By Lauren Juliff
If you're setting off on a big adventure, you'll know how important your backpack is -- it's arguably the most important item you're going to purchase. And the most expensive.
When
you're splashing out so much money on one item, you're going to want to
take as good care of it as possible. The last thing you want is to
spend all of that money and end up with a broken pack after six months!
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to prolong the life of your
backpack.
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Don't Overstuff Your Backpack
I'm a huge proponent of packing light,
and one of the advantages of doing so is that it reduces strain on your
zippers -- one of the first places to fail after time. If you don't
overstuff your backpack so much that it's a struggle to keep it closed,
you'll find your backpack will last for several years longer. And, after
all, a backpack is a huge investment -- you don't want it to fall apart
after a year of use!
Additionally, carrying as much weight as
you can possibly fit in your backpack causes an added strain to the
straps while you're carrying it around.
Your backpack has likely been designed for a
maximum weight, and you don't want to get anywhere near it -- the last
thing you need is for a strap to fall off while you're lost in an
unfamiliar city.
[post_ads]Clean Out Your Pack Between Trips
It's
not just about making it look nice -- it's about washing off the dirt
and dust and sweat that will have worked its way into the fabric while
you were traveling the world. This may not cause your backpack to fall
apart, but if it starts smelling like a gym locker, you're not going to
want to take it on your next trip with you!
Don't put it in a
washing machine or tumble dryer to clean it, as this will most likely
damage the backpack. Instead use some warm water and a mild soap, dampen
a cloth, and wipe all over, paying particular attention to the zippers
-- you don't want those to fail!
Buy a Protective Cover for Plane Journeys
The
place where your backpack is most likely to be damaged is in an
airport. There, baggage handlers will be chucking it on and off planes,
people will be dragging it across floors, bags will be falling on top of
it -- yet another reason to travel carry on, I guess!
If
you don't travel carry-on only, then it's a good idea to pick up a
protective cover for your backpack for when it's traveling through
airports and in buses. You can pick these up quite cheaply, and they'll
keep your straps away from danger as well as keeping your bag clean.
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Keep Your Straps Tied Up
On
that note, you should tie the straps of your backpack together during a
travel day (although not while you're wearing your backpack!), to keep
them out of the way. When you check in for a flight, make sure to tie
all opposing straps together. This will help prevent them getting
snagged on something and getting torn off -- a backpack doesn't function
very well without straps!
