BootsnAll's Travel Community

Hi everyone, forgive me for posting yet another backpack question. I tried to find an answer to my question in one of the other posts but there are so many to sort through...

Anyway:

I'll be going to Europe in April for 4 weeks, what recommendations do you have as far as internal pack capacity? How many cubic inches/liters do you think would be necessary for such a trip?

I'll be staying in hotels and hostels (not camping). This is my first such trip so while I will try to pack as light as possible, I'm still a novice.

Thanks!!

rewbicon,

first Welcome to boots! I would imagine you could get away with something less than 60L that I took for 3.5 mos in Mexico. Maybe in the 40 range depending on the range of clothing/gear you want to take. Get the smallest pack you can so that you don't overstuff that thing. The best tip I got from boots is to test your pack a few times before buying so I tried out several at my local store over the course of a couple of monts. I'm a HUGE fan of Gregory products. www.gregorypacks.com

Keep us posted!

If I were in your shoes... 55 liters.

Great, thanks for the input... It seems like the 50L range would be best for me based on everything I've heard.

I picked up a 57L Mountainsmith Ramble today and it seems to have all the features I'm looking for.

Thanks again!

Whoa, that was a quick resolution to that thread. You are not prone to dithering, are you?

Haha... true. I guess I felt like people were a little wore out with another backpack question so I didn't expect many responses. I had already done quite a bit of research, but it was good to get input from a few people on here. I'm still listening if anyone has something different to say (I'm trying this pack out around the house and have a few days to return it if I don't like it).

Hey, please do give me your thoughts and review of the Ramble. I'm torn between the North Face Skareb 55 and the Ramble but have been sitting on the fence for the last month while I assemble the rest of my gear.

Pictures would also kick ass, since I've only been able to find all of one stock photo of the bag.

I prefer panel-loaders over top-loaders, but, to each, their own. I also prefer real travel packs such as these from MEC.

However, would getting a Mountainsmith Ramble for $70 entice you?

Blimey. Shame they don't ship to the UK. La la.

OceanicNomad,

Just a heads up on the NF Skareb. It has a roll-top closure which makes getting your stuff in and out of the bag a bit more difficult than with an equivalently sized top loader with a lid. If this is not a big deal to you, that's great because I think it's a really good pack. I traveled with a 40L roll-top and thought it was a pain. I now travel with a top loader with a lid and like it. If you get the skareb, what will make packing much easier are silnylon stuff sacks from Outdoor Research or such. They slide in and out of the pack easily.

Thanks Static for posting that deal on the Ramble... I had bought one locally a few days ago(for twice as much) and fortunately haven't taken the tags off yet. I bought the one online and will be taking the other back tomorrow.

Thanks again!