Backpack recommendations

Try go outdoors in wolverhampton - they usually have a good range on display.

Don't be afraid to spend a little more (e.gg £100+), it'll last you a long time and the comfort from a good one is worth it when you've got it on 12 hours a day.

Unless by back packing you just mean train/bus from one hostel to another, then look at those cheaper ones (~£50) that have a zip off day bag, your not walking with it so spending lots on a good one will be a waste.
 
n1blo said:
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 :)
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The one mentioned has no wheels and is one of the lightest in its size 60L. Seriously you don't need to spend more then 100 GBP on a bag osprey and the like are "designer brands" of backpacks they are good but you do also pay for the name as well. Og course this is just my opinion
 
I looked around at the Lowe Alpine and Berghaus travel pack offerings today, but they seemed a little too travel oriented; what I'm after is something that I'll be able to use as a makeshift walking pack if needs be. The Osprey packs looked very nice (the Aether in particular), but didn't seem that suited to travel.

Currently, the Kathmandu Interloper X-Pac (£140) seems like the best bet for my needs, as it has top, front, and bottom access plus a day bag. I tried it out in store (with load) and it felt very comfortable; can anyone comment? The 70l version apparently was ideal for me – a little bigger than I'd otherwise have gone for, but then I do have some bulky camera equipment to take with me, so perhaps it's not such a bad thing, and it also allows for more stuff to be brought back :) It also expands as necessary, so it doesn't have to be a full 70l if it's not full.

The Haglofs packs also look really nice but there's nowhere nearby that I can try them out unfortunately.
 
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the golden rule of travelling is to find out what you need and how much cash then foget half the things and take twice as much cash
 
Inquisitor said:
The Haglofs packs also look really nice but there's nowhere nearby that I can try them out unfortunately.
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They are good but it sounds like you're in the opposite situation to me, I could only find Haglofs packs where I was at the time. Definitely you need to try out a rucksack so go with what you can get hold of.

I don't know much about Kathmandu packs but that one you've selected looks pretty decent so if it fits well then go for it. As long as it seems to be of reasonable quality and the back system/straps are comfortable then it should be fine, I did notice it's a double zip at the bottom so you can lock that off at least.
 
I used a Lowe Alpine Travel Trekker 2. Its 70L if I remember rightly. Got one of the Lowe Alpine pods that go with it too. Not cheap mind.
 
What if you buy a macpac? I find that the build quality of those are amazing and they're very comfortable to wear.
 
mrmoose said:
the golden rule of travelling is to find out what you need and how much cash then foget half the things and take twice as much cash
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So true I read that somewhere I took it literally and it works so so well. You see people carrying 100l backpacks on local buses and thing I do wonder what the hell they have in them things :p
 
Dammit, the Macpac and Aarn packs look great too, but there's nowhere nearby that I can try them out :(

divaboy said:
So true I read that somewhere I took it literally and it works so so well. You see people carrying 100l backpacks on local buses and thing I do wonder what the hell they have in them things :p
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I went to India last August with an older pack and I can see how true it is, actually :o What I'll do is just leave loads of space in the bag and compress the top lid down so that it's small-ish until I start filling it up with junk to bring back!
 
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Whats the biggest sized backpack that can be used as hand luggage on planes?

Anyone got any recommendations for this specific purpose, or has a really good quality and big backpack that they have used as hand luggage fine?
 
A2Z said:
Whats the biggest sized backpack that can be used as hand luggage on planes?

Anyone got any recommendations for this specific purpose, or has a really good quality and big backpack that they have used as hand luggage fine?
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Airline Width Height Depth Linear Weight

