BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm taking off for 10 months in Africa and South America and trying to find the ideal pack. From reading all the forums here, I'm fairly certain I want a ~50L, panel-loading pack. I don't really want the detachable backpack, but I could live with it. I *do* want a good suspension/support system, as I plan on walking a lot.

I'm looking at the Eagle Creek Meridian vs. the WayPoint 60. Any advice? I'm worried the Eagle Creek won't have good support. While the Waypoint 60 has the detachable backpack I don't need (but I could leave behind making it a 50L pack).

Please advise! Or feel free to suggest other packs. Thanks!

Two possibles that I'm not sure I've ever seen commented upon here, but I'd love to have opinions of, are the Quantum 55 (which has been around for a while) and the Traveller 55 (which I think is new) both by Deuter. Deuter are a German company and seem to have a good reputation for making 'proper' packs with good harnesses and strong materials. They seem fairly expensive, but then (in the UK at least) no more so than Eagle Creek.

I'd love to know if anyone has any experience of these. Static, any professional opinion?

Deuter makes good packs, but they are mostly unavailable in the USA. I see them at the trade show and out in backpacklandia, but not in stores.

I am with you on the detachable daypack thing. I hope that fad dies a completely ignominious death real soon. The Eagle Creek "Maiden Voyage" is about the size you are looking for, I think. Stupid day pack though. The Osprey Porter 45 and 65 are about your size too. Both Panel loaders, but the pic seems to indicate that they are a little odd about their panels.

D

Yes, the Osprey Porter series is the right size, but it has more of a daypack-type structure, which I fear won't be good for long hauls on your feet. That's why I'm thinking the Osprey Waypoint 60 (and then leaving the 10L detachable daypack at home to make it a 50L). But I'd love to know if someone's used this (or the Eagle Creek Meridian or Maiden Voyage), and has negative or postive comments. Thanks!

I have a 50L boll pack...love it

I've been seriously eying the Osprey Atmos, either the 65 or the 50.

The back ventilation on them looks super cool, especially as for me having a hot sweaty back is the most uncomfortable part of my current pack.

I swung by an REI here and tried one on. Can't decide whether I should spend the money on it, though it sure is nice!