Newbie needs help. What kind of backpack should I get?
Hello everybody,
So, I reached 30 and I decided to do my first long trip of my life and - despite all the opposition I get from friends and family - I want to travel alone as a backpacker. However, I'm toltally unexperienced and I mean TOTALLY which means I haven't been away from my hometown for more than a couple of days and any further than 100 km. I want to go to Thailand and I would like to stay for at least a month but maybe I will extend it, I will decide this there.
I read some guides for newbies like me - including the one I found here - but I still need some advices so I might ask questions from time to time if you don't mind.
Now, I'm at the stage of preparation when I'm buying my equipment and I can't decide how big backpack I should get. Mostly I plan to wander around Kanchanaburi and Sangkhlaburi along the road 323 and mostly I want to do trekking and hiking and... well, just doing nothing meaningful but no any extreme sports. I saw those combined backpacks with detachable daypacks and I think I'm gonna buy something like that but there are soo many sizes, I simply can't determine how large I will need.
Is 60L+15L enough for my trip?
And if I decide to visit other areas on north, like Chang Mai, Chang Dao, Pai, do I need larger backpack?
Does longer trip mean need of larger backpack at all?
Thanks,
Tamas
PS: Sorry for my bad english. It's not my native language.
Reply to this Hello Tamas and welcome to the Forum!
If you are travelling for a month, a 60L+15L will be big enough. If you travel for more than 2-3 weeks, the amount of clothes and items you bring will be the same as if you travel for 2-3 months. I have 2 backpacks - a 60 litre and a 70 litre. What decides the size of my backpack I bring is how many souvineers and items I expect to purchase when travelling.
The most important factor with backpacks is weight - what you put in will determine how comfortable your backpack will be - I find books and toiletries the big enemy here - they can easily make a backpack too heavy to be pleasant.
The backpack with detachable daypack option is a good one - I travel with two bags - my major clothes/tolietries one and a small camera and laptop version.
Hope this helps and please feel free to ask more questions.
Reply to this Thanks for your quick and helpful answer Shane.
OK, I'm going to get the 60+15 for a start then. If it turns to be too small for me during this trip I will buy a larger one for the next. 😉
More questions will come later I guess but now I focus on the backpack issue.
Thanks you very much again,
Tamas
Reply to this Do you think the 60ltr would work for a 12 month trip as well?
(In terms of books don't most hostels have a book swapping option? And I plan to put lots of audio books on my MP3 player so I can "read" while still enjoying the scenery on long train trips.)
Reply to this A 60L would do for 12 months, assuming you don't overpack and are disciplined about the items you take. As Shane said, pretty much a 2-3 week trip is similar to a 2-3 month trip. The only factor in your plan of a 12 month trip would be seasonal clothing. I would spend the money upfront on good, synthetic items for things like rain gear and trekking clothes, which will be lightweight and easier to pack as well as being much more road friendly when it comes to things like washing and drying than cotton or the like.
You could still do it, just remember to pack everything you plan on taking with you beforehand, and hauling it around your hometown for a several days to get an idea of what you're going to be doing for the next 12 months.
Only pack the things you absolutely need, then remember, you still have too much!
This can be helpful.
Reply to this After much research and consideration I've actually decided to try and get a 40ltr pack instead. I've found a good quality one which I think will suit me well. I have lower back problems and think packing lighter will make things much easier on my back and make it more maneuverable getting things on and off trains and planes etc. I don't mind doing washing on a regular basis. And if I can avoid putting my back under the plane but can take it as carry on then it'll be safer too I think.
So far I've bought everything except half of the clothes. and it will fit ok. I figure it's all about being able to mix and match what you're carrying. And layering. Considering that I'm going to spend the first 2 months in hot Italy and Spain I'm wondering if I should simply not bother packing too much for the colder climates and buy as I need? I have thermals I can pack in a corner of the pack for emergencies.
Thanks for the think. Look very useful! :D
Reply to this Going 40L is great! Good to hear you will be able to do it. Most people can but no matter how much you tell them this, if they haven't done it before they generally just won't believe you until they get out there.
