Backpacks!

Backpacks!

Posted on 29. Jul, 2010 by Kirsty in Blog, Gear, Planning

Very early on we had decided that one of the most important things we would buy were our backpacks. I really really like shopping, but saving was forcing me to buy less and less so I replaced clothes shopping with research and looking and trying lots of different bags.

The first questions I asked myself were:

* How much space do I want? – 80/90 – I am a girl and a hoarder?!
* How much space do I need? – I settled for 65/70 litres
* Front or top loader – front
* Wheels or back? – I’m a bit of a weakling , wheels if possible
* What is my budget? – It was an investment so around £150

Creative Commons: Lululemon athletica

I spoke to a few people about my idea of getting a wheeled bag, there are pros and cons to it. One of my friends who had just finished travelling round SE Asia told me that she had wished she had brought a one with wheels as she had struggled with one on her back. The main con of wheels is that most do not have a separate handle and so prove to be pretty unstable when pulling them along (like this berghaus one).

I already had experience of unstable wheeled bags whilst travelling to the world scout jamboree in Thailand and vowed never to use such bags again! So I was in a pickle. I knew I would prefer wheels but not one that would be so annoying I wanted to chuck it out of the nearest window!

Then I stumbled across Caribee! Caribee is an Australian brand which had only just started selling the UK. They make all sorts of different sized bags but most importantly they make a bag that has wheels and a stable handle which also converts into a good backpack with lumbar support – the best of both worlds. I chose the fast track model which comes in two sizes. After much debate and persuasion I went of the smaller of the two (75 l). The main bag is 60l with a detachable 15 l day sack.

Me and my new Caribee pack.

The bag is a bit on the heavy side weighing in at just under 4kg, but the wheels are big and I have tested it on a range of terrains in the UK and it has passed with flying colours. A con of this bag is that when you attach the day sack to the front it does tend to fall over! (but this could be my bad packing) Also the day sack isn’t that good with just very thin straps especially when you compare it to poi’s.

Getting the negatives out of the way – this is a brilliant bag, it has got a lot of space in it and does have a separate compartment at the bottom to put shoes and dirty washing. I have decided to take packing cubes as well as I am pretty messy and need as much help as possible.

Poi with his Caribee Grand Air, stuffed with pillows for affect.

Poi’s bag was pretty much decided for him. He liked the sound of Caribee too (he’s not really into the whole research thing) they have got lots of good write ups and he found a fantastic bag called the grand air. This is extremely comfortable and has plenty of features including lots of hidden away pockets for all those important items.

His bag is 70L however it does not sag when not full so packing lighter than maybe we first planned is possible, the way the bag opens is its best point, access is very easy and will make finding anything quickly very easy.

Inside of the Caribee Grand Air

I don’t want to bore you all with the details about why you should buy these packs and how to go about chosing the right pack for you, there are plenty of decent posts out there explaining that.

This is a continuation on our planning posts……now you know even more about us and what we are taking on our tip. Full packing list to follow.

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12 Responses to “Backpacks!”

  1. Tinny

    29. Jul, 2010

    Backpacks really, really excite me.

    Reply to this comment

  2. BAbackpacker

    30. Jul, 2010

    Oh wow so you guys are so close to departure, how awesome. I love love doing research before I buy something Im glad Im not alone. Looks like you guys found some good bags. They actually look smaller than some of the other bags Ive seen people use. Cant wait to read y’alls packing list!

    Reply to this comment
    • Kirsty

      kirsty

      02. Aug, 2010

      that’s good to know! Packing list should be coming in the next week or so, just deciding exactly what we are going to take! :)

      Reply to this comment

  3. Jenneil

    30. Jul, 2010

    Same here… I don’t know what it is about backpacks that have me drooling for hours, but they do.

    Reply to this comment
  4. Kirsty

    kirsty

    30. Jul, 2010

    i really like mine! I think that they are like a house, very personal :)

    Reply to this comment

  5. AdventureRob

    31. Jul, 2010

    I think 65-70 litres is too big. I went with a 50-70 and although it seems like a quality piece that’s going to last, if it didn’t I’d go down to 30-40 litres next time.
    AdventureRob´s last blog ..8 Free Things to do in LondonMy ComLuv Profile

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  6. ayngelina

    01. Aug, 2010

    I agree with @AdventureRob and Im learning the hard way. I have a 65L and I wish I went with 45L. That said I never have to ‘turtle’ with my daypack on the front of me but Ive just learned now after 4 months that just because I have 65L doesnt mean I have to use it. When I first left it was packed but Ive slowly dumped stuff.

    But I wouldnt worry, I think everyone learns the hard way :)
    ayngelina´s last blog ..Moving on up to Avenida CentralMy ComLuv Profile

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    • Kirsty

      kirsty

      02. Aug, 2010

      i’m not really planning to use the day pack side of things mainly because it makes use bag really unstable.↲Also when buying the bag i could never imagine me needing something smaller, i reckon i’ll have to learn the hard way! I’ve tried to only have the essentials whilst packing and it does seem that my bag isn’t full to bursting :)

      Reply to this comment

  7. three kat five

    07. Aug, 2010

    Good things definitely do come in small packages when it comes to backpacks but MOST importantly when traveling in a couple is ensuring that you’re bag is smaller than your other half’s…

    That way when someone gives you a few books that they’ve finished reading – oh! no space in my backpack…plenty of space in yours, darling…chivalry kicks in and the big heavy books go into the gentleman’s backpack…

    (if only it was that easy…)
    three kat five´s last blog ..Not another Top 5 list- How to cook authentic VietnameseMy ComLuv Profile

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    • Kirsty

      Poi & Kirsty

      09. Aug, 2010

      I was thinking of deleting this comment before Kirsty read it and got any funny idea’s but I’ve already told her it’s not happening. Stop trying to put ideas in her head haha.

      Poi

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  8. three kat five

    13. Aug, 2010

    sorry! :)
    three kat five´s last blog ..Day 109- A walk in the woodsMy ComLuv Profile

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    • Kirsty

      Poi & Kirsty

      16. Aug, 2010

      Already read it – but he is very stern, anything that “slips” into his bag will be thrown away! :-(

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