Backpack recommendations?
May 24, 2004 7:08 PM Subscribe
Any recommendations for a comfortable, large-capcity backpack I can use to haul 30 lbs. of books and some clothes around the West Coast this summer?
I'm travelling (of necessity) around the West Coast this summer for about four weeks, even though I also have to study for my graduate school orals, which are in September. As a result I have to carry just about all of English literature with me! I'm not a backpacker or anything, but surveying the options it looks like the easiest thing will be a big backpack, preferably with a detachable daypack, so that I'm not always pulling along some giant rolling suitcase everywhere. Sometimes I'll be in the city (L.A.), sometimes I won't be.
Has anyone travelled like this before? I was looking at the Osprey Departure, but it's super expensive. I am confounded! Do any of you world-weary MeFites have suggestions?
I'm travelling (of necessity) around the West Coast this summer for about four weeks, even though I also have to study for my graduate school orals, which are in September. As a result I have to carry just about all of English literature with me! I'm not a backpacker or anything, but surveying the options it looks like the easiest thing will be a big backpack, preferably with a detachable daypack, so that I'm not always pulling along some giant rolling suitcase everywhere. Sometimes I'll be in the city (L.A.), sometimes I won't be.
Has anyone travelled like this before? I was looking at the Osprey Departure, but it's super expensive. I am confounded! Do any of you world-weary MeFites have suggestions?
Hmm I don't know what exactly the size you're going for as these are huge camping bags. 30 lbs doesn't sound like a lot to me. I use North Face backpacks (I previously had a Jansport) to carry everything. The North Face has something along the lines of 3 different harnasses to strap onto you (I have the Recon Flash one), to give you the support you'll need. Plus it's really big.
Jansport provided me A+++++ will buy again protection. I just got the North Face backpack for ultra-cheap. I went through the worst downpour of my life during finals this year. My pants were literally soaking as if I had been in a pool and my white shirt (no undershirt) was not even there. I even had an umbrella. My first thought was "oh shit there goes my paper" and then I opened it up and it was perfectly dry. Amazing. And Jansport has a lifetime warrentee and North Face might too. Both are great brands.
I had an Oigo messanger bag (also given to me for free, I'm cool what can I say) and IT got wet and all my books were ruined for resale. Don't go Oigo.
posted by geoff. at 7:50 PM on May 24, 2004
Jansport provided me A+++++ will buy again protection. I just got the North Face backpack for ultra-cheap. I went through the worst downpour of my life during finals this year. My pants were literally soaking as if I had been in a pool and my white shirt (no undershirt) was not even there. I even had an umbrella. My first thought was "oh shit there goes my paper" and then I opened it up and it was perfectly dry. Amazing. And Jansport has a lifetime warrentee and North Face might too. Both are great brands.
I had an Oigo messanger bag (also given to me for free, I'm cool what can I say) and IT got wet and all my books were ruined for resale. Don't go Oigo.
posted by geoff. at 7:50 PM on May 24, 2004
Whatever you get, you'll get a good deal on it at Campmor
As far as I know, they have the best prices of all the outfitters (in the US)
posted by Fupped Duck at 8:12 PM on May 24, 2004
As far as I know, they have the best prices of all the outfitters (in the US)
posted by Fupped Duck at 8:12 PM on May 24, 2004
There are many bags that will serve you well. I suggest going to an outdoor outfitter or backpacking shop and shopping based on cost.
Find out how many cubic inches your books and clothes take up. Good weight-bearing backpacks are generally sold by cubic inches.
Important things to consider when shopping: padding and belts.
You want at least two belts, one that buckles around your hips, the other around your chest. The belt around your hips shoulud be padded and should rest snugly and comfortably. This belt allows you to distribute the weight of the bag across your torso, which will limit back pain. It also lowers your center of gravity, which makes it easier to move around with a bunch of stuff on your back. The belt around your chest can be flimsy; its purpose is to keep the bag from hinging away from your shoulders off the lower belt and putting excess pressure on your hips.
In addition to hip belt padding, you want some serious padding on your shoulders. A really good backpack for your amount of weight should have half and inch to an inch, minimum, of padding at the top of the shoulder straps.
Finally, I would suggest looking for a long, narrow backpack rather than something as short and stout as the Osprey you like. This will spread the burden across your torso and help with your center of gravity.
40 pounds can do a real number on your back. When I go into the woods I try to keep my pack under 30. A good rule of thumb for backpacking, at least, is to keep the weight of a bag under a fifth of your body weight. It's just about impossible to do, and with the books you need it's not realistic. Because of the weight you're carrying, a good backpack is especially important. Fortunately, you have lots of options.
NorthFace and REI are good suggestions. I have a Kelty back pack and I love it. Realistically, most heavy load bags made my good manufacturers start near to $200. If yoou shop sales or use craigslist.org, you can probably get a better deal.
