Backpacks...

[Applette]

I thought I'd start a "travel gear" thread...and what better piece to start with than backpacks? 

I'm in the market for a new backpack as mine should be retired after a decade of faithful service. I've been shopping around, and frankly, it's a jungle out there when it comes to backpacks.

Wondering what all you backpackers are using out there, what you recommend/not recommend. What's your preferred brand, size, style (top loading alpine pack or convertible travelpack), etc.? Do you find daypacks that attach to the main pack useful or just a pain in the b**t?

Personally, I'm looking to downsize to a 45 to 50 litre pack. My current one is 60 litres which I find a tad heavy when it's fully loaded. I'm only 5'3" so fit is important. Some of the packs designed for women seem nice, but I've tried a few on and don't necessarily fit better than the "unisex" ones.

Thoughts? Opinions?

[Greg]

Hey Applette,

I prefer Gregory (no, not because its my name!) brand packs, have had 2 that I put through the paces and amazingly not a single stitch, zipper, or strap has broken on them yet. Unfortunately, they are a little pricey compared to some. Without a doubt, I have had my worst experiences with North Face. Have heard the same from other travelers as well.

Mine is a 55 litre, but I would go smaller as well. It encourages you to pack less (and buy less) which is a good thing.

In my opinion, the detachable daybags suck. I hate the one on my Gregory, never use it. I bought a cheap, soft sided regular "school style" backpack that scrunches up enough to fit down inside of my big pack...that way I only have 1 bag to carry, works great!

The most important part of a rucksack, would obviously be the straps. They are the number one thing likely to fail, followed close by the zippers. Those are the two parts that I scrutinize the most when picking one. Also, I go for the less bright, less flashy colors....no need in screaming for attention in some places.

If you find one that you want, but can't spend the money, check on Ebay for it...there are lots of used backpacks that are nicely broken in and still work fine. I've got some links on this page, if you go through them it helps keep this site alive!  http://www.startbackpacking.com/trip-purchases-10.html

Good luck, looking forward to hearing what you end up with!

[Applette]

Ohhhh Greg's got a Gregory! 

Totally agree with you on checking the strength/quality of the straps and zippers. I had the zipper break on mine at the end of my Egypt trip. Though after 10 years of use, something's going to give. Had to use plastic tie straps to keep it shut for trip home.

I'm looking at buying another convertible travel pack where the suspension can be tucked away when you don't need it. Though at this point, my main concern is comfort which isn't easy to find in a convertible travelpack.

Two of the brands I'm considering at the moment are Osprey and MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op). MEC's advantage is that most of their packs are very good value. Just noticed that MEC stores carry Gregory backpacks as well. I'll have to take a closer look at those next time I'm in one of their stores. I've heard the same as you about North Face, not necessarily worth the $$. Osprey is the pricier option and not too many stores in Canada carry the brand, so it's difficult to compare.

Eagle Creek was another brand I considered, though I find they're too bulky, even the smaller ones tend to stick out. However, I do use an Eagle Creek messenger bag as a daybag which I like better than a small backpack.

Not sure when or where my next trip will be, but shopping around for a new pack helps to keep the dream alive, stoke the wanderlust a bit until I do take off again. 




 

[Anna]

I'll be shopping for my backpack really soon... in your opinion, what's the best size for an 18 year old 1 year traveller? 30 L? 40 L?

[Simon]

My girlfriend bought a Lowe Alpine 35l, and I think that's the backpack you should go for. It may sound a bit small, but belive me anything that doesn't fit in there, you should leave behind.
I have a Quechua 65 l and it's way too big.

[Applette]

Yeah, smaller is definitely better!

Fit is important as well...and it what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another. Most shops will allow customers to "try on" their packs and even provide weighted "stuffing" to pack them with giving a better idea of how the pack feels and fits when fully loaded.

[Anna]

I just got a 45 L (after returning the 75 L my dad bought me) and I'm still getting used to the idea that it will be my home for a year!

