advice on travel pack to choose?

[dano]

hi,
I am new on this boards. I read through many threads and it did help a lot of. I am narrowing down to two travel pack that i want to buy. Eagle creek and Osprey looks very solid so i don't know which one i should get.
1) Eagle Creek: www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47995500&parent_category_rn=4501760&vcat=REI_SEARCH
2) Osprey: www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47873025&parent_category_rn=4501760&vcat=REI_SEARCH

I will travel to France, England, Spain and possibly Italy for three weeks. I want to pack light and want to carry my travel pack on airplane. These two travel packs are little bit big so i need to check with airlines to see if they let me carrying on board. I already tried out these two's at REI and they seems to be very comfortable.
Are there any little big smaller travel pack with day pack? I don't seem to find one.
Many thanks

[Jules80]

why do you want to bring it on an airplane? i think a pack that's big enough for what you'll need is too big for that.

jules

[Eagle]

dano, both Eagle Creek and Osprey make excellent products, so I believe either one would be a good choice. The EC model is slightly larger and yet less expensive, so slightly better value for the dollar. The Osprey model has lockable zippers, which is a bit of a departure from their usual top loading design. One very important point to note, the Daypack of the Eagle Creek model is TWICE the size of the Osprey Daypack. That would be an extremely important point in my selection criteria; I need lots of room in my Daypack to carry all my usual kit; I use it not only for day touring but also for carry-on luggage on the flight (my Daypack is expandable, which is a nice feature).

Some of the EC models are capable of using the Daypack in "front carry" mode, which is a nice feature both for security as well as weight balancing. Also, most EC models have stowable harnesses, which is great feature; I wasn't able to tell from the link whether the Osprey also had this feature?

The "bottom line" is which pack fits you best and feels most comfortable. I tend to favour the Eagle Creek model, as that's the brand I use.

Even though EC states that some of their Packs can be used as carry-on luggage with the Daypack removed, it's unlikely you will be able to do this. The airlines are tightening up luggage regulations, and I doubt you will be allowed to take either the EC or Osprey packs shown in your links as "carry-on". Best to resign yourself to checking the main Pack and using the Daypack as carry-on.

If you're really determined to take your Pack on the flight, you might be able to accomplish this by using a smaller Backpack such as www.eaglecreek.com/60148.html along with a foldable Daypack such as www.eaglecreek.com/40302.html.

I hope this is some help. Good luck!!!

[dano]

Eagle and Tony - Thanks so much for your feebacks. I am leaning toward EC since this travel pack weight more than 1 lb less. EC daypack (1200 cubic in) is about the size that I would need and EC is better value for the dollars. I am getting a 20% discount as being a member of REI so i think this is a good buy. I am not that much concerned about being able to have this pack as carry-on baggage. That is only my wish :-). Again thanks.