We do some Q&A on a world travel bag for a reader
The fantastic sunsets…the breathtaking surroundings…the parties ’til dawn…new people…new experiences…all of these open themselves to you when you do any kind of extended travel across multiple countries. And to accompany you on your epic travels? The kitchen sink. Potentially falling apart and leaking its contents. If you’re going to be traveling for a significant period of time, you want a bag that will hold its own. It needs to stand up to the “robust” touch of baggage handlers, being wedged into tight spaces in train, plane and bus luggage holds and generally being hauled, scuffed, trod on, sat on, slept on…you get the picture.
In addition, you should have a bag that provides easy access to things you need to get your hands on quickly, such as your phone, travel documents, sunglasses, etc., but it shouldn’t be so large that you’re tempted to pack half your wardrobe in it. Sure, you’re going to be traveling for a while so you need more than would suffice for a weekend. However, you’re going to be carrying the contents up stairs, on foot across towns, whilst running to catch transport and so forth. Not to mention, you’ll likely pick up souvenirs on your travels, so you’ll want space to carry these in your bag.
One of our readers, Sarah, is preparing for such an adventure and was interested in getting our input on some choices for travel bags…
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The Question
Hi guys,
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I’ve just fallen upon your site today with zeal after reading your guest blog on the fantastic thedesignfiles.net website. After spending the last two weeks trawling the internet for the perfect duffle/backpack/gear for world travel, it’s an absolute breath of fresh air to find so many resources in one place.
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My question to you guys is what would be your recommendations for such a travel bag?
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Some background:
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I’m planning on travelling for upwards 2-3 months throughout Europe and use the ‘one bag’ method. Most things you can buy anywhere and it’s going to be nice to pick up beautiful shoes in Italy, stylish tops in France etc. Initial clothes I do take will probably get dropped at hostels along the way to help out other travellers or charities.
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The more I read about travel, the more I see it’s going to be best to have something I can sling onto my back for those cobbled streets and mad-dashes to trains. Key carry items will include Kindle, smartphone, iPod, smallish DSLR camera, chargers, journal, clothes and toiletries. Winter/Autumn weather will not be a problem – carry coat, buy excellent merino tops like Icebreaker (NZ!) and live in jeans like most 20-somethings do.
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So based on my research and personality of leaning towards comfort-style travel (I like to look nice and not out of place, i.e. not like a tourist), I’ve found the following bags which I think might suit the bill.
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Basically, something with a good strap system, light and tough as hell, 40-50 litre capacity and fairly stylish for a 23 year old making her way through Europe.
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Sincerely,
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Kiwi living in Australia, Wellingtonian at heart
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Our Response
Heya Sarah,
Sounds like some fun times ahead.
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Yeah, I think you’re totally on the right track. A few things to keep in mind:
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1. If you’re only slight, extended pack carrying can take its toll. For my wife, a hybrid with wheels works better for those times you need to walk across London to save the taxi fair. If however you are reasonably fit, you save space and weight not having the wheels.
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2. Convenient access is often missed in these bags. They are effectively a mobile wardrobe on travels, and simple sacks can drive me nuts on a daily couch hop. The two you have chosen have pretty good access, which you can add a few packing cubes to and you’ll be killing it.
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3. Those bags are big enough that you’ll have to check in for luggage. Have you thought about your cabin bag options? Just make sure it’s compatible enough that if you are carrying both they don’t fight for the same space (maybe a small
messenger or big
handbag type thing).
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Osprey have a great reputation, with the only downside being occasionally heavier weight. Thule are newer to the scene, and so don’t have the extended testing and life reported, but they look pretty good from what we can see.
So good stuff, good research, and you should be pretty spot on charging ahead with those options
Andy
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Got any other suggestions for travel bags that would suit Sarah’s needs? Let us know in the comments!
Ando will write reviews that run for pages, he’ll never think a carry piece is fully resolved, and he’ll always call it out if it should be. Oh, and he’s a co-founder of Carryology.
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I actually have the porter 46 and have travelled with it, it’s pretty good. You have to take a little care as to how you pack it so no items dig into your back and it’s not the best choice for extended carry. It’s a shame that attaching a daypack to it brings it over the 46litre limit, so I’ve taken to keeping a v.small daypack inside.
I’d love to upgrade to a Goruck GR2, but the cost and weight is prohibitive.