Aer Lingus 22'' 18'' 10'' 50'' 13.00 lbs
AeroMexico 22'' 14'' 9'' 46'' 22.00 lbs
Air Canada 22'' 16'' 9'' 46'' 22.00 lbs
Air France 22'' 14'' 10'' 46'' 26.00 lbs
Air India 22'' 16'' 8'' 46'' 18.00 lbs
Air New Zealand 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 15.00 lbs
Air Tahiti Nui 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 22.00 lbs
AirTran n/a n/a n/a 55'' n/a
Alaska 24'' 17'' 10'' 51'' n/a
Alitalia 18'' 14'' 10'' 42'' 11.00 lbs
All Nippon/ANA 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 22.00 lbs
Allegiant Air 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' n/a
American 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 40.00 lbs
Asiana 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 22.00 lbs
British Airways 22'' 16'' 8'' 46'' 26.00 lbs
British Midland/BMI 22'' 18'' 10'' 50'' n/a
Cathay Pacific 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 15.00 lbs
China Airlines 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 15.00 lbs
Continental 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 40.00 lbs
Delta 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 40.00 lbs
EasyJet 22'' 16'' 8'' 46'' n/a
El Al 22'' 18'' 10'' 50'' 17.00 lbs
Emirates 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 15.00 lbs
Etihad 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 15.00 lbs
Eva Air 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 22.00 lbs
Finnair 22'' 18'' 10'' 50'' 22.00 lbs
Gulf Air 17'' 15'' 12'' 44'' 19.75 lbs
Hainan Airlines 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 22.00 lbs
Hawaiian 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 25.00 lbs
Iberia 18'' 14'' 10'' 42'' 22.00 lbs
IndoGo 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 18.00 lbs
Japan Airlines/JAL 22'' 16'' 10'' 48'' 22.00 lbs
Jet Airways 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 15.00 lbs
JetBlue - Airbus 26'' 18'' 12'' 56'' n/a
JetBlue - Embraer 24'' 16'' 10'' 50'' n/a
JetStar 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 22.00 lbs
Kenya Airways 20'' 15'' 9'' 44'' 22.00 lbs
Kingfisher 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 15.00 lbs
KLM 22'' 14'' 10'' 46'' 26.00 lbs
Korean Air 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 25.00 lbs
LAN 22'' 14'' 10'' 46'' 18.00 lbs
Lufthansa 22'' 16'' 8'' 46'' 18.00 lbs
Malaysia Airlines 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 11.00 lbs
Mexicana 20'' 15'' 9'' 44'' 51.00 lbs
Middle East Airlines/MEA 22'' 18'' 10'' 50'' 17.50 lbs
OpenSkies 18'' 12'' 10'' 40'' 51.00 lbs
Philippine Airlines 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 15.00 lbs
Porter 22'' 16'' 10'' 48'' 20.00 lbs
Qantas 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 15.00 lbs
Qatar 20'' 15'' 10'' 44'' 33.00 lbs
Royal Jordanian 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 15.00 lbs
Ryanair 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 22.00 lbs
SAS 22'' 18'' 9'' 49'' 17.50 lbs
Singapore/SIA 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 15.00 lbs
South African Airways 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 18.00 lbs
Southwest 24'' 16'' 10'' 50'' n/a
SpiceJet 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 22.00 lbs
SWISS 22'' 16'' 8'' 46'' 18.00 lbs
TACA 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 22.00 lbs
TAM 22'' 16'' 8'' 45'' 11.00 lbs
Thai 22'' 15'' 8'' 45'' 15.00 lbs
United 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' n/a
US Airways 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 40.00 lbs
V Australia 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 15.00 lbs
Virgin America 24'' 16'' 10'' 50'' 16.00 lbs
Virgin Atlantic 22'' 14'' 9'' 45'' 13.00 lbs
Virgin Blue 19'' 13'' 9'' 41'' 15.00 lbs
WestJet 22'' 16'' 9'' 46'' 22.00 lbs

:)
 
A2Z said:
haha thanks for the info, i did already look at those figures, unfortunately very few sites show the exact sizes of bags, which is why i wondered if anyone have any specific recommendations!:p
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If it was camera bags you were looking at then I could help you. ;)
 
A2Z said:
Whats the biggest sized backpack that can be used as hand luggage on planes?

Anyone got any recommendations for this specific purpose, or has a really good quality and big backpack that they have used as hand luggage fine?
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Around 35L

The Atmos 35 fits nicely, although the large (which is actually 38L) is a couple of cm to long technically but I have taken it on a virgin flight as hand luggage.
 
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