Help ... Packsack Size

smilingbuddah

Well i have just returned a 70 liter bag made by ansol it was just too big and am now looking at the continental Journey made by Eagle Creek it is 64 litres including a zip off day pack. but this bag looks too small although it feels real nice tight and compact.
As well as im seeing reccomondations for about 45 to 55 liter range. Iwill be in Thailand, India, and a trek in Nepal (2 months total) HelllllllllllllP
im getting confused.

S.B.

-m2-

I have an older version of the continental journey pack and can recommend it highly. It is big enough for what you are planning as long as you don't bring a sleeping bag -- it forces a bit of packing discipline on you to make it work, but it's worth it as it can be legally carried on planes and is light and sleek -- easy to handle. I've used mine for at least a half dozen 3-4 month trips in s.e. asia and India and its still as good as new -- very well thought-out design and execution. I have a larger pack of similar design for when I need a sleeping bag or more gear along, but really prefer the smaller one for travelling.

smilingbuddah

Thanx M2 for your quick response ya i pretty much have decided on the continental Journey it seems to fit me pretty well but i still need to try it with weight. Wow you seem like you have traveled a lot i see that u r a wealth of info
Take care and probably talk with you again
S.B.

-m2-

missing Cdn winters can be addictive, S.B., you're warned .

I've found that with the lack of suspension, you pretty well have to keep your total weight down to 25lb (11kg) or so, but it will handle a bit more. It's a good idea to try it on with a dummy weight to be sure it fits ok as its adjustment possibilities are limited. you're making a good choice.

I get around the sleeping bag issue with an Equatorial bag from Mt Equip in Vancouver -- it is a sheet on one side and thin insulation on the other. It rolls up pretty small and is very versatile -- a layer between you and a dodgy mattrass -- light at .7kg, and cheap at $50.

and welcome to the board!

m2

smilingbuddah

Ya thanx again mmmmmm i wonder if 25 lbs is enough i must try it with some weight but should be okay talk with you later
S.B.

sgeneris

I am not sure if this is the best site out there- but I have used it before and agree with their suggestions for (much of) the packing tips.

sgeneris

Oops, this is the website..
http://www.oratory.com/onebag/home.html

-m2-

interesting site, sgeneris. I notice that the last item on the 'what to carry it in' section is the Continental Journey and that it has gone thru more changes than I thought -- still a good bag, though, and the carry-on feature isn't what it used to be as far as flying goes anyway due to new security measures and what can't be carried on board. Also, I think he's right that some airlines only allow one piece of carry-on and to meet the size requirement, you do have to unzip the daypack.

His prime recommendation is for a travel pac from Mt Equipment -- my larger pack is the original Serratus Pegasus from MEC which is slightly updated as the PegasusII and is a simple but bullet-proof travel pack with fully adjustable suspension and capacity of either 74 or 79L. I've carried loads in the 35-40lb range with this one which it handles very well -- in fact, it is more comfortable with that weight than the continental journey is with 25-30, just not as handy.

Mt Equipment Co-op's web page for travel packs is:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_l...0567 28880105

since SB is in Vancouver, it would easy to try out all their offerings at the store which is at 130 W. Broadway. They don't carry Eagle Creek brand, however.

sgeneris

_m2_ , when you say 'suspension' do you mean internal frame/padding etc?
I had fun converting cubic inches to Liters and other way around.
I wonder if these things are cheaper (at least Travel packs) in canada as more canadians seem to travel than americans..

sgeneris

I am also curious if you had any hassles taking the pegasus II as a carry on internationally? with or without say sleeping bags?
You are right that lot has changed since 9/11 and the swiss knife/leatherman tools are out of the equation anymore.

-m2-

the pegasus is too big for a carry on; it's 'travel pac' status is due to the ability to cover the backstraps with a zipped flap making it more streamlined and suitcase-like for dealing with airport carousels and and stowing in luggage compartments of buses etc. The main pack can be locked and checked in, while the zip-off daypack can be carried on board the bus or plane. This feature is good for leaving your main bag at a 'left luggage' facility at a train station while you have the convenience of a daypack for your sightseeing needs.

