Yep, I’ve seen that foam thing quite a lot, thank you!
Adding Peak Design to the mix. At 4.5lb it’s the heaviest option but it’s pretty slick.
I ordered a Tom Bihn sling thing (Le Grande Derrière), which arrived today. Wanted to see the quality before going all in.
It’s nothing too fancy, rip-stop nylon inside and out. But it’s quality fabric. The zippers and clasps are all superb. Pretty soon I will be in the ‘gonna buy this today thread’ for a Tom Bihn backpack.
I looked up mine. It’s Osprey brand, and the model is Porter 65. Mine is larger than carry-on, because i wanted a larger bag i could still lug around. The last time i used it was in Hawaii. It’s very solid, pretty easy to carry, and i love that everything stows away really well so the straps won’t get tangled on the airplane. It also wraps around itself so it doesn’t take too much space in my closet.
Okay but how often are you washing your clothes on that trip when you pack like that? The underwear I would need for 2 weeks alone would take up a carryon bag.
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It looks like they’ve moved away from “airplane friendly” and their packs are more aimed at serious backpackers now, though.
Oh wow, assuming the ‘65’ means 65l, that’s a big bag.
We either rent an apartment and do laundry at night, or find a laundromat. I may wear jeans or shorts twice, everything else gets washed after one use.
So I’m thinking roughly 3-4 pairs of shorts/pants, five shirts, five underwear, five pair socks, one pair shoes, jacket plus sweater as needed, umbrella, small toiletry bag, charging accessories and battery, that’s about it. Plus what I’m wearing, so add that on top. That’s fine for a couple of weeks.
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My packing habits are similar, but I will wear a shirt twice while traveling in cooler months. If I get sweaty or it otherwise gets soiled it gets washed. Summer travel is 1 wear per shirt.
Finding a laundromat with wash and fold service is ideal, but having a hotel do it at their higher prices can be worth the convenience.
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Yeah. I bought it for a trip to Japan where i knew i would buy a lot of stuff. It’s much cheaper to take it home as checked luggage than to have it shipped.
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Not a backpack, but here’s what another female traveler is taking on a 6 week trip while doing carryon:
She doesn’t say how often she’s doing laundry, but it appears at least some weekly since she’s bringing 7 pairs of underwear.
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One thing I notice about the Away bag is how the wheels tuck up into the suitcase. Many suitcases (mine included) basically lose an inch or two there at the bottom to wheels and plastic bumpers.
My new 3 ounce umbrella arrived today. It’s nothing too fancy, but the ribs are carbon fiber and it’s reasonably sturdy. It’s about 8" long and 2" in diameter when folded, or slightly larger if you use the plastic tube it came with for storage.
I bit the bullet and ordered a Tom Bihn Techonaut 45 (in black with the ‘taiga’ interior, if anyone cares). I went pretty far down the rabbit hole on this one, and while it’s not perfect, I think it’s a winner. Some bags have more features or pockets, but I don’t travel with all that much outside of clothing. We’ll see how I do, I think with this plus my sling, I can travel indefinitely with careful packing.
Yep. For the most part, if you can do 7-10 days out of a carryon you can do it indefinitely.
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Travel backpacks can make or break a trip, so it’s great that you’re seeking advice. Based on your light packing style, opting for a 35-40L backpack like Aer or Cotopaxi sounds like a smart choice. It’s convenient to have a size similar to your carry-on luggage.
By the way, have you heard that expats love Canada? It’s a popular destination for its quality of life and opportunities. Carrying a small sling on your chest can be handy for easy access to essentials. It’s all about finding a setup that suits your travel style and preferences.
Remember, it’s all about finding what works best for you.
I’m only interested if they have rivets.
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I have one from MEC, which is like the Canadian version of REI. Great quality for a price much lower than the big brand names.
I hate shopping in general but love looking around in MEC and REI stores. All my backpacks are from MEC.
Unfortunately, the MEC brand has deteriorated a bit since it went from being a co-op to being owned by a private equity company. The private equity firm purchased MEC under the Company Creditors Act so folks like me that had ownership memberships in the MEC co-op were bypassed as the value of the members’ equities would have been deemed to be zero. However there was no communication to the members on this. Since everyone who shopped at MEC had to have an ownership the way the transaction played out probably alienated many of their customers.
I’m headed home today with my Tom Bihn backpack. Loving it, I’m traveling light, maybe 20lb for a ten day trip. It’s super comfortable and having both hands free is nice.
My wife has not yet subscribed to traveling light, her carry on weighs about 30lb and her backpack feels like 35lb, it’s insane.