BootsnAll Travel Community

Hey all,

I'm leaving for a 4 month RTW on 4.15.08, hosteling around SE Asia, India, Egypt, Ghana, and Morocco. I think the Meridian 55L seems pretty ideal for me, but it doesn't come in sizes like top-loader hiking packs do. This worries me, as I'm 6'2". Any tall folks out there tried a Meridian 55?

Flights - $3900
Camera - $350
Vaccinations - $500

Given the investment in the trip, I'll likely get the Meridian, try it out, and return it if it doesn't jibe with me -- no stores around me carry it. But hey, maybe someone here can save me the trouble of returning it if it's going to be way small a tall dude.

Thanks, and good travels,
Jake

hi Jake

i have no experience with that pack, however in general if a 55L pack doesnt come in multiple sizes, and given your height, there's a good chance its going to be too small for you.

If you can talk to the sales person on the phone, ask them what the back length (or range) for the pack is.

As a rule, backlength measurements are done from the C3 vertibra on your neck (the one that protrudes the most at the base of your neck, then measuring down the length of your spine to the half way point of your hips (i dont know if this explains it properly).

Everytime i've ordered a pack without trying it, this rule has worked very well for me as almost every serious manufacturer of backpacks has a range of figures (either overall height or back length) that their packs are suitable for.

goood luck with your travels

cheers'
Jeelan

Thanks Jeelan.

If anyone's curious, Jeelan is correct. I just returned my Meridian -- it just wouldn't adjust to be tall enough for me.

My REI Cruise 60L is a size L, and it fits. However, I've packed what I think I'll be taking on my 4 month RTW, and I'm thinking 60L is way too big. Sure, you can put 35L of stuff and cinch it down, but I'd rather have a smaller pack. Mayhaps I'll head back to REI...

best,
Jake