My go to backpack is old, at least 18 years. It has a complete rubber bottom that reminds me of an athletic shoe sole and lots of pockets and loops to hang essentials. Sadly haven't really used it in the past 5 years. I just don't hike and camp like I used to.

I chose it because it was waterproof on bottom and can sit on it's own. Thinking was if it was wet ground but not raining, my stuff would stay dry. I also loved hanging my flashlight and water bottle on the loops.

Lucille, I have a very narrow pack I use almost all the time right now. It is like a camelbak, but is an off brand. I use it without the hydration bladder, when I go almost everywhere. I did also use it as a little back pack, when I went hiking in New Mexico with my daughter and family.

Mine has 3 zippered compartments. Very nice for organizing stuff. :)

Moni

PS, if I remember correct, I bought it at Aldi.

I bought the lightest one I could find, for dayhiking. No special features. It was inexpensive, from TJMaxx. Like PK, I haven't hiked in a couple years and miss it.

When on crutches, I used a backpack which looked more like a handbag. Trying to carry a purse and walk with crutches is too hard.

We have three. The lightest is one of those bags with string handles that are given away for free so often. I always carry it when walking the dogs. It holds my cellphone, a roll of doggie poo bags, and a plastic Folgers coffee canister to 'aroma seal' used poo bags until we get home. The second is a day-hiking bag with padded shoulder straps, water bottle patches on each side, and zippered compartments galore. It's heavy even when empty! Dear husband picked it out, so he usually carries it. We use it when taking longer hikes thru the woods to carry camera, snacks, sunscreen, etc. Finally, the third is an old, student backpack that has 2 un-padded shoulder straps and one big zippered compartment. I like it for trips to the library -- sturdy but simple.

I have a couple. One for lightweight day hikes around home and another that is dual purpose for travel/hiking. I selected both based on the way they fit around my shoulders and back. I didn't want anything that would chafe on longer hikes and fit properly on my upper back and wasn't dragged down putting weight on my shoulders. Another requirement was outside pockets that would hold at least 2 water bottles (refillable) and other items I could easily grab (like bear spray). When we travel to places where we will be hiking, I use the larger one as one of my carry-ons and have my wallet, sunglasses, ipad, etc in the back-pack.

Bear spray?

Are you referring to day hikes, or longer treks? On day hikes I use a lumbar pack--it is much easier for me to carry the weight there, than high on my back. If you aren't sure, it may be worth purchasing from REI for their great return policy, so you can try them out, and return if not to your liking.

If a bear was actually attacking me I would shoot it, not try to spray it with something that might 1) make it mad or 2) blow back on me.

I'm not criticizing those who choose to use it, just talking about my own approach.

My daughter and SIL love to hike so I got her one of these from the Container Store. It folds up into that front pouch when not in use. She said it comes in handy for other situations too, like traveling.

https://images.containerstore.com/catalogimages/277192/10067931StashItBackpackPedalPower_60.jpg?width=1200&height=1200&align=center

Lucille, since I started walking (Thanks again) I've carried a backpak. I needed something light just to hold my water, bottle, and phone. I found a cast off of one of the boys, its small, very lightweight and works fine for my needs, only problem is it has a huge Batman emblem on it. Haha.

Mampinky, we still have our son's old Ninja Turtles green backpack too :-)

We have lots of backpacks from a tiny one that I use as a purse sometimes to a full sized (holds your sleeping bag and tent) lumbar support backpack. I just talked about my favorite one.

We have very few bears in Texas and they are the small black bears that are timid of people. I just don't want to go somewhere that I'll potentially encounter a huge Grizzly. Scary animals.

If I had to be afraid of animals in Texas, rattlesnakes and alligators would probably top my list. Then I'd add sharks, javelinas and mountain lions because of the places I hang out.

We use regular school/work backpacks or the little packs with the drawstrings for short hikes. I'm not sure what to call the little drawstring packs, but we've been given several as freebie promotional items. They are really lightweight and probably only weigh a few ounces.