Backpack care hacks

Your best friend and companion for many years also needs care. Here you will find the ultimate backpack care tips so that you can rely on it for as long as possible.

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The ultimate backpack care tips 2021: Before, during & after the trip!

1. Before the journey

Before long car journeys, the usual check begins: tyre pressure, coolant, fuel… So your luggage should also be checked before you start your journey. You now look at your backpack in detail and check:

• Are the zips still smooth and do they close properly?
• Are all the seams in order?
• Is the fabric of the backpack not torn anywhere? Pay particular attention to the bottom!
• Do all the buckles still close?
• Is the rain cover ready for use?
• Is the back system functional?
• Are the pads in the back system and hip fins still working?
• Are the mesh pockets torn?
• Is the metal frame for the back system not bent?
• Is the tanka (cord stopper) still in place?

2. On the road

• Don’t drag the bottom. Many backpacks have the extremely tear-resistant Cordura as the bottom material, but you don’t have to push your luck.
• Do not throw. However, cushion and stow fragile items well, as your backpack will be thrown around a lot when you load it into the belly of the plane.
• Always keep the buckles closed. And don’t leave your rucksack by the side of the road. There is too great a risk of a tuk tuk or moped running over the buckles, especially the large hip belt buckle. Buckles can be bought quickly in big cities. In the outback/pampas it’s a different story. Professionals carry spare buckles and a spare tank.
• Use the rain cover on the road. But not for the flight. It could get lost too quickly.
• Use a protective bag (transport bag) for the rucksack. Protect your backpack on flights and bus rides and even from small animals and insects.
• If you’re travelling in the rainy season and taking routes by bus, the bus may have to drive through metre-deep puddles. And here’s the thing. If you left your backpack in the luggage compartment, which is close to the ground, it’s likely that it was submerged in water and got soaked with mud. Disaster! Be sure to use a protective bag or – if possible – take the rucksack on board.
• Keep dry and only carry wet laundry and towels in the rucksack for a short time. Especially in the tropics, laundry and towels quickly start to smell.
• Pack bulky items neatly so that zips are not stretched.
• Do not leave in the blazing sun.
• Do not leave it in heavily soiled rooms, as you will certainly be carrying food (nuts, biscuits, chocolate…). Also, wear the rucksack close to your body. Again, a protective rucksack bag is a good idea to protect your large rucksack from dirt and uninvited guests.
• Pack any liquids separately. It’s too easy to break a bottle, glass or thin plastic bottles.
• Twist all straps on the buckles and hide them as well as possible.

For longer trips, empty the entire rucksack every 2 weeks and shake it out thoroughly. And don’t hesitate to consider whether one or two items of clothing are superfluous. The maid is happy about a small present and you have to carry less.
It is helpful to carry the dirty laundry in a separate bag. 1. for hygienic reasons 2. so that you have a tidy system 3. so that you have a bag to take your laundry to the launderette, see tidy systems.

3. After the trip

• Beforehand, the rucksack is completely emptied. It doesn’t hurt if it spends some time outdoors to air for the first few days. Yes, backpacks can also take on odours.
• Smaller stains are treated carefully with a brush and a little curd soap or dishwashing liquid. The brush should be rather soft.
• If the backpack is very dirty, it could do with a decent bath in the tub. Caution: Remove the rain cover.
• The detergent should not be too aggressive. It is best to use only PH-neutral soap such as Kern soap.
• After washing, take the rucksack outdoors to dry extensively and turn it every now and then.
• Washing machine washes are not recommended by the manufacturers. The risk of tearing is too great. And a dryer set too hot would be guaranteed to end its career.
• Perhaps treat it with an impregnating spray. This will make it even more dirt- and water-repellent.

After treatment, your backpack will be happy to find a dry and well-ventilated place – straps and zips closed – where it can dream of faraway lands and great adventures in peace.