Anonymous wrote:Any recommendations for places to buy a good quality backpacking for traveling around Europe? Recommendations for brands also appreciated. Something like this.
https://www.macpac.co.nz/macpac-gemini-aztec-75l-travel-backpack/114337.html?dwvar_114337_color=Black&dwvar_114337_clearance=no#start=5
Ideal features would be a detachable daypack, a all-round zip opening rather than toploading pack, padded adjustable straps plus hip and chest strap.
TIA!
Anonymous wrote:Don’t most students nowadays use a combo of train and flights to get around Europe (vs it was all trains back in 1991 when I studied abroad). Assuming so, I can’t imagine why you’d want a metal framed backpack for this kind of trip nowadays. In fact, wouldn’t a lightweight roller suitcase be best, with a small daily backpack tucked inside for use for daily walkarounds.
Anonymous wrote:Don’t most students nowadays use a combo of train and flights to get around Europe (vs it was all trains back in 1991 when I studied abroad). Assuming so, I can’t imagine why you’d want a metal framed backpack for this kind of trip nowadays. In fact, wouldn’t a lightweight roller suitcase be best, with a small daily backpack tucked inside for use for daily walkarounds.
Anonymous wrote:Don’t most students nowadays use a combo of train and flights to get around Europe (vs it was all trains back in 1991 when I studied abroad). Assuming so, I can’t imagine why you’d want a metal framed backpack for this kind of trip nowadays. In fact, wouldn’t a lightweight roller suitcase be best, with a small daily backpack tucked inside for use for daily walkarounds.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I know this is going to sound like a weird suggestion, but this is the backpack I used most when I was a traveller in my 20s:
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/126758?page=llbean-continental-weekender-pack-45-liter&bc=29-915-916-1098&feat=1098-GN3&csp=a&attrValue_0=558&gnrefine=1*CPCTY_RNG*Large%20(31%20to%2060%20Liters)&pos=1
It can be a daypack, it can hold gear for a month.
It's much more comfortable than the huge "backpacking" backpacks which are hot and heavy and pretty awful.
Unless you're trying to bring a sleeping bag everywhere you go, which shouldn't be necessary in hostels, those huge framed backpacks are overkill. Just a sheet sewn over and a pillow case to fill with clothes will do.
You can bring a little fold up backpack for around town like this:
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/packable-backpack
This is great advice. Trains in Europe generally don't have great luggage space. Those huge double backpacks will be hard to stow as well.
Agree that this is great advice. A traditional backpacking tent is designed to carry a tent , sleeping bag, lots of water and food. These are sometimes up to 65-75 liters in size- they are huge and probably overkill for OP. I think around a 40 liter pack will be more comfortable, not as heavy and easier to manage for your needs. If you still want a daypack, buy a lightweight drawstring bag that you can stuff in your bigger bag.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I know this is going to sound like a weird suggestion, but this is the backpack I used most when I was a traveller in my 20s:
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/126758?page=llbean-continental-weekender-pack-45-liter&bc=29-915-916-1098&feat=1098-GN3&csp=a&attrValue_0=558&gnrefine=1*CPCTY_RNG*Large%20(31%20to%2060%20Liters)&pos=1
It can be a daypack, it can hold gear for a month.
It's much more comfortable than the huge "backpacking" backpacks which are hot and heavy and pretty awful.
Unless you're trying to bring a sleeping bag everywhere you go, which shouldn't be necessary in hostels, those huge framed backpacks are overkill. Just a sheet sewn over and a pillow case to fill with clothes will do.
You can bring a little fold up backpack for around town like this:
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/packable-backpack
This is great advice. Trains in Europe generally don't have great luggage space. Those huge double backpacks will be hard to stow as well.
Anonymous wrote:I know this is going to sound like a weird suggestion, but this is the backpack I used most when I was a traveller in my 20s:
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/126758?page=llbean-continental-weekender-pack-45-liter&bc=29-915-916-1098&feat=1098-GN3&csp=a&attrValue_0=558&gnrefine=1*CPCTY_RNG*Large%20(31%20to%2060%20Liters)&pos=1
It can be a daypack, it can hold gear for a month.
It's much more comfortable than the huge "backpacking" backpacks which are hot and heavy and pretty awful.
Unless you're trying to bring a sleeping bag everywhere you go, which shouldn't be necessary in hostels, those huge framed backpacks are overkill. Just a sheet sewn over and a pillow case to fill with clothes will do.
You can bring a little fold up backpack for around town like this:
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/packable-backpack
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Have you looked at REI?
Yes but they only seemed to stock Osprey or REI’s own brand and most seemed more for camping than backpacking.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Briggs and Riley makes one that opens the way you want. I love it. In Japan now with it,
https://www.briggs-riley.com/products/convertible-backpack-duffle-zxp127
Downside no place for water bottles
Osprey makes great bags too.
Thanks. Not for me but for one of my teens who is going to go backpacking for a month. Your suggestion looks nice but not really what I am looking for.