One Pack for 2 People...sort of - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Resolve · 10-27-2005, 12:15 AM

Was just thinking about getting a bag like this one to carry my load and my girlfriends load for a month through Europe. It's nothing to do (much) with chivalry or anything its just she's not built to carry a internal frame pack. So instead I was considering having her carry a Daypack. Would I have enough room with just 1 internal frame? or should I look for just another small internal frame instead?

**LiveFreeorDie** · 10-27-2005, 12:46 AM

I hope you are not serious....

Tell her to suck it up. She "is not built for an internal frame pack"?? If you can't carry it yourself, you shouldn't bring it. It's an equal opportunity world. Sorry, I am all for being a gentleman...but come on.......it can go too far.

**beergal** · 10-27-2005, 03:43 AM

i totally agree with you...do you know how much women tend to pack on their first trip!

She has got you wrapped around her little finger

Seriously there all sorts of bags out there for women, head to your nearest outdoor shop and get her to try a few on

**benna2** · 10-27-2005, 08:28 AM

It is very sweet of you to offer though...but I have to agree with the rest on this one. Maybe you could work it so she doesn't have to carry "as much" stuff...but there is no way that you should have to carry both yours and her loads. That will be too heavy AND it just isn't right!

Get a smaller internal frame pack for her, a larger one for you and pack them up accordingly. It isn't all that heavy. She will build up her stamina as the days go on as well.

Have a great trip!

**bluepea** · 10-27-2005, 10:47 AM

Ah, it's your business if you want to carry her stuff, I don't see it as that big of a deal if you're only going for a month and it's kosher with you. I'd recommend sharing as many personal hygiene items as possible (razors, shampoo, soap, etc) as to not double that stuff. Keep shoes at a minimum and make sure you pack light clothing and don't bring anything you won't absolutely need and you should be fine. Then maybe bring an extra pack, like maybe just a regular backpack (think school) for miscellaneous soft items.

**joanofarc** · 10-27-2005, 11:45 AM

my boyfriend carries my stuff almost all the time. unless we're running to catch a bus/train or in some other sort of rushed/precarious type situation. why the hell not? we're girls! HO!

i mean, shit... those damn bags get heavy!

**kingcrazylegs** · 10-27-2005, 01:44 PM

I have had to carry a pack for two and it sucked, but it was pretty much the only way to get the other person to go camping way out. Its not something I would recommend, and I'd think twice before eve doing it again.

FunkyAssassin · 10-30-2005, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Resolve@Oct 27 2005, 05:15 PM
its just she's not built to carry a internal frame pack.*
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Are you dating a hunchback or something......

I'm with the other guys in saying that she should carry her own pack. There are tons of different ones out there, surely there is one that would be suitable for her.
But if you must carry one for her, then the one you posted looks alright for the job.
(She'd best be giving up sexual favours every night for your troubles though)

**space virgin** · 10-30-2005, 06:04 PM

Yes, please explain exactly why you think she's not "built" to carry a backpack. Is she under 5' and 100 pounds? I've known many people that small or smaller that can carry a backpack just fine. Is she large? Get her a men's size pack. Almost any backpack worth buying is going to be adjustable.

It sounds more like she's lazy and doesn't WANT to carry one to me.

(Sorry, that's just what it sounds like.) Welcome to the boards though!

**omisan** · 10-30-2005, 06:31 PM

Well, you can always hire a burro...

foofiter · 10-30-2005, 07:05 PM

Or get her a rolling small suitcase instead...

Foo

**TERI** · 10-30-2005, 07:12 PM

Foo could be on to something. but either way she should do this trip the right way. As a "BACKPACKER", not a princess. besides what if you guys decide to go seperate ways? (it could happen) you'll have to buy another pack while you're over there. I think it would just be too much for one person to carry all the time. After a couple of days she'll be fine with the pack.

Resolve · 10-31-2005, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by space virgin@Oct 30 2005, 07:04 PM
It sounds more like she's lazy and doesn't WANT to carry one to me.* * (Sorry, that's just what it sounds like.)* Welcome to the boards though!*

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Not at all. She'd try to carry my pack and hers if she could. She's around 5'2 and I'd imagine 110 or so. It's more the fact of the matter that I'd rather not make her lug around an internal frame. Mabye its just me? or mabye I should just get her a small internal frame.

also: is that internal frame I mentioned in the first post excessive for 1 month, 1 person? I don't usualy travel heavy, but I still want to have the ability to take what I need, with some room for "extras" (Bottles of foreign whisky)

**travelpunk** · 10-31-2005, 09:55 PM

Well, she's gotta carry something..IMHO

. Even if it is one that's half the size of the one that you'll be carrying.

I think wheels are a bad idea cuz of all the wrist twisting action that you tend to get throughout the old streets of Europe. They offer zero leverage, unlike backpacks.

Quote:

with some room for "extras" (Bottles of foreign whisky)

I usually get all my bottled stuff, bigger last minute type souvenirs, and cigars, at the airport heading back to the US from Europe (or wherever). It's going to be more expensive, yes, but I won't have lug all that extra weight around throughout my trip.

