Backpacking. Your tips?

The post for today kinda got shelved and passed to the drafts department halfway through writing it, not because it sucked but because I thought you guys would be able to help me with some traveling advice. Plus, I’m in Bali, feeling super lazy and thought you magnificent people could help write my post..

Anyway, one of my friends is about to embark on one of those long ass journeys around the world, backpacking their way through Europe, Asia, Americas, etc getting dysentery here and malaria there. Anyway, we were talking about the backpack they are going to use…

One hasn’t been purchased yet and my friend is quite ‘up in arms’ about what to get, why to get it and where to get it. Apparently some of the tours through Europe have restrictions on what type of backpacks are allowed (frameless),  then there are weight issues in the airports, security of the bag (we all know the zipper video right?!) and so on… Add to that, how to pack the bag. Roll your clothes vs folding?

We thought this would be a good place to see what your adventures have taught you, what tips and secrets you have learnt from traveling over long periods or just short back and forths and what recommendations you have packing your bag, what bag might suit backpacking the best and why…

So bring forth your ideas, tips, and tit-bits of advice…