I'm debating between the Eagle Creek Maiden Voyage and the Explorer LT for my rtw. Anyone had any experience with the Maiden Voyage?

I have, indirectly. I think it is a good pack and perfectly servicable. Don't go to the Grand Voyage, which is just too big. I didn't use this pack, but a travel buddy did, and it seemed all right. It is not a flat pack, which I prefer, but it stangs up on it's own. THere is a detachable day pack, but my bud, after a few forays, never detached it. The side pouches with lash points are great it you have long thin stuff, poles or walking sticks...or in my friend's case, a really long blow gun.

What, are we playing "spot the Canadian"?

Okay, pick the more Canadian owner of the packs out of those two....

My flag gets nothing but hassle. But I have a reason for it.

quote:

Originally posted by Piecar:

My flag gets nothing but hassle. But I have a reason for it.

Ok, I gotta ask... a reason beyond being from Canada? Which is a perfectly reasonable reason, but I was wondering if there was more.
- Heather, eternally curious

No...A reason for the flag on my pack....But it's secret.

My reason for being from Canada is that it's the best country on Earth.

quote:

I'm debating between the Eagle Creek Maiden Voyage and the Explorer LT for my rtw. Anyone had any experience with the Maiden Voyage?

OK, so I asked my Eagle Creek company pal your question. They are different packs. The Maiden Voyage (isn't that a clever name for a women's pack?) is much more rugged, costs less but weighs a lot (2 pounds?) more. The daypack is bigger. It was the replacement for the venerable Women's Continental Journey (I think). Sorry for this vague answer, this was just one random question of many during dinner last night and just maybe some alcohol was involved.

Thanks Piecar and Static. I've tried on the Explorer (weighted down of course) and it felt great, but it just seemed so small, now I just need to try on the Maiden (yeah, gotta love the gender specific name)and see it in person. If it feels good then my only other concern would that fact that it's too big for carry-on.

Thanks again!

There is (in my opinion) no carry-on travel pack worth a damn.
If they are carry-on sized, they are too small for extended travel.

Just my $.02

You're up to 4 cents because I agree. The packs that fit for carry on are just too small for round the world trips. You just can't make it with a sarong and a pair of cargo pants thrown into a day pack. Don't listen to Rick Steves. His pack is small because the unit carries his stuff.

And I heard that he has quite a small unit. Perhaps that is why he is single.

If you haven't got your pack yet, this website is having a sale until 10:00AM Friday on most everything.
http://www.luggagepros.com/mpb/IID12745.shtml
I had decided to buy one of these packs also because they are more lightweight than others of similar sizes. But since I am tall I'm worried that maybe I should buy a mans pack. REI has instuctions on their web site on how to fit the pack to you. These packs fit from 15-19 inches which is better than most womens packs, but my back measures 21 inches so I'm not sure if it is going to be a good fit. I think I will order it anyway. It's $166.50 until 10:00AM and $185 after 10,.

The difference between these two packs in volume is 69L and 70L. If I wore a size small I would go with the smaller one. Of course I've always thought the easiest way to pack in a carry on is to be a size XS in the first place, but that's never going to happen.

I just ordered it...one more step closer.

Thanks for all the input!

I may be a little too late here, but I've got the EC Voyage and I love it. It's only 65L, but I see that as a good thing. I can fit everything I need (including layers for all weather, several shirts, sandals, bathroom bag, dSLR, emergency supplies, books, and more). It keeps me from overpacking, and I can travel much quicker and lighter.

I see people dragging around a huge pack on their back, with a day-pack strapped to their front too. It just seems excessive when you can do it with much less. How much stuff do you really need to drag around the world with you anyway?