Rucksacks

AK74 · Mar 28th, 2005, 20:42

Can anyone give us any advice on what size rucksack we will need and what is the best model! We have got a one year RTW ticket

Anders · Mar 28th, 2005, 20:58

Depends a bit on the climates you will be in.
For warm weather only, 30liters, what you dont need wont fit

AK74 · Mar 28th, 2005, 21:07

Thanks any ideas on makes and models and what is best for security? We will mainly be in warm countries, india thailand cambodia laos vietnam aus!

Anders · Mar 28th, 2005, 21:29

I have no idea what is available in England.
This is my current favourite.
MEC carry on Travelpack

AK74 · Mar 28th, 2005, 21:34

thank you for your help!

Krishnika · Mar 29th, 2005, 08:08

I use a Deuter aircomfort Futura 27 limited. (27)
It's great for hot weather because there is an airspace between your back and the pack. Clamshell opening, main space can be divided in 2 with lower zipper. Fits the perfect amount of stuff - I had my summer stuff plus wool sweater, hat and gloves for cold occasions. Small enough to carry on planes and sleep with on trains.
Very comfortable and great colors - I love it.
Bought it at Decathlon. Don't know if you have one where you live.

AK74 · Mar 29th, 2005, 17:23

Thankyou also for your reply , but is there anyone in England that may be able to give us some ideas as these names dont ring any bells with me . We have been advised that the Lake District has some great shops where we could pick up a bargain so we are off to Windermere this weekend to look.

We have been given a Wynster 60 but dont think this is good enough (not secure enough and a bit flimsy) please help brits

mr pastry · Mar 29th, 2005, 19:02

Hi

We have travelled extensively through India and the Far / Middle East using backpacks. I have a Vango 35ltr and my wife has a Lowe Alpine 30ltr ladies (tailored fit) pack. These hold about the right weight to be comfortable carrying for longish periods in hot weather. Anything bigger and you will be tempted to take far too much stuff with you!

We bought our packs at a specialist outdoor shop in Kingston. You have branches of "Ellis Brigham" and "Field and Trek" in Chester and Liverpool. They should stock decent makes like Karrimor or Berghaus.

Buy the best you can afford - you will hardly notice you are carrying a comfortable, well-fitting pack, and it should put up with fairly harsh treatment. Finally if you can find one, buy an all over (lockable) cover/bag that can be slipped over the pack at the airport or on boats, trains etc. It will stop the straps becoming tangled in any machinery and will help keep you pack clean (ours look like they were bought yesterday not 8 years ago).

AK74 · Mar 29th, 2005, 19:13

Thanks for that , have you heard of the Wynster make ,it is also a ladies model would like to know if you would find this suitable ,and also could you give us an idea of how much money we should be expecting to spend for a good one .Of course i will look on the web site for those companies and they also have outlets in Liverpool (you saved us a journey to the lakes)but would like your experienced opinion please.

mr pastry · Mar 29th, 2005, 20:12

I have heard of Wynster but couldn't tell you whether they are any good.

Here's links to the companies I mentioned:

http://www.ellis-brigham.com/ (Chester and Liverpool)

http://www.field-trek.co.uk/ (only in Chester)

We paid about £80-£90 a piece for our packs back in 1997. I doubt that prices will have changed that much since then. It may seem a lot of dosh but they have been worth every penny. These packs replaced a couple of cheapies from Milletts that fell apart after one go around the Greek Islands (old saying - buy cheap, buy twice

)

AK74 · Mar 29th, 2005, 20:25

Thanks just had a look at those sites and think we are going to plump for the Freeflow 35+8 and the freeflow womens 30 they look like a good buy at £50 and £60 and the reviews are great .Obviously this may change when we actually go to try and buy but thanks for the pointers . One more question ? What type of footwear would you recommend for our trip ,we are spending 4 months India (no trekking expected) 4 months s.e.Asia 3 months Aus then last month in U.S.A. Starting , Nov of this year.

mr pastry · Mar 29th, 2005, 20:37

What type of footwear would you recommend for our trip ,we are spending 4 months India (no trekking expected) 4 months s.e.Asia 3 months Aus then last month in U.S.A. Starting , Nov of this year.

First time to India we took walking boots - big mistake, never wore them and they weighed a ton. Bought some sandals in the Jaipur branch of BATA. Get yourself a decent pair of adventure sandals (we very rarely wore shoes anywhere in India/Thailand/Malaysia) + maybe a pair of smarter shoes/trainers in case you stay anywhere remotely up-market and for when you arrive in North America

By the way, I'm no expert. The suggestions above are what we have found to be the most practical for us and what we do (travel by public transport, stay in budget/medium hotels and not follow the guide books too slavishly). :-)

AK74 · Mar 29th, 2005, 21:38

cheers good advice.

mr pastry · Mar 29th, 2005, 21:54

Just found one more thing:

http://www.outdoorscotland.co.uk/sho...sack_cover.htm

seems good value, folds up small and is lockable (you can put your pack in it on overnight trains and lock it to the strap provided under the seat). This looks very similar to the covers we use. You can also bung other loose things in there when you fly, save carrying too much hand luggage

AK74 · Mar 30th, 2005, 02:28

I saw one thing like this on one of the previous sites and believe it would be a good thing for detering theft on overnight trains etc etc .I will price the both and choose the best one and once again thankyou for your advice. Do you have any ideas on the best way to save money so you get out of your old habits of spending it all in the pub , only joking,

thanks again !

