Help? What size backpack?

Here's one of many choices. These backpacks are simple, functional and bombproof. No bells or whistles, they just work:

http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/group/gear_hauling/porter_series

Cheers,
Terry

Hi

I'm on a 10-month trip and have a 55l backpack, with a 10l daypack that zips on the front (Berghaus Jalan) - I can recommend it, it's been fantastic, although I haven't once zipped the little bag on the front so actually, 2 separate bags would have been fine. My boyfriend has a 60l backpack.

You really don't need anything bigger than this if you're an average traveller - however big the bag is, you'll fill it so it makes sense to go with the smallest bag possible.

What I do recommend though is that you get a bag that opens like a suitcase, i.e. opens on the front, not from the top - it makes finding things and unpacking/repacking SO much easier - no fishing for that one flip flop that you know is at the bottom of the bag!

Make sure you try the bag on before you buy it, the most important thing is to go with the most comfortable bag for you.

E

Quoting CheersT

With experience and utilizing modern fabrics it is very easy to travel indefinitely with a 40 litre backpack and still have lots of room left over inside.

terry, do you thınk thıs would be possıble ıncludıng both a tent and sleepıng bag? 1 LBSers each..

tyty

Jimmy (heh - love the username), I think you could do it if your tent and sleeping bag were the modern ultra-light ones that pack down very small (which at 1lb each, it sounds as if they are), and you packed light. A couple of compression sacks would surely help. Some of the guys on the backpackinglight.com forum seem to manage long-distance treks in truly tiny packs, but they're experienced backpackers and often willing to forfeit more comfort than I personally would be willing to forego. Also, since they're not planning any stops in civilization at all, they don't need as much in the way of clothing and toiletries as someone planning to mix urban and rural travel would.

If you already have the tent and sleeping bag, why not just bring them in with you to a shop and see how they fit in various packs?

ETA: It also, to some extent, depends on how big you are. A large person's clothing takes up more space than a smaller person's does.

[ Edit: Edited on 01-Aug-2011, at 19:03 by Elkins ]

Jimmy, even for extended travel my 40 litre backpack is only 3/4s full at most. It has lots of extra room for an ultralight tent and sleeping bag - and I'm a big guy.

Cheers,
Terry

thanks for the responses guys, much apprecıated. and elk, there wıll be a combo of both rural/urban settıngs as ı am plannıng on lıvıng out of thıs pack ındefınıtely. anyway, enough speculatıon -less ıs more and ı dont want my home to be too heavy.

You have to take a backpack which should be 45 - 50 liters.

When you want to go on a long tour for about 8 months, you must take sufficient accessories with you. So, at least a 45-liter backpack will be perfect for carrying everything with you, otherwise, it will be impossible.