Which backpack for backpacking?

sarahjw

Hi All

My daughter has asked for a backpack for Xmas - she intends to do some travelling next year. Can anyone advise me what to get her or point me in the direction of some good advice?

Ta very much

mutley74

i bought a Bergaus jalaan. it can be used as back pack and converts to a travel pack which is zipable to use or airlines etc. but depends on what sort of travel she is doing. shop around and look at the stuff in Blacks and Tiso.

Mee

If she is a YHA member she'll get 10% off non-sale Blacks and Millet stuff and 15% off Cotswold clothing. Anyone with delicate backs may want to go for a Deuter backpack or one with a deuter back system.

Barneysmom

I've tried some but IMO nothing beats the army bergen?
Once the metal braces are in the right place, you can walk for miles and miles with one on.

There are loads on EBay..

tayler_remi

Yeah, a Bergus is the best. I took one around India and it didn't fail me.

Blagalot

Aldi do good ones for £20 every few months, doubt they'll be around before Xmas though.

star222

As someone else said - the berghaus jalan. It is a "travel pack" style which zips around the side so if she wants something inside she wouldnt have to pull out everything to get it.

You didnt mention where she was going, the 65L one has wheels which are great but useless in places like india. It also adds a couple of kg to the overall weight.

Cant go wrong with the 55L. They are expensive but well worth it, I saw countless people with cheap backpacks that had broke.

paulwf

She really should be trying them on herself, presumably this is something she may be carrying round for several hours a day for a long period of time. A good pack will also last for 10 years so is a good investment. Perhaps you could get gift vouchers?

Some packs are female specific and different ones will suit different people. Don't worry too much about stated capacity size as for example some are much more of a useful shape than others so you can get much more in.

Don't go for loads of different compartments and zips and gadgets...an easily accessible pocket on the outside is a must but too many pockets just add weight and decrease the useful internal capacity.

Blacks have sales every so often and of course if you find a good model there are loads of internet companies that compete on price. Expect to pay at least £50 and perhaps towards £100. With all due respect to Aldi unless this is a very exceptional bargain a £20 pack will have a short lifespan which could be very inconvenient.

mutley74

star222 wrote: »

As someone else said - the berghaus jalan. It is a "travel pack" style which zips around the side so if she wants something inside she wouldnt have to pull out everything to get it.

You didnt mention where she was going, the 65L one has wheels which are great but useless in places like india. It also adds a couple of kg to the overall weight.

Cant go wrong with the 55L. They are expensive but well worth it, I saw countless people with cheap backpacks that had broke.

my Jalaan 65l does not have wheels. So might be only selected models. i do remember that TK maxx sometimes sell Berghaus ones at much cheaper prices, worth a look if youre in town.

Blagalot

paulwf wrote: »

With all due respect to Aldi unless this is a very exceptional bargain a £20 pack will have a short lifespan which could be very inconvenient.

Actually the Aldi one is very well made & similar to ones that cost a lot more in camping shops. Have been on numerous camping trips/hikes with mine over the last 2 years & find it very comfortable & it is still in perfect condition. BTW I spent over a year backpacking around India when I was younger & would have no qualms about trekking around the Himalayas with it.
Pics here:

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2867_9631.htm

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2867_5795.htm

bettybeaver

The best one for her to get is the one that fits her!! Each make and model have different proportions and you really need to try them on to get the best fit. So I would wrap her an IOU to go under the tree and take her shopping during the January sales to Blacks, Millets or any other local gear shop and try them all on before you buy.