Rucksack

tia86

I was wondering whether anyone could recommend a good rucksack for travelling to Australia with and what size I would need - I am going for about 5 weeks.

I was intending on taking a suitcase but one of the trips I am doing says you can only take a soft sided bag due to lack of space.

I don't want to spend too much on this as I am not a big traveller and normally go on holidays where a suitcase is fine! However I don't want to buy something too cheap that will fall apart at the airport!

I would also quite like wheels on it, but if people suggest I don't need a bag that big then maybe I can go without. This is the 'suggested' stuff I take for the main tour I am doing:

Smart casual evening wear
1 pair sandals
2 pairs of jeans
1 pair of walking shoes
2 sweaters/jumpers
1 warm jacket
4 shirts / t-shirts
1 rainproof jacket
2 pairs of shorts / skirts
1 pair of shoes (smart/casual)
Swimming costume
Washing powder
Basic medical kit (inc. aspirins, plasters)
Insect repellent
Towel
Toiletries
Hat and Sunscreen
Torch

Thanks for your help

roadiegirl

I got a really good bag from Tesco's last year to go to festivals with and bringing my washing home from uni, and it's stood the test of time and cost me about £30. They had some slightly larger ones as well, I cant find a link for them now but I will try later.
You could always travel in the walking boots, that will save some space.

tia86

Thanks for the reply - have looked at some cheap bags online but bit worried how they would cope with any rough luggage handlers!

Anyone got any other suggestions??

Thanks

agrinnall

Hi Tia, it would be useful to know a bit more about what you're going to be doing in Australia, in particular if you will be carrying your rucksack while walking - if you are then it'll be worth spending a bit more on one that is comfortable and stable to carry.

I travelled for 4 months around SE Asia with a 45+10 litre rucksack with a similar list of contents to you. It cost me around £70 but survived some pretty rough conditions on trains, planes, buses, cars, trucks, boats and pretty much any other form of transport you can think of (although it was rather grubby by the end). One thing to consider is security, I have a locking strap to provide an illusion of security, you can get wire cages that are more secure (but expensive) but it's never likely to be as theft-proof as a good suitcase.

One other thing to think about is exactly what clothes to take, if it's likely to be hot then I would consider something like linen trousers instead of at least one pair of the jeans, cooler to wear and they tend to pack a bit smaller.

timbo58

airjet rucksacks are pretty good: my local place has the whole range :
www.army-surplus.org.uk
I bought one of the german(?) army rucksacks and it's superb: prob a bit small for what you want though.

tia86

Thanks for the suggestion - those bags look rather small when thinking about how much stuff I like to take!!

Most of the time the bag will be on a coach - its really only for one trip into the Red Centre for a few days where the tour companies have said no suitcases, otherwise i'd have been taking a case instead.

Thanks for the help so far

James900

Hi burghaus rucksacs are a great very robust bag, I have traveled asia for six months with one and still looks brand new with a little wash hehe Hope this helps

James

wolfman

The 45 litre (+10) suggestion is a good one. You shouldn't need any more than that. Travel lighter if possible. A 45L bag you can often carry on, so no more lost luggage or waiting around. And walking around and getting on buses you'll be smacking into people less.

- Fill it 2/3 full, allow space for you to buy things
- Try not to get a rucksack with a complex back system, it just adds weight. Anything around 1-1.5kg is good.
- Get rid of the jeans, take lightweight trekking trousers, or cotton ones. Jeans are heavy, and don't work in the rain
- If you're going for summer months in Oz, take one jumper.
- One jacket, get a waterproof shell jacket like a goretex one. Use the layers underneath for warmth
- Take polo shirt instead of t-shirts, they're smarter and have a collar which you can turn up when the sun gets too much

If you can stretch to it, I'd go for an Osprey:
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.detail/code/62110543

Nice and light, and they're pretty rugged.

tia86

Thanks Wolfman some fab advice - perhaps a bit out of my price range tho! Thanks everyone