Backpack recommendations

Inquisitor

Inquisitor

Inquisitor

Soldato
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I'm looking for a reasonably sized bag for travelling/backpacking abroad. Ideally something that'll carry enough stuff for about 2 or 3 months of travelling around developing countries – probably 60-70 litres?

Does anyone have any suggestions? Any good brands or anything I should bear in mind while looking?
 
Depends on how light you are at packing. I would have thought closer to 80 litres would be more suitable but i am sure someone who has backpacked will know better than me! :p
 
Get yourself to your local Millets/Blacks or whatever outdoor shops you have and try out various backpacks for yourself. If you are going to be carrying it for an extended period of time there is little point going from someone elses opinion/experience. A pack which I, for example, to be excellent might not be comfortable for you or suit your needs.

When it comes to outdoor kit, there is still a lot to be said for trying before you buy. One piece of adivse I'll offer though, is to get all the things you'll need for the trip first, that way you will know exactly how big a pack you'll need. Nothing worse than spending money on a nice pack, only to find out down the line it's a nightmare to fit everything you need into it. Especially if you aren't in a position to take an extra "comfy bag" which you don't carry with you all the time, as it sounds like you wont be.
 
http://travelindependent.info/whattopack.htm ;)

Although 30L is a little extreme there is no reason to take something as big as 80L, something in the 45-50L size would probably be best.

I'm thinking of doing a few months/year working round Australia and am going to be taking a 38L bag for everything. It's not going to be fitting camping gear in as well but then most people won't need that anyway. :)
 
Spec me a backpack? You being serious OP?

Goto Millets, they'll hook you up. If you like the look of it, then buy it!
 
benk said:
Spec me a backpack? You being serious OP?

Goto Millets, they'll hook you up. If you like the look of it, then buy it!
Click to expand...

You clearly don't know much about backpacks! :p
Don't go to millets or blacks if your looking for a really good one.

Depends on your budget, how much do you have to spend, what season, what are you packing? And of course everybody is differently shaped so what might be comfortable for me... you get my drift.

I decided to go for a Lowe Alpine Ridge 65+15. Amazing bag for the money.
 
Moses99p said:
Millets is part of the same group as Blacks, and they share staff, etc.

Just go somewhere and try some on... ask them to put weight in the bags, too (a friendly staff member might go and get you a fire extinguisher).
Click to expand...

I know, doesn't mean there is anything decent there, the staff may be billiant but if they are selling tat then it's not going to help (and yes most of the stuf in Millets is tat, designed for the occasional weekend away or walk through town. Blacks isn't brilliant either but there are a lot of places that don't have a Cotswold or decent independent. :)

Beerguzzler the freeflows are really nice bags, my sister has one, although I think it is a 30L pack not the 40L, either way you won't go wrong with it if it fits your back (and it would probably be the one I'd choose out of those 4. :)

Other nice ones to look at are Osprey (I have an Atmos 35) however they are expensive and stick out like sore thumbs. :D
 
I picked up a vango one from millets a couple of years ago for £80, used it for festivals and camping. Not let me down, doesn't give me a bad back (Bag placed high with the gay little waist strap on). I've filled it with cans of carling to the brim and it's taken it.

Straps are well placed as well, some I found the straps were too low down so it'd be quite top heavy when filled up.

This is basically the same one
http://www.millets.co.uk/rucksacks/rucksacks/product/104863.html
 
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I've been travelling for 14 motnhs and have this one Berghaus Jalan 60+15 Mens Large Capacity Luggage perfect side , very popular on the backpacking route so that tells its own story.

As said please please don't go to millets blacks etc . They fall to bits in about 2 weeks of travelling! Make sure you a "travel pack" that means a side opening one (not a top loader) Easier to get to things also , you can lock it , which you really need to do on over night buses around thailand bags go missing so often.

Any other help needed just email me adambackpacking REMOVE TO REPLY at hotmail.co.uk
 
I'm not sure what everyone has against Blacks, they sell much better stuff than Millets do. I've had some good quality kit from them in the past.
 
I use a Haglofs backpack, I think they've stopped making the exact model now but the most similar one I can see on their site is the Oxo 650, it may however be a bit overkill, I just bought my version at the time due to a lack of other choice but it's very comfortable even when loaded hugely. They also seem to be extremely tough but the best thing you can do is to try a few in your local camping/outdoors shops.
 
Thanks for the advice guys! Is there really any problem going to Blacks or Millets if I'm going to be buying a decent brand anyway?

I like the look of the Berghaus Jalan and Alpine Low Ridge mentioned :)
 
The Berghaus is more of a travel bag, its massive and has wheels... If your hiking then it's not going to be the bag for you :)

If you can get either of those bags in a Millets then thats fine, but I wouldn't settle for the other stuff that the store sells :)
 
I have an Osprey Aether 70 which I love - Link

As said before go to an independant dealer to get the best service and quality of bags.

You really need to try them on to what suits you and make sure you put something weighty in it as you try - any empty bag is always comfortable.

Would recommend Osprey, Macpac and Haglofs as good brands - Don't buy the cheapest thing you see, you will regret it.

Also make sure the bag has good access, side access is a good bonus as you dont want to have to empty you pack everytime you need something...
 
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