Ok, so I'd like to travel light. How small of a pack can I get away with? I'm heading to Europe for 6 weeks, I'm not camping (will be staying in hostels mostly) and am willing take a few extra steps in order to not have to carry around an anvil on my back. Any suggestions?

p.s. Anyone read the book, "First time Europe"?

First of all, check this out!

I'd say you'd want a MINIMUM of 2,600 cu in of space - probably better to have around 3000+, but that depends on you. Check out packs such as the Dana Designs Far flung as a good example. :cheers:

I have a 2800 cu in. (45L) Burton AK Assault pack that I use for weekends, although I decided to go light on my last 8-day tripand it was perfect. (Other than for bringing back crap that i picked up, but that's what a shopping bag is for.)

My faithful companion for longer trips has been a 6500 cu in. (100L) Jansport Rockies backpack, which has lugged entirely too much stuff through national parks, Europe, and more. Frankly, after having gone super-light, I think it's more backpack than I will need, but I'm never going to get rid of it.

In between, I've got a ballistic-nylon duffel bag that I once dragged around Europe for a couple of weeks, and other than being a bitch to carry on long walks, it worked out brilliantly.

I think I'm going to attempt to do my next month-long trip with the 45L Burton. It'll force me to travel light, and its total size makes it qualify as a carry-on for any flight, even w/ the detachable daypack attached. Now that's one feature to really look for!

I have two, and honestly I prefer the smaller one. It's this Marmot women's pack, 50L (actually, it's 47L because I have the size small) with a removable daypack. I :wub: :wub: :wub: it. :) The other one is a High Sierra 60L total, and honestly I don't miss the extra capacity much. *Especially* with the removable daypack and overall waaaay better fit. :cheers:

Go to a sporting goods store and try different packs on if you can. KCL's recommendation of the Dana Design Far Flung is a great idea.

The absolute smallest i believe is a 35 liter pack. Thats what i carried around for 5 weeks in Europe and did absolutly fine with it. You just pack for 4-5 days of clean clothes and just either clean every week or wear things more than one day. I did the latter of the two options. Thats me though. Pack Light, Pack Tight, and Pack Right.

Yeah, i used a 39L bag...but i bought a lot of shit too...but i figured you could always bring a smaller daypack and use the string-mechanism over the bag to attach your daypack to your backpack when you move from city to city.

My last trip I did with a Dana Design Zade 31 litre.. thats right! 31! Pack tight and light! I like going with as little gear as possible.