Myar! What satchel will it be?

November 15, 2007 7:21 PM

What size of backpack should I get for a 6-8 month backpacking trip through Southeast Asia?

I've already shopped around, and I've seen packs that range from a volume of 40 litres to 85 litres. I've spoken with several acquaintances who have travelled for this duration of time and their suggestions have left me confused, and thus, I am here looking to see if the wise collective can help me out.

They say, "Get a large backpack because with the amount of stuff you'll need to shove in there, you won't have an inch of room leftover."

They also say, "I sure wish I went a size smaller, your pack really becomes your worst enemy after a while."

I will be scraping by and budget travelling (less than $20 a day) primarily by train, if that makes a difference. I am a typical sized 5'11 young adult male. I'm not looking for any backpacks in particular, just the appropriate volume for my circumstances. And as always, thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Previously.

posted by ageispolis to travel & transportation (29 comments total)

I'm planning on doing more or less the same thing with an Eagle Creek Continental Journey (I'm leaving the attachable daypack at home). To answer your question, it's Carry-On Size. I fully intend to ship things home as the trip progresses - and because I'm going to be following the warm weather, I don't need to pack sweaters and that sort of thing. It'll probably seem a little tight at times, but with proper packing I think I'll get by. I took it with me to Europe for a month and I didn't have any issues.
posted by backwards guitar at 7:37 PM on November 15, 2007

Really it's a question of how much you intend to bring with you and how much you think you're going to pick up along the way. Ideally, it all should fit inside your pack, not hanging off the outside as it'll throw off your center of mass.

It'll also be a good idea to review what you're taking and making sure it's all legal where you're going.

From what you've said above, you'll probably want something in the 60-70 litres range but you should test it. See if you can borrow various sized packs from friends and pack your gear as a test?
posted by Kioki-Silver at 8:03 PM on November 15, 2007

Recommend you read the info at OneBag if you haven't already.
posted by cwhitfcd at 8:58 PM on November 15, 2007

It really depends on what type of traveler you are. Really. In reality, you could walk out your door tomorrow for your adventure and only have the bare essentials and be fine. However, since you yourself admitted that you'll be scraping by on $20/day, so you'll probably want to bring many supplies with you instead of picking things up along the way.

Having said this, I can tell you from my experience traveling and working overseas (Guyana, Ethiopia, Sudan to name a few), you probably won't want to go over 70 litres. I myself have a 75 litre bag which I use frequently, but much prefer to leave it at home for my 55 litre pack instead. Don't forget that daypacks range from 15-35 litres or so, so you can maximize your space there.

You didn't say how experienced of a traveler you are, but I thought you might like to know a few travel tips I've learned along the way:
* Pack everything into ziplock bags. It not only waterproofs your gear but allows you to get the air out of clothes, etc.
* Learn your gear before you go. I can not stress this one enough: Learn how to adjust your bags properly, know how to hoist your pack on yourself with no assistance/no parkbench/rocks/other scenarios. Start breaking in your hiking boots now.
* Take only half of what you think you need. Seriously. Learn not to over pack and be efficient.
posted by carabiner at 9:01 PM on November 15, 2007

Rambling advice:

Take as small a bag as you can manage. If you take a lot of stuff it will CONSTANTLY get in your way / slow you down / make you not enjoy your trip as much!

Put out everything you think you will need for the trip on your bed. Then take out one pair of clothes / jacket / shoes as you will be wearing something on your trip. Now look at what you have left and start reducing. The advice to take half as much as you think you need sounds silly but is actually very true. If you have to decide between taking something or not DONT take it.

Borrow a pack from a friend and put your stuff in it to see how much space you actually need. Try to carry your gear around, walk for a couple of miles with it to see how the weight feels after a little jaunt.

When I was backpacking around europe with a bag not much bigger than a normal school backpack I would always see people crawling into the hostel with ENORMOUS hiking packs on, totally exhausted just from walking to the hostel from the train station.

Figure that you will need to carry your pack with you everywhere, so having a light pack means that you wont be stuck trying to find a place to stash it for the day while you explore the city. Having a non-backpacker pack also makes you not appear as so much of a tourist / target, but in china you probably stand out regardless.

If you are going on long trip in the wilderness you will need more gear, more clothes, etc. If you are going primarily in urban areas you will be able to do laundry whenever, so why bring so many pairs of clothes? The only thing I would bring plenty of is underwear and socks, these being clean makes all the difference in the world when traveling. I can wear dirty jeans over and over, but damp socks will kill your feet and make you stink very fast. You can always buy more clothes if you need them there.

