Which Backpack?

tunezis · Oct 5th, 2007, 01:25

Hi,
I'm going to be travelling throughout India for two months in Dec and January, 3 weeks in S.India, 1 week in Goa and 4 weeks in N. India...
My main concern right now is choosing the right back pack. I'd like to travel as light as possible (obviously) but want to be realistic.
Anyone have suggestions for size or specific packs?
Thanks!

Alohaguy · Oct 5th, 2007, 01:40

Welcome to IM

Kelty makes good backpacks. Kelty Redwing 3100 is a good one. I bought one after reading good reviews. Haven't used it yet

Use the SEARCH function in IM and you will find some more information. Good Luck!

tunezis · Oct 5th, 2007, 03:08

The kelty looks nice but do you really think it's big enough to fit everything I need for two months?? I was considering a 60L bag from MEC (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1191529757943)
Thanks.

Brisso · Oct 5th, 2007, 04:43

The issue is not what you take, but what you might like to bring back. India is a shoppers dream. I'd suggest mimimum 70 litres.

wonderwomanusa · Oct 5th, 2007, 05:06

You are not going into outer space; India has almost everything you might need if you run out. Bring your favorite sort of undies, toothpaste, sunblock, mossie repellant and a couple of changes of clothing. You can fit it all in a gym bag if you try!

Shirin · Oct 18th, 2007, 02:56

Hi everybody!
I'm soooo happy that I found this thread!

I was in India 4 years ago, I had no idea what to expect, so I just took some light clothes with me..It was supposed to be hot, right??
Well, the thing was, I went there at the end of January; it was soooo freaking cold! Quite an unpleasent experience! No heating system in my room, of course, just a huge fan hanging from the ceiling

I was so cold. I wish I listened to that nice Indian at the Embassy who told me that Delhi could be quite cold at that time of the year!
Well, I'm going there again

So, what's the wheather like in Delhi in November and December, is it chilly, is it as cold as in January, should I take some warm clothes with me????
But I do want to travell light.
I wish I found this forum 4 years ago

it would save me a lot of trouble.
Thanks!!

chuyia · Oct 18th, 2007, 06:53

I am also heading to Delhi at the end of November and was wondering how cool it would be and the sort of clothes i should be packing.

divingdog5 · Oct 18th, 2007, 06:57

best type of pack for sure is one you you can unzip all the way round like a case that way you dont have to empty the sucker looking for you last pair of undies

wonderwomanusa · Oct 18th, 2007, 07:00

Delhi's warm in the daytime, even in January -- it it's not foggy.

The thing that kept me comfortable there on cold winter days, which are about the same temps as San Francisco in January, was silk long underwear (tops and bottoms). These added practically no bulk, but kept me toasty warm. So get some and take them with you; they are light weight and don't take up much space in your bag.

I had a couple of woolen shawls that I'd purchased, and used those when necessary, too. And found a big black sweatshirt at the Janpath Market one day; I still have it somewhere.

I wear them in California, too, in January!

Alohaguy · Oct 18th, 2007, 09:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by tunezis

The kelty looks nice but do you really think it's big enough to fit everything I need for two months?? I was considering a 60L bag from MEC (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1191529757943)
Thanks.

60L feels too big for me. Of course, it all depends on what you want to carry on the trip. As for shopping done in India, you could just ship stuff instead of carrying it around. Make sure it is not top loading as divingdog suggested.

Shirin · Oct 18th, 2007, 14:41

So it's still warm in November? The end of January was quite chilly, as I can recall.
On my first night in India, I stayed in a room that had no warm water

and just a small, very very small window in the corner that let in just enough light to find my bed and go straight to sleep. I had a very light (do you say light, or thin?) sleeping bag and I slept in my trousers and a sweater, the only warm things I brought with me from Europe.
After the cultural shock I experienced at the train station in Delhi and all those overly enthusiastic Indians harassing us, my first thought was: when's the first plane home?!

God, it was a nightmare!
I hope this time I will enjoy India more.

azugarcia · Oct 19th, 2007, 00:40

We have purchased an Osprey Meridian 28"(75L) - the 22"(60L) won Outside Magazine's "Best Gear of the Year". It's handy because it has a zip-off day pack that has a special compartment for a laptop, and it also has both a zip-away backpack AND a roller for running around airports, train stations, etc.
Good Luck
http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/MeridianSeries/

Edor · Nov 12th, 2007, 02:01

I traveled primarily overland with a typical back packer pack of about 50 litres. But this time I have many more airline flights and am concerned about how it will be abused by baggage system. Any thoughts?

In addition to the shoulder straps and hip belt there are other compression straps and tie downs that might get caught in baggage handling equipment - has this happened to you?

I am thinking of carrying a very large 5 mil plastic bag that the entire back pack will fit into to help prevent the above potential problem, however with new airline security etc. I don't know whether that would be acceptable?

