picklepak: a question about your Pack

lychee

Hey Kelly,

I've been monitoring this forum for the last month and I happened on to the link to your webpage. I'll be heading to India next week for a month. I was wondering how you like the travel pack from MEC. I'm from Toronto and I've been to the MEC here. There are so many choices when it comes to bags ugh! which one to buy.

If I don't hear from you in time...have a great trip.

Sounds like you're having a blast. I can't wait to get there myself.

picklepak

Yeah I've been really enjoying myself here in South India, I'll post another update on my website tonight for anyone interested. More of a story than a travelogue I suppose this time.

I love my MEC pack! It was both the best and the cheapest pack (sounds strange but true, $109 Cdn I think, 45+10 L if I remeber correct (55 total). I really wanted the Eagle Creek 50 L one, but then when I saw it I was disappointed, it was $389 and the MEC still had a stronger zipper and thicker material (OK, the MEC was heavier but not by much).

If you pack the daypack inside there are absolutely no pockets on the outside (my big preference), and if you put some elastic around the pulled ends of the straps there is not even a single strap that dangles around. The big zipper is quite durable, it's lockable and if you have a pac-safe (I do but rarely use it) you can stuff the cable still through the closed zipper (barely) to just cable-lock your bag (rather than using another cable/lock to the handle. I love the big zipper flap on the front, much better design than my old backpack and I like how the backpack pads get zipped away, perfect on the bus/train here even between the seats if you really have to. Packed full it's ever-so-slightly bigger than carry-on size but I always pack the daypack inside so it's smaller.

I've only walked about 4km with it though, I think my old backpack was slightly more comfy to carry but not much.

Only thing I'd change is to add a few little *interior* pockets, especially for the daypack. But then I always always carry a few things with me in it: flashlight, small med kit, camera, few bandanas/hankees, lighter, cigarrettes, pen, notebook, water... plus sometimes change/map/etc it all gets messed around.

lychee

Wow, fast reply.

Your reply was totally helpful. I think I'm going to pick up the same bag too. You're right I like the price and it's handy to zip away the handles. I don't think I'm crazy about the day pack because there's no internal pockets, but for the price I'm not going to be picky.

I'm glad you also mentioned the lack of use of the pack safe lock. I've read other postings where people also mentioned that it was something they took with them on their trip but hardly used.

You're like one of those consumer advocate guys. You test out the product and we reap the benefits.

I was thinking of going with one of the more expensive bags but thanks to you I'll have an extra $150 or so to spend in India!

Be safe and thanks,

Wendy

wpt

Hey,

on this topic.

I need to take a sleeping bag, not really that big, to Nepal. Do you think one of those smaller MEC bags would fit a sleeping bag + all the regular traveller stuff. I pack fairly light, and I don't really want to carry a big backpacking bag which is impossible to lock.

thanks

picklepak

It might be tight to fit in a sleeping bag + all your other stuff into a 50-litre bag but you can do it. My sleep sheet is the single largest clothing-related thing in my bag and a small sleeping bag isn't much bigger than this thing.

Oh yeah, Wendy - without the daypack zipped on the front my bag looks a little homely but I like it that way - simplicity, nowhere to hide things.

mdeannarb

Did you get the Passenger pack from MEC? That's the one I'm getting, it's on clearance right now; which is great. It's 54L and I wonder, is this too big? It has built in day pack. I don't want to be dragged down by a HUGE pack and am traveling quite light.

How did you find it? was your pack the same? Same size?

Thanks

mdeannarb

Sorry, Picklepak!

Je m'excuse!

lychee

Hey Kelly!!

Namaste. Thanks so much for the recommendation on the bag. My friend and I both love our bags. We've been in India for 2 weeks now and we definitely love the bag. The convenience of the daypack is awesome. Like you kelly I also pack the day pack in my bag. Being able to zip up all the straps have definitely been useful for the train and those long bus rides. The quality of the bag is really good for the price. Too bad I missed out on the sale. I don't find the bag too big at all. And it fits quite comfortably on my back. I have a sleeping bag in my bag and there's still more then enough room for all my stuff. The aussies I've encountered have this cool compressor for their sleeping bag. I've never heard of it before. It is a simple contraption that squeezes your sleeping bag to a 1/4 of it's size. I'm definitely going to try to find one once I go home. It will be handy for future trips.

Anyone looking for a travel pack in Canada should definitely consider this one. Well I've just left beautiful, peaceful Mt Abu for the bustling city of Jodphur.

Kelly I haven't checked your travel log in a while so I'm looking forward to reading about your new adventures and experiences.

Take Care,

Wendy : )