Also leave the ipod / laptop whatever at home, you should enjoy the sounds and people of the place you are in, plenty of time to listen to music when you are back home.
posted by outsider at 9:27 PM on November 15, 2007

For what it's worth, I go backpacking in developing countries pretty much every year & have used the same pack since about '96. Mine's 60L, expandable to 75L. I find that even at the 60L "normal" size it's about half empty most of the time, and I'm seriously considering picking up a new pack of around 40-50L for an upcoming trip to Thailand & Burma.

Not knowing you in the slightest, I'd suggest that something around 60L might suit you fine. You're about an inch taller than me, for what that's worth, and I'm also a guy.

Here are some things that may sway you one way or another:

* These days I only travel for about 1-2 months. If you're travelling for longer, you might want more space to carry souvenirs you pick up along the way. On the other hand, the longer you travel, the better it is for you to carry less, IMHO. There's only so long you can lug superfluous shit around before you get really sick of it.

* I travel pretty light: No sleeping bag. Silk sleeping cocoon that folds up to the size of a pair of socks, small medical kit, toiletry kit, few pairs of socks & undies, sports towel, couple of singlets & tshirts, long-sleeved Polartec top, sarong, floppy hat, ipod, book or two, mosquito net, pair of thongs (flip-flops if you're a yank). That's about it. One pair of trousers that I wear all the time & wash overnight every now & then. Not one single item of dressing-up clothing. Basically, enough clothes to be able to layer them if it gets chilly, and enough to get me from laundry pitstop A to laundry pitstop B, say about a week of travel at a time. That amount of gear probably fills my bag only about half-way, and that's packing loosely. About 8kg gross weight. Compare what you plan to carry with that list & it might give you an indication of what size to shoot for.

* Um, I forget where I was going with this. Oh, it's nice to have extra capacity (if you get into the hills or deserts it can get cold at night & you might want to buy a blanket, especially for overnight buses & trains), and a half-empty bag is ok as long as it has external straps etc that can be used to compact it.

* Not strictly on-topic, but you know the best rule is to take as little as possible, and buy it once you are there, if you find you need it? Pretty much every single thing in SEA is cheaper than back home.
posted by UbuRoivas at 9:34 PM on November 15, 2007 [3 favorites has favorites]

Go to REI (there's a giant one in Seattle) and get fitted for a backpack; you will be so glad you did. A backpacks may feel OK when you try it on briefly, but the straps and the way the backpack hangs on your body feel much different after hours, days, weeks. At REI, you can talk to someone who is knowledgeable about backpacks and they can find one that is most comfortable for your body type. If you were going to a couple of weeks, you would be able to get away with using a wide variety of packs, but since your trip will be so long, you really need some one-on-one expert advice.

If you can't get to REI or similar gear shop, at least visit this website for info on backpack fitting and shopping. Scroll down to "Skills and Knowledge."

Have a great time on your trip!
posted by HotPatatta at 10:01 PM on November 15, 2007

One more thing: REI will let your return any gear you buy for a full refund at anytime. I'd suggest getting fitted for a pack, buy it, pack it as you would pack for your big trip, and take a weekend backpacking trip. That will allow you to see how the pack fits and, if need be, return it and get something more appropriate.
posted by HotPatatta at 10:05 PM on November 15, 2007

2nd what UbuRoivas said.

Off topic, but this site is great for deciding where to go and getting some insider tips.
posted by sisquoc15 at 10:35 PM on November 15, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

It can be tempting to go for bigger bags, and you'll always manage to fill them up, but that doesn't mean you need all that space. I have a 70L, but a 60L would do just as well. For several months you're not going to want to be lugging everything around with you all the time. Have a basic set of clothes and then simply buy seasonal things (board shorts, warmer clothes) as you need them.
posted by twirlypen at 11:23 PM on November 15, 2007

I travelled for two days in SE Asia with a heavy backpack ... destroyed my back and then said "toss this," bought a rolling case and wished all the people with backpacks, frontpacks and dangling water bottles the best of luck. I'm never wearing a backpack again.
posted by user92371 at 11:52 PM on November 15, 2007

Pretty much every single thing in SEA is cheaper than back home

This is really true. The only thing is you can't always find the same quality of goods, so your high-performance gear you should buy at home, like a mag-light, hiking footwear, etc. But clothes, toiletries, snacks and miscellaneous knickknacks are cheap and abundant.
posted by BinGregory at 11:53 PM on November 15, 2007

I did a 6 month RTW trip with a 35L backpack (Osprey Atmos, which was fantasttic), and didn't miss anything.
posted by wayward vagabond at 3:53 AM on November 16, 2007

3rding UbuRoivas.

On my last trip to Asia I sent half of my pack back home after 2 weeks.
I'm leaving in March for around a year in SE Asia and I'm looking at 40 - 50 litre packs.
Take the bare essentials, you can get whatever you need out there for around a tenth to a quarter of what you'll pay at home.
posted by DelusionsofGrandeur at 3:56 AM on November 16, 2007

BinGregory is right about buying the serious gear at home.

