Backpack Help | Squat the Planet

Backpack Help

jblack89

Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2013
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
I tried my best to not make a new topic here , I'm sure experienced travelers get this question a lot and get's tiresome after a while.

I guess I'll get right into it. I plan on traveling to Texas in early April , I've never traveled at all , let alone just me and a backpack. My plan is to stay in certain cities for a while , I prefer to not stand out as much with a big , hiking backpack. I want to be low key as possible.

I have no knowledge on liters and how much you can normally fit in how many ever liter backpack. I'm traveling southwest so the could shouldn't be a issue & have a little bit of money to work with. So if weather becomes a issue or emergency i can cough up money for a cheap room. A weeks set of clothes , Mainly shorts & shirts. Maybe a extra pair of shoes & some food , Fruits , Bread & small stuff like that is what i plan on taking.

Thanks
 

DisgustinDustin

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 13, 2011
Messages
303
Reaction score
143
Location
Cleveland/Chattanooga, TN
If your gonna carry a weeks worth of clothes and extra shoes then it's going to be hard not to get a bigger bag..
I have a 46 liter osprey pack which is around 2800 cubic inches. Just went down from a 4400 ci pack.
I can fit everything I would ever dream of carrying and never use in this pack. With room for things such as a half gallon in the bag. Or food. It's a pretty small pack but holds a ton of stuff, if you know
how to properly pack.

Despite economical values. I would not consider an ALICE pack..
That statement could quite possibly get me shot around this forum. Lol.

I actually have extensive knowledge in outdoor gear, if you have any questions.
 
D

Deleted member 125

Guest
this question comes up so much and the only real way to answer it as far as im concerned is to trial and error. theres no perfect pack that suits everybody the same. ide suggest checking out a REI store or gander mountain type place and looking at any number of the internal frame backpacks they have. a weeks worth of clothes and a extra pair of shoes would be a overkill for me, but if thats what yer set on i would suggest practicing utilizing the space in whatever pack you decide to go with very well because just cramming that shit in there will make you think you need more space then you really do. honestly i forgot how many cubic inches my pack is, and i never pay much attention when others say how many theres is. try out a few packs, walk around the store a bit with them and try to picture yerself carrying that all the time, youll weed out the ones that dont fit you pretty quick. a good pack will usually cost a bit of money but is deffinetly worth it so dont try to save a few bucks and end up with a piece of gear that doesnt fit you, you will regret it. be safe and good luck!
 

Everymanalion

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2012
Messages
324
Reaction score
177
Location
Juarez, Mexico
Oh yea and try to get a color that will not show dirt as much, grey, black, dark brown etc. That blue in the link up there is just....blah and the bag is too small IMO but it depends on how long you are gonna be out for AND if in the future what you will use it for if longer trips...Buy for the future as well..
 

jblack89

Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2013
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
Thanks for all the suggestions

I jumped the gun last week and ordered a pack from a army surplus store. Got it few days ago and wasn't what i expected , Probably my own fault though. I was eager to get a pack and relax until it's go time. It was huge , The straps were made out the same material as a seat belt. Looked like i just got off from tour in Iraq with that thing. I need to ship it back before i can get another one.

Looking online i favor the more compact looking packs than the taller ones. Idk why , Maybe when i go to a store and look that will change. I'm a skinny dude but stand a little over 6 feet. Maybe it wont look as big & tall when i put it on.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DisgustinDustin

Everymanalion

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2012
Messages
324
Reaction score
177
Location
Juarez, Mexico
Thanks for all the suggestions

I jumped the gun last week and ordered a pack from a army surplus store. Got it few days ago and wasn't what i expected , Probably my own fault though. I was eager to get a pack and relax until it's go time. It was huge , The straps were made out the same material as a seat belt. Looked like i just got off from tour in Iraq with that thing. I need to ship it back before i can get another one.

Looking online i favor the more compact looking packs than the taller ones. Idk why , Maybe when i go to a store and look that will change. I'm a skinny dude but stand a little over 6 feet. Maybe it wont look as big & tall when i put it on.


Where do you live? Army navy stores are good for extremely bare bones packs but every bag I ever got from there did not have the stupid little bells and whistles I expect on my pack, like side loading water bottle holders and extras I am spoiled by ha. Its all about preferences, if you are in a metro area, go to a store, try some on, if not, watch some video reviews of bags on youtube, thats how I decided on the Terra 45.
 

jblack89

Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2013
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
Where do you live? Army navy stores are good for extremely bare bones packs but every bag I ever got from there did not have the stupid little bells and whistles I expect on my pack, like side loading water bottle holders and extras I am spoiled by ha. Its all about preferences, if you are in a metro area, go to a store, try some on, if not, watch some video reviews of bags on youtube, thats how I decided on the Terra 45.

Ohio

Definitely places to go look at some packs. I plan on going when i get the money back , wrote down the suggestions from this threads.
 

landpirate

campervan untilising nomadic traveller
Joined
Dec 18, 2011
Messages
949
Reaction score
1,569
Location
Brighton, United Kingdom
I have no recommendations on specific bags, but it's so hard to buy online, you'll really be helping yourself if you can see a bag in the flesh so to speak. You can always then go online and see if you can get it cheaper. Talking litres and capacity is all good but we are all built physically different and something that sits well on one persons back doesn't always sit well on another's. good luck though, you'll find something that works for you eventually.
 

DisgustinDustin

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 13, 2011
Messages
303
Reaction score
143
Location
Cleveland/Chattanooga, TN
Liters and capacity don't affect the fit. The brand or company does tho..
Gregory, osprey. Granite gear, gossimer, deuter, kelty, black diamond, north face... Going to feel totally different.

The bag size is determined by you back LENGTH. It has nothing to do with how fat or skinny the person is. Osprey is what feels best on me. Since I measured out to 19 inches I wear a
Medium pack. One inch above a small and I'm 6'2".. Go to a rock creek or rei, whichever is in your area or a home town outdoor store. Get measured or have a friend measure for you. Stand straight, look down. Place your hands just above your hips with you thumbs on your back. Have the friend measure from about where the thumbs are to your seventh cervical vertebrae. The big knuckle type thing at the top of your neck. That's basically it.
 

About us

  • Squat the Planet is the world's largest social network for misfit travelers. Join our community of do-it-yourself nomads and learn how to explore the world by any means necessary.

    More Info

Help us pay the bills!

Total amount
$10.00
Goal
$100.00

Latest Library Uploads