Recommend me a backpack/rucksack?

Buchanan0204

Buchanan0204

Buchanan0204

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Scotland
What's the difference btw?

I'm looking for a decent backpack for weekends away, on and off trains etc. wouldn't mind an easy access compartment for a laptop/iPad. Drink holder would also be good.

Only requirement is has to be large enough to hold all my things, so quite large. I'm a big guy so a massive bag won't drown me.

Not fussed about cost, colour or style. Comfort and practicality is top of priorities.

Cheers.
 
i have had many, some cost lots, some cost nothing at all, all have been good.

one tip i would say with all of them, is to get one with raised spinal supports/cushions, especially if your putting a laptop in there
 
When you say drink holder do you mean a pocket for a water bottle or are you talking about a space for a hydration system such as a Camelbak/Platypus type thing?

The best thing to do is probably to go into your local camping shop and try on a few, it's how it feels to you that is important. If it's a decent sized rucksack then you'll generally want fairly well padded straps, possibly with a chest strap clip, probably with a hip belt and a decent back system - this will generally mean some sort of rigidity built in but also ventilation in place.

I've got backpacks/rucksacks by Berghaus, Lowe Alpine and Haglofs which are all worth looking out for but the latter is rarer in this country than the other two. Depending on size/quality/features you could be looking at anywhere from £50ish to well over £150. As for the difference between the two, I'd generally use backpack for the smaller end of the scale but the words are often interchangable.
 
semi-pro waster said:
When you say drink holder do you mean a pocket for a water bottle or are you talking about a space for a hydration system such as a Camelbak/Platypus type thing?

The best thing to do is probably to go into your local camping shop and try on a few, it's how it feels to you that is important. If it's a decent sized rucksack then you'll generally want fairly well padded straps, possibly with a chest strap clip, probably with a hip belt and a decent back system - this will generally mean some sort of rigidity built in but also ventilation in place.

I've got backpacks/rucksacks by Berghaus, Lowe Alpine and Haglofs which are all worth looking out for but the latter is rarer in this country than the other two. Depending on size/quality/features you could be looking at anywhere from £50ish to well over £150. As for the difference between the two, I'd generally use backpack for the smaller end of the scale but the words are often interchangable.
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Cheers for that, my nearest outdoor store is over 20 miles away and sort of fancied the savings and convenience of buying online... However trying them out would be handy.

I was just meaning a bottle of juice/water. Drinks bottle. E.g. 500ml diet coke :D
 
having borrowed bags from mates then finally buying a bag for my size/shape I can honestly say I am never going to buy a bag again without tring it on (with some stuff in) first - makes a million miles of difference in comfort and ease of use, but I do tend to go up the odd Welsh mountain with mine.

FluffySheep
 
FluffySheep said:
having borrowed bags from mates then finally buying a bag for my size/shape I can honestly say I am never going to buy a bag again without tring it on (with some stuff in) first - makes a million miles of difference in comfort and ease of use, but I do tend to go up the odd Welsh mountain with mine.

FluffySheep
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I will definitely go and try a few on then. I won't be doing any mountains with mine (well I might, but mostly travelling).
 
Buchanan0204 said:
My top 3 at The moment.
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The Deuter Aircontact looks like it's overkill unless you're doing some pretty serious hiking in tough conditions. It's probably quite comfortable given all the adjustments you can make but it's a bit too technical for your needs from what you've said.

The other two look as if they should be reasonable options, the Deuter Quantum could be quite handy with the detachable daypack as it sounds as if you wouldn't be doing huge amounts of walking with the pack on but you might find it useful to be able to take a smaller bag with you if you went on a quick excursion and leave the main pack where it is. Both the Vango and Deuter seem to have reasonably padded straps and decent enough back systems so hopefully you wouldn't get too hot wearing them but really it is best to try them on if at all possible to see what is comfortable for you and try it with a bit of weight in as FluffySheep says.
 
All depends in how thrifty you feel, go try some on and then price compare online. Most of the time I just google shop and show the shop assistant the lower prices and see if they will price match and you have a bag on the one trip.
 
The eBags Weekender (EB2066) is a great piece of kit - relatively cheap and loads of space. You can see reviews here and buy it from a UK website easily.
 
If you prefer a younger/trendier looking backpack but still want something useful then Dakine rucksacks are great imo.

I've been using a Dakine Campus LG for a few years now which I love, it's only got an internal laptop sleeve but they do some with a quick access sleeve as well. It's comfy when it's loaded up and it's got seperate pockets for gubbins and one at the top for sunglasses or similar that's fleece lined and out of the way. Chest strap as well.

20120825-rk9dkb941k12egu4u1xk77da27.jpg


OGIO do some really good ones as well.

Deuter and whatnot are great but they've definitely got a completely fashion-free look to them in my opinion. Why go ugly when you don't have to :p
 
PardonTheWait said:
If you prefer a younger/trendier looking backpack but still want something useful then Dakine rucksacks are great imo.

I've been using a Dakine Campus LG for a few years now which I love, it's only got an internal laptop sleeve but they do some with a quick access sleeve as well. It's comfy when it's loaded up and it's got seperate pockets for gubbins and one at the top for sunglasses or similar that's fleece lined and out of the way. Chest strap as well.

20120825-rk9dkb941k12egu4u1xk77da27.jpg


OGIO do some really good ones as well.

Deuter and whatnot are great but they've definitely got a completely fashion-free look to them in my opinion. Why go ugly when you don't have to :p
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While its a great bag. I couldn't get a weekends worth of gear into that.
 
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