Backpack essentials for your weekend away
Summer is here and the weather is fine! So it’s a perfect opportunity to go away for the weekend and enjoy some new sights and sunshine! So what do you need to pack to make sure that you have the essentials, but can fit everything into your backpack? Well, it depends on your plans – so let’s take a closer look.
Camping
This is the perfect time of year to go camping and this leisure activity is more popular than ever, as Brits wake up to just how beautiful the UK is and how many gorgeous outdoor spaces there are to explore! Tents are fancier, more technical and better priced than ever and the range of kit is now so advanced that entire families can decide to go camping on a whim and have a holiday or short break with every possible comfort!
When it comes to packing, look for kit that is functional and multi-purpose. You’ll find that Summer backpacks are lightweight, water resistant and often have surprisingly generous dimensions for packing! Make sure you pack enough changes of clothes, considering potential changes in the weather. Also remember toiletries, a book, a torch and first aid kit. If you have hay fever don’t forget your medication and pack any other emergency items that you may need, such as insect repellent, painkillers, scissors, tweezers, eye drops and the like. Don’t forget sunscreen, a change of shoes, a swimming costume if you’ll be near water and a towel. Food is best packed separately into a cool bag to avoid spills or contamination.
A weekend break
A city break is also the perfect getaway for the warmer months and ideal for walking and seeing all the sights. Load up your backpack with a change of clothes and evening clothes – flexible items such as a pair of trousers that can be worn for walking or to a restaurant are a good choice. Pack good comfortable shoes and a second pair for leisure. Pack toiletries, ear plugs if necessary, some reading material and your travel documentation, including foreign currency. Pack some carrier bags too so you can put dirty clothes in them afterwards and keep them apart from your clean ones.
Choosing the right bag
When it comes to picking your backpack itself, make sure you try it on in the shop and check for comfort. Wide straps are a great feature, as are adjustable straps around the shoulder and an optional chest strap. Water resistant fabric is good for showers and a light construction is perfect for carrying in hotter temperatures. Look too for extra pockets, hidden compartments and the ability to lock the zips for extra safety. A bright and distinctive pattern is also very useful to ensure that you recognise it amongst a crowd!
Jane Mills is a seasoned leisure and outdoor pursuits writer, with a keen love of camping and the countryside. Jane writes regularly for a range of websites and publications in the sector and has recently been involved in the design of a new line of Summer backpacks for walkers.