[Greg]

Bravo for choosing a smallish pack!

Yes, it will be your home, your pillow, your seat, and your best friend (always near) for a year....  

One thing that really stuck with me after my first experience of living out of a backpack is how little that we really need in life to be happy - in this case, only 45L worth of stuff! 

[Vagabond Vince]

I'm a novice here... but I've seen some people recommend the deuter futura 28 backpack for ultra light backpacking. It's only 1700 cubic inches (about 27 liters) so it's really small.  so far i've had success stuffing everything in there, even my shoes.  If I don't stuff my shoes in there I have extra room too.  Some more experienced backpackers recommended the deuter brand to me in an adventure store in souther california.  they said it's a german company that's very well known in europe.  they make bigger packs too.

[Applette]

I'd love to fit all my "stuff" into a 28L bag *sigh*...maybe someday  .

I've heard good things about Deuter pack as well. A German I met in Egypt was using a Deuter alpine pack as his main pack and he was very happy with it.

I'm still in the shopping around phase for a new pack myself. It's been narrowed down to this 48L pack...

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442418947&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302700149&bmUID=1219353711965

....I just have to get down to the store which is a couple of hours drive away to try one on. I've got a short torso and even the small might be a tad long. MEC Brio packs are very popular here in Canada and I figure it's worth a try. Certainly can't beat the $99 price tag. 

[Vagabond Vince]

darn it, 28L is too good to be true

 

i may need to upgrade my pack to a bigger one... i figure i'll be wearing flip flops most of hte time so i'll have to pack up my shoes.  everything fits in my deuter, but if i stick the shoes in there it fills up to 100% capacity which based on the experience of people here isn't a good idea.

i might need to get something bigger, like an osprey stratos 40 so i have extra room for whatever i may pick up.  are 40 liter backpacks allowed to be carry ons on planes, buses, etc?

[Applette]

I think with a 40 litre pack you should be fine. If it's not filled completely, you should be able to squeeze it down enough to carry-on most flights and maybe even some buses. Just make sure there are decent compression straps on the outside of the pack to "shrink it" when you need to......wearing your bulkiest,heaviest clothes should help keep down the weight of the bag.

Though,  a 40L pack can still be kind of long/tall which might not pass on some airlines. Seems that many airlines are putting very strict weight limits on carry-on baggage these days, so even a small pack, when fully loaded might have to be checked.

My experience with buses is that anything remotely large (+30 litres) has to go in the storage underneath or on the roof (depending on the type of bus).

That being said, I once sat next to a man on a bus in rural Crete who carried-on a large (definitely more than 40L) chicken cage which he kept on his lap (and part of my lap) for the entire ride.

[Greg]

Yep, you could always just wear them when you are moving between places and stick the flip-flops in the bag.
No matter what size you take, overpacking is the #1 thing that backpackers have problems with and complain about
on their trip - its unanimous....and somehow, don't ask me how, I always end up being guilty and wishing that I had
brought less!

Not sure on the airline requirements anymore, it seems they just keep getting stricter and stricter. Definitely true on the
buses though...the overhead is ridiculously narrow in China and SEA so it has to go underneath. 

[Nic]

I've just bought a 60L Overland BACHPACK.  Some of you have experienced this brand ? Is it a good choice for a 8 month SE Asia trip?

[Vagabond Vince]

I'm not familiar with the overland bachpack but based on what others have said it sounds like 60L should be more than enough for you.

I ended up getting an ospery kestrel 38 (in a ugly shade of green but that's all they had).  It's big enough to fit all my stuff and doesn't look as big as some of the 40L packs out there.  I'm hoping I won't run into too many issues bringing this on board planes, buses, etc.

the osprey kestrel 38 doesn't have the nice air comfort system that the deuter or even osprey stratos has, but it's got a nice built in raincover, an adjustable back, and a zipper at the bottom to access your things below.  It doesn't have a separator like most other sleeping bag sections though.  Hopefully it'll do.  It fits my shoes and all!  =)