BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm sure that this question has been asked before, but I'm new and need some more specific information.

I'll start off by saying that I'm 6'4" 250lb. and I could lift you over my head. Weight or size of the pack is no problem. In fact I would rather have extra room than not enough.

Now, I'll be backpacking through the caribbean (warm climate but rains all the time) in a few months, and I've never been backpacking, hiking, or camping before. I'll be trying to fit my sleeping bag, tent, clothes for 10 days, and food extras into this bag. I won't be carrying cookware or much else. I would also like to leave some room because I'm sure that I'll will come back with more than I left with.

TIA!

I am not an expert and havent backpaked in the Caribbean but my general rule for all traveling is "less is more". I am 6' 170 so you definitely got some size on me but nonetheless you will enjoy yourself more if you arent constantly carrying a small person on your back. It isnt so much just lifting the weight briefly but the endurance of it. Hiking with 60+lbs on your back will not be as enjoyable as doing it with 30lbs. Also the quality of the pack and its weight distributement system matters significantly.

Just seriously think through what you absolutely need and go with that as a base and from there add another 15lbs of luxury stuff you want to bring and you should be set. 10 days isnt that long so you can make do with less then you are used to. Just my 2 cents.

Agreed Traveling with a light luggage, you won't have to pay extra fees, such as the tip for porters to carry your luggage. Okay, I forget that you don't need that Another reason is that you have an easy access to public transportation, or you can even walk instead of taking a taxi. Soooooo you immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery and unique culture without extra weight There are tons of How-to pack light articles on Internet, which are probably helpful. How to pack light

To clarify, you're going on an actual hiking trip where you will NEED/WANT to camp every day? If you're just going to camp to save money, then I'd probably say don't bother with the camping gear.

Also, how many days are you actually away? If it's 10 days of hiking, you will only need about three changes of clothes because you'll just keep wearing the same things over again.

The size of your pack will depend on how technical your tent and sleeping bag are. My multi-day backpacking bag is 60L and I tend to have plenty of room left over because I have a lot of light and compact gear. This weekend I spent the night in the mountains with a 30L pack because I kept it minimal. My inexpensive 500 fill down jacket took up more space than my sleeping bag, pad, and bivy sack combined.

I guess to start, I'd say look in the 70L (4200cu) range? You reall need to figure out how much gear, food, and water you're putting in there before you know where to start with your pack.

Again, if your plan is more to just travel than to hike a trail... just stay in hostels, guesthouses, or hotels! I know nothing about the Caribbean, but camping while traveling is rarely convenient unless you have a car. In that case, ditch the tent and sleeping bag and keep your pack smaller!