Backpacking and clueless

[TERI]

yes definately don't skimp out on the bag. I almost did and am glad I didn't. I've couch surfed before and will for sure again. many many times I will. It's an awesome way to save money

[veronica]

Originally Posted by agriadam

You absolutely don't need a fork.

Is this the bag

Wow that looks like a pretty decent sized bag with really small shoulder straps, I would recommend getting a bag with wider shoulder straps and one of those goofy looking waist straps. You may think they look silly over here but when you are lugging that thing 3 miles in the wrong direction of your hostel, the waist strap comes in very handy, it will actually distribute a lot of the weight of the bag to your legs, taking the pressure off of your shoulders and back.

Also the ergonomics of that bag with the flat back do not look comfortable. Remember that this bag will be your everything for 45 days.


Look at the Kelty 2500
Notice how much wider all of the straps are and the back is curved to mold your back. also it has a chimney on the back to allow for airflow.

Your are going to be spending 5 grand on this trip, Don't cheap out on the one thing you will carry everywhere and will carry everything. Also buy a good pair of shoes.

Yep, that's the bag. I didn't think about the size of the straps at all nor how the waist strap could help me. Actually, I went as far as telling myself that I didn't really need a backpack. I'm just going to leave it in the hostel anyways. But I also didn't think about how I might just get lost or even if I feel like really roughing it and not take buses anywhere that's less than 5 miles.
I went to a REI store and tried on some backpacks, but they're very expensive. I can perhaps pay up $120, but more than that and you might as well be tearing off my skin. The cheapest one I saw that I thought was a good fit ($119, 51 lts, 3 pnds, bulckier straps, curved back) was a kid's backpack. Why there was a kid's backpack in the women's section is beyond me.

What would be my checklist when looking for the "perfect backpack?"


By the way, thank you (and everyone) so much for your answers. They are really helpful.

[mooloo]

I'd suggest looking in the stores to see what packs fit you and what you like/ dont like about them then search online for the same pack, you might not have any luck but you never know i've found heaps of stuff cheaper just buy looking online.