ASTM F2153-07(2018)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measurement of Backpack Capacity
Standard Test Method for Measurement of Backpack Capacity
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Many consumers use the capacity measurement as a key specification to determine the backpack size suitable for their requirements.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method determines and standardizes an unextended and extended capacity for backpacks and related bags. Related bags include lumbar packs, soft rucksacks, internal and external frame packs, duffel bags, and travel packs.
1.2 This test method is designed to provide a means whereby manufacturers and consumers may have a consistent means to compare pack volumes.
1.3 This test method does not take into consideration areas of the backpack that are not completely enclosed by fabric such as mesh pockets, water bottle holders, and compressor pockets.
1.4 For practical purposes this test method cannot be used to measure capacities less than 4 L.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Mar-2018
- Technical Committee
- F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
- Drafting Committee
- F08.22 - Camping Softgoods
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2018
Overview
ASTM F2153-07(2018) - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Backpack Capacity was developed by ASTM International to provide a universal, reproducible procedure for determining and comparing the internal volume of backpacks and related bags. This standard is significant in the outdoor, travel, and sporting goods industries, offering a standardized measurement method so that manufacturers and consumers can make direct and consistent volume comparisons between pack products. ASTM F2153 applies to a range of pack types, including internal and external frame backpacks, lumbar packs, rucksacks, duffel bags, and travel packs.
Key Topics
- Standardization of Capacity Measurement: Establishes a consistent way to define, measure, and report the volume of all enclosed compartments in a backpack.
- Types of Bags Covered: Includes backpacks, soft rucksacks, internal/external frame packs, lumbar packs, duffel bags, and travel packs.
- Defined Terms:
- Unextended capacity: The volume including all compartments with extensions closed.
- Extended capacity: The volume with all compartments and extensions maximized.
- Test Method Overview:
- Packs are filled with standardized 20-mm plastic balls to their fullest usable volume (extended), then reduced to unextended volume.
- The contents are transferred to and measured in a rigid, calibrated cylinder.
- The method does not account for areas not fully enclosed by fabric, such as mesh pockets or exterior bottle holders.
- Not recommended for capacities below 4 liters.
- Scope Limitations: Safety, health, and environmental concerns are outside the scope; users must determine regulatory compliance for their own scenarios.
Applications
- Outdoor Equipment Industry: Manufacturers can objectively compare and advertise the pack volume of backpacks, duffels, and related products.
- Consumer Purchasing: Enables buyers to make informed decisions based on consistent and reliable capacity data, helping select the optimal bag size for hiking, camping, travel, or daily use.
- Product Testing and Development: Provides a testing framework for R&D departments in outdoor and sporting goods companies to benchmark and refine bag designs.
- Retail and E-Commerce: Retailers and online platforms can list standard capacity figures, enhancing transparency and comparability across brands and product lines.
- Quality Control & Certification: Ensures that the stated capacity specification aligns with international best practices, which can assist in meeting marketplace and regulatory requirements.
Related Standards
- ISO Standards on Luggage and Bags: For additional measurement and quality benchmarks relevant to the global market.
- ASTM F08 Committee Standards: Standards focused on sports equipment and outdoor gear, contributing to the overall quality and safety of consumer products.
- WTO TBT Principles: This standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized standardization principles established by the World Trade Organization's Technical Barriers to Trade Committee.
Practical Value
Using ASTM F2153-07(2018) ensures that backpack capacity measurements are trustworthy, verifiable, and comparable worldwide. Adopting this standard benefits both manufacturers seeking to communicate product features accurately and consumers who rely on clear specifications to choose the right gear. Its implementation supports product integrity, market competition, and customer satisfaction in the outdoor and travel goods sectors.
