How to measure the volume of a backpack, or why should you care?
You know how to measure the volume of a backpack? Or you do not care? Well, size does matter when selecting a backpack. It all depends on what activities you are going to undertake and how much stuff you need. That will give you an idea about the volume, size, and liters you need. Let us see how to measure a backpack that is not too small to force you to leave stuff behind, or to big, but has exactly the right size!
You decide the right backpack measurement
When you plan for a day hike or jogging activity, you need a light weight, not too big bag. Look for a bag you can carry close to your body to optimize freedom of movement. These small backpacks often will have enough volume to carry up to 10 liters. Enough to carry many cans of water not to become dehydrated when working out outside!
At the other side of the spectrum, you have the big boys and girls, backpacks between 26 and 40 liters. This gives you absolutely freedom in taking everything with you, you care about most. Like your Canon EOS R6 Body Mirrorless Camera, food for the BBQ or anything that will make the difference between life and death when you planned a longer trip.
Most popular are the mid volume backpacks between 10 to 25 liters. The bags are perfect when you are going for a day of skiing, or snowboarding, but also for the more serious things of life, like going to school and to carry your laptop with you in a safe way, with enough space for your books but also other essentials like your Oreos or your own water!
How to measure the volume of a backpack?
Now you decided about the purpose of the bag, it is time you know how to measure a backpack. But how do you measure volume? The good news, you do not have to be a rocket scientist to measure. It is even better to forget the formula: “ length x width x height” to measure volume of a backpack. No need for science, because this formula will only work when you have a backpack that has the shape of a box with Nike sneakers! The strength of a backpack is they are designed around the accessories and stuff you carry; you need to find out how much storage room the backpack has.
The tools needed to measure the volume of a backpack
To calculate the volume of the bag, you need small items with roughly all the same size. Think of beans or small plastic balls. But we have also seen people measuring the volume of backpacks with beer cans! You are free to choose your item.
Next to these small items, you will need a cup with a scale, a pencil, and a piece of paper. You see, no calculator needed to know how to measure volume!
The measurement
Fill your cup with the small items and empty the cup in the backpack. You will need enough items to fill the complete backpack. Every cup you use to fill the backpack, you mark on the paper. Do not forget the outside pockets of the bag also to measure. In fact, every space to store stuff in the bag counts for measuring the volume.
When you are sure you have filled every space of the bag, you can count the number of marks on the paper, representing the number of cups emptied in the bag. Simply multiply this with the volume of the cup you used, and you know the volume of the backpack! For example, when you used a 1 liter cup and you count 15 marks, the total volume or storage space of the bag is 1 liter times 15 cups, or 15 liters!
How to measure the volume you need without a backpack?
Suppose you do not have the right backpack yet, and you want to measure the volume you need so you can order the right bag. How about that?
You can use the same idea, of small items and a cup. But this time you put all the items you normally take with you on the hike or other trip, in a large plastic bag. Cut the plastic bag above the part that is not filled with your belongings and measure the remaining plastic bag in the same way as described above. Fill the bag with the cups. This will tell you how large the backpack must be.
Ready to hike?
Now you know why you should care to know how to measure the volume of a backpack, right? Order the backpack that fits your needs and enjoy the trip!