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About LinkBacksAny other backpackers here? (Not the back country kind!)
Any other backpackers here? (Not the back country kind!)
That is usually my chosen way to travel, and it actually works very well with nonreving. If it is small enough to carry on it's small enough to carry on your back comfortably! What airline do you work for?
DL....but trying to convince my coworkers that this is the best way to travel is a difficult task!
i agree it is the best way to go!
We need to start a nonrev backpacking/hostelling club!
i totaly agree backpacking is the best way to travel....if i can't carry on what i am traveling with..then i dont need to travel...i will not check baggage!
My old trusty suitcase has just had its last trip. It is far too worn and damaged to repair. I am shopping for a replacement and a medium size backpack seems to fit the bill.
When shopping for a backpack what do I look for? What should I avoid?
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
From my perspective it's all about individual likes and dislikes. Bottom line is you have to try a bunch of them on, and pick the one that fits you best. Being a 5'2" female, not a lot of packs are made for me, and I tried on a ton before I found my baby [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] Make sure that the waist belt goes small enough to be tight around your waist. When fitting properly the shoulder straps should be comfortable around your shoulders, the weight not resting on them. The weight is carried by your hips, not shoulders. Top loaders can be a pain if you are changing accomodations nightly. Packs that carry the load too far back and wide, and not tall enough, are hard on the body (in my opinion). Also, mine is quite small and I have found it to be quite sufficient for week trips (even took it to Asia for a month quite easily). We saw people with packs twice my size and they were struggling all the time. I can't remember how many litres it carries, but it is about double the size of a daypack only. Don't let any salespeople talk you into anything that doesn't feel right for you. Good luck!
If I had a dollar for every time I've answered this question on another board...
Buy a high-quality pack with good zippers that you can lock. I'm a firm believer in the pricey Eagle Creek products, and I have an old Camp Trails bag that I'm quite fond of.
You might want a "travel pack," a backpack whose straps can be zipped away to make it look like a suitcase. I prefer a front loading pack--a top-loader would drive me nuts.
The waist belt is extremely important--that's where you want to carry most of the weight, not on your shoulders.
Bottom line, try it on, and if it doesn't "feel" right, keep trying. Unless you're really tall, short, thin, or heavy, most packs will fit a range of people sizes.
Good luck!
a very good make is Karrimore or katmandoo, the best thing is to chat to some backpackers at the airport and see what they think. Us kiwis and the aussies live out of them!
Mark
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