Keywords: backpack capacity, measurement standard, ASTM F2153, pack volume, outdoor equipment, duffel bag capacity, consumer information, standard test method, luggage volume, internal and external frame packs
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM F2153-07(2018) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Test Method for Measurement of Backpack Capacity". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 Many consumers use the capacity measurement as a key specification to determine the backpack size suitable for their requirements. SCOPE 1.1 This test method determines and standardizes an unextended and extended capacity for backpacks and related bags. Related bags include lumbar packs, soft rucksacks, internal and external frame packs, duffel bags, and travel packs. 1.2 This test method is designed to provide a means whereby manufacturers and consumers may have a consistent means to compare pack volumes. 1.3 This test method does not take into consideration areas of the backpack that are not completely enclosed by fabric such as mesh pockets, water bottle holders, and compressor pockets. 1.4 For practical purposes this test method cannot be used to measure capacities less than 4 L. 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 Many consumers use the capacity measurement as a key specification to determine the backpack size suitable for their requirements. SCOPE 1.1 This test method determines and standardizes an unextended and extended capacity for backpacks and related bags. Related bags include lumbar packs, soft rucksacks, internal and external frame packs, duffel bags, and travel packs. 1.2 This test method is designed to provide a means whereby manufacturers and consumers may have a consistent means to compare pack volumes. 1.3 This test method does not take into consideration areas of the backpack that are not completely enclosed by fabric such as mesh pockets, water bottle holders, and compressor pockets. 1.4 For practical purposes this test method cannot be used to measure capacities less than 4 L. 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM F2153-07(2018) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 59.080.40 - Coated fabrics; 59.140.35 - Leather products. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM F2153-07(2018) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM F2153-07(2012). Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM F2153-07(2018) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2153 − 07 (Reapproved 2018) An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Backpack Capacity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2153; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope maximized to their largest usable volume.
2.1.4.1 full for panel loaded: Zipped shut and all expansion
1.1 This test method determines and standardizes an unex-
panels open. When placed on a person the pack looks usable
tended and extended capacity for backpacks and related bags.
andthetoppocketappearslevelorinalignmentwithrestofthe
Relatedbagsincludelumbarpacks,softrucksacks,internaland
pack style (that is, not tipped forward or back excessively).
external frame packs, duffel bags, and travel packs.
2.1.4.2 full for top loader: 12 in. maximum opening of
1.2 This test method is designed to provide a means
extension collar draw cord, with pack body draw cord com-
whereby manufacturers and consumers may have a consistent
pletely open. When placed on a person the pack looks usable
means to compare pack volumes.
andthetoppocketappearslevelorinalignmentwithrestofthe
1.3 This test method does not take into consideration areas
pack style (that is, not tipped forward or back excessively).
ofthebackpackthatarenotcompletelyenclosedbyfabricsuch
2.1.4.3 roll top: In accordance with the manufacturer’s
as mesh pockets, water bottle holders, and compressor pockets.
design with all extension panels open.
1.4 Forpracticalpurposesthistestmethodcannotbeusedto
2.1.5 extension skirt, n—fabric extension which is attached
measure capacities less than 4 L.
to the top of the pack body and extends over and above the
actual pack body.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2.1.6 external frame pack, n—backpack that uses a rigid or
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
semirigid frame on the outside of the pack bag.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
2.1.7 frame sheet, n—sheetgenerallyconstructedoffoamor
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
polyethylene, which forms the support in the back of the
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
backpack.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
2.1.8 internal frame pack, n—backpack that uses one or
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
more supports, or stays, made from a rigid or semirigid
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
material, and incorporated into the inside of the backpack
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
(usually made of aluminum, graphite, or carbon-fiber).
2. Terminology
2.1.9 lumbar pack, n—backpack that is designed to fit in the
small of the back. Many lumbar packs do not have shoulder
2.1 Definitions:
straps.
2.1.1 backpack, n—any carrying device constructed of fab-
ric that utilizes a single or double shoulder strap as the means
2.1.10 soft rucksack, n—backpack that does not have a rigid
for the wearer to carry the bag on the users back.
frameandisgenerallyofsmallersize.Thisbackpackmayhave
2.1.2 backpack back, n—part of the backpack that is against a back constructed of foam, or a light frame sheet.
the user’s back.
2.1.11 unextended backpack capacity, n—maximum achiev-
2.1.3 backpack front, n—part of the backpack that is away
able volume of a backpack including all compartments maxi-
from the user’s back.
mized to their largest usable volume. All extensions closed.
2.1.4 extended capacity, n—maximum achievable volume 2.1.11.1 full for panel loaded: Zipped shut. When placed on
of a backpack including all compartments and extensions a person the pack looks usable and the top pocket appears level
or in alignment with rest of the pack style (that is, not tipped
forward or back excessively).
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
2.1.11.2 full for top loader: 12 in. maximum opening of
Subcommittee F08.22 on Camping Softgoods.
pack body draw cord. When placed on a person the pack looks
Current edition approved April 1, 2018. Published May 2018. Originally
usable and the top pocket appears level or in alignment with
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as F2153 – 07 (2012).
DOI: 10.1520/F2153-07R18. rest of the pack style (that is, not tipped forward or back
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2153 − 07 (2018)
excessively).
2.1.11.3 roll top: In accordance with the manufacturer’s
design.
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 Determining Backpack Capacity—All compartments
(including main pack body, top pocket, ex
...




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