Continental Journey 2004 Backpack

[Casey84]

I'm considering buying one of these for my trip in December...I have 2 questions:

1) Does the Continental Journey 2004 backpack have a cover? I mean a cover that would work like rain cover. On some sites I see that it advertises one but on others no mention of one.

2) Will it be big enough to hold 2 and a half weeks of winter clothing?

[Kim]

It will definately hold 2.5 weeks of winter clothing if it all isn't huge, big sweaters. Normally people just bring 1 - 1.5 weeks worth of clothing and wash it on the road, that way you don't have a ton of weight.

Do you really want the 2004? You can get the 2003's for great prices right now and all Eagle Creeks have a lifetime warrenty.

REI Outlet has them for 109.43 - a fantastic price:
www.rei.com/outlet/product/47803300.htm

If you do want the 2004, I might be getting some coupon codes from Ebags and I can hook you up with a discount in Nov. Normally it's 10% or 15% off. If anyone else is interested, PM me.

Kim

[dumbdiety]

Casey,
First, welcome to the board.
Second, while I don't know about the 2004 pack, I just purchased the 2003 pack from the link Kim gave above, and it does have a 'raincoat' that hides beneath the main pack. It can also hold all the clothing you need, I just used it on a trip to Orlando for a week and I had all the clothes I needed, plus additional space. The link Kim gave is also the cheapest I've seen this model of any year. Enjoy, and again, welcome to the boards!

Doug

[Eagle]

Casey, I also use the Continental Journey Pack, and have been really pleased with it so far. My Pack appears to be a 2003 model, as the appearance is about the same as that in the link that Kim provided.

Whether it will be big enough to hold 2 - 3 weeks of winter clothing would depend to some extent on how efficiently you can pack, and how bulky the clothing is. On larger items a compressing folder (made by Eagle Creek and others) would probably help.

It's not a huge size, but should be quite adequate. On a trip to England in June, I had a bit of difficulty fitting everything in as I was taking dress clothes for a special occasion (not something I would normally travel with). I found the Marsupial Pocket worked quite well to hold the overflow, provided it's "cinched down" well so nothing can fall out.

The Daypack was quite handy as carry-on luggage - just about the right size. However, in spite of the EC advertising the main pack is not usually allowed for carry-on (possibly due to weight considerations). Also, many airlines are getting more strict about this.

One important point to mention -- when you buy any packmake sure you are properly fitted according to your torso size. The Continental Journey uses a fixed (rather than adjustable) harness, and from what I recall this is designed for a torso range of 15" - 21". You could double check with EC to confirm this.

Good luck with this, and happy travels!!!

[Casey84]

Thanks guys for the responses.

Well I'm 5'10 so I think a mens pack should fit fine as a matter of fact the womens pack I tried on were overly snug.

I found the 2004 pack here
www.europebytrain.com/Templates/frmTemplateK.asp?SubFolderID=155
for $129 with S&H free. That's the reason I considered it. If it doesn't have a rain cover..I won't bother.

[Eagle]

Casey, with regards to the rain cover, I checked the EC web site but couldn't see this listed in the features summary? In looking at the picture, I couldn't see any evidence of the bottom compartment where the rain hood is stored. You would probably have to send an E-mail to EC to confirm this.

Just to clarify one point, although you're 5' 10", it's your torso length that is the most critical factor in fitting a pack. In all likelihood, this will fit you. I'm about 6' tall and am just within the design range for torso length on the CJ Pack. I would agree that you should select whichever Pack fits you the best and is most comfortable, regardless of whether it's a men's or women's model.

One other point to mention is the change of design on the 2004 model. I'm not sure I like the "book style" opening, with no Marsupial pocket. My preferences lean towards the 2003 style, with the top & side opening and the front pocket. I'm sure Eagle Creek will say the design change was due to customer demand, but I don't like it as well.

Again, good luck with this.

[Casey84]

Thanks Eagle,


What are pro/cons for "book style" vs. top/side openings?

[dumbdiety]

with book-style bags, the entire top will unzip, and it opens (lmost like a suitcase), which unveils your entire bag so you don't have to dig. Top/side openings are pretty much like your standard bookbag, so to get to something at the bottom, you have to dig to get it.

Doug

[Eagle]

Casey, I suppose the pros & cons of book-style openings are pretty much a matter of personal preference. My definition of book-style opening was referring somewhat specifically to the way EC changed the design on the CJ Pack.

