I will be backpacking Europe this summer for 3-4 months. I
am having a dificult time deciding what size backpack I
should buy. I want to travel as light as possible...max 2
changes of cloths, you know...the bare minimum. I've decided
to get some type of technical internal frame pack, such as
the Lowe Alpine Contour 50 (3000 cu.in.) that is very
comfortable to carry (I plan on doing lots of walking) and
might possibly fit within carry-on regulations. The pack I
buy will also be used for mountaineering when I get back.
Should I go for a larger 3600-4000 cu.in. pack so I can
carry a sleeping bag and more junk? I'd like to pach my crap
in a 2400 cu.in. bag, but this is probably unreasonable. Any
minimalist backpackers out there? Oh, yeah...I'd like to
spend less than $100, of course.
Thanks!..................
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I traveled for a month and a half with a daypack. Now this
is a little excessive, but I think you should be able to
swing 2500 cu in or so if you are only planning on 2
changes of clothes...the bigger the bag, the more
unnecesary stuff you'll bring, just think of it that way
and buy the smallest bag you can.
I agree, but I think it would be a good idea to bring my
sleeping bag, a sierra designs 20 degree bag. Although
relativly small, it probably takes up 1000 cu.in. all by
itself. I am considering taking just a fleece bag instead,
but I plan on sleeping outdoors occaitona
I am feeling the same way as you are right now- confused! I
am going interrailing for a month in Europe this September,
but I am also going to spend a week crashed out on a
friend's floor in Vienna in June/July. I want to pack
ultralight (carry-on size) for both trips, but I also want
to take a sleeping bag. I already have a 65 litre (3200 cu
in) monster of a pack which I don't want to take. My
question is: what size pack do I need to accommodate a
sleeping bag, 2 changes of clothes, camera, guidebook and
other essential sundries? I also need to decide what type
of sleeping bag to buy. I am a medium sized female who
sleeps cold- any suggestions? Sara, can you tell me more
about your ultra-light travels? Did you take a sleeping
bag, was it in summer, did you hostel etc?
When I travel, I only bring a sleeping bag and other
related stuff if I plan to use the bag at least 80% or more
of the time. For me, it is all or none. It is not worth it
otherwise. Moreover, a sleeping bag is only worth it to me
if I plan to camp. For me, 2500 cu. in. is not enough space
- in my view - if you wish to take a sleeping bag. Without
a sleeping bag, 2500 is enough. For more on packing see
www.footloosetravel.com. The key to all this is to travel
light and to only take what you will need, not what you
might need. Good luck
try looking at Ricksteves.com. The grafitti wall has tons
of postings and tips on packing light. Or is that packing
lightly?
well, it was summer and I didn't take a sleeping bag. I
can only think of a couple of times when it would have been
useful and definitely not necessary...I stayed in hostels
for most of the trip with a week with friends in Vienna and
another in Mallorca...good luck.
Did you sleep on trains much? We are planning to spend
about a third of our nights on trains. If we book
couchettes will I need to bring my own bedding?
yeah, I slept on a ton of trains, but just in the seats. I
don't think you need bedding for couchettes though, at
least we didn't the one time I slept in one...