What your backpack says about your personality

TOAnother year, another chance to dig into the details of backpacking gear! This time, I’m getting very scientific: I bet I can guess your personality traits based on which package you use.

As? Just like I know everyone who wears Hammock Gear quilts is a water sign, every hiker wearing the HMG CrossPeak 2 is in a high tax bracket, and every hiker wearing Sambob joggers is cool. I don’t make the rules, I just let you know what they are.

Let’s dive in.

What your backpacking backpack says about you

Osprey

You are the experienced and trusted friend of the trail. Contrary to the ultralight snobs who assume this is your first time on the trail, you’ve been backpacking for years and know enough about what you like to carry to stay comfortable.

Sure, your backpack is a little heavier than those around you, but you know it’s bomb-proof and you appreciate hot dinners thanks to your full cooking system, restful nights thanks to your inflatable pillow, and the peace of mind that comes with carrying a little extra food. You’re the first to offer a spare candy or extra bandage to the hikers around you, and you just don’t get the ultralight hype.

Hyperlite mountain equipment

You’ve read every gear review online and consider yourself an expert minimalist. Your gear is a curated collection of monochrome Dyneema, but you’ll never be caught without a brewed coffee. You really think your base weight is too low (but we’re not counting your three pounds of camera and photography supplies).

You are efficient, disciplined and probably a little quiet, preferring to walk in smaller groups or alone. You’re here to hike big miles and every ounce of gear you lose along the way is just an added bonus.

You choose your equipment based on these criteria: First, weight. Secondly, aesthetic (must stay within the decided color scheme!!). Third, function. I guess it’s a good thing that HMG’s all-white and all-black backpacks are super functional.

Zpacks

You’re the original ultralight guru and you’ve got the spreadsheets to prove it. You’ve been preaching the gospel of ultralights since before they were cool, and you have a lot of strong opinions on specific features of your gear. You are a fast and efficient hiker, and always end the day with a comfortable campsite; Don’t worry, your spreadsheets account for the camp shoes and pillow.

“Walk your own hike” is a phrase you’ve probably heard and certainly love saying, but not as much as you love secretly judging other people’s gear and route options behind their backs. Alright! It’s hard to plan so much and try to rationalize why not everyone makes the same decisions you do. I’m not judging you for that.

Symbiosis team

Exactly how many years have you been a member of r/ultralight on Reddit? Five? Further?

You’re incredibly connected to social media and probably heard about Symbiosis Gear from a Reddit post, YouTube video, or Instagram reel. You’re probably also a woman who has looked through a few other packs and never found one that fits.

Let’s skip over that moment when you briefly considered being in a cold bath and focus on your favorite luxury item. Tell me, how do those sweatpants fit in your 38 liter backpack?

LiteAF

You are a bit nonconformist and rebellious. You’re not afraid to be different and probably have some controversial opinions about what constitutes «ultralight.» You’re a no-nonsense hiker who just wants to get the job done. You don’t have many luxuries, but you are a force of nature on the road. You are efficient, disciplined and probably a bit of a loner. You love a good challenge and are not afraid to push your limits.

You are a fan of bold and extravagant colors; Every piece of equipment and clothing you walk around in is loud and jarring.

Photo via @k80.trail

Durston

You are a minimalist who loves value for money and innovation. Oh, how you love innovation.

Before purchasing the backpack, he researched the geometry, fabric tension, structural integrity, and listened to all of Dan Durston’s interviews explaining what makes his backpack so different. Of course, since you also use the Durston

You’re probably part of the Facebook group dedicated exclusively to this brand, where you passionately debate the merits of X-Pac versus polyester and have a special connection to the color Sage Green. If someone asks you about your tent, you’ll give them a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation on displaced poles and wind deflection, and you’ll be willing to overlook the extra grams to stick your Durston sticker somewhere on your rig.

Finally, you probably came from a stable job before the trip and you may already have employment plans prepared for afterward. Perfectly pragmatic.

gauze gear

Your search history reads: Best budget ultralight tent for hikers. The best budget ultralight pack for hikers. Best budget ultralight quilt for hikers. You may recognize the CleverHikers, Gear Lab, and The Trek colorways at a glance after all the reviews you’ve been reading.

I feel like you’re about to embark on your biggest adventure yet and you already have very strong opinions on the gear you haven’t used yet. What you’re probably looking forward to most is the tram you’ll take along the way.

Photo via @k80.trail

ULA

You’re trail royalty, but in a «I drive a 2005 Subaru with 300,000 miles» kind of way. You didn’t choose your package to be eye-catching or unique; You chose it because a guy named «Gator» who went up the PCT in 2014 told you it was the only pack that wouldn’t blow you up.

You’re practical, very modest, and probably carry Altra Olympus that you should have thrown away 400 miles ago. When it comes to a backpack, the only thing you care about is whether it can hold a can of bear and tortillas for three days without breaking your collarbone. No one has ever heard you give unsolicited gear advice, and you even manage to keep your mouth shut while Ultralight Bro belittles your gear options (your pack is 15 ounces lighter than his).

exotic pax

You’re a bit of a wild card, aren’t you? You like your gear like you like your coffee: handmade in small batches in a place most people can’t find on a map (Chama, NM, baby!).

You’re not afraid to be different and you definitely really appreciate unique color combinations and designs that scream «I’m an individual!» When someone compliments your backpack, your first response is «Thank you! Look at the fabric on the inside pockets!»

You found your backpack very useful on your CDT tour, so why would you want to change it now? Enjoy running your first ultra without training after your next hike.

Photo via @k80.trail

to close it

To be fair, it doesn’t really matter if you’re hauling a four-pound Osprey or a clear Dyneema garbage bag that costs more than my rent. The mountains don’t care! We all walk far to eat ramen in different zip codes.

What packages did I forget? Tell me below!

Cover image: Photo via @k80.trail; graphic design by Zack Goldman.