One more suggestion, Sarah…
Look into synthetic fiber based clothing. Versus cotton, it is more breathable, more comfortable, both warmer and cooler, and dries so much faster. I specifically love the Ex Officio underwear, and have just grabbed a couple of shirts from them too. The shirts are relatively new for me. I’ve tried a few of the competitor brand underwear, and they’re not made anywhere close to the same quality. Even if you’re on a 2-3 month trek, the most underwear you’ll need is 2-3 pairs, max. Wear one, wash one in the sink, dry it within a couple hours, and move along. Little tricks like this will really help with cutting down overall volume and mass. Also, don’t cut your toothbrush in half.
Have a great trip. Keep in touch with us along the way.
The 40-50 litres range is enough? I’d rather use a bigger trolly and a smaller backpack for the cam/valuables. Nice limitation though, I couldn’t get along with max 50l only.
Thanks for the tips guys – I’m not leaving ’til the end of the year, but thought it would be good to get something now and test it over a week-long trip throughout New Zealand (later this week!)
I’ve been dragging my feet because there are so many great options out there and so will be making do with an old Victorinox wheeled convertible backpack case which has been lent to me.
Will see how it goes and decide once and for all whether I can do without the wheels!
Hi Sarah,
I see you’ve decided on a Victorinox. But if it helps anyone else, I don’t have any experience with their bags but I do have an Osprey Porter 46. I bought it 3 years+ ago… I keep wanting to get a Tom Bihin bag (I can’t stop going to that website) or one of those Goruck GR2. Yeah both are pricey, not really an issue but I can’t find a darn thing I would change on my porter 46. I love I can pack it flat when not in use and … it has so far it has fit in any plane’s overhead bin (even those little 2 prop commuter planes). I’ve used it for 2 week trip to Germany, a 3 week trip to Mexico, and all over the US/Canada. You should know I’m one of those “one bagger” persons, i.e. I only travel with one bag. I even fit my DSLR/Ipad without issue. I really wish one day it would die cause the GR2 looks awesome and so does the Aeronaut but I can’t bring myself to get one as long as this sucker is still kick’n.
-H
Totally in the same boat. I’d love a GR2, but really considering how little I travel, the Porter 46 does the job. The fold flat feature is great. That said I’d love a slightly better back panel, more organisation and maybe a better version of the webbing clips on the compression straps. I broke one of them on the first trip with the bag, thankfully Osprey send me a replacement within a week.
Also, while the GR2 may be considerably more durable than the Porter 46, it also weighs a lot more. It’s supposed to be a very heavy bag. No side carry handles, either. Given the weight, probably for the best!
Hi guys,
I did use the Victorinox for my recent 6-day trip to New Zealand. While there we did a lot of walking, driving, internal domestic plane travel and jumped on a lot of buses (Wellington’s bus network is tops!).
The bag is structured quite similarly to the Osprey Porter 46 – although it includes wheels and the heavier structure that goes with it. I can’t work out which model the bag is unfortunately. Top and side grab handles and a couple of small clips to help compress the load. It also had a handy front pocket for shoes. The pack originally had a small daypack which zipped to the front, but the owner had no idea what happened to it, so I went without.
The backpack straps were great, but I confess I only used them for when we were hiking up a great Wellington hill to get to a house in the dark when dragging it by the wheels wasn’t going to be possible at all.
Due to the fact that I’ve now admitted that I’m not keen to carry 10kg (to be fair, the bag only weighed 8kg most of the trip, but I imagine that would go up a bit for longer international travel) on my back all the time, I’m going to look at something light with both wheels and a good backpack system.
This trip has also helped me work out that I’d really love a good small backpack for day trips and carrying on the plane instead of a handbag. First thoughts are to go with either the Gravis Metro which a lot of people seem to love or splurge on the small GoRuck pack.
I’ll keep you posted!
Well done Sarah, that feels like a great set of learnings.
Most of the crew that sprout one bag traveling are generally either big strong crew, or smelly crew (with very few changes of clothes), or crew that don’t travel much outside of taxis and trains.
There are times when wheels are an amazing relief. Weight is the compromise though.
And yep, a good daypack is a rad asset. You’ve suggested 2 great packs, so you can’t go too far wrong.
Hi,
Perhaps this would suit your wheeled/backpack needs?
http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/convertible_wheeled_packs/meridian_2260l
http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/convertible_wheeled_packs/sojourn_2560l
Also, I own both Goruck Echos and they’re both highly recommended. Except when it comes to hot weather, it’s their biggest failing. Not owning a GR1/2 I can’t comment on those, but the (old) Radio Ruck and Echos are not nice when it’s hot out.
