Packs that include a second pack to use as a day pack
have that feature highlighted in their
descriptions, since are getting two packs for the price listed and should take
that into account when making your decision.
Recommendations based on what I
personally use:
These are the packs most similar to
the one I own and use for my trips
Eagle
Creek Rincon 65L, price: $260 plus FREE shipping at eBags 45 L
main pack + 20 L daypack, 25.2" x 9.65" x 13.39", weighs 5 lbs, 8 oz.,
full front panel loading, central lock point, zip-off day pack, compression
straps, zip-away suspension for baggage check, and a customizable suspension for
ultimate comfort and fit over the long haul.
Eagle
Creek Rincon Vita 65L Women's, price: $260 plus FREE shipping at eBags 45 L main pack + 20 L daypack, 22.05" x 9.06" x 13.78" , weighs 5 lbs, 8
oz., women's contour fit, full front panel loading, central lock point,
zip-off
day pack, compression straps, zip-away suspension for baggage check, and a
customizable suspension for ultimate comfort and fit over the long haul.
Recommendations based on
price & backpack features:
I only list packs that I would
consider using myself based on the criteria I discuss
here. Reviews of
the backpacks are available on some sites, like eBags, so read those to help
you make a decision.
SOC Gear Bugout
Bag, price: $72.99 at eBags plus FREE shipping at eBags 2700 cu.
in., 22" x 15.5" x 8", 5 lbs, 12 oz. Expandable (by 3") clam-shell main
compartment with compression straps provides for easier packing and quick
access to stored items. Personal Comments: For the size,
this bag is a bit on the heavy side (compared to its carrying capacity) but it is a cheap price and meets my
basic travel backpack criteria. Read the reviews at eBags for more info.
NOTE: This
pack is only meant for someone prepared to travel really
light.
Osprey
Porter 46, price $99 at eBags plus FREE shipping
2807 cu. in. (46 L), 22 x 14 x 9 in., weighs 3 lbs, 2 oz. easy-stow harness
and fabric wing hipbelt, internal organization, and carry handle. NOTE: This
pack is only meant for someone prepared to travel really
light.
Kelty Redwing 50 M/L,
price: $109.99 at eBags plus FREE shipping
3,100 cu. in., 25" x 18" x 14.5" , weighs 3 lbs, 8 oz . Panel loading.
Removable Waist belt. Zippered side pockets and mesh water bottle pockets.
Large front pocket with organization. NOTE: This
pack is only meant for someone prepared to travel really
light.
Mountainsmith Approach 35,
price: $119 plus FREE shipping at The Backpack Travel Store 2868 cubic
inches/ 47 L,11.75" x 23.25" x 9.5", weighs 3.4 lbs. Opens
like a zippered suitcase for easy access, contoured lumbar support, muliti-compression
straps, external water bottle pockets and super eco-friends since it is made
from recycled water bottles. NOTE: This
pack is only meant for someone prepared to travel really
light.
Mountainsmith
Alder 30 Women's, price $119 plus FREE shipping at The Backpack Travel Store
2563 cu. in / 42 L,
11.75" x 22" x 9", weighs 3.4 lbs. Shoulder and hip straps designed to
fit a woman, opens
like a zippered suitcase for easy access, contoured lumbar support, muliti-compression
straps, external water bottle pockets and super eco-friends since it is made
from recycled water bottles. NOTE: This
pack is only meant for someone prepared to travel really
light.
Osprey Porter 65, price: $129 plus FREE shipping at Moosejaw 3900 cu. in, 26" x
15" x 10", weighs 3 lbs, 4 oz. Zip-away harness and stowable hip wings, internal
mesh and fabric organization pockets, large easy access top pocket, lockable
main zipper, straightJacket compression with foam crescent sidewalls, top &
bottom and side carry handles.
Caribee
Short Hop 55, price $129 plus FREE Shipping at The Backpack Travel Store 3349
cu. in./55 L, 23.5" x 15" x 10", weighs 5lbs. Advanced hip and lumbar support,
hip belt pockets keep essentials in easy reach, separate "laundry shoot "
compartment keeps dry clothes away from clean, and concealable rain cover.
REI
Vagabond Tour 40 Travel Pack, price: $149 plus FREE shipping at REI
38 L/2,318 cu. in., 24.5 x 10 x 7 in., weighs 3 lbs, 9 oz. Fits torsos 17-19
inches. Panel-loading access. Integrated cover encloses straps when pack is
checked as baggage and doubles as a raincover for use in wet weather.
