BootsnAll Travel Community

I've been searching around for suitable backpacks for my one month trip to Europe this summer, and I'm looking at one right now thats 3500 cu. My dad thinks I'm crazy and wants me to get a bigger pack, around 5000-6000 cubic inches. I don't know who's right, I certainly don't want to buy one that's too small for a month of traveling, but I don't want to be lugging around a pack that's too big either. Any advice? Also, should I buy a pack specifically made for women or can I get by with a men's? Thanks for any help!!

Don't worry about buying a backpack that's too big. It will be more expensive though i think, but you can just put less stuff in it. Most backpacks have straps so you adjust the size.

Size does matter.

I have been hauling my big-ass pack around for years. That's the one with all the dorky flag patches sewn onto it.

And you know what? It's big. And I fill it up. I'm not sure with what; anvils, granite boulders and lead bars I think.

The last couple of trips I have used a smaller pack. I have had to pare down my stuff, but not by that much. I can only take one pair of gold-glittered, platform shoes along now. The tuba stays home. And you know what? I don't miss all that stuff at all.

I am now firmly in the "smaller is better" camp.

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Originally posted by Clemsam:
Also, should I buy a pack specifically made for women or can I get by with a men's? Thanks for any help!!

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Don't worry about the gender markings. Try it on and decide if it fits you properly. Try to find some way to test it with a load before you're committed to buying it.

Agree with Joe. I don't know how big 3500cu is, but smaller just means you bring less miscellaneous stuff. Lots of people travel long term with bags sufficiently small to meet the carry-on requirements.

-Neil.
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It is better to stand corrected than to walk on your knees.

smaller is better! It's hard to say how you should travel though because it's all about personel comfort levels. I don't mind wearing only one pair of pants and two different t-shirts, you may be different. Personally I think 3500 is plenty, in fact I've never traveled with more, you can always strap stuff on the outside. But another big factor is how your going to travel, you'll almost always have to lug it around a little bit, but if you'll be doing through hikes and long walks to hostels and bus stops versus cabs everywhere, then size and weight can be a big issue. I'd go light, you can always upgrade on the road if need be.

June 2003
My first camping trip, a 2day submit climb. I was excited like a hyperactive kid on lots of candy. I even borrowed a huge bag for my climb. 20kg of unindentified belongings jumped into my bag and came along for the ride. I was struggling halfway up the climb and finished the day with severe cramps and dehydration.

Nov 2003
My first "backpacking" experiece. No tour guides, no parents, no nothing. Having tasted the bitter medicine, I decided to shave weight from my bag to help me appreciate the trip better. Borrowed a 60litre bag from a friend and proceed to fill it with misc. items. Hey, it extends a bit more for an extra 10litres! More belongings convinced me and hopped on my bag. This time, the bag was around 14kg. Not too shabby, 6kg off! I'm making better progress than people doing diets. I didn't kill myself, but it was uncomfortable lugging a heavy bag.

I've come to understand that it requires discipline to pack light and pack small. A small pack will help you chuck away less than useful items easily. So now, I've seen the light and believe the less is more theory. Sheez.. I'm such an amatuer.

(I started a similar thread sometime ago. Joe E gave some advice that helped quite a bit.)

[This message was edited by murk on 30 December 2003 at 13:13.]

Thanks everyone for your advice! Just one more question. Is it better to buy a backpack that comes with a day pack (these are harder to find and usually more expensive) or does it make just as much sense to bring a smaller bag that I can carry around during the day. I figure when its empty i can just fold it up in my regular pack. Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks again!