What is a Rucksack? How is it different from a Backpack?
A Rucksack or a Backpack? How to tell the difference.
While you might be planning your next trip to your favorite location, you might certainly think of backpacking Europe, Switzerland, Netherlands, or any other country, you’d surely carry a backpack that probably looks larger than you. Some people might call it a rucksack while others know these big bags as backpacks. However, very few people know the fact that both are two different things with many unnoticed differences between the two.
To clear out the explanation regarding the difference between the two, a backpack is a large bag that can easily be carried around one’s back while tucking in the shoulder straps. Whereas a rucksack can also be carried but this is more commonly made through canvas material and its most common uses are in the military and also for outdoor recreation. Isn’t this explanation enough? This is because most present-day manufacturers make use of the term rucksacks and backpacks interchangeably in their product labeling, which isn’t helpful..!
What is a backpack?
Historically, backpacks have always been available with shoulder straps. These were much smaller in size and later on evolved to larger varieties available for the same. These were originally meant to be carried on a user’s back.
Both the terms rucksack and backpack are often interchanged, but typically these can be associated with their size. A backpack is small but a rucksack is a much larger compared to a backpack.
The use of backpacks is typically seen in the USA mainly for large packs of (50 liters and above capacity), serious hikers can also use these to carry large amounts of weight along the trail. In that context, having smaller packs of around (20-30 liters of capacity) are typically known as Daypacks (for carrying what is required for long day excursions). However, these are also available under the universal term of the backpack as well.
Although the production of these backpacks didn’t take place in America, people still associate the term to the U.S. Most often people think of a child’s school bag to be a backpack. However, looking at it in a broader way the backpack is mostly ideal for day trips and weekends. Backpacks are typically available with two shoulder straps. However, instead of having an ideal backpack, the shoulder straps can carry and handle any weights. Rather, the weight gets equally divided with the cushioned hip straps.
With proper wear, hip belts can simply transfer the backpack’s weight from the shoulders to hips. While this was letting you carry almost different loads with the biggest muscles of the body that are your legs. Although, your hip belt needs to be long for covering the front of hip bones but shouldn’t be at your waist. Backpacks are available in a lot of types, the most common ones being the Herschel, Tumi, and other tool backpacks. Check out my review of the best Herschel backpacks if you like this brand.
About Rucksacks
Coming to the rucksacks, these are basically the larger capacity ones you see around with most travelers. Rucksacks are moreover known to be the rugged versions of backpacks. To know more about the rucksack, it’s better to begin at the word’s origin. The word Rucksack originates from Germany as the meaning of the word ucken’ is Back and by ack’ we mean bag.
For a long time, the rucksack has been a large sized bag crafted through canvas clothing with the availability of spacious main compartment in addition to a few little storage compartments. The rucksacks have around one to two little pockets that are meant for gear storage and also for storing little apparels such as clips and belts. These pockets were also efficient for carrying canteens and sleeping bags.
Rucksacks have large main compartments that are accessible from the top and these are available with smaller pockets on outside front. Loops and belts meant for carrying canteens, sleeping bags and various other items on the bags outside are also available with the rucksack. In a way, we can say that a rucksack is basically a type of backpack only.
So this is simply a bag for your back. The main uses of rucksacks are for hiking, camping, trekking and long distance traveling as these come with a lot of belts and pockets that are required for packing a considerable amount of equipment. When comparing these with backpacks, rucksacks are also available with hip straps and most of them have chest straps as well.
Differentiating Rucksacks with backpacks
The definite differences between the two are that rucksack’s use can also be seen in different military applications. And “rucksacks” also have the main entryway at the top which would typically remain tied or would be cinched closed. With both rucksacks and backpacks, you get the convenience of carrying heavy clothing and equipment simply compared to handbags and bags adjusted in front. The decision of buying a backpack mostly depends on whether how much stuff you’ve got to carry for your next trip.
Thus, it seems that when thinking of traveling and adventure activities like backpacking, hiking or camping, there isn’t much contrast in how people perceive both of these terms and which ones they buy. In the United States, the most common term for any of these bags is the backpack, and it is mostly used to in terms of adventure and hiking gear but some people also call it a rucksack. Most people often use these terms interchangeably. However, we simply conclude that if you see a smaller one in the market it’s the backpack and the larger one with more pockets and belts is the rucksack. You can buy one according to the purpose.
Don’t forget…
I hope that you’ve found this review article on what is a rucksack informative. There are plenty more on similar topics across the site for you to check out including a review of backpacks for men, backpacks for kids, and if you like the premium stuff, leather backpacks for both him and her.
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