NOTE: This pack is only meant for someone prepared to travel really
light.
Caribee
Mallorca 70, price $155.95 plus FREE shipping at The Backpack Travel Store
70 L, 25.5'' x 13.4'' x 10.2'',
weighs 6.2 lbs.
Opens fully like a suitcase for easy access, removable
daypack, fully adjustable Vantage harness system ensures the perfect
fit, concealable cover keeps straps stowed and safe in transit, internal divider
can separate bottom and top compartments, lockable zippers for additional
security, and separate shoe or dirty clothes compartment.
Osprey Farpoint
55, price: $179 plus FREE shipping at Moosejaw
3300 cu. in., 24" x 17" x
13", weighs 4 lbs, 1 oz. Two torso sizes to optimize fit, zip-away contoured
shoulder straps and hip belt for outstanding fit,
removable daypack for guidebooks, jackets and everyday use, daypack attaches on front main backpack
straps when security is the issue, top and side carry handles, panel zip main
compartment with lockable pulls, removable sleeping pad straps, internal
compression straps, and large internal mesh pocket .
Deuter
Transit 50 Travel Backpack, price: $179 plus FREE shipping at REI
3,052 + 610 cubic inches/62 L, 25 x 13 x 10 in., weighs 4 lbs. 12 oz.
Detachable daypack. Concealable backpack system
zips away for airline transport or duffel/shoulder carrying. Load-bearing
aluminum frame and anatomically formed hipbelt make carrying heavy loads
comfortable.
Osprey Farpoint
70, price: $199 plus FREE shipping at eBags
4200 cu. in., 26" x 18" x 14", weighs 4 lbs, 3 oz. Two torso sizes to optimize
fit, * Zip-away contoured shoulder straps and hip belt for outstanding fit,
removable daypack for guidebooks, jackets and everyday use, daypack attaches on
front main backpack straps when security is the issue, top and side carry
handles, panel zip main compartment with lockable pulls, internal compression
straps, and .arge internal mesh pocket.
Eagle Creek Adero
45L, price $215 at eBags plus FREE shipping
2750 cu. in., 24.41" x 8.66" x 12.99", 4 lbs, 8 oz. Full front panel and
zippered top-load. Fixed top lid with zippered documents pocket and Secure-Zip
Toggle closure. Central Lock Points secure main entry points.
Osprey
Waypoint 65 Men's, price $249 at eBags plus FREE shipping 4000 cu. in./65 L, 28 x 15 x 14 in, weighs 5 lbs. 12 oz.
Interchangeable Waypoint harnesses help you customize the fit while a
built-in ErgoPull hipbelt keeps the load comfortably on your hips without
being bulky. A detachable daypack with a padded front panel keeps your
smaller items safe.
Osprey
Waypoint 65 Women's, price $249 at eBags plus FREE shipping 4000 cu. in./65 L, 28 x 15 x 14 in, weighs 5 lbs.
8oz.
Interchangeable Waypoint
harnesses help you customize the fit while a
built-in ErgoPull hipbelt keeps the load comfortably on your hips without
being bulky. A detachable daypack with a padded front panel keeps your
smaller items safe.
Eagle Creek Loche
70L Travel Backpack, price: $225 at eBags plus FREE shipping
4270 cu. in., 31.5" x 9.84" x 13.78", weighs 4 lbs. 14 oz. Full front panel load
and zippered top access, multiple cary handles for easy grab-and-go, internal
and external compression straps, and central lock points secure main entry
points.
Deuter Traveller
55+10 SL Backpack - Women',
price $279 at REI plus FREE shipping
3,356 + 610 cubic inches/65 L, 26 x 14 x 10 in., weighs 6 lbs. 8 oz.
Detachable daypack. Concealable backpack
system zips away for airline transport or duffel/shoulder carrying.
Still don't see the right pack for you? Check
out my
places
to buy backpacks to find the right
pack at the right price.
Wheeled Bags:
I don't recommend wheeled packs, as they are heavier than regular bags
and impractical to use in Europe (cobblestone streets, lots of stairs,
etc.).
Still don't see the right pack for you? Check
out my
places
to buy backpacks to find the right
pack at the right price.
Prices listed above are in US$. Price
and availability of packs is subject to change (please let me know if
the prices have changed or the packs are no longer available and I will
correct my listings ASAP). |