backpacks - looking for recommendations
Mar 7, 2004 | 6:42 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: usually DCA
Posts: 1,839
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chalf:
I have a North Face backpack with a detachable day-pack. I forget the model name, but IIRC North Face only makes 1-2 styles in this product line. It served me very well for a month in SE Asia, and has worked on shorter weekend trips as well. With the daypak detached even fully loaded it will fit in the overhead on a 737, and it will hold an immense volume (too much, but that is a user problem, not a design fault). The straps can be hidden away, turning it into a normal duffel with a shoulder strap. The straps also have proper support and padding ,something I noticed was lacking on many products in this range (i.e. one would be in extreme pain after walking mroe than a short distance with a fully loaded pack on one's back). If you want something more towards the backpack end of the spectrum (instead of just more portable luggage), I highly recommend it.</font>
I have a North Face backpack with a detachable day-pack. I forget the model name, but IIRC North Face only makes 1-2 styles in this product line. It served me very well for a month in SE Asia, and has worked on shorter weekend trips as well. With the daypak detached even fully loaded it will fit in the overhead on a 737, and it will hold an immense volume (too much, but that is a user problem, not a design fault). The straps can be hidden away, turning it into a normal duffel with a shoulder strap. The straps also have proper support and padding ,something I noticed was lacking on many products in this range (i.e. one would be in extreme pain after walking mroe than a short distance with a fully loaded pack on one's back). If you want something more towards the backpack end of the spectrum (instead of just more portable luggage), I highly recommend it.</font>
Mar 7, 2004 | 7:25 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: PHL (and sometimes BKK)
Programs: aa/ua gold; mar titanium. SPG till I die.
Posts: 15,649
I'm a backpacker with a small kelty bag.
Do yourself a favor and buy a small one. I've seen people on their first days on RTW trips with huge backpacks and they're already complaining. It all depends what kinda backpacking, if you're camping more than larger is needed but if you're hostel/hoteling it, then I would opt small. A good collaspable one is what I have.
you'll thank yourself when you're wandering around some dusty town in India, Vietnam or China looking for one of the two cheap places to crash in town.
Another tip, since you'll probably gather up souviners, bring stuff you won't miss, so if you brought a shirt and buy a souviner one, toss an old one and just wear the new one. I do this all the time.
I did meet one guy who showed up in BKK with just the clothes on his back and a small backpack with necessities and bought everything there... He was also complaining about how heavy his bag was when I had met him. (met him in china)
Do yourself a favor and buy a small one. I've seen people on their first days on RTW trips with huge backpacks and they're already complaining. It all depends what kinda backpacking, if you're camping more than larger is needed but if you're hostel/hoteling it, then I would opt small. A good collaspable one is what I have.
you'll thank yourself when you're wandering around some dusty town in India, Vietnam or China looking for one of the two cheap places to crash in town.
Another tip, since you'll probably gather up souviners, bring stuff you won't miss, so if you brought a shirt and buy a souviner one, toss an old one and just wear the new one. I do this all the time.
I did meet one guy who showed up in BKK with just the clothes on his back and a small backpack with necessities and bought everything there... He was also complaining about how heavy his bag was when I had met him. (met him in china)
Mar 7, 2004 | 9:38 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greener Pastures
Posts: 10,515
North Face is great - I'll give them good marks. The link below has decent priced daypacks.
Editted to add - the paragraphs I wrote below have nothing to do with small carry-on backpacks - I didn't read the OP's whole post (attribute it to my laziness, I guess) - I thought they were talking about travel packs - my mistake. But I'm leaving it there because someone else might be interested & because it took me a while to write it
I've backpacked Europe twice, Thailand once, and travelled cross country twice with a Camp Trails Internal Frame pack (which I just checked out their website & it appears they no longer make internal framed bags) - it's a relatively generic brand, but it's **** good. I've had mine for about 11 years & it's gone through hell & back - it's been on buses, ferries, RJ's, turbo-props, big jet liners, canoes (it actually has been in the river once before canoeing Compton's Rapids on the Shenandoah River when we capsized), in trunks of cars & it's still sturdy & and comfortable as hell.
As someone who has been a budget traveler & backpacker (both in the travel & nature hiking sense of the word), make sure you get something that has an internal frame, is comfortable, has the ability to have the weight distributed evenly (i.e. pockets/compartments), is adjustable over time (I got mine when I was 13 for a Boy Scout weeklong backpacking trip & it's still workout great!), has easily accessible water pockets/clip loops.
Also, make sure you water proof the seams & spray the 3M water repellant stuff on it. Invest 5 bucks & purchase a large nylon laundry bag with a draw string or some other type of light-weight bag that your backpack can fit in. There's nothing worse than being in Italy and finding out your backpack's strap got caught in a conveyor belt & was now torn (didn't happen to me, happened to a traveling companion - I had a pack cover for that reason).
