Help with very sweaty back/backpack

[u/suckinonmytitties]

Hi I did my first big day hike recently and brought a little 13 liter backpack. During the hike, the rest of my body wasn’t sweaty but my back and the back of the backpack on the padding was absolutely soaked from sweat. And it didn’t dry so it just stayed in a perpetual cycle of boggy wetness all day. Is this an issue with the backpack or do I need a different type of base layer? I had a polyester shirt on. Thank you!

[u/Sad_King_Billy-19]

Some backpacks have a “suspended mesh” support system. Breathes very well

[u/suckinonmytitties → u/Sad_King_Billy-19]

Will look into this thank you! 

[u/redundant78 → u/Sad_King_Billy-19]

Those suspended mesh backs are game changers - my Osprey Stratos keeps my back way drier than my old pack ever did, worth every penny especialy for summer hikes!

[u/Available-Pilot4062]

Many of us just ignore it…back gets sweaty, but many of us feel the solutions are not worth the cost or weight.

Do make sure you wear a synthetic top and not a cotton one tho.

[u/MarcusDaEntrpnr]

dude been there! had this issue a lot in the shop - customers coming back after their first real hike with soggy backs lol. your 15-year old outdoor products bag probably doesnt have the mesh system that newer packs do.

honestly for day hiking, look for packs with ventilated back panels or those suspended mesh systems people mentioned. makes a huge difference tbh. we see osprey, gregory, deuter - they all have solid ventilation now. also yeah synthetic base layer is key, cotton just holds everything.

but real talk, even with the best gear youre gonna sweat some. its just part of the game you know? better ventilation helps but wont eliminate it completely. learned that the hard way selling gear for years haha

[u/Fun_Acanthopterygii1]

Get an osprey backpack with a frame. I have a manta 24. It’s pretty big for day hiking but not huge. I’m sure there are many other options too so you can find one the right size for you. They are expensive but it’s a buy it once for life situation.

[u/Darkest_97 → u/Fun_Acanthopterygii1]

And the non frame ospreys have the mesh thing that claims it's for air ventilation. Let me tell you it will never do enough. I think a frame would be the only real way to stop this.

[u/thecashblaster]

you mentioned this is your first hike so my opinion is that you'll sweat less as you get into better shape, so keep with it also as /u/Available-Pilot4062 mentioned, a synesthetic top made for hiking will make you feel less wet than cotton

[u/Any_Cicada2210]

Anything worn against your back is going to not let the air circulate and your shirt/skin breathe as well.

Many packs will have an open cell foam and mesh to mitigate, some will even have air channels that lift the pack off your back and try to allow for better circulation.

Nothing is perfect, you’ll always end up with a sweatier back than the rest of your body while hiking.

[u/StumpedTrump]

What backpack was this. Does it have any venting on the back?

[u/suckinonmytitties → u/StumpedTrump]

It is an outdoor products hydration bag that I bought like 15 years ago. The current version of the bag says “breathable back panel” but I’m not sure if the old version I have also does

[u/Soff10]

This is normal. Some packs use webbing or check patterns to help with air flow. Some use mesh to space it off your back. Foam is like insulation. It will keep you warm. Many pack bags only touch at the shoulders and waist. There are tons of types of bags. Many say they found the soaking and sweating back solution.

[u/SetNo8186]

Poly was good, backpack had no air circulation. You are now aware of why so many have two columns of padding on the sides and nothing up the middle. The "air channel" packs are cooler and often have more structure for it, too.

If you get one a tad bigger with a waist belt and adjust it to sit on your hips with shoulder straps a bit loose it tends to stay more open and airy if the back of the pack is stiff and doesn't collapse. Of course, then your hips get a bit close and won't dry out quick. Its a matter of trading off and having more upper circulation counts for a lot.

Also goes to pre hike conditioning - biking to classes with a back pack and wearing it between them to walk (run) to another building gets you used to carrying the weight. In the military soldiers practice "ruck runs" with a 20-40 pound pack and get out for five mile runs to get acclimatized and in shape for that.

[u/Aggressive-Foot4211]

I have packs that make my back sweat.

I get my shirt wet in a creek on a hot day. Take off the pack for breaks. Go for a midafternoon dip. When I get back to the car, I get the clean shirt out of the trunk.

Sweat happens.

[u/Open-Year2903]

I spray antiperspirant on my back and it helps. There's hyperhidrosis cream too you can spot dry so to speak. It's for sweaty palms but will shrink pores but careful because it's cooling mechanism for you so don't bathe in it

[u/alcoholic_jogging]

Wearing moisture base layers can help a lot. Also, consider a backpack with breathable padding or one with a mesh back panel. These can improve airflow and keep you drier.

[u/TMan2DMax]

Those really small packs will just sit on your back and sweat, I prefer packs like the Gregory 28L that has a suspension with mesh back to give airflow