On the newer (2004) design, they seem to have removed the Marsupial Pouch on the front, and changed the opening method with the zipper extending completely from the top right (looking at the bag from the bottom), down the left hand side and finishing at the bottom right. This results in the entire top lid of the pack opening away from the main pack, somewhat like opening a book.

On the older (2003) design, the zipper extends from the bottom left, up around the top and to the bottom right. The top lid in this configuration opens downward. From what I can see, the degree of access provided to the interior is about equal. Whether you prefer the newer or older pack design, is probably based on what you feel most comfortable with.

In my own case, I've found the Marsupial pocket to be a useful feature, as I've had to use it for "overflow" (to store a medium thickness jacket). If the compression straps are cinched down, there's little risk of this falling out (it also helps to use a disposable plastic luggage tag to secure some point on the jacket to the Pack, just for insurance).

The 2003 design does have one minor quirk, which is easily fixed by the manner in which this is packed. I've found on some occasions that it's difficult to connect the main pack and the day pack with the top zipper (which is at the top front of the Main Pack and top rear of the Day Pack). This occurs mostly when the packs are loaded to the point of "bulging". The simplest solution for this is to arrange the contents in such a way that this doesn't occur. I'm still working at maximising the efficiency of my "Modular Packing System", which is always a work in progress and will probably never be completed, as I adjust this a bit after each trip. Also, since the CJ Day Pack can be carried in a "front carry" configuration, that's another solution (not sure if the 2004 model also allows front carry?).

You will have to decide which design you prefer. Probably a good idea to make a decision in the near future though, as I wonder how long the older designs will be available (should you choose this model)?

Hope this has provided the information you were looking for? Happy travels!!!

[googleygoo]

wow, I'm tempted to buy this close out sale simply because it's such a good deal! But seeing as how I've never tried it on , it's probably a bad idea, eh? I'm 5'7, so probably taller than average female, but smaller frame. I can tell it's going to be a stressful task finding a backpack that works well!

[Ashley]

I recently purchased the 2003 backpack, the same one as in the top link above. Im not sure that im keeping it because im still looking around and it might not be the right fit. Does anyone know what the difference is between the surround fixed suspension of the 2003 and the independent suspension of some other packs?.and do all the packs have the two metal rods? ..and also im female about 5'7 with a fairly long torso so should I be looking at a womens pack or mens? any help would be great im kinda confused!

[Ashley]

Oh and one more question.....the new 2004 has some new security wire feature?? does anyone know if that is a good feature to have? ....and does the 2003 have anything like that?

[Eagle]

Ashley, a few replies to your questions....

Based on my research when I bought my Pack, I believe the EC Surround Fixed Suspension is designed to fit a specific torso range, 15" - 21" from what I recall (you could confirm this with EC). In contrast, the Super Fit Suspension (used on some of the other EC packs) is designed to be adjustable to a point, to accomodate different torso ranges. If your torso fits within the design range for the Continental Journey, this should work well for you.

As far as I know, most internal frame packs have some form of aluminum rods (these are the frame?). I believe on some packs these are designed to be removable (to lighten the weight somewhat) although I don't know why these would ever have to be removed considering they don't really weigh all that much.

Regardless of your height, I would suggest looking for the Pack with the best fit regardless of whether it is a men's or a woman's model. It's extremely important to get your Ttorso length measured by a competent sales person. Try the pack out fully loaded for a few hours, to make sure the fit works well for you.

With regards to the security wire, I haven't actually seen this first hand yet. However, from what I can gather this consists of a thin stainless steel cable permanently attached to the pack at some point. This allows the pack to be easily locked to a bench or whatever to prevent "grab & run" type thefts.

Hope these comments have provided some answers for you. Good luck and happy travels!!!

[Casey84]

Thank you so much guys...I settled on the 2003 version it is so much more than I expected. It fit fine, much like the Explorer I tried on a few months ago. Again many thank for helping me choose this pack!!


BTW: The 2004 pack does not have a rain cover, comfirmed it with Eagle Creek.

[hadenuf]

These packs look like the best way to go but unfortunately they don't seem to have them over here (to try on) in Australia and I haven't found anything else that seems on par. Is it a bad idea to buy it online by just going on my torso measurements? Or should I just keep trying to find something here that I can try on and hope I find something suitable?