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Budget Travel Gear Yo Nellie, which backpack should I git? Questions and answers on gear related topics (i.e. backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, hiking boots, stoves, etc.).

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Old 04-18-2003, 11:21 AM   #1
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i'm new to these boards, so bear with me. ^_^ I'm preparing for a trip i am taking next february with a friend of mine. We're backpacking around Europe for about 2 - 3 months. I need a good quality backpack for a decent price, but I don't know where to look. Are there any websites I can look at that won't rip me off?
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Old 04-20-2003, 06:42 PM   #2
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Crionnact,

Check the Travelpunk.com/gear page to see a variety of backpacks and what they offer. If you see something that you like, jot down the brand/model number/features (get one with a removeable daypack!!!), then take that info to your local sporting good store, REI, etc... find that model or something similar, try on, walk around, and if you like it, buy the one that´s cheaper!

Once you buy it, pack it with what you think you´ll need for your 2-3 months (mine weighed about 35-40 lbs), and walk a few blocks with your pack on. If you don´t like it, you can always return it for another.

By the way, break in your shoes a few weeks before you take off!!!!

tp
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Old 05-05-2003, 02:08 PM   #3
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I bought a Columbia pack at Oshman's for just over $100. It's small enough to carry-on when not packed to the gills too, but can expand pretty big too. It's a great pack and a great deal, considering most other packs will run you several hundred dollars...
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Old 05-05-2003, 02:59 PM   #4
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thanks for the backpack info, voyd. I'm looking for a good one myself. is there a website that we can visit for more information?
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Old 05-05-2003, 03:20 PM   #5
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oops, i'm a bit silly. www.oshmans.com would be the one, eh? lol
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Old 05-06-2003, 08:05 PM   #6
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On your profile it says your from canada (where bouts?) So you if live in a big city try heading out to mountain equipment co-op. It's a great company and they have many packs to choose from (some cheap/some pricery, overall a good range) If you can't make it out to a store then check out www.mec.ca

I have a Mec brio 60 and a serratus travel pack. My only advice for a backpack is to get one with a zipper that goes all the way around the pack. It's soooo frusterating when your trying to get something out of your pack and it's at the very bottom! Trust me. Get a good zippered pack! cheers.

~JILL
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Old 05-07-2003, 02:48 PM   #7
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thanks for the advice, I am from Winnipeg, originally from Kamloops, BC. Personally, I like Kamloops better.
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Old 05-07-2003, 11:52 PM   #8
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Do they have a Council Travel in your city?
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Old 05-08-2003, 10:43 PM   #9
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is that the same as sta travel?
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Old 05-08-2003, 10:54 PM   #10
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council travel, sta travel? have noooo idea what you are talking about
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Old 05-09-2003, 10:06 PM   #11
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hahaha...Coucil Travel and STA Travel are travel agencies designed for students. If you can locate one close by, call them and ask for either plane fare rates(wherever and whenever you want to go), or ask to see if they have a selection of backpacks for sale.

Go there also to buy your ISIC card (International Student Identification Card). This card is about $25 and is required in order to buy the cheap plane fares. This card is also recognized world wide and will give you discounts at museums, theaters, castle entrances(it worked in Segovia, Spain!), etc...

Last year, I purchased my plane fare for $515 RT LA to Madrid. The farthest date for return was 6 months out, so I chose that date. In Madrid, I changed my ticket 3 DIFFERENT TIMES before finally coming back to LA two weeks ago. To change my flight return date, it ONLY cost $30 each time B) .

Internationally, you will also find designated travel agencies that are authorized to handled those specific student tickets. These are usually located close to colleges or in the city centers.

Now, back to why I mentioned Council Travel . Three years ago when I walked in there to buy my plane ticket (a year and a half before the creation of this site), I saw a variety of backpacks for sale. After several weeks of shopping around for the right one, I found the perfect one for me at HALF the prices that I had seen elsewhere, at council travel within a week of my departure.
It cost $99 and had a removable daypack and the zipper that goes all the way around the bag, making it easier to access your stuff.

Believe me, I have thoroughly used the crap out of this backpack and it is still just as tough as it was the day I bought it. That daypack that comes with it, has been through everything

So, check your local listings for a Council Travel or an STA Travel. now some people haven't had the great experiences that I have had with these companies, but I have no idea how that can be possible.
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Old 05-09-2003, 11:22 PM   #12
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Oh, you mean Hostel International. Yeah we have one of those places downtown. I was actually meaning to head down there in the next couple of days. I can get my ISIC card there, and yeah she mentioned backpacks and basically everything i need. I need to get my card before I graduate though, because once i do, i'm no longer a student (not going to uni). must hustle my buns!

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Old 05-12-2003, 05:01 PM   #13
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I just found out through my local STA Travel office that they bought out Council Travel. Therefore, you can get student fares at STA Travel and do not look for Council Travel anymore.


Hostelling International also has backpacks and gear, but if I remember correctly, the backpacks were more expensive than the ones at STA Travel.

As far as the ISIC card is concerned, I haven't been a student for a while, but they always sell the card to me, because they really don't care to see proof! I just say, "well, I'm not going now, but next quater I was going to take classes." Then, they just go, "Well, it doesn't matter" or "don't worry."
B)
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Old 05-13-2003, 05:51 PM   #14
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If you dig the Eagle Creek travel packs, there are a couple of good deals right now. The New World Journey(their biggest current travel pack at 76L) is on sale at www.sierratradingpost.com under the name Wilderness Journey for $165 (it's $275 everywhere else. The Ultimate Journey is even bigger (99L), but has been discontinued. It's being closed out on www.campmor.com for $160 (but was originally $300).
Both of these packs are awesome and super-comfy (great suspension). They zip the harness into hiding, are lockable, have rainflys built in and have detachable daypacks. The Ultimate Journey is the one that I went for, largely because the daypack attaches on top rather than the back, so the weight is closer to you (doesn't pull back).
You can try out the New World at most stores, but will be hard pressed to find an Ultimate anywhere. I called Eagle Creek before I bought, and they said that they both have the same harness, so if one rides well, the other will too...they also confirmed that the Wilderness and New World are exactly the same.They said that they've never heard complaints or problems with the Ultimate, they just discontinued 'cause it wasn't selling.
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Old 05-14-2003, 01:58 PM   #15
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thanks so much, sno! i'll check out those sites!

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Old 05-14-2003, 06:38 PM   #16
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Hey Crio,

Another student/young peeps travel agency that you can get discount cards at is travel cuts.

www.travelcuts.com (check for locations)

Also check out the forums on their website. They have lots of good info, though it's not as cool as this forum!!!!! :P
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Old 05-14-2003, 07:30 PM   #17
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he he, thanks tony. actually it's a little bit funny, i just called travel cuts a few moments ago to get their business hours. looks like we're on the same page.

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Old 05-14-2003, 11:15 PM   #18
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Thanks for the tips Sno and Dio! I have yet to check those sites, but they all sound good

We got your back covered, Crion B) !
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