The rule of thumb says that wearing and loading the backpack are two simple elements that ensure back health. For a child, the backpack should be only about 5% to a maximum 10% of their body weight, especially for children in kindergarten that are starting on with wearing a backpack routinely, it takes time to adjust and learn. You can view what size backpack for kindergarten children and what to pack for further details.
The rule applied is nearly similar for adults as well, the ideal is to range between 5% to 10% of your body weight. Furthermore, when you wear it, wear it tight so the backpack is not dangling and will not bounce, causing periodic stress on your back that may lead to any problems.
To ensure this, the backpack should be light weight and offer an ergonomic design and suitable adjustment features to ensure you wear it light and tight. To help you choose the best backpack for back pain, we have curated the following list.
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1. The North Face Borelias Commuter
What we liked?
This 28L backpack, that weighs only 2lbs presents an adequate size, sufficient for long weekend trips and hiking expeditions. The outer layer is recycled polyester, ensuring durability and sturdiness in your adventures.
For the organization, the main compartment offers ample space for your clothes and other belongings to be tightly packed. At the back of the main compartment there is a padded laptop sleeve for a 15” laptop. The front pocket has a tablet sleeve, a flat zipper pocket to stash in small important documents for quick access, four internal organization pockets for small gadgets and accessories. The two side pockets could be used for various purposes, traditionally as water-bottle pockets.
Comfort is the key attribute in the overall design. It has a Flexvent suspension system, that has well-articulated shoulder straps, that are American Chiropractic Association certified, the rounded back panel allows it to fit tightly with your back and provide a good grip, and lastly the removable waist-belt and side compressible bottom bungee straps provide the ultimate comfort.
First and foremost, the comfort this backpack provides is unparalleled, even when it’s fully packed and on the heavier side. The ergonomic design and padded shoulder straps distribute the weight evenly, making it easy to carry throughout the day without strain.
What truly stands out to me is the thoughtfully designed organization. The compartments are not only spacious but also incredibly accessible. It’s a relief to be able to quickly reach for my belongings without having to rummage through layers of items. The small zip pocket is a gem – a secure spot for storing priority items like my passport, wallet, and cash. This added layer of security is a feature I’ve come to appreciate more than I anticipated…”
Customer Review: “I recently purchased the NORTH FACE Borealis Commuter Laptop Backpack, and I couldn’t be happier with my choice. This backpack has proven to be an exceptional companion for my daily commutes and travels.”
What could be better?
The water bottle holders are slightly short, can’t properly hold larger or longer bottles.
2. Kelty Redwing 50
What we liked?
The 50l travel backpack is an ultimate solution for hiking expeditions or road trips. You can expect to pack a week-long worth of belonging in here, and for this size the backpack weighs a mere 2.15lbs.
The front zipper pocket has internal organization, with three flat slide pockets for keeping small documents and accessories. The top lid pocket offers an extra choice to keep in small items for quick access like keys or wallets. The main compartment has a hydration sleeve to tuck in a water bladder, added with ample room to tuck in clothes.
The upper side curved pockets can hold your water bottle, the closed pockets would free you of the worry that bottles might fall while you’re speeding up a mountain hike, and behind each of it, there is an open pocket to slide in your trekking poles. Beneath these, there are two mesh pockets to tuck in small accessories for a quick grab, there is also a mesh slide pocket in the hip belt, ideal for tucking in a mobile phone during a hike. Furthermore, the tool loops at the bottom and side compression straps help to keep all the items sorted and orderly placed.
The advanced perimeter frame around the back panel allows greater stability and comfort by keeping the load balanced, this is coupled with a torso adjustment system beneath the padded back panel. You can slide the support board outside to adjust the torso length that suits you the best for a great back support.
The Amp Flow back panel is ingeniously designed to keep ample airflow and keep you sweat free. The padded straps added to the waistbelt makes the stability of the bag superb, avoiding much strain and stress on your backpack during maneuverability.
Customer Review: I ended up going with the Kelty to give it a try and couldn’t be happier. I have more compartments that work for me and my needs. Quality seems to be great and I love that the hip belt can be removed, I take my bag with me everyday to work for 24- 48 hour shifts. The adjustable back panel is very nice along with the ventilation. Water bottle holders on the side are great for larger bottles and have a strong bottom not mesh like my Osprey. I don’t think you could go wrong with either brand, but I’m very happy with this Kelty Redwing.
What could be better?
The large size can mostly be used for overnight trips, can be converted or simultaneously be used as a day pack.
3. Peak Design Everyday Backpack
What we liked?
The 23l backpack, weighing about 2.6lbs is an ideal companion for your daily commute and travel needs. The product comes with a lifetime guarantee, helping you put in more trust in the quality and efficacy of the product. The outer material is a 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas shell, which offers a waterproof covering for the backpack, combined with super durable UltraZips.
The main compartment has a top lid opening for instant access, and a two-side zipper open that opens 180o to give a full access to the compartment, it comes with three flex-fold internal organization dividers helping you sort your belongings more adequately. There is an internal latch that provides an additional 8L expansion of the main compartment.
