Wondering how long your hiking backpack will last? We’ll help you figure that out, with this detailed guide to backpack durability!
Naturally, how long a backpack lasts depends on several different factors and I’ll cover them all in this detailed guide. I’ll tell you what materials and features to look for in the most durable backpacks, as well as what you can do to prolong the life of a bag you already own. Read on to see how long hiking backpacks last and which factors determine their lifespan.
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How Long Do Backpacks Last?
Some people have to buy a new backpack every few years and others have worn the same bag for a decade and it’s still going strong. Is there any way to predict how long a hiking backpack will last?
Good backpacks should last for several years, at the very least. It heavily depends on the price and quality, but if you’re spending good money on a backpack, you should be able to use it for years without any major issues.
A good hiking backpack that costs at least $100 should withstand about a decade of frequent use, provided you’re taking good care of it. By frequent use, I mean taking it out on the trail every weekend for several days at a time and usually filling it up to the brim. It will sometimes get wet, dirty, and bumped against sharp rocks – that’s normal wear and tear for hiking backpacks, and they should be able to survive years of it.
Cheaper backpacks are usually made with cheap materials and they’re more susceptible to damage. A cheap hiking backpack can last anywhere from a few days to a few years, depending on how it’s made, what materials it’s constructed from, and how often you wear it.
It’s important to note that you can’t put an expiration date on a backpack. It depends on many different factors and the most important one is how you take care of the bag. If you use it often, let it air-dry every time it gets wet, and you never overpack it or put it away dirty, your backpack will likely live a long life. But if you always overpack it, leave it out in the sun for hours, and just throw it in the back of your closet without cleaning it first, you’ll need to replace the bag sooner rather than later.
Materials And Build Quality
One of the most important factors in backpack durability is its materials. Most hiking backpacks are made from nylon. It’s a strong but lightweight material made with woven synthetic fibers. Nylon has great water resistance, tear resistance, and it’s cheap to make, which is exactly why it’s the most popular material for backpacks and luggage.
Nylon backpacks often feature some additional coating to improve their water resistance and usually, it’s either DWR or PU coating. Both can be reapplied when they wear off and doing so will improve the durability of the bag.
Polyester is also a popular material for backpacks, especially those made for hiking. It’s durable, lightweight, and cheap to make, but it doesn’t have the best water resistance you could hope for. Polyester is also slightly less durable than Nylon, but that’s usually improved with reinforced seams and additional coating.
Nylon and polyester are the two most popular materials for backpacks, but they’re certainly not the only ones. Some brands will use cheaper materials, and you should avoid those no matter what. Other brands will use their own proprietary materials, and those can be either hit-or-miss. In general, it’s best to buy pricier backpacks from trusted and established brands, especially those that offer an extensive warranty.
Also, it’s important to note that hiking backpacks are made to be sturdier than everyday bags. They go through more wear and tear than other bags, and they’re often exposed to rough and rugged environments, as well as extreme weather conditions. This is one of the reasons why hiking backpacks often cost much more than everyday backpacks, even if they’re the same size and have similar features.
On top of that, remember that it’s not just about the material of the backpack body. It’s also important to check for other features like high-quality zippers, a reinforced bottom, and sturdy seams. You can have a bag made from the best and most durable type of fabric out there, but if the seams are not done properly and it has cheap zippers, it’s not going to live a very long life.
Frequency Of Use
Naturally, how long a backpack lasts heavily depends on how often you use it. If you use a bag every single day, you’ll need to replace it a lot sooner than a bag that you only use once a month. But, it also depends on the type of conditions in which you use the bag. If you often wear the backpack in rainy weather or scratch it against sharp rocks, you’ll get a lot less mileage out of it.
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t wear the backpack at all, just that you should be extra careful if you want to use it for years to come. Get a rain cover to use in wet weather and clean the bag often, to prevent degradation of the synthetic fibers. Try not to leave it in direct sun for hours at a time and be careful what you carry in the bag.
Overpacking the backpack often will impact its durability and longevity. There’s a reason why backpacks have a maximum load capacity – they’re not built to withstand anything heavier. The shoulder straps are usually the first to suffer the consequences of overpacked bags – they can start to tear, the adjustable straps can malfunction, and they simply won’t keep you comfortable while you’re hiking. You might also have to deal with torn seams and broken zippers, and you can avoid all of that if you just keep the load of the backpack under its maximum capacity.
Exposure To Elements
Another thing that determines the lifespan of a backpack is how and when it is used. Although hiking backpacks are built to be strong and durable, there’s only so much strain they can handle. If you use the backpack in rough and rugged conditions frequently, or if you expose it to extreme weather, you’re going to shorten its lifespan each time that happens.
Rain, snow, and sun can all damage the backpack materials, especially if the bag is exposed to the elements for prolonged periods of time. I’m not saying the backpack will fall apart if it gets drenched in rain, but if wear it out in the rain every weekend, eventually you’ll deal with rusty zippers and weakened materials. Protect the backpack from the elements and try not to bump it against sharp rocks and branches too often and it should be fine.
Storage
The longevity of a backpack also depends on how you store it. The best way to store a backpack is to put it on a hanger in a closet. You should never crease or fold a backpack, especially if you’re going to store it for a while. Also, it’s important to clean and dry a backpack before you put it away.
Storing a wet or dirty backpack can seriously impact its durability. Moisture can damage the material, so it’s essential that you let the backpack air dry before you put it away. It’s not recommended to use a hairdryer or anything similar to dry a backpack because excess heat can also damage the materials. Keep in mind that Nylon is essentially just plastic and it behaves like any other type of plastic when exposed to heat.
Additionally, make sure that the backpack is away from the sun if you’re storing it for a while. Prolonged sun exposure will make the colors fade and it can weaken the fibers. Exposure to any elements is not a good idea for long-term storage, which is why it’s best to just put it in your closet or under the bed.
Importance Of Warranty
If you want a backpack to last you a long time, you need to buy a backpack that’s backed by a good warranty policy. Some brands offer a lifetime warranty on their backpacks, meaning they’ll repair anything wrong with the bag and replace it if they can’t repair the damage. You only get this type of warranty with the pricey backpacks though, but it’s worth every penny because it means that the brand stands behind their product no matter what.
A good warranty policy means that you don’t have to worry that much about the small stuff. If a pocket rips or a buckle breaks, you can just send the backpack for repairs and get it back as good as new. With a cheap backpack that isn’t covered by warranty at all, you need to do the repairing yourself or pay someone to do it for you. Neither are great alternatives – not everyone knows how to replace a broken zipper and some repairs can be so expensive that it’s just cheaper to buy a brand new bag.
