On a long journey, you can almost always sacrifice comfort in the name of savings. But not when it comes to footwear and the backpack.

Your backpack has to fit like a soft, silky glove. And just like footwear, it is madness to buy one before trying, preferably, many others.

The best way to find a good pack is to enlist the help of an experienced salesperson in a specialized store. More than anyone else, he can recommend the ideal model for your frame and your needs.

It’s crucial that the bag you try on is filled with a heavy filling, not just crunched-up sleeping bags. Every backpack is comfortable when empty. And know that some brands make women’s and men’s models in a range of sizes. For petite ladies like myself, this detail makes a world of difference.

The moment I put on my Gregory Jade 50 it was almost like an episode of “Say Yes to the Dress”, a reality show where brides scour the earth for the idea wedding gown.

My face lit up, my heart hit the gas, and, if my mother was with me, I wold have likely let a few tears loose. I could hardly feel that I had nearly 10 kg on my shoulders. The straps hugged my back on the right spots. It was adjusted, straight, perfect.

It could easily be expanded or compacted according to the cargo. An air circulation system kept the bag slightly removed form my lower back to avoid a sweaty soaking. I knew that with this pack I could walk for hours, anywhere, without cursing the tourism gods.

Armed with the name, model, and size of my ideal pack, I went on Trailspace, a website that aggregates reviews from several sites that deal with outdoor equipment. Just to be sure that the little thing really was all that. You can also compare prices from several different online stores.

I ended up buying it on Rockcreek and saved nearly $70 compared to a retailer in Montreal that sold the same bag.

It’s also worth taking a peek on Ebay, craigslist or your local classifieds before swiping the credit card.

In a future post, I’ll share what I learned about another travel essential: shoes.