The
scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely
of lost airline luggage.
Mark Russell
Mark Russell
One of the most common questions I’ve seen on forums is what
kind of backpack to get. It’s difficult to answer as there are as many types of
bags as there are different personalities. What will suit one person is not
right for another.
One thing I do know is that with careful consideration to
packing, it’s very unlikely you will need a 70L bag. Maybe you plan to be gone
a long time with a wide mix of climates or are carrying specialized equipment -
then you might need a larger bag. I’ve made short two week trips out of a 30L
REI backpack that could double as a generous daypack. I didn’t have much room
for anything aside from the essentials, but it worked (I split some shared
items with my husband). I decided I’d like a little more wiggle room for souvenirs,
possibly a netbook, extra tea bags and protein bars (I snack a lot), so I’ve
recently upgraded to a 40L and think that will be plenty of room for most of my
travels. I could live out of it for six months. You might not be able to work
with something as small as 40L, but there are a lot of sizes to choose from
before you get to 75L.
The advantages of carrying a small bag range wider than just
saving your back. You can carry-on all your luggage, which is more secure and
convenient than checking it. A smaller bag is easier to get around with on
subways, buses, and streets (so speaks the woman who had all her bags roll down
three flights of stairs in the Paris subway – a very long time ago).
There is a debate about wheeled luggage. I’ll be honest and
say that I prefer (light) backpacks without wheels. I like to have my hands
free and I’ve been over a lot of cobblestones or mucky conditions in my day. If
I need to walk 3km to my hotel from the train station, it’s not a problem. If
you pack light, your pack won’t weigh a ton, thus negating the need for wheels.
If you need help picking out the perfect bag, I suggest
calling in at your local outdoor store. They have folks there to help you
choose and you can try walking around with the packs with weight added before
committing to buying.
A good website to check out is at: http://www.onebag.com/bags.html
Helpful features to consider:
- · A hip belt will distribute the weight of the pack onto your hips. My husband hates them, but I find it easier on my back and shoulders if I plan to wear the pack for long periods.
- · Some water resistance or a cover is important.
- · Some folks like bags that zip down the side for easy access.