The laptop sleeve is at the back of the main compartment, padded and protected for the gear. The dual side pockets are stretchable to carry water bottles and small accessories for quick grabs. Lastly, the bottom straps can be used to cling to extra heavy baggage like a sleeping mat or a helmet.
The comfort is meticulously designed. The back panel is vented and compromises of a quick dry mesh material. The shoulder straps can pivot to adjust to varying body types – allowing comfort for the neck and shoulders, they are also detachable owing to your need. With this adaptability, the load distribution becomes adequate and helps with back support and comfort of carrying it around.
Customer Review: “I have lower back problems, and some packs irritate my back, and I end up in pain. Not this pack. It’s so easy to adjust while wearing it so that my back issues when carrying gear have gone away. I am a teacher. Due to the pandemic, I teach my courses online and enhance them with videos. I decided to shoot those videos vlog style and post them on YouTube. I needed a backpack to carry my camera, lenses, microphones, and other gear. I shoot these videos hiking with my dogs every morning. This pack has room for all my stuff and then some. I have used this pack for a couple of weeks and am still discovering ways to adapt the space to better suit the gear I want to carry…”
What could be better?
The magnetic latch is made of anodized aluminum, whose paint can scratch off rather easily if scratched against a surface too often.
4. NOMATIC Travel Pack
What we liked?
The 20l backpack, weighing just about 3.5lbs has a unique design element to it, it can easily be converted into a briefcase by pulling out straps or conversely be used for a day pack as well. The outer layer is made of nylon and polyester materials, ensuring the sturdiness and durability you can expect to last long.
The back compartment has a TSA ready laptop sleeve to ensure seamless check-ins at the airport. There is another open sleeve for a tablet or important documents to be kep neatly away from other belongings. The main compartment has an 180o opening, coming with a zipper flat full-length pocket at the back, and plenty of room for clothes and other belongings.
The front compartment has five sectional mesh pockets, where you can slide in your electronic and other accessories, stationary items or any small items you’d want to be neatly organized and accessible. There is a secret pocket for the mobile phone just behind the back panel, easily accessible for quick grab.
The ventilated back panel has an ergonomic design, perfect to adapt to your back and provides ample support and comfort for extended periods of wearing and walking. The adjustable padded straps combined with check strap helps the backpack cling to your body, avoiding stress and jerks on your back.
Customer Review: After years of travel frustration, I did some research and many fingers pointed me in the direction of this Nomatic. I finally broke up with Tumi and gave Nomatic a try. Wow, why didn’t I do this sooner?! This backpack is comfortable, carries everything you could possibly want for a weekend trip, looks sleek and expands when necessary! The zippers are rugged and don’t come apart. I recently was caught in a rain shower and the zippers still work well and all of my stuff inside stayed dry. I will never go back to another designer backpack again. Nomatic traveler for life.
What could be better?
The backpack is slightly heavier at the baseline compared to other day packs of the category. This can add extra weight when fully packed.
5. Thule Subterra Backpack
What we liked?
This 30L backpack, weighing just about 2.1lbs offers plenty of room for carrying heavier weights and optimum organization. The outer material is 800D nylon, constructed to provide exemplary durability. Crafted with high-quality materials, this backpack promises durability and functionality. Weighing in at just 2.1lbs , it is lighter than many competing travel backpacks yet robust enough to handle the rigors of frequent use.
The Thule Subterra 30L is made with premium materials that ensure longevity and reliability. Its sleek, streamlined design includes the signature Thule logo, subtly placed to maintain a professional appearance. The backpack is designed to fit comfortably under the seat on airplanes, making it a convenient option for frequent flyers.
One of the standout features of the Subterra 30L is its impeccable organization. The backpack includes a top-loading compartment and a side zipper, allowing easy access to your laptop without having to dig through the entire bag. A dedicated storage pocket with a soft, interior lining protects your tablet, ensuring it remains scratch-free.
The internal PowerPocket manages cords neatly between your device and mobile charger, preventing tangled cables. The expandable, zippered side pocket securely holds small items and a water bottle, keeping them within reach. The thoughtful design extends to a pass-through panel, which makes traveling easier by allowing the backpack to attach to rolling luggage.
The Subterra 30L excels in comfort, featuring padded shoulder straps that distribute weight evenly across your back. The bag’s structure ensures it stays comfortably on one or both shoulders, even for those with smaller frames. Customer feedback highlights the excellent strap design, which prevents the bag from slipping and enhances the overall carrying experience.
Customer Reviews: “Everything on this bag is of high quality. What we love most is the strap design. This bag not only stays on one or both shoulders but the structure nicely distributes weight across the back for easy carrying when full.”
What could be better?
The limited accessibility of the secondary compartment. Some customers have noted that the secondary compartment could benefit from zipping down further, which would make accessing items inside much easier.
Conclusion
When choosing a backpack to prevent back pain, prioritize those with ergonomic designs, lightweight materials, and adjustable features. Proper weight distribution, supportive straps, and good organization are key factors to consider. Ensuring your backpack fits well and is worn correctly will help maintain your back health and comfort during daily use or travel.
