I recently went camping in Yosemite for 4 days and opted to take the Carmel Convertible Backpack for my day / hiking bag. While this is not designed to be a hiking bag, here's why I always pack this bag on my trips.
Carmel Backpack vs Hiking Backpack
The Carmel Backpack is not as specialized as a hiking bag could be, which tend to be more lightweight, breathable, and designed to hold a camelback for easy access to water.
However, the Carmel Backpack does fit a 2L Camelback which is what I use to make the backpack super easy to use for my hikes.
Can I take the backpack for a long hike?
It depends on how much water you want to carry. Personally I like to carry around 0.25-0.5 L for each hour of active hiking, knowing I will probably spend extra time stopping for photos, food, and rest. I know from experience that's a comfortable amount where I know I'll be hydrated but not carrying too much excess water.
A general guideline is one liter per two hours of moderate hiking in moderate temperature, but the amount can depend on the temperature, difficulty level, and your general fitness. You may want to double the guideline for sunny days or if you are new to hiking.
I've done several long hikes with the Carmel backpack, including a moderately difficult 13.5 mile hike to Could's Rest in Yosemite with comfortable overcast weather where I carried 2.5L of water, and a more challenging but shorter 5.7 mile trail to Mammoth Peak where I carried 2L of water for a sunny day.
I was still able to fit my snacks, lunch, a small first aid kit, and some sunscreen (full packing list below).
The backpack is great for the average, casual hike but would probably not recommend for hikes where you know you'll need 3L+ water, as it would not fit inside the bag comfortably with food.
Another option is to carry a small water filtration system if there are water sources on your hike and you don't want to carry in all the water you need. That way you can carry less water overall.
What I pack in my Carmel Backpack for hiking
My full packing list for my latest 14 mi hike:
- 2 L Camelback with strap clipped to strap's d-ring with a O-ring snap clip or carabiner
- 0.5 L water in a plastic bottle with electrolytes
- 1 protein bar
- 1 meat stick
- 1 bagel sandwich for lunch
- travel sized bottle of sunscreen
- lip balm with SPF
- travel size first aid kid
- small bottle of hand sanitizer
- toilet paper in a ziplock bag (one person in our group also brought a trowel)
- ID / cards / keys
- phone
- sunglasses (worn or placed on my strap's D-ring most of the hike)
- hat (worn or around my neck the entire hike)
- windbreaker (worn entire hike)
Read the full post on what fits in the Carmel Backpack.
Which straps did I use with the Carmel Backpack?
I recommend the short jacquard straps over the microfiber straps for the Carmel in this use case. They are lighter, and adjust shorter so I like to shorten it until the bag is nice and snug on my back. In addition there are two D-rings on the strap where I like to clip my Camelback straw to have easy access, as well as clip in my hat string when it's windy, or put my sunglasses when I don't need them.
Here is a comparison of the strap options for the Carmel Backpack.
Cons of using the Carmel Backpack as a hiking bag
It is not as specialized as a traditional hiking backpack in the sense that it's not as lightweight and doesn't have hip or sternum straps.
Personally I did not find it uncomfortable due to the size / weight of my bag. It's small enough where it doesn't get heavy enough to need the sternum strap, but if you are carrying more stuff the extra adjustable / padded straps would be more comfortable.
I've also only used on moderate hikes in overcast to sunny weather. If you are doing more specialized hikes where you need more equipment (snow, climbing, etc) they will probably not fit. It if is extremely hot you likely will need more water. If it is cold you likely need to pack more layers and accessories.
One option can be to clip items outside to the bag, which would work for adding sandals or towels if you will be crossing rivers.
If you are going on a trip that is exclusively a lot of hiking or you are an avid hiker who wants a dedicated hiking bag, you may want to search something that specifically fits your needs.
Pros of using the Carmel Backpack as a hiking bag
I think this bag really shines in it's versatility. It's great for times where I might be doing a number of different activities but want to pack light.
I can take it on a trip where I'm using it in the city all day, it's nice enough to not feel like an out of place tourist at a cute restaurant, but durable and functional enough to take on a 10 mile hike. I won't feel the need to bring 3 bags for a single trip.
The bag is durable and water resistant, making it easy to clean up any dust and dirt after a trip with just a damp cloth. For me it's an ideal size to carry all my necessities without any extra room where I might be tempted to stuff more unneeded weight.
Is the Carmel Backpack a good hiking bag?
Is it the best hiking bag ever? No, it's not. But is it good enough to avoid packing another bag just for that one day trip where I'm hiking? Yes!
In one trip I can wander through the city of Seoul on one day, and then hike up Bukhansan peak the next. It's been through snowfall in Canada, through waterfall hikes in Maui, and to the beaches of Los Cabos.
Is the Carmel Backpack good for other activities?
It's great for activities where you're moving around on the go, maybe if there is some rain or snow because it is water resistant, and tons of customers say they love it for amusement parks, music festivals, and cruises. But it's probably not great for for intense sport activities like water or snow sports.
I've even taken it snowboarding in Tahoe, which I would say doesn't work that well if you're a beginner and fall a lot like I do. The backpack was totally fine and stood up to the snow and impact, but I was not (thanking my lucky stars for butt pad shorts!).
In fast moving sports like snowboarding the backpack slid around my back too much and would have really benefitted from having a sternum strap to keep it snug to the back. I did end up playing with the strap configuration, placing one across the chest, one around the waist, etc. but overall probably not the best skii/snowboarding backpack. I had to try it though!
So next time you need a bag that can do it all, consider the Carmel Backpack. It might surprise you!
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