If you're going to be in hot summery climates for the first two months, it would be really nice not to have to haul winter gear around with you the whole time. Just remember to budget in cash and space for the addition of cold gear. Have a plan for getting rid of some of your summer things and/or adding cold weather gear to your pack when you need it.
Reply to this Hi again,
At last I chose a military backpack with approx 60L capacity (~4000 cubic inch) but because of its very compact built it is only as large as a 45L normal travel backpack. It's not as designed as a branded travel pack but it's very durable and somewhat waterproof and has a water bladder compartment. I won't have to struggle with bottles at least.
Probably the only problem with it its 2,5 kg empty weight because I hardly can pack things with under 6 kg into it so I can't take it as hand luggage on the airplane.
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I'm definitely going for 40L. A bit easier for me as most places I'm visiting will be hot hot hot. Only when I get to NZ will I need winter clothes. I'll just buy some - no point carrying them round the world for 10 months. I've had a look at loads of packs and 40L looks plenty big enough. Not sure why people seem to take bigger packs. Even seen people with additional packs on their fronts - what on earth have they taken?!?!?
Reply to this Hey Chris, the answer to this:
Even seen people with additional packs on their fronts - what on earth have they taken?!?!?
is, way too much!
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Haha - yes!
Maybe I'll change my mind once I'm on my travels, but I don't think I will. I did a dry run with a 30L pack and I was amazed how much I could get in.
Reply to this I actually do travel with two backpacks - big one on the rear and small one on the front - and not because both are packed to the brim, but because the smaller one is my day pack where I carry my DSLR, extra lens, laptop, and chocolates - the latter essential for any travel ;-) Because my smaller one is a reinforced compartment pack to protect my electronic gear, it does not scrunch and cannot fit into the larger bag when moving between destinations.
Reply to this
So you're a camel with two humps? (very poor I know!).
Reply to this Excellent - a witty retort!
I am both, two humps (bactrian) and one hump (dromedary) - it causes a bit of an internal conflict at times, but I am able to handle it now. I much prefer the dromedary impersonation - travel is easier with only one hump.
Reply to this Lovely posts...
Does everyone get excited reading posts as the date of departure nears or am I nuts?
After an approved LOA for 12months from my job(career), we will arrive Sept 1st in Casablanca.
I am in the process of gathering too many things and figuring how to leave most at home while packing the rest into a 40L pack.
Which 40L packs have people chosen? add links if they'll let you...
I think I want a small front day bag to hide/protect my cannon point n shoot, laptop n cell phone as well....
thanks
Reply to this I've chosen
this one from Mountain Designs in the black. It's cordura with YKK zips and a few compartments because I like to be organised. Very comfortable too. Haven't actually bought it yet but will once I've got all my gear together so I can test packing and carrying it before the 30 day return expires. Just in case.
Reply to this Thanks Stacy, looks great. I'm looking into it now. I just got back from REI and their collection seemed so poor. Granted most were hiking backpacks (I looked at 40-50), very thin material but also bulky with an internal frame that looked too big to haul around for 12 months. Couldn't lean them up against a wall 'cause they would roll over.
let me know if it works out for you...
Reply to this Hey Darlene, what are you thinking of getting if not an internal frame? If weight is an issue, you would almost certainly want an internal frame versus external. And assuming you will be hauling it around (as opposed to say, going from a plane to a taxi to your accommodations) the internal frame is almost always better from a center-of-gravity standpoint, being able to maneuver, etc.
Generally the material is thin but strong. There are a huge variety. If you have an REI close to you, consider looking online at a variety of packs. You can order from the REI website and have it shipped for free to a store. I don't know for certain, but I'm guessing you can still return a pack you order if it isn't up to speed for you.
Anyway, good luck.
Reply to this So I've finally bought the pack I mentioned above (got it on sale too. Woot!). It's fantastic. Although I'm going to have to get creative with my packing, 40 liters is tough. But I know I couldn't handle carrying any more weight than what I can fit in a 40 liter pack so I'm happy with it. The pockets work well for me and the hip support is surprisingly good for a travel backpack (as opposed to a normal hiking pack. I wanted one I could zip all the way open.) My brother is used to hiking packs and at first wasn't too impressed with mine but once he tried in on (fully packed) he was suprised that the support is actually quite good. So yeah, it works for me. :D
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