Backpacking Packs
 

Planning on backpacking in Europe and I'm looking for packs that I can use as a carry-on (won't have to pay extra fees on flights) and also suitable for a 2-3 week trip (everything I need + some space for souvenirs). MEC has some deals on packs and I'm not sure about the volumes and how that translates to carry-on sizes. Need some help from the experienced travellers here!

Also any tips for travelling in Italy and Croatia.

+1 looking to get a backpack as well. Will traveling around China for 2 weeks to 3 different cities and looking for a new backpack. Don't it to be too big since I will be carrying it around.
My Northface one was decent but can't fit a lot of stuff in.
http://thesavvybackpacker.com/travel-backpack/

I really like condor bags. They are super heavy duty and military grade. They come in camo or black.

My gf hates them because she says they are ugly, but I think they are cool. Pretty damn hard to cut one open if you are a pick pocket.

molle loops are awesome because you can always strap things on, such as bottles of water from the store to your hotel.

Osprey farpoint 40 or the 55 is a also a good choice.
Very well made bags.

definitely having a good bag is #1. but just as important is knowing how to pack efficiently and conveniently

I will most likely get the Osprey farpoint 40. Since Osprey farpoint 55 might be too big for carry ons

How much actual walking will you be doing? I was in europe for 3 weeks and I used a duffle from arcteryx

Carrier Duffle 35 / Sacs-à-dos / Pour une nuit / 30L à 40L / Arc'teryx / Arc'teryx

I find backpacks are great, but they have too many straps and compartment that can get caught on the plane. Having a duffle means I have one big space. I then use smaller zip bags to separate things like underwear, dirty clothes, misc. stuff.

i would say most 30-40 L packs will be safe for international carry on. if you travel within europe, then some flights might tell you to check in a 40 (which has happened to me in the past)

From past experience, the liter limit for a carry-on is about 45L. If the airline/check-in agent is generous, you might be able to get a 50L or even 55L as a carry on but it's a toss up. Might not want to risk it if you're flying with a LCC that charges you for checked baggage. Keep in mind that if you do roll the dice with a bigger bag on a LCC you'll be paying more to check your bag at the counter if it doesn't qualify as a carry-on.

In the past I've gotten away with a bag a small as 28-32L in SE Asia where it's never cold. If you're going to a cooler climate, 40L will be pushing it unless you can pack super efficiently - 1-2 pairs of lightweight underwear and washing every (other) night, merino wool, stuff like that. Otherwise 50-55L is more realistic for cooler climates IF you don't have to bring boots.

As for which style packs, I've always had a top-load style pack, something like the MEC Brio (older generation one). I haven't see the new ones but the old ones had a side zipper so don't have to dig everything out to get to the middle or bottom. The shitty thing about those are that there's no where to hide straps so if you're checking it you have to bag it to ensure your straps don't get snagged on the conveyor belts. The travel specific packs like the MEC Supercontinental you can hide the straps which is convenient.

One thing you'll want to pick up for sure is at least one stuff sack. This is gonna enable you to pack superlight. The flipside is that if you pack anything but synthetic material (ie cotton) you'll end up with crazy wrinkles in your clothes. Stick with polyester or a cotton-poly blend and you're golden.

One last note - have one of the MEC pack specialist help you get the proper size pack for you. Most of the MEC specific packs come in short, regular, or tall sizes depending on your torso length. The last thing you want is a "short" pack where the waist belt is sitting under your rib cage.

Good luck in your search and safe travels!

The Osprey farpoint 55L has a detachable 15L day pack so the backpack is only a 40L.
Pack smart and light.
If you're buying souvenir u can grab a suit case on the last stretch and check that bag on the way home.
It's only 3 weeks you could probably get by with a small suitcase and a backpack as a personal item.

Osprey farpoint 55L might not pass to be a carry on by some airlines
It's size is 13 x 24 x 17 inches

Air Canada carry on restriction is 9 in x 15.5 in x 21.5 in
West Jet 21 in. x 9 in. x 15 in
Porter 22 x 16 x 9 in
Cathay Pacific 14 * 9 * 22 in

Most of these companies only allow one carry on and one personal item (which is a lot smaller). In the end I think the Osprey farpoint 40 will be fine while Osprey farpoint 55 you might get deny by some airlines. But I have seen ppl use those giant hiking bags as carry ons and don't get caught.

