Article: THE FIRST STEP BEFORE HITTING THE TRAILS: BE PROPERLY EQUIPPED.(Getaways)

Consider comfort your most compelling consideration in selecting backpacking gear: proper fit for things you wear, lightweight and ease of use for other articles.

Here's a short list of equipment, with tips based on experts' advice and my own 20 years of tramping trails with a load on my back.

Backpacks: Most hikers are choosing internal-frame packs because they ride closer to the body, provide better balance and tend to be lighter. The traditional external frame pack, however, allows more ventilation of sweat and handles heavier loads better.

Variations in body size and shape make it mandatory that you try on several before buying. Find one ...

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