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/travessia-petropolis-teresoposlis-mario-nery.webp\")
<\/p>\nTypes of trekking: classified by base weight<\/h2>\n
![\"Base](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/grafico-peso-base.webp\")
<\/p>\nBackpack classification by volume<\/h2>\n
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How to choose your trekking backpack<\/h2>\n
Load capacity vs. volume<\/h2>\n
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Checklist: how to choose your trekking backpack<\/h2>\n
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deuter trekking backpacks<\/h2>\n
\n![\"Deuter](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/mochila-trekking-deuter-aircontact-pro.webp\")
<\/div>\n\nAircontact PRO<\/h3>\n
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\n![\"Deuter](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/mochila-trekking-deuter-aircontact-core-1.webp\")
<\/div>\n\nAircontact Core<\/h3>\n
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\n![\"Deuter](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/mochila-trekking-deuter-aircontact-lite.webp\")
<\/div>\n\nAircontact Lite<\/h3>\n
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\n![\"Deuter](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/mochila-trekking-deuter-futura-air-trek.webp\")
<\/div>\n\nFutura Air Trek<\/h3>\n
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![\"Deuter](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/mochila-trekking-deuter-aircontact-ultra.webp\")
<\/div>\n![\"Deuter](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/mochila-trekking-deuter-trail-pro.webp\")
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