BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello travellers,

I am soon going to embark on my first long term trip, a 3-6 month trip through India, Central Asia (silk road), and nearby countries. I want to travel as light as possible, but plan on taking my DSLR camera (one lens, no flash) and laptop (Powerbook 12" G4).

I am currently looking at a two bag solution: one for camera/laptop/valuables/daypack (carryon) and another for clothes/everything else (checkin).

I have a Lowepro AW Rover II backpack which would accomodate camera/laptop and daytrip supplies. I would then need a second backpack for everything. Currently looking at Osprey Waypoint 60L (without attached daypack), MEI Voyageur. I like those because the backpack straps can be zipped away, and it becomes essentially a soft suitcase.

I was originally hoping to take one bag for the trip, but I am not sure that is possible with both the SLR and laptop.

Do you have any recommendations on backpack/daypack strategy that would work well, while also being fairly light?

For those of you that take their laptop and/or DSLR with them, what is your packing strategy?

Thanks.

Kal

I think you will need to carry two bags. Unless you pack so light that you can fit all your camera gear, laptop and clothes in the main backpack.

One on your back and other in the front.

Why are you taking the laptop...is it more to download your pics. If so there are other lighter options. You can download 80gb onto a ipod.

The key to traveling is to pack light. Make a list of things you want to take with you and then decide what is "essential" and what is a luxury.

I took my DLSR but no laptop. Even then my daypack was heavy. I also carried a smaller handbag for my camera shooting in the day when I really wanted to be light.

Check the forums for recommendations on backpacks and aslo ideas for packing list...the choices you mentioned are really good. When will you be traveling...winter vs summer. Summer travel will of course be lighter.

What ever items you are packing like personal items...ensure they are light as well. That will help manage the weight. Instead of taking a whole big bottle of shampoo..take about a week or two's worth and then buy locally. I bought a bunch of those plastic bottles from REI..that helped trim the weight of bathroom essentials. I took a couple of my running drywick t-shirts...very light and dry easily. Insated of flannel sleepsheet take a silk one...light and once again easily washable.

Put all your items in your backpack and daypack and walk at least two or three blocks. That is about what you will be walking from bus stations to Hostels, airports to bus stations etc etc. If you cannot manage that then you have to trim em down.

Also once you have put everything in your backpack go to the local REI ...they can show you how to pack so as to distribute the weight. Really helps to know where to pack your heaviest vs lightest things.



Good luck...

Thanks Madhu for your response.

The one bag on front, one bag on back was something I was trying to avoid. I cringe whenever I see backpackers travelling like that, looks so uncomfortable. I guess times that I will be moving with both packs are going to be fairly limited, so it may be okay.

I would like to take my laptop because I will be doing a fair amount of writing/journaling/etc, and also a fair amount of photo processing/etc. It would be difficult to do a lot of these things from an internet terminal. Plus I would have the benefit of being able to do these things from the comfort of my own room, airport, bus/train, etc. I am taking an older (3yr old) laptop that's not worth much, so if it is lost/stolen/damaged, it won't be too big of a lost.

Thanks also for your packing advice. I have been reading a lot about tips for packing light. I am going to try and see if I can get everything else I need into a ~50L bag, and have extra room leftover.

Carry the laptop and other essentials in a messenger type daypack, you can wear that toward the front of your body, then all the other stuff in your larger backpack. 50L should be big enough for tons of stuff, I have plenty of room in my 50L pack.

I would go over the shoulder for the day bag - its more comfortable when carrying the other bag too. Also make sure you have a separate hard drive to back up your laptop which you carry in the other bag- its not the hardware which is valuable its your photos/writings on it! I personally am looking hard at the Asus Eee Pc for my next trip - its so light - but wouldnt run photoshop or similar - but will certainly do writing/browsing - link in my sig

I have a Timbuk2 messenger bag w laptop sleeve. Has anyone added padded inserts in such a bag to accomodate an SLR?

Great idea for the external HD. I was also going to backup to DVD, and also am looking at online backup solutions as well.

I am looking at 3 different 50L travelpacks:

1. Eagle Creek Meridian (52L)
2. Osprey Waypoint 60L (without daypack it's 50L)
3. MEI Voyageur (~49L)

Any opinions deciding between the two? There are plenty of posts on #3 that I've read here (but I've never actually put one on). I haven't read too much about #1 or #2.

Thanks!

Kal

Well, definitely spend some time trying out your messenger bag while wearing your 50L backpack. While wearing both I find a messenger bag quite cumbersome with a DSLR inside and not nearly as comfortable as a day pack. Remember, you'll probably want to put the messenger bag (or daypack) on first and then the backpack on afterwards to keep from having to take the messenger bag on/off everytime you remove your travel pack to get on/off the bus/taxi/etc.

I went to a local camera shop today to check out camera bag options.

I think I may try the Timbuk2 messenger bag with the SLR in a small padded case inside, see link below.

http://www.tamrac.com/5627_lrg.htm

This way, when I just want to walk around with just the camera, I can take just a small bag. I think that is preferable to me rather than putting inserts into the messenger bag. I will be taking just one (maybe two) lenses.