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I'm looking for a good backpack for my trip to Europe, well, exchange to Royal Holloway, but I'll be travelling beforehand, after, and during. I was hoping someone might have suggestions on a good model, brand, or at least stuff to look for before I start the shopping... It needs to light, protects well in the rain, inexpensive but quality made, and must be a size allowed as a carryon.
Any suggestions? :)
~Victoria
Scattermcbrain wrote: I'm looking for a good backpack for my trip to Europe, well, exchange to Royal Holloway, but I'll be travelling beforehand, after, and during. I was hoping someone might have suggestions on a good model, brand, or at least stuff to look for before I start the shopping... It needs to light, protects well in the rain, inexpensive but quality made, and must be a size allowed as a carryon.
Any suggestions? :)
~Victoria
Won't be able to carry much in a carry-on sized pack. But then a carry-on sized pack will be lighter (by default) than my expedition pack.
Check out REI to see what's available.
Scattermcbrain wrote: I'm looking for a good backpack for my trip to Europe, well, exchange to Royal Holloway, but I'll be travelling beforehand, after, and during. I was hoping someone might have suggestions on a good model, brand, or at least stuff to look for before I start the shopping... It needs to light, protects well in the rain, inexpensive but quality made, and must be a size allowed as a carryon.
Any suggestions? :)
~Victoria
you want to get you Yeomans in Stockport, thats what you want to do.
Although considering you live in Canada thats probably not too much help.
Honestly I always considered backpacks (from Ger. "Rucksack") way too unfashionable and "schoolboy"-looking.
Try to get a nice suitcase (for a hotel room) or a little handbag (for strolling).
columbia makes great backpacks that can be changed into rolling suitcases very easily. i tok mine to nicaragua and it was worth it. it also comes with a smaller backpack that you can zip on to the front of the larger one, or carry separately on day-trips. definitely worth a look. there are several of these on the market.
as far as being small enough to fit in an overhead compartment--i've never seen a travellers' backpack quite that small!
Pat McCrotch wrote: don't ask me about rucksacks....
I still think Rocket Mick nicked mine...
So you're saying this should be an "Ask Rocket" question...
thanks guys :) I like the idea of the backpack with a day bag..guess I'll have to look into that
I'll probably end up going to mountain equipment co-op here in ottawa and try out a bunch
Comrade Shampanyov, Gentleman wrote:
Pat McCrotch wrote: don't ask me about rucksacks....
I still think Rocket Mick nicked mine...
So you're saying this should be an "Ask Rocket" question...
well...he is all knowing!
I, too, may be in need of just such a bag. :D
My current backpack is great for schoolbooks and has a padded laptop compartment, but it's fairly useless for anything longer than a day trip.
Victoria, I always forgot to mark: I love your signature sentence because it mentions my home city! 
Right...........................................
Going to sound like a boff now but I only know the following because I've spent my life surrounded by professional climbers and my Dad, who is an outdoor equipment expert from his :cough: youthful climbing days and his rucksack obsession- i kid you not!
Arcteryx are probably the best on the market. Snappy design, lightweight and new materials and fully waterproof. The zips are seamless to keep water out. They have designs in all shapes and sizes. I wear their jackets to football as they are unique (got to look good on the terraces), and designed in such a way, light material, waterproof etc.... BUT..........they are mega expensive in everything they make. For rucksacks and jackets you are looking at £200-500 if not more.......
North Face, are similar to Arteryx, same in design and material, have reasonable to mega expensive prices. All my holiday travel bags are made by North Face, as they use a rubber material which makes them quite unique and people always ask where I got them.
Because of my Dad, I'm a total snob when it comes to travelling with good bags. I'm not talking Burberry, Louis Vuitton shit either
Karrimor is next down the ladder- not as expensive or snappy, but you will get something that meets your requirements for a very, very decent price, and waterproof, but the materials and design will not be so cutting edge.
Gregory, is an "antique" make which again has many years of proven history. Again, not so cutting edge but you'll get a good price and it will function in all the ways you require.
