Attn Camping/Backpacking Guru's....

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » September 15, 2004, 4:28 pm

Ok, so I just bought a new pair of hiking boots to backpack around Europe...

Heres what I got

Asolo FSN 95 GTX

Now, Im hunting for a good pack... Ive tried on this pack

and I really like it...

However REI.com has some deals on clearance bags.... Im kinda interested in this bag as well... however I havent tried it on...

Course, budget is a pretty big concern... but on things like my bag/boots I dont want to skimp, as I plan to be living with them for 2-3 months... or more...

Anyone have any suggestions?

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » September 15, 2004, 4:41 pm

Rent a van.

Ebumar · Post by **Ebumar** » September 15, 2004, 4:54 pm

If you've never been there before, try and get someone who has. Otherwise both packs are good, and those are great shoes.

Tegellan · Post by **Tegellan** » September 15, 2004, 5:07 pm

Where in Europe are you going Ransure? Make sure you pass Denmark so i can buy you a beer!

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » September 15, 2004, 5:25 pm

So far, Im starting in London... heading down to Germany... and getting a 15 day Flexi Eurail pass...

The rest is up in the air... But... free beer will definately influence my decision to visit someones country!

Ebumar · Post by **Ebumar** » September 15, 2004, 5:54 pm

If you're getting a euro pass get the one that's like 2 months. For the extra money you get more potential travel time. Plus, there's a price break the higher you go. A friend of mine bought his for two years and went back like 6 months later - he saved enough money from trian passes to pay for his 3rd trip.

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » September 15, 2004, 6:49 pm

Yea, the pass Im getting is 15 days of travel over two months... its gonna be about $600 or so...

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » September 15, 2004, 7:25 pm

Well.. I wouldn't buy a backpack without trying it on. You'll be wearing it a lot, so it is important that it fits well. I am by far a guru (my sister is heh, she and her husband friggin lives outdoors) but this is what she had me do when I bought mine:

- Try it on. Make sure the back support is the correct lenght.
- Get the back supported adjusted to fit your back. Mine got shaped so it fit perfectly. Dunno if stores here do it but back home they did it for free.
- Make sure the chest and waist straps are comfortable and at the same time functional. Yeah yeah they look silly but damn.. I never have a backpack on without using them. So much better to carry heavy weights that way.
- Expensive is not necesarily better. As long as the back support and straps are good for you, you'll be fine. If you only look into getting a backpack for a few months, then the quality of the pack itself isn't as important.
- Something as simple as a bottom opening is very nice to get to stuff there without having to empty out everything.
- You would be amazed at how much you can fit into side compartments. I get a pair of shoes and probably 5 t-shirts into each of mine. Also excellent to keep wet clothes away from dry.

Anyway, I really only know Norwegian brands so can't comment on these specific ones.

Drolgin Steingrinder · September 15, 2004, 7:42 pm

Doku, I'll see Teggy's promise of free beer and raise it free single malt scotch!

If the schedule fits I should have a place for you to crash, too.

MooZilla · Post by **MooZilla** » September 15, 2004, 9:31 pm

I really prefer the Haul-A-lota-Shit 500 XL

Just strap it onto the side of your camel and youre ready to go!

/lame joke

But really, make sure it's comfortable. That's the most important thing in a pack for me. If its going to be on your back for hours every day, you dont want it being uncomfortable (sp).

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » September 16, 2004, 1:37 am

Copenhagen here I come!

now someone buy my BMW so I can get my plane tickets!