Backpacks, Tents, Sleeping Bags

[Eagle]

Tony, I can only provide information on Backpacks, as I don't use a Sleeping Bag or Tent when travelling. My present Backpack is a 2003-vintage Eagle Creek Continental Journey. It's a slightly different design than the CJ that is currently being sold. In some ways I prefer the older design, as I've found the "Marsupial Pocket" and Rain Jacket to be quite useful on occasion. I think you'll find that many here prefer Eagle Creek products. They are a bit more expensive than others, but the quality is great!

IMHO it's best not to buy a Backpack strictly on price alone, as you might end up with a Pack of dubious quality. You don't want to start having problems with it part way during your trip. Hopefully Kim (the owner of these boards) will see this post, as she can relate the perils of travelling with an inferior quality Backpack!

Whichever Backpack you buy, make sure you are properly fitted according to your torso size. It's always a good idea to try this out fully loaded for a few hours to make sure that the fit is comfortable and works well for you.

A few other things to consider: do you prefer a detachable Daypack (many on this Board like that feature), do you prefer panel loading or top loading designs (harder to secure as many just have drawstrings on top) and do you want a "stowable" harness to prevent damage to the straps from airport baggage handling equipment.

Good luck with your Pack decision. Hopefully someone else can provide details on the sleeping bag and tent.

Happy travels!!!

[Kim]

Oh yes, I can tell you alllll about travelling with a cheap pack. Learn from my lesson, don't do it! I ended up having to buy a new one half way through our trip. My husbands Eagle Creek barely even looked used 7 months later when we got home.

Things I find a must are a detachable daypack, a good heavy duty waist belt to take the weight off your shoulders, a cover that stows away somewhere in the pack and zippers that you are able to lock (like the kind you can put together and join with a small lock).

I'm not much for camping/hiking so I can't help much there. A good site you may want to look at for that is www.karmabum.com

Kim

[WillTravel]

I think women tend to aim for a total packing weight of about 20 pounds, or 25 at the most. It's quite likely you could carry more than the average woman, but keep in mind that if you are traveling on trains and public transit, it's very cumbersome and inconvenient to have a large pack.

[Eagle]

stabone76, The Gregory Packs are an excellent quality product, however these seem to be designed more for "mountaineering" rather than "travel" purposes. These are mostly top loading (some with side access panels) so are going to be more difficult to secure than a panel loading pack with zippers.

In looking at the link you provided, it appears that the four different sizes for the Gregory Whitney are designed to fit four torso ranges. I suspect this will be the deciding factor in determining which size you buy, as you will have to buy the model that conforms to your torso size.

Hopefully there's a shop in your area where you can have a look at various brands and models of Packs, and try some of these on (preferably while they're loaded up).

Good luck!