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Backpack vs Knapsack - What's the difference?

backpack | knapsack |

Knapsack is a synonym of backpack.



As nouns the difference between backpack and knapsack

is that backpack is a knapsack, sometimes mounted on a light frame, but always supported by straps, worn on a person’s back for the purpose of carrying things, especially when hiking, or on a student's back when carrying books while knapsack is a case of canvas or leather, for carrying items on the back.

As verbs the difference between backpack and knapsack

is that backpack is to hike and camp overnight in backcountry with one's gear carried in a backpack while knapsack is to go hiking while burdened with a knapsack, usually overnight (or longer..

backpack

Noun

(en noun)
  • A knapsack, sometimes mounted on a light frame, but always supported by straps, worn on a person’s back for the purpose of carrying things, especially when hiking]], or on a student's back when [[carry, carrying books.
  • A similarly placed item containing a parachute or other life-support equipment.
  • Synonyms

    * back pack * haversack * knapsack (US ) * packsack * rucksack

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To hike and camp overnight in backcountry with one's gear carried in a backpack.
  • To engage in low-cost, generally urban, travel with minimal luggage and frugal accommodations.
  • To place or carry (an item or items) in a backpack.
  • Derived terms

    * backpacker * backpacking

    knapsack

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (US) A case of canvas or leather, for carrying items on the back.
  • (cryptography) A set of values from which a subset is chosen.
  • Synonyms

    * rucksack * backpack

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To go hiking while burdened with a knapsack, usually overnight (or longer.)
  • My sleeping bag fell off my backpack into the water, while we were knapsacking up the mountain.

    Synonyms

    * backpack

    See also

    * backpacking * camping * hiking