Going on a trip? Need new luggage? Purchasing new luggage is no joke. Take your time, understand the field well, don't pull the trigger too early. When you find the right one though, don't hesitate. It will have a drastically positive effect on your life, till death do you apart. Along the way, you'll be tempted by the sexy, tall, internal frame hiking packs such a the Granite Gear Nimbus Core. It's quite paramount to not act on this temptation, or you're in for a life of regret. So listen up, the advice in this article could change your life. Forever.
My scenario:
I'm heading on a camping trip to a small island in the Caribbean. One boeing flight, then a small prop plan, then taxi or public transport to the beach. Rent gear, set it up, camp, swim, kayak, capture some amazing http://gopro.com/hd-hero2-cameras/ HD GoPRO2 footage and head home.
First, we must understand what types of packs there are. Not even this is documented. The key metric you're looking for:
The primary types are:
1. Internal-frame backpack. 60-80 liters.
2. Duffle Bag - 20-100 liters (no backpack straps typically)
3. Carry-on suitcase with wheels and collapsible handle (no straps, and very heavy)
4. Convertible carry-on suitcase. Same as (3) but adds straps.
5. Day pack, 15-25 Liters (doesn't hold enough volume)
6. Snowboard style backpack, 15-20L.
7. Backpack with wheels and handle (50-70L).
8. Travel Backpack (-50L) with no wheels or suitcase.
The two factors I need to satisfy:
1. Sufficient volume
2. Ease of packing/unpacking
3. Light, portable.
4. Carry-on size (21" approx)
Scratch off #1 immediately. These bags are loaded from the top, so to get to your socks you have to unload everything and repack. You don't need the internal frame unless you're going to be hiking 10+ miles daily, it just adds weight and space. It also doesn't fit well on airplanes, nor can you access it easily at an airplane or airport.
I won't go through the rest, but it should be clear to see now that #8 is the winner. Super easy to unpack/pack, weighs practically nothing (3.5 lbs), and fits almost as much as the giant hiking packs or a carry on suitcase. I went with this bad boy, a whopping 45 Liter volume:
For comparison, a full sized carry-on suitcase is about 90 Liters, so this is exactly half. Should be plenty of space for a weekend caribbean trip.
High Sierra AT607 Carry On Travel Bag with Backpack Straps
Compare with this model:
http://www.amazon.com/High-Sierra-Carryon-Backpack-Removable/dp/B005BMGYIE/ref=pd_sim_sg_5
This is a 50L model, and weight jumps to 9.1 pounds, almost 3X as much with only a 10% increase in volume. Wheels? We don't need wheels where we're going.
Other tips:
Only load 80% full. If you have a tendency to keep adding until it's full, cheat by putting in an empty tupper-ware box or other filler. You'll appreciate the space later.
My scenario:
I'm heading on a camping trip to a small island in the Caribbean. One boeing flight, then a small prop plan, then taxi or public transport to the beach. Rent gear, set it up, camp, swim, kayak, capture some amazing http://gopro.com/hd-hero2-cameras/ HD GoPRO2 footage and head home.
First, we must understand what types of packs there are. Not even this is documented. The key metric you're looking for:
- How much can they hold (measured in Liters typically)
- Are they carry-on compliant
- How easy to load and unload
- Do they have backpack straps
- How heavy is the pack alone
The primary types are:
1. Internal-frame backpack. 60-80 liters.
2. Duffle Bag - 20-100 liters (no backpack straps typically)
3. Carry-on suitcase with wheels and collapsible handle (no straps, and very heavy)
4. Convertible carry-on suitcase. Same as (3) but adds straps.
5. Day pack, 15-25 Liters (doesn't hold enough volume)
6. Snowboard style backpack, 15-20L.
7. Backpack with wheels and handle (50-70L).
8. Travel Backpack (-50L) with no wheels or suitcase.
The two factors I need to satisfy:
1. Sufficient volume
2. Ease of packing/unpacking
3. Light, portable.
4. Carry-on size (21" approx)
Scratch off #1 immediately. These bags are loaded from the top, so to get to your socks you have to unload everything and repack. You don't need the internal frame unless you're going to be hiking 10+ miles daily, it just adds weight and space. It also doesn't fit well on airplanes, nor can you access it easily at an airplane or airport.
I won't go through the rest, but it should be clear to see now that #8 is the winner. Super easy to unpack/pack, weighs practically nothing (3.5 lbs), and fits almost as much as the giant hiking packs or a carry on suitcase. I went with this bad boy, a whopping 45 Liter volume:
For comparison, a full sized carry-on suitcase is about 90 Liters, so this is exactly half. Should be plenty of space for a weekend caribbean trip.
High Sierra AT607 Carry On Travel Bag with Backpack Straps
Compare with this model:
http://www.amazon.com/High-Sierra-Carryon-Backpack-Removable/dp/B005BMGYIE/ref=pd_sim_sg_5
This is a 50L model, and weight jumps to 9.1 pounds, almost 3X as much with only a 10% increase in volume. Wheels? We don't need wheels where we're going.
Other tips:
Only load 80% full. If you have a tendency to keep adding until it's full, cheat by putting in an empty tupper-ware box or other filler. You'll appreciate the space later.
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