**space virgin** · 10-31-2005, 09:59 PM

You are not going to have any room for bottles of whiskey if you're carrying two peoples' loads.

Unless you want to cart around a suitcase as well.

What is it about the internal frame backpack specifically that worries you? Believe me, the internal frame packs are a million times easier to carry than a pack with no frame or one with an external frame. They're specifically designed to distribute weight more evenly for a much more comfortable load.

I have this Marmot women's backpack in a size small and I can carry at least 30-40 pounds comfortably, walking several miles a day.

5'2 and 110 pounds and too delicate to carry a backpack?

Come on, man. Either you're waaaay underestimating her strength-- I'm 5'2 and while not exactly 110 pounds, not huge either, so I don't buy that she's physically incapable of carrying it unless she has health problems which prevent it-- or you're being waaaay too chivalrous. Or like I said, she's snowing you.

There ARE backpacks made specifically for women. Or like someone else suggested-- let her take a small rolling suitcase.

**ScarlotteDorian** · 11-01-2005, 03:07 AM

i too have the same women's backpack. it's great! i've carried it all over glacier national park this summer.

don't do the rolling suitcase though, i agree with tony that it's going to be h*ll. do a small women's backpacking backpack and keep her load at 20 or 30 pounds. you'll still be carrying most the weight.

**indierock05** · 11-01-2005, 05:04 AM

Ah yes, us women can use our wily ways; however, tell her to carry her own things. When you personally look at that bag on your bedroom floor and your bed covered with things you plan on stuffing in there, you tend to realize real fast what you can and cannot bring.

In all of my travels since I moved to France, I have seen the pack's that have wheels, if she is truly (and I mean not being whinny) cannot carry a pack she should buy one of those. Although, if not, I agree with some others, a backpack and shared toilettries will do fine. I spent 10 days in Morocco and Spain with a day pack, I am sure you two are capable for a month.

I have made some mistakes in my travelling times with clothes not to bring, tell her these, they'll help:
1. Heels - I love them and can't help it, but leave them home
2. 15 shirts - won't be worn, ever, maybe like 5
3. 5 pants/skirts - you CAN live of off jeans and a skirt
4. Tennis shoes and reefs, thats all you need for footwear
5. Hairdryer/straightener/curling iron - self explainitory
6. All her makeup

It's all about improvising....Learn it and love it

Have a great time!!!

**florencia9699** · 11-01-2005, 06:03 AM

Hey, welcome!!
I agree with ScarlotteDorian totally. Besides, I'm just about the description of your girlfriend and let me tell you, I went backpacking to Patagonia (sleeping in a tent for 16 days!!!) and... it was one of the best experiences of my life. I had never even gone camping, it was a whole new experience... i had never walked as much, ate as little and carried so much weight in my back... BUT OH IT WAS SO WORTH IT!!!!!

Proving to myself i could sleep, pee and eat in the wild?! PRICELESS! It was something I never though possible! (the week previous to my trip, my Dad, who's in the army, tried to talk me off. He was all like "do u know what it's like to sleep in a sleeping bag for 16 days in a row carring all ur things yourself??") LOL-

I had a small pack (the only one I could borrow from a friend) and I even had to carry the heating thing (dont even know the word in English). And yeah... sometimes u just have to suck it up and keep on walking, but by the end of the trip I was so proud of myself for never giving up and passing my pack to one of my guy friends! And i'm really, really, really not all that strong...

Its really not that big a deal.. plus u'll be more like walking the streets of Paris rather than climbing Cerro Lopez... and most of the time you can lock ur pack at the hostel and take a day pack on your city tours.

But if you're really that nice (seriously... even considering carring all of her things makes u a REALLY NICE PERSON!) i'd say let her carry tees, small bathroom things and the towels, and take the heavier things in your own pack... but she'll love herself more if she at least helps (or fells like is helping) you.

Resolve · 11-01-2005, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by space virgin@Oct 31 2005, 10:59 PM
5'2 and 110 pounds and too delicate to carry a backpack?* * Come on, man.* Either you're waaaay underestimating her strength-- I'm 5'2 and while not exactly 110 pounds, not huge either, so I don't buy that she's physically incapable of carrying it unless she has health problems which prevent it-- or you're being waaaay too chivalrous.* Or like I said, she's snowing you. *

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Update: Space: She actually did hurt her back a few months ago. I'm sorry I haven't been giving all the details, but to tell you the truth untill you mentioned it I didnt even remember hat she hurt her back (yeah im forgetful).

I've pretty much decided that I'm having here carry most of (if not all) her stuff in a women's internal frame, just need to figure out one that's comfortable I guess

Thanks for al the feeback guys. You really helped me out. Feel free to drop more thoughts.

**omisan** · 11-01-2005, 11:07 AM

There are also backpacks that have roller wheels and a handle in case you want to give your back a break and tug it around - might want to look into one of those, too! The downside is that they're a bit heavier, and the handle shaft takes up a little space, but the upside is, well, the whole wheels thing.

Wheeled Backpacks at eBags