For scout use, these may roughly be divided into two types, small, unframed daypacks and large, framed packs. The latter is both the traditional and the ideal bag to transport kit to camps.

DAY PACK

Scouts need a small, unframed daypack for carrying a water bottle, lunch, cagoule etc. on activities such as day hikes. This is almost always unframed and is carried on the back using two shoulder straps. Even a light weight can feel heavy if the straps are unpadded and narrow, cutting into shoulders. Most families seem to have a usable daypack for this already, so these will not be discussed further here.

OTHER BAG STUFF

Whatever is the main bag at a camp, it is best to have everything in it sorted out into small bags - often plastic carrier bags. Socks in one, underwear in another. Even better, have colour-coded carrier bags.

Hopefully the bag will have side pockets, to store small items. They are also a good place to put straps and sleeping bag stuff bags that are not needed until the end of camp. Torches can also find a home there: easy to find at any time, but especially in the dark.

DIRTY CLOTHES

here should be a specific bag for dirty clothes, especially at longer camps. An old pillowcase is good for this, as it contains the clothes, but allows some air exchange!

FRAMED BACKPACK

This is used for carrying personal gear to camps, storing gear at camps, and of course, hike-camping (backpacking). Packs without a proper frame are not suitable for this.

Framed backpacks range in capacity from 30 to over 80 litres and the best size for scouts is probably 50 to 65 litres. It is better to aim to have a bit extra room in early years of camping, so that there will still be room for everything in later years. The difference in empty weight between a smaller and larger pack is very small.

All proper packs aim to transfer the weight of the load as painlessly as possible to the body, so that it can be carried easily, while in an upright posture, rather than bent under the strain. This is done by putting as much capacity as possible near the top, so that the shoulders are pulled back and the weight is directly down on the carrier's centre of gravity. A padded waist strap is a major help to load carrying and if adjusted properly transfers a proportion of the loaded pack's weight directly onto the hips. This feature is strongly recommended when the pack will be used while hiking. Another feature that makes load carrying easier is good padding in the straps, where they go over the shoulders. However, taping a piece of foam around unpadded straps can help.

Apart from load-bearing design, what are important features to look for when choosing a pack? First, the frame should hold the pack rigid against the back all the way up. Often frames are "internal", that is built into the fabric. Attention should be paid to how strong is the attachment of the frame to the bag, straps to frame, and also how the various pieces of the frame are attached to each other. The frame should be a good fit for the scout, both now and in a few years: many packs have the positioning of the straps adjustable for the carrier's height.

Almost all packs are now of man-made material, with varying degrees of strength and water resistance. For scout use, most materials used are probably adequate: gear can be put in plastic bags in the pack to ensure waterproofing. However, weak sowing will split apart if the pack is stuffed heavy and full.

The top flap should be big enough to cover the opening, even when the pack is very full. Pockets are useful and most packs have at least two side ones. There may also be ones on the top flap also, and the main pack may be divided into two compartments. Make sure that any pockets can close completely and that zips are going to stand some strain when the pocket is full.