The more expensive a bag is, the more you'll worry about - just make sure your basic needs are met - the nice expensive North Face or Gregory packs are just that - expensive. If you want a decent price on good quality name brand outdoor gear, check out Campmor and click on the "Web Bargains" or
"Hot Deals" links and check out their internal frames.
[This message has been edited by bhatnasx (edited Mar 07, 2004).]
Editted to add - the paragraphs I wrote below have nothing to do with small carry-on backpacks - I didn't read the OP's whole post (attribute it to my laziness, I guess) - I thought they were talking about travel packs - my mistake. But I'm leaving it there because someone else might be interested & because it took me a while to write it
I've backpacked Europe twice, Thailand once, and travelled cross country twice with a Camp Trails Internal Frame pack (which I just checked out their website & it appears they no longer make internal framed bags) - it's a relatively generic brand, but it's **** good. I've had mine for about 11 years & it's gone through hell & back - it's been on buses, ferries, RJ's, turbo-props, big jet liners, canoes (it actually has been in the river once before canoeing Compton's Rapids on the Shenandoah River when we capsized), in trunks of cars & it's still sturdy & and comfortable as hell.
As someone who has been a budget traveler & backpacker (both in the travel & nature hiking sense of the word), make sure you get something that has an internal frame, is comfortable, has the ability to have the weight distributed evenly (i.e. pockets/compartments), is adjustable over time (I got mine when I was 13 for a Boy Scout weeklong backpacking trip & it's still workout great!), has easily accessible water pockets/clip loops.
Also, make sure you water proof the seams & spray the 3M water repellant stuff on it. Invest 5 bucks & purchase a large nylon laundry bag with a draw string or some other type of light-weight bag that your backpack can fit in. There's nothing worse than being in Italy and finding out your backpack's strap got caught in a conveyor belt & was now torn (didn't happen to me, happened to a traveling companion - I had a pack cover for that reason).
The more expensive a bag is, the more you'll worry about - just make sure your basic needs are met - the nice expensive North Face or Gregory packs are just that - expensive. If you want a decent price on good quality name brand outdoor gear, check out Campmor and click on the "Web Bargains" or
"Hot Deals" links and check out their internal frames.
[This message has been edited by bhatnasx (edited Mar 07, 2004).]
Mar 7, 2004 | 11:04 pm
#20
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Bang Saen, Chonburi, Thailand
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, IHG Plat, Aeroplan Silver
Posts: 109
I use a North Face Galileo (sp?) backpack with a detachable daypack. I am fully satisfied with the bag.
I've backpacked around Europe with other bags and this bag is like 5 times better.
I've used the bag in Central America/Mexico, Australia, Southeast Asia, and Africa (I move around a LOT when I travel, usually by ground transportation like crowded buses, etc).
The compression straps are a HUGE plus that every wilderness pack has but aren't always available in travel bags. It allows you to adjust the distribution of weight so that the core of the weight is closer to your back making it easy to shove in corners and comfortable to walk in.
The backpack also has built in zipper locks and a wire that goes through the frame for security when locking up your bag at the local hostel.
It comes in three sizes, but I have the medium one and I am satisfied. I ordered mine from moosejaw.com
Matt
I've backpacked around Europe with other bags and this bag is like 5 times better.
I've used the bag in Central America/Mexico, Australia, Southeast Asia, and Africa (I move around a LOT when I travel, usually by ground transportation like crowded buses, etc).
The compression straps are a HUGE plus that every wilderness pack has but aren't always available in travel bags. It allows you to adjust the distribution of weight so that the core of the weight is closer to your back making it easy to shove in corners and comfortable to walk in.
The backpack also has built in zipper locks and a wire that goes through the frame for security when locking up your bag at the local hostel.
It comes in three sizes, but I have the medium one and I am satisfied. I ordered mine from moosejaw.com
Matt
Mar 7, 2004 | 11:06 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Bang Saen, Chonburi, Thailand
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, IHG Plat, Aeroplan Silver
Posts: 109
Oh yah, the main difference between travel backpacks and wilderness backpacks is the ability to open up the bag and see all its contents. With a normal backpackers backpack, you have to take everything out to get to items on the bottom.
Mar 8, 2004 | 1:24 am
#22
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Southern California
Programs: Hertz 5 star, Priceline Hotel bidder. AA PLT, 1MM.
Posts: 2,910
I have two Rick Steves backpacks. One was bought around 1997 and the other last year. The newer one seems better, however the older one functions just fine.
Both times, I went to his store in Edmonds, WA (suburb of Seattle) to purchase his packs. For the pack bought last year, I was able to try on the pack that is filled with about 20 lbs of stuff.
I haven't tried out the Eagle Creek & other stuff. I am quite satisfied with both of my Rick Steves bag.
Both times, I went to his store in Edmonds, WA (suburb of Seattle) to purchase his packs. For the pack bought last year, I was able to try on the pack that is filled with about 20 lbs of stuff.
I haven't tried out the Eagle Creek & other stuff. I am quite satisfied with both of my Rick Steves bag.