Word of advice if you do plan on bringing more than one carry on and there is not enough space to put all of your stuff in the overseat please don't take other ppl's bag out. Had this happen to me before and I have to stop the guy from touching my bag. Is my bag, it was there first, you have no right to touch my things.

Bear in mind that with soft backpacks, it is often more about the "appearance" and proportions than the exact physical size.

The bag that I have taken around the world a few times now is the Deuter Transit 50L + 10L daypack:
http://www.backcountry.com/images/it...TR2634/BLA.jpg

Due to the proportions of the bag, I think it's highly unlikely that it will ever easily qualify for carry on because of the height of it. The height is the quickest way that makes a backpack "look" big and will often get your bag measured.

I love the quality and the features of the Deuter bags, my girlfriend has a Traveller 55L + 10L and hers is awesome as well but I think you are on the right track with a 40L being about the maximum you will get on a plane in carry on.

If there is one bit of advice, it is DO NOT BUY ONE ONLINE. The suspension options between manufacturers and even models vary hugely and what seems like a great bag might fall apart if it's not comfortable. My girlfriend bought an MEC bag that seemed well made and was a good size, etc. but it simply wasn't nearly as comfortable. You really need to try them on. I recommend bringing some weights and putting them in the bag, it really helps simulate the experience and will help you figure out quickly if it fits your body well.

Good luck and have a great trip!

http://i60.tinypic.com/24zdt2s.jpg

Far left is the farpoint 40,middle is 55L but s/m and the red bag on the right is 55L m/l without the day pack. Day pack is far right.

Can hide the straps and been using my 55L as a duffle.
Don't know about European Airlines but we flew Jetstar from Singapore to Saigon with no problem.
The 40 is fatter when packed than the 55L by almost a double. But you should have no problem with the 40l as its short in height

When are you headed out OP ?

Check out the Arcteryx Outlet Spring Sale in a month or two. That's where I got my Arcteryx Tango backpack. Even though it gets busy, not much people go for the backpacks during those sales. So go on the last day of the sale if you do plan to buy.

I am planning to head out in June, thought I would prepare beforehand. Thanks for the hot tip. How do you like the Tango and how many L is it?

Great thread, I'm in the market for a bag as well for this summer.

i got the deuter 60+10L from MEC before i did my around the world trip....LOVED IT

deuter is the way to go for sure....not a single stick ripped on the bag the whole time

^ Did you have to check it in as luggage?

mine? haha ya it's pretty damn big

i normally had it right around the 20kg max....unless it was a good long haul then could have more

my wife and i would each have a bag we'd take on the planes with us.....sometimes my carry on backpack would be i shit you not like 10+kg atleast

not super helpful on your specific case, but i have two of the arcteryx "series 20" packs. not big, i use one for hiking light and one for on my motorcycle. extremely comfortable and fi i needed a larger pack i'd probably go arcteryx again. more comfy than herschel or kswiss packs ive owned

id get myself a pacsafe bag just for the extra peace of mine. especially in high theft areas like Rome

Order the Osprey farpoint 40 should arrive next week. I look at the pacsafe bag. They do have good security but it doesn't seem have any place to put water bottle in.

with all of you suggesting these backpacks, have anyone of you tried a wheeled bag? I'm in the market for a backpack as well, but was considering a wheeled backpack so i can wheel it around in tighter space or when my shoulders or back is sore. i'll be going with my girlfriend to Europe and was planning to bring a backpack, a small carry on suitcase and a lge suitcase. We ae really backing packing but we are traveling to different countries.

^ When/where are you going? And is the 3 items for both of you combined?

yeah 3 of those bagged for both of us.

we planning to buy a luggage over seas for when we come back.

thinking about traveling around europe. Paris,Italy,amsterdam,greece, Prague

Is up to you. I always find wheel backpack takes too much weight VS regular backpack. That's why I like the Osprey farpoint 40 if I don't want to carry it on my back I can carry it with the side handles.

Went to Sports Check at Richmond center to see the different bags and man the Osprey farpoint 55 is actually really large. They do have smaller bags but it is mostly camping bags so it opens at the top mostly and with only one open.