I’m looking for a new backpack to take with me on our travels. I have an old LLBean backpack that is really heavy. I used it in Europe on a number of occasions and found it unbearable. Of course I realize that it was because I had it stuffed to the gills with unnecessary items, but even empty it was many pounds heavier than this Gregory. I want to take as little as possible with me but am struggling to balance that with being practical and comfortable. The 50 is as big as I’ll go, and I know that most hardcore travellers would balk at that size. It is a top loading backpack. Many people on the gear forum of lonely planet recommend a travel backpack for a RTW trip.
Ooh, I just found this helpful post from Lonely Planet user RPM: “Bag size really depends on your size, I’m 6’2″ and took a 70l whilst my wife is 5’3″ and took a 50l. Whilst you may read about very small packs and travelling light those size packs are about the norm for most long term backpackers.” I’m glad to know that these proportions worked out as I am about that height and had settled on that size and my husband as well. He wasn’t sure quite what size, I’ll have to see if his is about 70l.
Acouple of other options to look at Eagle Rock Thrive Women’s 75l, Osprey Men’s Waypoint 60l, Osprey Aura.
We’ll have to think about this. We need to figure out exactly how much backpacker and how much normal traveller we’ll be. I love my Samsonite wheelie and it’s gone everywhere with me. Now I’m getting cold feet on the backpack idea….I need to look at the blueprints to see how rural we’ll be. As I see it the more walking and dirt roads that we do the more backpack we need. The more city and bus that we do the more wheelie is practical. Also the less moving we do the more wheelie is practical. Sounds like I have to go back to the drawing board on figuring out our itinerary before I can figure out the luggage.