I thought i should explain a tiny bit more about the souvenirs: plenty of people are happy to mail these home, but i've only ever done that once (big big kilim from eastern turkey). YMMV, but i find two obstacles which end up with me filling the excess space in my bag with them & carrying them home with me:

1) traveller mentality: when you spend, say, $10 on something it feels ridiculous to spend multiple times that amount just to mail it. then you end up lugging it around

2) conversely, if you buy something expensive, you *want* to carry it around, becoz it's kinda unique & a memory & whatnot, and you don't want to trust it to the mail.
posted by UbuRoivas at 5:05 AM on November 16, 2007

also, totally off-topic, but hey! two things i would *never* leave home without:

1) a little pocket compass. it took me a few trips to twig to this, but finding your way around a town based on NSEW is so much simpler than "if this is the right road, then there should be a big mosque 300m on the left..."

2) one of those shiny emergency blankets from a camping store (y'know what i mean? - they're like cellophane covered with a sheen of aluminium foil). no space, no weight, but if you find yourself on a cold overnight train or bus with drafty windows & you have one, you'll be wanting to shout me ten years of beers, believe me.
posted by UbuRoivas at 5:12 AM on November 16, 2007

Off topic, but if any of you intrepid travelers are coming to Sarawak, drop a line. It's not every day I get company out here in the sticks. We could have a mefi meetup!
posted by BinGregory at 5:34 AM on November 16, 2007

If you have a heavy bag, it affects your motivations. Instead of coming into a town and saying "wow, this is awesome!", you come in and say "where the hell is my hostel/hotel?" I speak from experience. I just spent a week backpacking and I had more stuff than people who were going for months.
posted by smackfu at 5:37 AM on November 16, 2007

I agree with just about everything above if you're going the hostel route, or something similar. If I were in your shoes, I would be looking at doing actual hiking trips (i.e. hiking into the wilderness, setting up camp, etc). To put together gear for that sort of a trip would be a different situation altogether. But, as I said, if you're planning on staying in hostels or homestays or with friends or otherwise under a roof, pack as light as possible (get a silk liner instead of a sleeping bag, etc.).
posted by craven_morhead at 6:01 AM on November 16, 2007

I had a 80L bag, and really regretted it. Based on my size (about 5'6"), I should have gotten a 60L bag.

You're taller, and you could probably handle a 70-80L bag, at least better than I did. But really you still want the minimum. If you are not planning on camping, you will need a lot less space than you think. I was carrying a tent, propane stove and sleeping bag rated to -10 decree celcius when hiking that I doubt you would need in SE Asia. A 60L bag would be plenty.

A quality bag from MEC (in Canada) or REI (in the States) with internal support and an adjustable back would be good.
posted by jb at 6:09 AM on November 16, 2007

I've traveled around India and Nepal for a couple of long trips (one for four months, one for six months). Two important considerations that I haven't seen mentioned:

1) How much do you intend to buy in terms of souvenirs, cultural goods, gifts for friends, etc.?

2) How often will you be returning to hub cities?

Here's the thing: If you'll be passing through, say, Bangkok several times on your trip, you could find a reputable guesthouse, buy some cheap suitcases and fill them with all the junk you've collected. That's what I did in Delhi, eventually loading up two large suitcases.

Keep in mind that this approach comes with a bit of risk: I had my suitcases pried open and jewelry inside stolen. Choosing a very reputable guesthouse is probably your best bet (we didn't manage that).

The first consideration is obviously key in terms of size because you have to decide whether you'll be buying a lot of stuff on the way, which you'd then need space to haul.

Other considerations:

3) What do you need as you travel?

I tended to travel heavy for a backpacker: a few changes of clothes, boots *and* shoes, guidebook, notebook, camera, books to read, substantial quantities of first aid pharmaceuticals. Not all of this stuff was strictly necessary, but it was comfortable to have.

4) How often will you be on the move?

If you're changing hotels and taking all your stuff with you every two or three days, a heavy pack will be far more trouble than if you're planning to linger in particular places, or set up a sort of base camp in a region and explore from there. You can get by with a day pack for the shorter trips, if you're coming back to your base.

To avoid having to haul a day pack in your backpack, you might want to get a pack with a detachable top section that can be used as a bum bag. My Gregory has that, and it was a lifesaver.
posted by Palaverist at 6:42 AM on November 16, 2007

I want to re-iterate two related points about packing for long-term backpacking. They've been said before up in the thread but they are so (so) true that they bear repeating:

1. You are not going to the moon. There will be oxygen, water, food, q-tips, flip-flops, wallets, headphones, sweaters, and every other thing in pretty much any city in SE Asia. Unless your itinerary includes the annapurna circuit, you will be able to buy what you need (and even then, you'll only be in a can't-buy-stuff-situation for 2 weeks at most. So plan to buy stuff along the way.