Hey AA,
I’ve been tossing up between the Osprey Sojourn and a couple of others actually
The contenders are:
Macpac’s Koru wheeled 60 (great organisation and materials, downside is that it’s 4.1kg!)
http://www.macpac.com.au/shop/en_au/shop-by-activity/travel/travel-packs/koru-60-wheeled.html
Deuter’s Helion 60 (not as streamlined and attractive-looking, quite boxy, only 3.6kg)
http://www.deuter.com/en_AU/backpack-details.php?category=344&artnr=35842&title=Helion%2060%20
I’ve seen all three packs in the flesh now and Macpac’s is by far the most attractive. The only thing stopping me is the weight here. It’s currently on special which makes it much cheaper than the others (it’s usually around the same price).
I recently acquired a Macpac Kahu 22 for an everyday/travel day pack.
http://www.macpac.com.au/shop/en_au/gear-and-clothing/packs/packs-day-packs/kahu28.html
Their “AzTec” material feels strong and looks subtle like the corduroy bags, but is much lighter. It has a sternum strap and waist belt (removable for everyday use), front pocket extends over whole pack and includes two small mesh pockets big enough for a phone and passport. The inside has a small padded pocket at the top back with organisation for phones and pens, while the main pocket has two large mesh elasticated sections, one for a laptop (no padding though, would need a neoprene case) and one for other organisation attached to the front panel.
I’m going to see how this goes – got it for a steal in the Macpac winter sale for around $75AUD and I’m happy to be supporting a New Zealand company.
I did also look at their Limpet bag, which has buckles to enable you to clip it on to any of their huge backpacks or wheeled travel bags. Although, when I got it home and loaded it up with everything I wanted to carry, it was a little full… with very little room for extras. However, it’s a great size for ladies if you can keep carrying to a minimum. The 15 litres fit a netbook, rain jacket, Kindle, diary, wallet, phone and a few other bits and bobs no problem.
If I’m still lusting after a GR Echo down the track, then I’ll have to take the plunge and send my hard-earned cash overseas.
Hi!
I’m just wondering which bag you ended up choosing? I’m facing this exact dilemma right now trying to decide between the Macpac Koru 60 and the Osprey Sojourn 60 and I’ve been umming and aahing for ages, because I prefer the look of the Macpac but it is that bit extra weight for if I have to carry it!
Thanks
Hi Rhi!
I actually went with neither in the end. Though I still love the look and feel of the Macpac Koru 60, I couldn’t justify the extra weight with my new ideals of travelling light.
The bag I went with was the Arc’teryx Miura 50. It’s drawbridge opening gave great access for my gear while travelling throughout central Japan for two weeks over Christmas/New Year. I liked that it was more of an open bag that I could throw in my own gear compression bag and Sea Summit medium packing cube. It ended up just under 10kg going over and a bit over coming back.
I’ll link to some images of my pack. My pack was much lighter and easier to carry than my friends although they seemed to need to do washing more often!
I’d totally recommend packing light. It IS possible for women!
Links:
Arc’teryx (shop in Australia I purchased from) http://www.kellysbasecamp.com.au/p/1082772/ArcTeryx—Miura-Cragging-Pack.html?gclid=CKT_waCc47YCFQhKpgodexEAwA
My bag, packing for Japan http://sdrv.ms/11Od7SG
Full http://sdrv.ms/17hYzzM
It’s technically a rock climbing pack and is designed for men. Anyone shorter than me (170cm) should go with the smaller size selection as I got the regular size and feel it could be a little bit more fitting length wise, however that may be just due to my feminine body shape. Best to try on in store (as I did for about an hour as my partner complains). They have also updated it for 2013 and it looks quite different.
I also LOVE these: Arc’teryx Covert Cases
http://leaf.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens/Packs/Covert-Case-I-C-O#
So, I realize this is way late to the game, but did you consider Tom Bihn’s bags? – I have an older Aeronaut that’s been all over the place with me – fits max airline size considerations (even under the seat in the puddle jumpers here) – has backpack straps and is generally a pleasure to travel with.. I don’t know if it’d be the best choice for extended walking, but for the occasional cross-town jaunt I’ve never had a problem with it.. (I like that the straps are thinner / stow-able so that they don’t get caught on stuff while I’m on mass-transit)
http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/500/TB0906