Happy travels to you.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 9:42 PM on May 24, 2004
Find out how many cubic inches your books and clothes take up. Good weight-bearing backpacks are generally sold by cubic inches.
Important things to consider when shopping: padding and belts.
You want at least two belts, one that buckles around your hips, the other around your chest. The belt around your hips shoulud be padded and should rest snugly and comfortably. This belt allows you to distribute the weight of the bag across your torso, which will limit back pain. It also lowers your center of gravity, which makes it easier to move around with a bunch of stuff on your back. The belt around your chest can be flimsy; its purpose is to keep the bag from hinging away from your shoulders off the lower belt and putting excess pressure on your hips.
In addition to hip belt padding, you want some serious padding on your shoulders. A really good backpack for your amount of weight should have half and inch to an inch, minimum, of padding at the top of the shoulder straps.
Finally, I would suggest looking for a long, narrow backpack rather than something as short and stout as the Osprey you like. This will spread the burden across your torso and help with your center of gravity.
40 pounds can do a real number on your back. When I go into the woods I try to keep my pack under 30. A good rule of thumb for backpacking, at least, is to keep the weight of a bag under a fifth of your body weight. It's just about impossible to do, and with the books you need it's not realistic. Because of the weight you're carrying, a good backpack is especially important. Fortunately, you have lots of options.
NorthFace and REI are good suggestions. I have a Kelty back pack and I love it. Realistically, most heavy load bags made my good manufacturers start near to $200. If yoou shop sales or use craigslist.org, you can probably get a better deal.
Happy travels to you.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 9:42 PM on May 24, 2004
Any reason not to use a big rolling suitcase? It would be very bad on a mountain trail, but actually perfect for lugging books about urban areas. I was just wondering because I have used an old suitcase on wheels (about 2 feet by 3 feet) to lug 30+ pounds of books between cities (12 hour bus trip, plus subways) when working on term papers. The stairs were a bitch, but long walks were easier. That said, backpacks don't let you take as much weight, but do leave you more mobile.
crouton's suggestions are very good - having taken very heavy loads on a long hiking trip (40-50 pounds, up to 1/3 of my weight), I would say that the more weight on your hips the better.
I would disagree with crouton on the shape. It's true that long narrow bags are much better for serious hiking, but if you are planning to do more travelling by bus and train, a stout pack will do just fine, and be much more convenient for accessing your clothes and books as you travel. Square corners are better to pack books in and the top down packing style of some hiking packs can be very inconvenient when you have to live out of it in a hostel or something - a bag that zippers open is easier. (In the woods it's different - you pull out your sleeping bag that takes 1/2 the bag, and you aren't worried about getting clean clothes anyways). My fiance used a bag like this (maybe a bit smaller) to get large amounts of books back and forth from his university to home. He would wear it full of hardcover books for an hour or more.
As for stores, I would recommend Mountain Equiptment Co-op if you are in Canada (Toronto or Vancouver), but friends also tell me REI is very good.
One other question: how expensive is expensive? I couldn't find a price on the Osprey Departure, so I don't know what your budget is. A good bag will likely be in the hundreds - I paid $200 CND for my camping bag (70L), and it was a cheap brand.
posted by jb at 11:04 PM on May 24, 2004
crouton's suggestions are very good - having taken very heavy loads on a long hiking trip (40-50 pounds, up to 1/3 of my weight), I would say that the more weight on your hips the better.
I would disagree with crouton on the shape. It's true that long narrow bags are much better for serious hiking, but if you are planning to do more travelling by bus and train, a stout pack will do just fine, and be much more convenient for accessing your clothes and books as you travel. Square corners are better to pack books in and the top down packing style of some hiking packs can be very inconvenient when you have to live out of it in a hostel or something - a bag that zippers open is easier. (In the woods it's different - you pull out your sleeping bag that takes 1/2 the bag, and you aren't worried about getting clean clothes anyways). My fiance used a bag like this (maybe a bit smaller) to get large amounts of books back and forth from his university to home. He would wear it full of hardcover books for an hour or more.
As for stores, I would recommend Mountain Equiptment Co-op if you are in Canada (Toronto or Vancouver), but friends also tell me REI is very good.
One other question: how expensive is expensive? I couldn't find a price on the Osprey Departure, so I don't know what your budget is. A good bag will likely be in the hundreds - I paid $200 CND for my camping bag (70L), and it was a cheap brand.
posted by jb at 11:04 PM on May 24, 2004
If you're looking for an inexpensive pack, try Campmor. They sell name brand outdoor gear at prices you'll find hard to refuse. They also have the distinction, for those local to Paramus, NJ, of being the only store I've ever visited that was consistently cheaper than their advertised prices on the internet. I know nothing of their politics, but my experience with the company won me away from my long time membership with REI.