Mar 28th, 2005, 20:42	#1
AK74 Ken Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Birkenhead, England Posts: 66	Rucksacks Can anyone give us any advice on what size rucksack we will need and what is the best model! We have got a one year RTW ticket

Mar 29th, 2005, 17:23	#7
AK74 Ken Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Birkenhead, England Posts: 66	calling all brit rucksack fans Thankyou also for your reply , but is there anyone in England that may be able to give us some ideas as these names dont ring any bells with me . We have been advised that the Lake District has some great shops where we could pick up a bargain so we are off to Windermere this weekend to look. We have been given a Wynster 60 but dont think this is good enough (not secure enough and a bit flimsy) please help brits

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Mar 28th, 2005, 20:58	#2
Anders Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: England Posts: 630	Depends a bit on the climates you will be in. For warm weather only, 30liters, what you dont need wont fit

Mar 28th, 2005, 21:07	#3
AK74 Ken Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Birkenhead, England Posts: 66	Thanks any ideas on makes and models and what is best for security? We will mainly be in warm countries, india thailand cambodia laos vietnam aus!

Mar 28th, 2005, 21:29	#4
Anders Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: England Posts: 630	I have no idea what is available in England. This is my current favourite. MEC carry on Travelpack

Mar 28th, 2005, 21:34	#5
AK74 Ken Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Birkenhead, England Posts: 66	thank you for your help!

Mar 29th, 2005, 08:08	#6
Krishnika taking a break Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 233	I use a Deuter aircomfort Futura 27 limited. (27) It's great for hot weather because there is an airspace between your back and the pack. Clamshell opening, main space can be divided in 2 with lower zipper. Fits the perfect amount of stuff - I had my summer stuff plus wool sweater, hat and gloves for cold occasions. Small enough to carry on planes and sleep with on trains. Very comfortable and great colors - I love it. Bought it at Decathlon. Don't know if you have one where you live.

Mar 29th, 2005, 19:02	#8
mr pastry Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 131	Hi We have travelled extensively through India and the Far / Middle East using backpacks. I have a Vango 35ltr and my wife has a Lowe Alpine 30ltr ladies (tailored fit) pack. These hold about the right weight to be comfortable carrying for longish periods in hot weather. Anything bigger and you will be tempted to take far too much stuff with you! We bought our packs at a specialist outdoor shop in Kingston. You have branches of "Ellis Brigham" and "Field and Trek" in Chester and Liverpool. They should stock decent makes like Karrimor or Berghaus. Buy the best you can afford - you will hardly notice you are carrying a comfortable, well-fitting pack, and it should put up with fairly harsh treatment. Finally if you can find one, buy an all over (lockable) cover/bag that can be slipped over the pack at the airport or on boats, trains etc. It will stop the straps becoming tangled in any machinery and will help keep you pack clean (ours look like they were bought yesterday not 8 years ago).

Mar 29th, 2005, 19:13	#9
AK74 Ken Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Birkenhead, England Posts: 66	Thanks for that , have you heard of the Wynster make ,it is also a ladies model would like to know if you would find this suitable ,and also could you give us an idea of how much money we should be expecting to spend for a good one .Of course i will look on the web site for those companies and they also have outlets in Liverpool (you saved us a journey to the lakes)but would like your experienced opinion please.

Mar 29th, 2005, 20:12	#10
mr pastry Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 131	I have heard of Wynster but couldn't tell you whether they are any good. Here's links to the companies I mentioned: http://www.ellis-brigham.com/ (Chester and Liverpool) http://www.field-trek.co.uk/ (only in Chester) We paid about £80-£90 a piece for our packs back in 1997. I doubt that prices will have changed that much since then. It may seem a lot of dosh but they have been worth every penny. These packs replaced a couple of cheapies from Milletts that fell apart after one go around the Greek Islands (old saying - buy cheap, buy twice )

Mar 29th, 2005, 20:25	#11
AK74 Ken Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Birkenhead, England Posts: 66	Thanks just had a look at those sites and think we are going to plump for the Freeflow 35+8 and the freeflow womens 30 they look like a good buy at £50 and £60 and the reviews are great .Obviously this may change when we actually go to try and buy but thanks for the pointers . One more question ? What type of footwear would you recommend for our trip ,we are spending 4 months India (no trekking expected) 4 months s.e.Asia 3 months Aus then last month in U.S.A. Starting , Nov of this year.

Mar 29th, 2005, 20:37	#12
mr pastry Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 131	What type of footwear would you recommend for our trip ,we are spending 4 months India (no trekking expected) 4 months s.e.Asia 3 months Aus then last month in U.S.A. Starting , Nov of this year. First time to India we took walking boots - big mistake, never wore them and they weighed a ton. Bought some sandals in the Jaipur branch of BATA. Get yourself a decent pair of adventure sandals (we very rarely wore shoes anywhere in India/Thailand/Malaysia) + maybe a pair of smarter shoes/trainers in case you stay anywhere remotely up-market and for when you arrive in North America By the way, I'm no expert. The suggestions above are what we have found to be the most practical for us and what we do (travel by public transport, stay in budget/medium hotels and not follow the guide books too slavishly). :-)

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Mar 29th, 2005, 21:38	#13
AK74 Ken Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Birkenhead, England Posts: 66	cheers good advice.

Mar 29th, 2005, 21:54	#14
mr pastry Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 131	Just found one more thing: http://www.outdoorscotland.co.uk/sho...sack_cover.htm seems good value, folds up small and is lockable (you can put your pack in it on overnight trains and lock it to the strap provided under the seat). This looks very similar to the covers we use. You can also bung other loose things in there when you fly, save carrying too much hand luggage

Mar 30th, 2005, 02:28	#15
AK74 Ken Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Birkenhead, England Posts: 66	I saw one thing like this on one of the previous sites and believe it would be a good thing for detering theft on overnight trains etc etc .I will price the both and choose the best one and once again thankyou for your advice. Do you have any ideas on the best way to save money so you get out of your old habits of spending it all in the pub , only joking, thanks again !