The volume measurements of packs is not consistent between makers and the cubic inch conversion makes it even worse. My continental journey model is nowhere near the 64L mentioned by SB -- my estimate would be closer to 55L. By adjustable suspension, I refer to a harness set-up that is linked to a pair of aluminum stays that run full length inside the pack. This arrangement makes it easier to adjust the pack to your size and so that the weight is carried in a proper balance between shoulders and hips. There is also sufficient padding in lumbar region to keep the pack a bit away from your back making it cooler riding. This seems to get more important as the weight climbs upwards from 20 or so pounds. The simpler, sewn-on straps and waist belt of the bags that you can legally carry on have the advantage of saving a pound or two of weight and making the bag trimmer.

As for prices in Canada; Mt Equip is organized as a co-op and many of the items they carry are made to their own specification and priced very well -- they make constant improvements in their designs based on member feed-back and are virtually warranted for life. The Serratus lable is their 'top of line', the 'MEC' branded packs are slightly lower on the scale. Eagle Creek are imported and probably cost considerably more here than in the US. I haven't priced any of the other major brands lately. The current exchange rate is around $1.34CDN to US$, so as an example the $192CND PegasusII would work out to around $143US plus shipping etc.

Due to the stringent new security rules, I've given up on carrying my pack aboard anyway -- a knife, spare batteries, other pointy things make it too much of a nuisance now and I really haven't had any problem with missing luggage checking in a bag anyway -- due to line-ups getting through immigration in big airports, the bags have usually reached the carousel by the time I am through anyway and if they aren't, I can always use the time available to change some money.

m2

sgeneris

thats good info -thanx _m2_

dreamsyndicate

Not really an answer to your question, but ...

I was on a 6 month trip to India/Nepal 2 years ago .
I carried a Jack Wolfskin Orkney, i don't know the liters, but it weight 8 kilo at the check at ktm-airport .

It's a small package, which means you can easily put it in the baggage-place in even the small-distance buses .
Another good thing is that you always look like you're carrying a day-pack, which doesn't go unnoticed with the touts & the local people.
I can't travel with the 'big stuff' anymore, since this trip .
However, there 's a drawback .

I only carry flip-flops for footwear , which is great in most places .
(arriving back home is a different matter )
You have to take it (the walking) slowly, which is exactly what I like .(but a day-walk to a waterfall or an off-the-beaten-track place can be annoying - but hey- time is with you).

I did bought (and sold them again, for 25% to the same shop) second-hand trekking shoes for the trek in Nepal . This is only a good idea if you have like 2 weeks in Kathmandu valley to walk the shoes in.


It also involves washing everyday, or every 2-days t-shirts, pants etc, but it's cheap to let it be done, or buy some cloth-soap and do it yourself .
For the trek in Nepal i rented a sleeping bag and a jacket and blouse , which is easy in Ktm , at low prices .

I don't carry much medical stuff (Is there something you can't buy at the local pharmacie, except for the -real?- larium- i take my chances with malaria anyway ), nor a camera & don't buy souvenirs, unless at the end of the trip, and buy a bag to put all the stuff in .

cookiemonster

I have to agree with 'dreamsyndicate'... the less luggage the better.

After all, if there is anything you need, you'll be able to buy it, and most probably at a cheaper price.

I must admit that I am impressed that he only took 8kg: I was in India last year for 5 months and travelled extensively by bus. My bag, twice the size of a regular backpack, was more than enough. Some times even wished it was smaller: Believe me, you'll regret if you take anything bigger than what you can comfortably put between your legs!

suzanne

Me and my boyfriend are off to India for 6 months leaving mid Nov. We are planning to take 1 backpack each - approx 33 litres . We are not going where it is too cold. Are we being realistic about this or do we need slightly larger packs.