What rucksack/daysack?

ipineindia

Looking at getting a rucksack for my travels, I`ll be going for 6 months, intending to buy alot of the necessities to go in the rucksack in India as it will be cheaper.

Not really that clued up on ruck/day sacks, what should I be looking for, any recommendations ?

davyd

On Paharganj in New Delhi you can find decent ruck sacks by The North Face in diffirent fashion and size.

zzzehar

also check out http://stikage.com

ambika

your question sounded to me like you are inquiring about what kind of rucksack you should buy before you go into india right? and then you'll be buying stuff to go in the backpack in india.
lots of travellers recommend you buy the type with the full zip - i think they are called travel packs - apparently most of the ones that you pack from the top don't lock (and for trains you might want this) and they are also hard to find things in a hurry - whereas the travel packs can lock and you can open them easily adn see everything you have inside.
i had one of these for about 10 years and had no problems - also they have flap thats tucked away that you can zip all the way around to cover the straps whilst flying (airposts like this as they sometimes get a little peed off with backback straps)
hope this helps

TimMakins

Its quite simple - you get exactly what you pay for in life, and backpacks are no different. Go to London for the day, and check out the shops around Convent Garden etc. I'd recommend Berghaus - their kit is excellent quality, and will last you years. I paid £100 for mine in 1990, and its still an excellent bag, after LOTS of trips to LOTS of countries. The ones you buy in Delhi will hardly last until Varanasi!!

As mentioned above, you MUST get one that is lockable - generally by linking the zip-pullers together with a small padlock (which you should also buy before you go). Also mentioned above, the zipable cover that hides the rucksack-straps when you aren't using them is very useful, and will stop your bag getting caught in the luggage carousels etc.

Tim in Ireland

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davyd

100 pounds - isn't it too much for backpack? What about trekking, enduring baggage (mis)treatment in buses, trains, airplanes in third world countries?
The North Face is actually good company, I have seen a lot of foreigners with them.
I have small ruck sack from this company, I bought it in New Delhi on Paharganj just for around 1000Rs (22 dollars), it's good with mentioned lock - useful to keep it in luggage rooms.
I hope it will be useful for me this summer, though I do not expect it to serve me 16 years, it's better to buy new one before long enduring trips.

kidsan

You're right about the North Face Davyd, they certainly make good gear (though not as good as they once did!) but that only holds true for genuine TNF. All the so-called TNF gear i saw in india was a copy, mostly poor (though not always) with a TNF label stitched on.

As Tim says, you get what you pay for as i am now realising with a budget sac i bought last year and is already falling apart.
So, take his advice ipineindia and go for a trusted brand...berghaus, hagloffs, macpac or if you've got cash to burn, arcteryx...as tough as it comes.

Kx

TimMakins

My rucksack has done all of that and much much more. It is still a great bag, and I intend using for years to come. I consider the £100 was money very well spent - after all, your backpack is a critical item as it surrounds and contains all your other belongings - it has to be something you can rely on.

Well, that's a matter of opinion. I have seen those bags, and do not like them at all. The quality of material, the poor quality of plastic used for the push-catches, the poor quality of webbing, their waterproof and dust proof capabilities, the quality of the zips...

Of course you are quite right to say that they are a fair choice if you go down the 'use once and buy a new one' route, but that's not the way I like to travel. And anyway, if you divide the cost over the period, I'm paying just 6.25 pounds per year so far, and expect it to get even cheaper. Its not so bad then, is it?!

Tim in Ireland

davyd

Seriously speaking the question of rucksacks/daypacks/etc depend on what do you do during your travels.
I suspect people with enourmous (mansize) backpacks are very satisfied with them. Because for them travel is just a rest.
For me it's impossible option - I buy everywhere a lot of books and to carry them on my back...In total I used to have around 100 kg of luggage at every particular moment of my trips despite sending parcels from every place, 100kg including laptop, new books, cloths, shoes, CDs, technics and so on. Lately I even refused to print fotos - too heavy to carry and for sending.
That's why I am forced to have suitcase on wheels - easy for travels, backpack - for books and when I leave my things somewhere (at friends, at luggage rooms etc) and go for short (maximum 2-3 weeks) trips, laptop has its own case and handbag with money and necessities.
That's why it is need not taste behind our preferences.

ipineindia

thanks all

justmakebelieve

If you're buying a backpack to carry all your stuff you need a really good back support system. It should have a solid frame (aluminium) and a good hip belt - you tighten this in order to take the majority of the weight on your hips. Don't let your shoulders and back do the work, thats what strains your back.

Also, decent quality material that won't rip easiy, and zips that you can padock together. Inbuilt raincover is useful.

size-wise - 65litres or possibly 75 litres. Don't get 85litres or you'll fill it and it'll be too heavy.

day bag - personally I prefer a record bag style daybag, easier to carry with backpack than a little rucksack. Also easier to hold on to, away from pickpockets etc.

cyberhippie

Be advised that on Paharganj the North Face bags are fakes not the real thing and as such probably won't last you very long!!
If you really want a backpack in Delhi find a outdoor persuits shop and buy the real deal!!

You can't buy a North Face rucksac for 10-12 quid in the west neither can you buy a real one in India for this price!!

davyd

If you have seen mine you would understand that with all zips, locks, pockets, shape, details, fabrics, my The North Face rucksack and allegedly by you fake is of very good quality. It's the same as North Face rucksacks of Japanese girls I have seen in Mumbai.
When I want to buy bag or something in Paharganj shopkeepers usually ask for range of price. Then he show many items, and if you want the best they can find something like The North Face. It was not 10-12 dollars, it was something around 1000 rupees or even more I don't remember exactly.

cyberhippie

Sorry davyd that should have read British pounds not dollars!!

The average price of North Face Bags in the UK you will find here!!

I've not seen your bag so I can't comment but most of the stuff on sale on Paharganj are well made fakes!!

Which means they won't last as long as the real deal!!

davyd

If you did not see my rucksack why you said it is fake?
I found inside it small tag with words: The North Face. USA. Gore-Tex is a registered trade mark of WL Gore & Associates inc.
Is it enough proof for you or tag is also fake?