A picnic backpack can completely make or break an outdoor adventure. Whether you are taking the kids for a day of fun at the state park or want to surprise the love of your life with a romantic hike and picnic in the mountains, the experience will be more relaxing and stress free if you select the right backpack.
The first consideration when purchasing a backpack is size. Depending on who will be carrying it most of the time, you may want to select something more compact or a bit larger. Of course, you have to also consider how many items you will be hauling for this occasion before picking the size.
The idea of a backpack gives the illusion of something compact, but be aware that they can get quite large and bulky. Generally, they are sold in terms of the number of people going on the outing. A 2 person pack is going to obviously be more compact than a 4 person pack.
If you are purchasing this item for a child, then consider purchasing one that was made just for children. They will be lighter weight and have features designed just for younger users. If you will be going on a lot of family outings then you may want to purchase a pack for each of your children so they can each carry their own belongings and lighten the load on you.
Another thing to consider is the arrangement of compartments inside the pack. Different models and brands will have different space arrangements, such as slots for placing bottled drinks or silverware and open spaces for stacking in food. Make sure that these compartments match up with what you will typically be carrying along.
It all comes down to style and design. You want something that is compact as possible without sacrificing the space you need to carry food and drink for the number of people you typically include. Instead of one large, bulky pack you may want to consider several smaller ones to be carried by different people. This will also increase the number of drink slots you have or allow you to portion out food and drink for different people ahead of time.
Your chances of having an enjoyable outing today and many more in the future are increased if you look at functionality more than price. You want something that is durable and that will hold up with consistent use. If you select the right size and style chances are you will enjoy your time on the go much more.