What size backpack for 3 week trip?

[Ignas]

What size of backpack would be recommended for a 3 week trip? I'm not even sure yet of how much and what I would pack. I was looking at the REI website and this - www.rei.com/product/748432#ReviewHeader had very good reviews. However, is 45L enough for a 3 week trip? Or should I go with a 65? Alternately, I was considering just bringing my school backpack to wear during the day and a duffel bag for all my other stuff .What do you guys think?
I'm a strong young guy, so being overweighed is more of a nuisance than a serious issue, but of course I would like to pack right.
Tips/Suggestions?
Thanks! ;D

[Mikul]

I would go for a 65L bag with a detachable day bag. My cousin used an Osprey Waypoint 65 and loved it. Eagle Creek also offers some 65L bags with detachable day bags.

[Eagle]

Ignas, most of the group here would probably consider a 46 liter Pack a bit too small for travel purposes.

My venerable Eagle Creek Continental Journey Pack is about 62 liters for the main pack, and I find that's about perfect for the most part (although it's sometimes a bit challenging to fit everything in). Some of the features I find useful are a removeable Daypack (works great for carry-on) and a stowable harness system (prevents the straps from being torn off by airport conveyor systems). The other point to consider is whether you prefer a top-loading Pack (usually a drawstring on the top, often difficult to lock) or a panel-loading Pack (with zippers that open to allow easy access to the interior contents, much easier to lock although with any Pack that only provides minimal security).

The most important factor in choosing a Backpack is to ensure that you're properly fitted according to your torso length. Most of the weight should rest on your hips, not your shoulders. A smaller Pack may not have enough length to allow proper fitting.

Using your school Backpack may not be the best idea if it's a lighter-duty product. If it fails during the trip it will be a major inconvenience. Although I'm not so young anymore, I find that travelling with a properly fitted Backpack is by far the easiest method, not only for navigating airports but also when travelling by train.

In addition to other Osprey products, you could also look at Gregory or www.eaglecreek.com/bags_luggage/adventure_travel_packs/. Those brands are all excellent quality and have good warranties.

You might want to Google "packing lists" to get some ideas of kit that you might want to take. One day when you have some spare time, gather everything together and do a "test run", to get some idea on how much room it's going to take. When you buy a Pack, it's also a good idea to try it out for a few hours fully loaded, so that you can deal with any "adjustment issues" before you leave on your trip. There are also some packing suggestions in the Guidebook Europe Through The Back Door.

Good luck!

[Ignas]

Thanks a lot for the reply, Eagle. I ended up buying an Eagle Creek Voyage 65L for about 100 bucks on EBay. Excited to get it so I can fill it up and try it on.