I've always used Gregory Packs for my outdoor needs, but I can't comment any further on their suitability for carrying books. I can pack mine full of everything I'll need for a thru hike and still have room for more. The packs travel great off the trail as well, though the model I have has an immense number of straps for adjusting the fit and shifting weight around. If you shop around, you can find 2003 and 2002 models at mom and pop camping stores that they are selling at great discount.
Lastly, if you're in a pinch, you can always find inexpensive store brand, internal frame packs at EMS or even at Dick's Sporting Goods.
I've not personally had any luck with built in features like a detachable backpack. I find it complicates use of the pack and often throws the pack into some odd sense of balance. However, I use mine in the woods which differs a great deal from urban use. You can always carry an empty pack inside of your larger pack. You could stash it in the top compartment for easy access, though you'll likely want your books in the bottom for a more comfortable distribution of the weight. (Note that having them in the bottom is not the frustration it used to be. Most packs have front loading and top loading now, which makes accessing the bottom of your pack much easier.)
posted by sequential at 11:43 PM on May 24, 2004
I've always used Gregory Packs for my outdoor needs, but I can't comment any further on their suitability for carrying books. I can pack mine full of everything I'll need for a thru hike and still have room for more. The packs travel great off the trail as well, though the model I have has an immense number of straps for adjusting the fit and shifting weight around. If you shop around, you can find 2003 and 2002 models at mom and pop camping stores that they are selling at great discount.
Lastly, if you're in a pinch, you can always find inexpensive store brand, internal frame packs at EMS or even at Dick's Sporting Goods.
I've not personally had any luck with built in features like a detachable backpack. I find it complicates use of the pack and often throws the pack into some odd sense of balance. However, I use mine in the woods which differs a great deal from urban use. You can always carry an empty pack inside of your larger pack. You could stash it in the top compartment for easy access, though you'll likely want your books in the bottom for a more comfortable distribution of the weight. (Note that having them in the bottom is not the frustration it used to be. Most packs have front loading and top loading now, which makes accessing the bottom of your pack much easier.)
posted by sequential at 11:43 PM on May 24, 2004
Oy. Please forgive all my typos in the above post.
JB is right, a rolling suitcase might do you well. I can imagine a backpack being a hassle in an urban environment--there are a lot of straps and buckles involved. Taking off and putting on a heavy bag can be a chore.
I'll also second sequential's Campmor suggestion. I've bought gear through them, good quality stuff. Their Hot Deals page might be one to watch.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 12:08 AM on May 25, 2004
JB is right, a rolling suitcase might do you well. I can imagine a backpack being a hassle in an urban environment--there are a lot of straps and buckles involved. Taking off and putting on a heavy bag can be a chore.
I'll also second sequential's Campmor suggestion. I've bought gear through them, good quality stuff. Their Hot Deals page might be one to watch.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 12:08 AM on May 25, 2004
Response by poster: Thanks for all the great suggesetions! I'm taking a look at Campmor right now, and REI is having a big sale -- they let you take 20% of any single full-pricce item, so I can get the Osprey Departure pack (for those who were asking) for about $230. I'm comfortable with that price range, although I'm also taken with some of the cheaper closeout bags I see.
On wheeled luggage: I've given it up for good. I tend to find that while there are some situations in which wheeled luggage is great -- say, New York City streets, with their broad, largely well-maintianed sidewalks -- there are other environments -- say, Paris -- where they are hellish. They put a ton of strain on your wrist and when you have to actually carry them, they bags themselves are really heavy. They do benefit from being loaded with heavy items, however.
I shall go REI and look for a backpack with a comfy hip belt and corners.
posted by josh at 8:04 AM on May 25, 2004
On wheeled luggage: I've given it up for good. I tend to find that while there are some situations in which wheeled luggage is great -- say, New York City streets, with their broad, largely well-maintianed sidewalks -- there are other environments -- say, Paris -- where they are hellish. They put a ton of strain on your wrist and when you have to actually carry them, they bags themselves are really heavy. They do benefit from being loaded with heavy items, however.
I shall go REI and look for a backpack with a comfy hip belt and corners.
posted by josh at 8:04 AM on May 25, 2004
Mountainsmith makes good gear for a good price.
Check out this one for only $150.
posted by bradhill at 12:39 PM on May 25, 2004
Check out this one for only $150.
posted by bradhill at 12:39 PM on May 25, 2004
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Other then that, i'd go with all the books, and send them home as you finish them.
Personally i'm a fan of this pack although this other pack is cheaper and a little bigger, but looks too bulky.
Good luck on your trip, been here in CA for 3 years and i've only got one more left.
posted by Derek at 7:39 PM on May 24, 2004