My advice is, go in an outdoor shop, have alook at some rucksacks and make a note of the LITRE size you are looking for. Go on EBAY, you will find ALL of the above rucksacks on there for prices between £5 upwards and all that meet your requirements. My Dad has parcels flown in on a weekly basis that contain all kinds of rucksacks etc... that he's managed to buy for cheap and add to his ever growing collection! All good makes, quality and names!
I KNEW you had to have a geekstreak, KNEW it.
First Rucksack geek I ever encountered tho. Kudos
Bonzette wrote:
My advice is, go in an outdoor shop,
.
Snap!!!
(and cut out all the other pointless paragraphs by doing so)
Doctor? wrote:
I KNEW you had to have a geekstreak, KNEW it. First Rucksack geek I ever encountered tho. Kudos
I dare you to say that to my face!!!!!!!
This bitch travels cool!
:edit: My Dad is one cool dude too!
J.A.K wrote:
Bonzette wrote:
My advice is, go in an outdoor shop,
.
Snap!!! (and cut out all the other pointless paragraphs by doing so)
I've been expecting you! 
Pat McCrotch wrote: don't ask me about rucksacks....
I still think Rocket Mick nicked mine...
And it was full of DRUGS!
Bonzette wrote:
Digital Mike Binoshed wrote: Berghaus for me
I never knew you were a scouser, Diggy!
we've switched to North Face now mate. Bergie's dead
J.A.K wrote:
Bonzette wrote:
Digital Mike Binoshed wrote: Berghaus for me
I never knew you were a scouser, Diggy!
we've switched to North Face now mate. Bergie's dead
You've just broken my life!
As my son would say!
He wears North Face!
Gonna have to put a stop to that!
J.A.K wrote:
Bonzette wrote:
Digital Mike Binoshed wrote: Berghaus for me
I never knew you were a scouser, Diggy!
we've switched to North Face now mate. Bergie's dead
Not according to Swine - It's back in, ya wool! I've got a Quad 4 in 1.
If you live in Canada, there is only one name worth mentioning:
Mountain Equipment Co-0p
There is a store in Ottawa too
Address: 366 Richmond Road, Ottawa, Ontario K2A 0E8 (between Churchill Ave and Roosevelt Ave) Phone: 613.729.2700
I think that a handbag, or a small piece of luggage is more attractive in regards to travelling, than a backpack. But, that's just my opinion.
leather_girl wrote: I think that a handbag, or a small piece of luggage is more attractive in regards to travelling, than a backpack. But, that's just my opinion.
yeah, we could all squeeze some tent poles and a sleeping bag into a handbag.
:p
keep them coming. i'm in the market for a new backpack to take to work. it will be some time yet before i feel comfortable taking my leather briefcase to work.
NOOLigan wrote: keep them coming. i'm in the market for a new backpack to take to work. it will be some time yet before i feel comfortable taking my leather briefcase to work.
haha. especially when there's fuck all in it, apart from your salad butty and the NME.
J.A.K wrote:
NOOLigan wrote: keep them coming. i'm in the market for a new backpack to take to work. it will be some time yet before i feel comfortable taking my leather briefcase to work.
haha. especially when there's fuck all in it, apart from your salad butty and the NME.
you'd be surprised how much is in there. a couple of books, a diary, cds and yes my lunch. :D
NOOLigan wrote:
J.A.K wrote:
NOOLigan wrote: keep them coming. i'm in the market for a new backpack to take to work. it will be some time yet before i feel comfortable taking my leather briefcase to work.
haha. especially when there's fuck all in it, apart from your salad butty and the NME.
you'd be surprised how much is in there. a couple of books, a diary, cds and yes my lunch. :D
i'd go for a Billabong one then.
or Quicksilver.
no mad Hawaiian colours though or Hot Tuna styles. plain and simple.
btw V what are you doing at Royal Hollaway and when are you coming over/will you be here for the October gigs?
p.s. for me North face do a nice line in said rucksacks. 35 litres is enough to cover most trips up to a week, and is defo hand luggage.
