MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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I'm going over to Thailand at the end of the year, and I need a rucksack to carry all my stuff in. I've not had a proper large capacity rucksack in ages (probably 10 years ago).
Any advice on what to look for - shops / brands / capacity / specific model recommendations?
I always used a Macpac for backpacking, the material they use is really strong and thick, so it stands up to alot of abuse.
I have a couple of large Lowe Alpines (80 and 90L I think) which Mrs S and I used for a month in Thailand.
Good value for money as a brand and nothing really sub-standard about the quality.
Consider security - does the pack make it easy for pickpockets? Can a lock/mesh be attached easily and securely?
You will want a day pack as well for when you are out and about. Some rucksacks have zip off day packs. You can also get say an osprey OMM pack that will fold up nice and small.
Ones with seperate access to a bottom compartment are good for storing bedding in so you can get it out without emptying the bag.
Do you need a rucksack, or do you need a big tough bag that you can carry as a rucksack when needed?
[url= http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=795 ]TNF Base Camp Duffel[/url]
You'll be needing the Berghaus Vulcan then!!
[img] http://www.sierra-313.de/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=1316 [/img]
Osprey Soujorn (sp). I have one and although it a back pack system I only ever use the wheels to pull it along. Easy access, robust and lifetime limited warranty!
Something tatty looking with no logos. That military Berghaus (maybe a smaller version?) would be perfect.
I need a big tough bag to carry stuff in. Ideally something expandable and easy to haul around, hence my first thought was a rucksack. I've got a couple of decent wheel-able suitcases, but I'm not sure I want to travel that heavily - I may end up doing some travelling when I get to Thailand.
Thanks for the suggestions so far 🙂
Unless you're going trekking or planing on carrying it an awful lot, a tough duffle - the North Face one is good - is arguably better than a proper pack. No straps and buckles to get caught up on things, easier to clean, easier to secure. The TNF one, and a lot of similar ones from other people, also have detachable shoulder straps so if you need to, say, carry it a couple of miles across town, it's straightforward. Not as comfortable as a proper pack, but very tough and practical if you really just need a sort of half-way house between a pack and a suitcase.
Just bought a Lowe Alpine TFX Appalachian 65:85, £105 at Field & Trek. Already used it for a two-day wild camp and it was very comfy and practical (and there was bags of space spare). You can get a Lowe Makalu if you want front entry, but it's heavier and there's another zip to go wrong. The pack I had before was Lowe Alpine and it lasted 12 years of abuse, including a 12-month RTW trip and many backpacking & wild camping adventures. Good quality kit, reasonably priced.