what size pack?

[ease27]

Heres my situation, im going to do a study abroad program in Florence for 4 weeks, and then spend another 37 days on my own. I was concered mostly about taking 3 sets of clothes while on the study abroad program, yet i dont want to carry a huge pack when i take off on my own. what size pack would you recommend if i were to take lets say 5 shirts..(tshirts and at least 1 dress shirt) and maybe 3 pairs of pants along with underware and socks and such?

[Quiji bo]

I reccomend going to a wholesale outfitters and trying on some packs. See if you can get some kind of return deal, and pack the pack and go for a walk. This is the best way. Everybody's body is built a lil' differnent, and the pack for me might not be the pack for you. Check out some Eagel Creek, they build some real good quality.

[Sli]

I bought myself a 55L ASolo front load back pack, it's probably a little more then I need...but definitely go try out the backpacks in the store ask them to add weights and walk around, this way you know how much weight you can handle. If you check out Kim's packing tips it should give you idea of how much to pack...When the time comes layout all the clothes you are thinking of bringing and divide everything in half.
For the extra room in your pack you buy all those souvenirs.

[monique]

I have pretty much the smaller pack you can get; it's 3000 cubic inches and so far I have been able to take it on the plane. To give you an idea, here is what I packed last summer:

3 shirts (small 'girl' sized t-shirts, also wearing a 4th)
shorts, thin skirt, capri pants (wearing one of these)
shorts to sleep in, maybe 5 pairs underwear
big 'ole camera and lots of film
rain jacket, packed into itself
journal, guidebook
small toiletries, makeup
sneakers and a few small socks (wearing sandals)

And maybe more stuff, I can't remember. It was hardly stuffed. I bring my favorite clothes and do laundry often. It beats lugging around an even heavier pack! I am the queen of ziploc bag packing! I'm leaving for my next trip in a few days, and my husband rolled his eyes at me when I winked at him and put the ziplocs in the carriage at the grocery store last weekend!

[imwithhim]

Monique-
How long were you gone for, and what area of the world were you in?
I know from my last trip that I can afford to not pack as much as I did.... I made the mistake of bringing a suitcase with a souvenir bag packed inside, as well as a backpack..... all this for 10 days of travel! I know better now

[monique]

I was only gone for two weeks. I'm going away this weekend for 10 days and I'm taking the same amount of stuff, only they will pack bigger because they're winter clothes. If I ever ahd the luxury of going on a longer trip, I would *consider* getting a bigger pack, but then again my 13lb bag felt heavy enough!! Are you going to be renting a car because of the baby? if so, you'd have more room for souvenirs!

[ryan]

I too am planning a stay in Europe for about 35 days after a study abroad program of 28 days. I am looking at a 4200 cubic inch pack from REI. Does anybody think that it might be overkill?

[Eagle]

A few comments on your question. It sounds like you're planning on "packing light", which is a good thing. Have you already bought a Pack, or will you be buying one soon?
Based on the information in your post, it sounds like a Pack such as the Eagle Creek Continental Journey would be about perfect. It is about 3900 cu. in., and comes with a detachable Day Pack, so that you wouldn't have to "carry a huge pack when I take off on my own".
You might want to lay out everything you plan on taking, and see how much room & weight this is? If you haven't already bought a pack, make sure you get it fitted properly for your torso size. Try it out fully loaded for a while to see how it feels. Incidentally, the EC Continental Journey uses a "fixed" suspension which fits a torso range of 15" - 21" as far as I know. If you're outside this range, you might have to check out one of the adjustable suspension models (check the web site).
Also check out the Rick Steves Packs, as these seem to be excellent quality and the price is right!!! Rick travels with one of these for three months+ every year, and these are supposedly "carry on size". Check his web site.
Hopefully these few comments have helped in your planning. Have a great time on your trip!!!!!

[Kim]

Also, look for a good, solid, comfortable waist belt.

This transfer the majority of your pack weight off your back and on to your hips. I would never buy a pack without a waist belt. (I've heard some Rick Steves ones don't have them, not sure if this is true or not).

The main thing is that your pack is comfortable. Try it on-camping/backpacking stores can weight it for you so that it feels realistic.

Make sure there isn't a big gap in between the pack and your back, you want it pretty snug against you.

On my survey, this is what people voted was the number one feature they looked for in a pack:

Removable daypack (4 votes for this choice)
Comfort (3 votes for this choice)
Many pockets (2 votes for this choice)
Organization
Somewhat lockable
Size
Width
Padding
Inline skateboard wheels!
Evenly distributes weight
Travel-ease
Durability
Wheels
Weight/balance
Side loading
Lots of small pockets
Not too big - this limits what you pack!
Overall fit
Size and weight
Space

Kim

[kena]

ryan said:

I too am planning a stay in Europe for about 35 days after a study abroad program of 28 days. I am looking at a 4200 cubic inch pack from REI. Does anybody think that it might be overkill?

Anything around 4000 cubic inches seems HUGE to me. That's what I use when I go camping, and I'm able to fit a three person's tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, cooking gear, toiletries, water pump, repair and first aid kits AND a few days' worth of clothes in there.

I certainly wouldn't want to haul something that big all over Europe (I need somebody's help just to get it on my back... )

I bought a 2700 cubic inches backpack for my upcoming trip to Italy this summer (a little less than a month). I'll have to bring really only the essential stuff (nope, no fancy high-heel shoes ) , but at least I'll be able to carry it without too much effort.

Keep in mind that I'm a 5'3" woman with a small frame, so my clothes can also be packed very small (hey, being small has to have its advantages, right).

[katt29]

The Eagle Creek Global Pack 50L is on sale right now at rei.com for $75 (from 150). You can order it off the web and take it to an REI to have it fitted (if there is one close to you). If it does not work you can return it.
I just received mine so I still have to go and have it fitted. It seems a little big to me, but others I have talked to say it is a great size. The main compartment is 3100 cu in and then there is a separate bottom compartment for a sleep sheet or what ever else you might want to store down there. It won't fit carry on regulations (50.5 linear inches), but it seems like a good deal and it is constructed very well.