VeeshanVault

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?

Rent a van.

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

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

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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).

Copenhagen here I come!

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