A recent thread here suggested the onebag.com website and through its recommendation I am considering the MEI Voyageur or Silver Streak as alternatives
http://www.meipacks.com/TravelPacks01.html#voyage
Anyone have experience with them or an opinion from the photos? MEI seems to specialize in travel packs and seems to have a good reputation. See traveler review here http://boards.bootsnall.com/eve/foru.../m/81400599316

Oct 5th, 2007, 01:25	#1
tunezis Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 4	Which Backpack? Hi, I'm going to be travelling throughout India for two months in Dec and January, 3 weeks in S.India, 1 week in Goa and 4 weeks in N. India... My main concern right now is choosing the right back pack. I'd like to travel as light as possible (obviously) but want to be realistic. Anyone have suggestions for size or specific packs? Thanks!

Oct 18th, 2007, 06:57	#8
divingdog5 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: on the road Posts: 21	back pack best type of pack for sure is one you you can unzip all the way round like a case that way you dont have to empty the sucker looking for you last pair of undies

Nov 12th, 2007, 02:01	#13
Edor Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oregon, U.S.A. Posts: 94	MEI Voyageur looks good for minimalist small back pack approach I traveled primarily overland with a typical back packer pack of about 50 litres. But this time I have many more airline flights and am concerned about how it will be abused by baggage system. Any thoughts? In addition to the shoulder straps and hip belt there are other compression straps and tie downs that might get caught in baggage handling equipment - has this happened to you? I am thinking of carrying a very large 5 mil plastic bag that the entire back pack will fit into to help prevent the above potential problem, however with new airline security etc. I don't know whether that would be acceptable? A recent thread here suggested the onebag.com website and through its recommendation I am considering the MEI Voyageur or Silver Streak as alternatives http://www.meipacks.com/TravelPacks01.html#voyage Anyone have experience with them or an opinion from the photos? MEI seems to specialize in travel packs and seems to have a good reputation. See traveler review here http://boards.bootsnall.com/eve/foru.../m/81400599316

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Oct 5th, 2007, 01:40	#2
Alohaguy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hawaii USA Posts: 168	Welcome to IM Kelty makes good backpacks. Kelty Redwing 3100 is a good one. I bought one after reading good reviews. Haven't used it yet Use the SEARCH function in IM and you will find some more information. Good Luck!

Oct 5th, 2007, 03:08	#3
tunezis Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 4	The kelty looks nice but do you really think it's big enough to fit everything I need for two months?? I was considering a 60L bag from MEC (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1191529757943) Thanks.

Oct 5th, 2007, 04:43	#4
Brisso Specialist muddler Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 530	The issue is not what you take, but what you might like to bring back. India is a shoppers dream. I'd suggest mimimum 70 litres.

Oct 5th, 2007, 05:06	#5
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,479	You are not going into outer space; India has almost everything you might need if you run out. Bring your favorite sort of undies, toothpaste, sunblock, mossie repellant and a couple of changes of clothing. You can fit it all in a gym bag if you try!

Oct 18th, 2007, 02:56	#6
Shirin Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Europe Posts: 3	Hi everybody! I'm soooo happy that I found this thread! I was in India 4 years ago, I had no idea what to expect, so I just took some light clothes with me..It was supposed to be hot, right?? Well, the thing was, I went there at the end of January; it was soooo freaking cold! Quite an unpleasent experience! No heating system in my room, of course, just a huge fan hanging from the ceiling I was so cold. I wish I listened to that nice Indian at the Embassy who told me that Delhi could be quite cold at that time of the year! Well, I'm going there again So, what's the wheather like in Delhi in November and December, is it chilly, is it as cold as in January, should I take some warm clothes with me???? But I do want to travell light. I wish I found this forum 4 years ago it would save me a lot of trouble. Thanks!!

Oct 18th, 2007, 06:53	#7
chuyia Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Australia (QLD) Posts: 3	I am also heading to Delhi at the end of November and was wondering how cool it would be and the sort of clothes i should be packing.

Oct 18th, 2007, 07:00	#9
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,479	Delhi's warm in the daytime, even in January -- it it's not foggy. The thing that kept me comfortable there on cold winter days, which are about the same temps as San Francisco in January, was silk long underwear (tops and bottoms). These added practically no bulk, but kept me toasty warm. So get some and take them with you; they are light weight and don't take up much space in your bag. I had a couple of woolen shawls that I'd purchased, and used those when necessary, too. And found a big black sweatshirt at the Janpath Market one day; I still have it somewhere. I wear them in California, too, in January!

Oct 18th, 2007, 14:41	#11
Shirin Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Europe Posts: 3	So it's still warm in November? The end of January was quite chilly, as I can recall. On my first night in India, I stayed in a room that had no warm water and just a small, very very small window in the corner that let in just enough light to find my bed and go straight to sleep. I had a very light (do you say light, or thin?) sleeping bag and I slept in my trousers and a sweater, the only warm things I brought with me from Europe. After the cultural shock I experienced at the train station in Delhi and all those overly enthusiastic Indians harassing us, my first thought was: when's the first plane home?! God, it was a nightmare! I hope this time I will enjoy India more.

Oct 19th, 2007, 00:40	#12
azugarcia AzuGarcia Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon USA Posts: 1	We have purchased an Osprey Meridian 28"(75L) - the 22"(60L) won Outside Magazine's "Best Gear of the Year". It's handy because it has a zip-off day pack that has a special compartment for a laptop, and it also has both a zip-away backpack AND a roller for running around airports, train stations, etc. Good Luck http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/MeridianSeries/

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