Thoughts on Packs - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

futboller · 03-15-2006, 11:34 PM

I'm thinking about a couple of packs:

REI Grand Tour
High Sierra Railpass
High Sierra Compass

Right now I'm leaning towards the REI. It's a little smaller which I like, and I've heard more about REI than High Sierra, but it's a little more expensive. So if anyone has any advice about the High Sierra stuff let me know!

**space virgin** · 03-16-2006, 06:50 PM

High Sierra's okay. I have one that was great for the past few years until I got a Marmot pack last summer (which I love and fits me perfectly). My High Sierra bag has a lot of bells & whistles but it doesn't necessarily fit as comfortably as I'd like. I took it on a 5-week trip to Europe a couple of years ago and it did the job but I really started to feel the weight of that sucker quicker than seems to be the case with my Marmot. We were doing some pretty heavy-duty foot travel though. The stairs... dear god. I could write a book about all the stairs I climbed every goddamn day on that trip.

For that amount of money, you may want to consider a mountaineering backpack if you do any hiking or camping-- double duty! In my experience they're really built to fit comfortably, more so than a "travel"-type backpack typically would be. That said I am definitely not saying that any of those packs would be a bad purchase.

I like REI brand and I know they put their crap through a lot of testing. So out of the three, I'd probably go with that one.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!!

futboller · 03-16-2006, 07:50 PM

I went ahead and bought the REI. I figured they're a more established brand and that must be for a reason. Plus an extra $70 now is worth the hassle if it saves me the trouble of a torn pack.

And added bonus: once I dropped almost $200 on a pack, I'll feel guilty if I don't take it out once in a while.

I also picked up an Eagle Creek money belt, so if anyone's heard this sucks, let me know:
Undercover Deluxe Security Belt

**expatben** · 03-18-2006, 03:01 PM

The pack and the belt both look awesome man, enjoy them both!

futboller · 03-18-2006, 05:50 PM

Thanks man. I trust REI totally, so now I just need to give it the trip it deserves, haha

**kingcrazylegs** · 03-22-2006, 05:53 PM

The REI pack looks good - let us know how it works out

**micdans** · 03-31-2006, 10:57 PM

So I have my pack and all i think it's like a 7200 (not totally sure about that) cc lowe alpine.
But I just thought, maybe it's stupid. But for "longer" jaunts (mines 24 days i think) people just throw everything in the pack!?!

sorry if thats stupid.
Also, what is a good size pack for that trip, since my friends still need to get one.
DAnke

MD

futboller · 04-04-2006, 08:03 AM

Thanks Anthon! Will do.

**kingcrazylegs** · 04-04-2006, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by micdans@Mar 31 2006, 10:57 PM
So* I have my pack and all i think it's like a 7200 (not totally sure about that) cc lowe alpine.
But I just thought, maybe it's stupid. But for "longer" jaunts (mines 24 days i think) people just throw everything in the pack!?!* * sorry if thats stupid.
Also, what is a good size pack for that trip, since my friends still need to get one.
DAnke
MD

[snapback]109892[/snapback]

If your pack is 7200 ci then you'll have more than enough space, as thats double what most people get!

**TheJake** · 04-04-2006, 10:44 AM

Yeah speaking of I have an REI Great Star for sale if anyone wants it! 50 bucks! It's like 7500ci or something ridiculous like that. I went to south america for a couple months and brought a 3500 and a 1700 instead of the goliath bag....