Travel backpack

wingman44115

wingman44115

wingman44115

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Joined
18 Jun 2013
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183
Hey,

I know a lot of people on this forum have been traveling so looking for some advice, Im going away for a 3 week trip in May on a california road trip, then looking to do 3 month south amaerica in jan15 and 3 months south africa in Sept15. So looking for a bag that will cover all these trips and more, so far im down to 3 choices and wanted to see if anyone has any experiance on these?

1, Osprey waypoint 85 - Seems well made and could take everything i need but maybe a little two big?
2, Osprey farpoint 70 - not sure if as well made as the waypoint? will 70L be to small?
3, north face or mountain equipment 90L duffle bag, cheaper, simple. not sure if theres a big diffrance between the north face or mountain equipment versions?

any imput would be great.
 
I know that Osprey are supposed to be the pinnacle of rucksacks, so I'm sure they'd be great. As for size, I'd say the 70L, as any bigger and it gets ridiculous, so just wash your clothes often and be picky with what you take!
 
are you actually going to be walking/camping with it or is it something you're going to load onto a busses, trains, taxis and leave in your hostel etc...

if the latter then it really doesn't matter too much and a big duffel bag + decent day sack would do the trick
 
As above? How much walking are you doing? In South America and California are you going anywhere really cold?

If you're doing lots of moving around and not going to places that are too cold then a one of Ospreys 50L backpacks will do! Travel light is going to be a lot nicer than having 10 pairs of clothes and a massive heavy backpack.

If you're not moving around much then a NF Medium duffel would be a nice idea. The NF ones are twice the price of the ME but they have proper rucksack straps rather than a single over the shoulder strap that the ME have. I have a Medium NF duffel and love it. Not as good as a proper rucksack if you're moving around a lot but for occasional moves and wandering around for an hour or so with it on your back the straps make it a breeze to carry.

EDIT: Medium is the 70L one. Fits 3 weeks of clothing and general trip stuff, small tent and sleeping bag/thermarest, tripod and walking boots. Generally that puts it at 17-20kg.
 
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If you're going to South Africa, I suggest you pick something that looks ratty and worn. You need to look poor, or you will be robbed.

//That's a completely different thread really, just a heads up.
 
wingman44115 said:
Does anyone have any experance with the Vango Freedom 60+20L Travel Bag?
Click to expand...
Surprisingly, I do have that backpack - or at least the version from 2009 or thereabouts. I spent four weeks in Thailand and it was a perfectly good backpack for the amount I paid for it. The extra laundry compartment at the bottom was useful for those times I couldn't be bothered to get stuff cleaned.

The only downside was that the daypack was much smaller than I thought it would be (I'm quite large, so it looked ludicrously small on me too), but it was enough for me to carry a netbook, camera, books, phone, snacks, assorted chargers, etc...
 
Pookie Bear said:
Surprisingly, I do have that backpack - or at least the version from 2009 or thereabouts. I spent four weeks in Thailand and it was a perfectly good backpack for the amount I paid for it. The extra laundry compartment at the bottom was useful for those times I couldn't be bothered to get stuff cleaned.

The only downside was that the daypack was much smaller than I thought it would be (I'm quite large, so it looked ludicrously small on me too), but it was enough for me to carry a netbook, camera, books, phone, snacks, assorted chargers, etc...
Click to expand...

Thanks, the daypack says 20l so is larger than most of the travelpacks ive seen?

Undecided between that and the Osprey 70+15
 
I won't recommend a brand but I would 100% recommend a style.

Buy a bag that opens down the sides like a suitcase. I had a bag that was only top opening, and it was a nightmare. Having to get something you wanted at the bottom meant removing the whole content, and inevitably it became a mess.

PfWe9NF.jpg


See how this opens with zips in a big U shape. Get this, roll all your stuff up and place it in like a lunchbox. So simple and easy to get stuff.
 
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I am thinking of buying the Farpoint 40 for travel on luggage and travelling locally when i need to.

Do you know what the difference is between the s/m and m/l . I understand what it might stand for but what does it mean if they are both 40l but different sizes. Is it one for tall people and one for short people or something?

Also any other suggestions for a 40l or less bag?
 
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