It's true that you can't buy high quality gear (shoes, flashlights, climbing gear) in every single town. And in big cities it will be approx 10% more than U.S. prices (which is not that bad, considering how bad you need that mag light).

2. You're living the life of a vagabond. Embrace the fact that your life is on your back and that you're "light and fast." You're going out to (assuming here, but...) experience the world, not try to recreate your life at home (or your car campsite life) in 4 different hostel rooms per week. You're Hemingway. You're riding the rails. Embrace it.

I'd bring 1 pair of pants on the trip. At most 2 (1 pr jeans and 1 pr light linen / khakis). And probably on your big travel days, you'll be wearing those. If you need something else (because that's what everyone's wearing, everyone here being other travelers or locals) then you'll pick 'em up. They can't be *that* expensive if locals are wearing them, right?.

Also, many touristy spots (beach spots and city spots) have laundry facilities that are cheap and good. It was approx $1/kg for wash and folded in Thailand and Malaysia. So that's like $2 / week. It's pretty tough on your clothes, btw. But then again, so is traveling.
posted by zpousman at 6:47 AM on November 16, 2007

I'm pretty convinced that a 50 liter pack is the perfect size (or the maximum size) you'd want. A lot of it depends on how tall and strong you are - if you are bigger and stronger, having a larger pack won't bother you as much.

Here's the thing to remember: for 6-8 months, you need the same amount of stuff you'd bring for a trip of about 7-10 days. A couple changes of clothing, one 'nice' outfit, one 'layering' item for when it's cold, and two pairs of shoes: sandals that you can walk in and shower in, and one other pair of shoes that is either sportier or dressier, depending on how you'll run your trip.

No one needs more stuff than what you can fit in 50 liters. After that, it just becomes 'extra stuff' and 'extra weight'.
posted by Kololo at 8:23 AM on November 16, 2007

We spent two months backpacking around SE Asia two years ago and limited ourselves to packs that met carry-on requirements, and never regretted it for a minute. We were nimble and able to wander around without getting creaky, when we had to take them on public transit it wasn't a huge deal (a giant framepack on a giant westerner getting on an almost-always crowded bus/train/microbus? Yikes.) The less you have, the easier it is to keep an eye on it when you are in transit.

The advice to take only one pair of pants is good. In fact, don't think about how you are traveling for 6-8 months. Pack for no more than one week. I pack for four days, but I'm hardcore that way. Get stuff that dries fast and get into the habit of washing stuff out before you go to bed. Again, the advice to have extra socks and undies is good. You will inevitably pick up random t-shirts and stuff from the places you have visited so don't bring too many of those to start with.
posted by ambrosia at 8:27 AM on November 16, 2007

I did a 1 year in South Asia and South East Asia with a 35L pack. It was not difficult and I always had enough room. I'm female, if that makes a difference. Obviously, based on my experience, I'd recommend taking a smaller pack. Easier to get on transit, easier to walk distances. It also means you'll wear out your clothes faster and be able to replace them with stuff locally.

The only thing I couldn't do was buy big things to keep with me. Instead I bought small souvenirs until near the end of my trip, when I loaded up and bought an extra bag to take extra junk home with me (that was in Bali, souvenir central!)
posted by Cuke at 8:29 AM on November 16, 2007

I did one month in SE Asia with the MEI Voyageur (mail ordered). It holds 40L - 50L depending on how much you stuff it. I would take the same bag if I was going for six months! Remember, you can mail back souvenirs, and it is SO cheap just to buy what you need over there as you go along. No need to stock 6 months of soap or shampoo!
posted by exquisite_deluxe at 9:07 AM on November 16, 2007

Don't forget that any excess gear you don't need you can mail home.
posted by Kioki-Silver at 8:56 PM on November 16, 2007

Don't forget that any excess gear you don't need you can mail home.

no! wrong! you should travel with shit you can happily throw away. your camera & ipod & maglite & swiss army knife are the exceptions, but for the rest of it, take cheap crap clothing, buy cheap crap clothing on the road. if you're taking excess gear that needs to be mailed home, you've left with too much. for most countries, you could leave home with a medical kit & good boots & the camera etc list above, arrive in a set of pyjamas and buy everything you need when you arrive, at a tenth the price you'd pay in the west.
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:14 AM on November 17, 2007

you should travel with shit you can happily throw away

Absolutely. Two reasons: first, if your stuff gets stolen, it's not the end of the world. Second, if you wear it traveling for 6-8 months, you are likely going to want to throw it away by the end of the trip.
posted by ambrosia at 10:04 AM on November 17, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]