I know we talked about getting our own travel backpacks for this trip, rather than borrowing Phil and Liz's again. Long drive to Madison for travel bags.
I consulted with Senor Pollo Sucio, since he does a lot of hiking/backpacking. He has slightly different needs than us, but it's a good start.
You can get a good feel for things at REI. They have a lot of options, sizes, prices, etc. Apparently we can go try them on at REI and they'll load them with bean bags to simulate weight.
To get a feel for things, I think Phil and Liz's backpacks were in the 70-80 L range, so something like this 80 L for me, and a 70 L "women's fit"one for you.
I do not think we need waterproof bags, bags with hydration bags, or somewhere to carry a sleeping bag. At least not for this trip.
It would be nice to have a bag with a water bottle holder, one that totally opens like a book (rather than just top loading), and possibly one with a zip off pack for day trips.
Now, if we want to think about long-term usefulness, something smaller might be useful. You can get wheeled backpacks or shoulder strap backpacks. Those might be better for weekend trips and such in the future. We may not want two of those, but we might be able to do one big backpack, 80 L + and one smaller bag for this trip. I can carry the big one, you the smaller one. I like to think that each trip we get a little better about packing.
I could pack a lot less if I could get over my incessant need to work out, and if I felt comfortable wearing button down shirts without a t-shirt underneath. The second one is much more likely than the first.
I looked for bags made from eco-friendly material, but they were hard to find. They are out there for small backpacks, like something you'd take to school or work, but are harder to find in big, long-term travel bags.
I hate wheeled backpacks. Just a personal preference. It probably makes most sense to get the ones you mentioned at the REI site. I like those. It's a solid investment. Perhaps we can use them in the future. I can also use one of our existing luggage pieces if we want to get one backpack. Similar to what we did when we went to Scandinavia.
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to get a wheeled backpack. It was one option out of like 5.
ReplyDeleteMy concern is that we already have a 3 piece luggage set we rarely use. Now are are thinking about getting two huge travel backpacks. Are you going to use one to travel for work? Weekend in Streator? I feel like we will only use them for European trips, which optimistically, is once a year.
I like using my Nike duffel bag for weekend trips, but it's busted and basically unusable. You always take your Shannon tote for trips. Seems we much prefer things we can carry on our shoulders versus wheeling them behind us.
Maybe we can do one backpack and one wheeled piece we already have. It would probably be fine, but it's not the most convenient for walking through crowds at the train station. Or if we want to hop off the train, site see for 2 hours, then get back on.
I don't know. I just want us to think through this before we go buying more stuff.
Backpacks are ideal for Europe travel, but I don't think we need to buy 2. I'm fine with using a piece from our luggage set. I'd prefer to do that then buy another backpack that I'll only use when traveling to Europe.
ReplyDeleteMake sense to me.
ReplyDeleteI would potentially use one of those bags that can be either a backpack or a shoulder tote for other travel, like when I go to SLC or travel for work. Would you prefer that to the wheeled-luggage we have? Would you use that for travel besides Europe?
Wheeling luggage 10-15 minutes from the train station to our hotel (or 60 minutes if we're lost in Prague) is not ideal, so we don't have to use what we have, but I agree we probably don't need two huge backpacks.
A quick summary of clothes I should bring. This list includes whatever I wear on the plane.
ReplyDelete2 pairs jeans
3 t-shirts
1 button down short sleeve shirt
1 button down long sleeve shirt
1 sweater
2 pairs athletic shorts
1 dry fit t-shirt for working out
6 pairs socks
6 pairs underwear
2 pairs shoes (jogging shoes and brown shoes)
All that, may fill up most of the bag we just got.
Optional, I'd bring another button down shirt (short or long, not sure), rain coat, another sweater, another work out shirt, another pair of athletic shorts (for sleeping), track pants, long sleeved shirt (thermal or tee).
So, you can bring a wheeled bag or we can get a second backpack, just like I just got.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.zappos.com/osprey-farpoint-70-charcoal-grey
Or, we can get a larger backpack, which I can carry, then you can try to only take a small bag, almost carry on sized.
Bigger bag
http://www.zappos.com/high-sierra-long-trail-90-internal-frame-pack-black
That bag comes in brown, grey, red, or blue, and the prices vary
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Farpoint-70-Travel-Backpack/dp/B003GBYXGM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
I'm thinking that I might want to get a backpack too. You can keep yours and I'll get one. I worry that if I get the same as you it won't be big enough. Thoughts?
ReplyDelete