Tesco are now doing rucksacks and all manner of camping equipment in their summer range...
In all seriousness though, EBay can be a good source of good value packs... I'm a Lowe Alpine man myself... Have two of their bags, 65 litre job for backpacking and 30 litre one for weekends/work, etc. - had both for about 6 or 7 years and their still good as new almost... If you are gonna buy online, try and get to a shop as well to try on the models you're interested in, to see how comfortable they are...
SHEDi xxx
as ever and forever wrote: btw V what are you doing at Royal Hollaway and when are you coming over/will you be here for the October gigs?
p.s. for me North face do a nice line in said rucksacks. 35 litres is enough to cover most trips up to a week, and is defo hand luggage.
I'm going an exchange through my university (U of Ottawa), for one semester, and apparently they have a great history program - I'm pretty excited :)
I've already bought my ticket for the london show actually! I got up at 4 am to do so..hehe..I'm trying to convince Daver to get one too and visit me that weekend.
So! the backpack is for the travelling I'll be doing in September. My mom'll be coming with me for the first week, and then I'll put my main luggage in a locker in Berlin (I think so far) and then pop over to Moscow or St.Petersburg without the burden..then back, then London. And of course, trips on weekends and whatnot. I've yet to plan it all, but I have my official letter of acceptance from royal holloway :)
Bonzette wrote: Right...........................................
Going to sound like a boff now but I only know the following because I've spent my life surrounded by professional climbers and my Dad, who is an outdoor equipment expert from his :cough: youthful climbing days and his rucksack obsession- i kid you not!
Arcteryx are probably the best on the market. Snappy design, lightweight and new materials and fully waterproof. The zips are seamless to keep water out. They have designs in all shapes and sizes. I wear their jackets to football as they are unique (got to look good on the terraces), and designed in such a way, light material, waterproof etc.... BUT..........they are mega expensive in everything they make. For rucksacks and jackets you are looking at £200-500 if not more.......
North Face, are similar to Arteryx, same in design and material, have reasonable to mega expensive prices. All my holiday travel bags are made by North Face, as they use a rubber material which makes them quite unique and people always ask where I got them.
Because of my Dad, I'm a total snob when it comes to travelling with good bags. I'm not talking Burberry, Louis Vuitton shit either
Karrimor is next down the ladder- not as expensive or snappy, but you will get something that meets your requirements for a very, very decent price, and waterproof, but the materials and design will not be so cutting edge.
Gregory, is an "antique" make which again has many years of proven history. Again, not so cutting edge but you'll get a good price and it will function in all the ways you require.
My advice is, go in an outdoor shop, have alook at some rucksacks and make a note of the LITRE size you are looking for. Go on EBAY, you will find ALL of the above rucksacks on there for prices between £5 upwards and all that meet your requirements. My Dad has parcels flown in on a weekly basis that contain all kinds of rucksacks etc... that he's managed to buy for cheap and add to his ever growing collection! All good makes, quality and names!
I'm going to have to print out this post and take it with me..haha. I definitely like the ebay idea, and should have thought of it myself! ebay is god. :D
Thanks for all the details :)
I have an EMS backpack which I think is pretty good. I don't know which model (Adeventure 5000??) but I'd say it's 1000 cubic inches or less. Definitely OK as carry-on. It came with a bladders & tube for drinking water while hiking, but I replaced that with a Camelbak bladder-easier to fill & to clean. I think it cost me about $100.
I have a fantastic backpack that I used in Europe. It's f'in huge though. I've also never used it since--even though it was really useful as i was travelling around. I have a regular suitcase that's just a bit easier to lug around for weeklong jaunts.
Hank Wiseass© wrote:
J.A.K wrote:
we've switched to North Face now mate. Bergie's dead
Not according to Swine - It's back in, ya wool! I've got a Quad 4 in 1.
arf!
cool
for a fuckin teacher.
but hey, practical.
