backpack question - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

manutdonline · 04-14-2006, 04:05 AM

Hi all! i'm Tammy

been lurking arnd these forums reading what you fantastic ppl hv to say abt backpacks so here's my dilemma!

I'll be off to Italy on a 10 day student budget trip in summer and here's the backpack i'm looking to buy. (my very first one at that!)

Gelert Global 55+15

I'm about 5"2" and everything out there seems to tall for me!

Also, I know it'd be best to go to a store and have a go at the packs but there's none where i live!

Oh well, hope you guys can help. Thanks!

**beergal** · 04-14-2006, 08:46 AM

your going for 10 days and you wanna take a backpack that big?! Go Fish...

No seriously if you are going to be backpacking regularly than i think its a good investment especially with the detachable backpack...where abouts do you live as i see the website was a UK based one...

Just remember its 10 days so you are not going to need that many clothes

manutdonline · 04-14-2006, 08:56 AM

canterbury area..cant think of any shop on the high street that has these.

so how many litres would u recommend for a 10 day trip then?

**beergal** · 04-14-2006, 09:03 AM

field and trek are a outdoor shop that can be found in canterbury. I really suggest that you have a day trip into the town and have a go at trying them on...i dont know about you but when i start thinking abou equipment, books etc i always get really excited!

Edited to add...Welcome to the boards!

manutdonline · 04-14-2006, 09:16 AM

thanks for the tip on the shop!..ive checked out the website and wow the packs on sale are waay over my budget lol.
but thanks anyways, i'll visit the store next time im in town. in the meantime, my eyes are still set on the Gelert one.... :D

manutdonline · 04-15-2006, 07:47 AM

after much deliberation i think i would be going for a slightly smaller pack of 45-50L not sure which one yet so i'm open to any suggestions unless anyone thinks i should stick to my original 55+15L sack :D

uninspired · 04-15-2006, 12:17 PM

Packs are fitted by torso length, not by height, so you'd probably be ok with a normal, smaller capacity pack. If your torso is short, though, you could always try a kids' pack--it'd probably be cheaper anyway.

manutdonline · 04-19-2006, 06:38 AM

right i've got my eye on this one now
http://www.gear-zone.co.uk/eshop/Vango-Air...+8L---SS06.html
vango air ridge 40+8L

btw when it says 40+8, does it mean a total of 48L packing capacity or do the 8litres mean something else?

thekid · 04-19-2006, 10:17 AM

for a ten day trip all i needed was a school backpack. it was a ski trip so i also had my ski bag and boot bag but i fit almost all the stuff i needed into just the one backpack (includeing snowpants and other warm bulky stuff).

**space virgin** · 04-19-2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by manutdonline@Apr 19 2006, 01:38 PM
btw when it says 40+8, does it mean a total of 48L packing capacity or do the 8litres mean something else?
[snapback]113431[/snapback]

Vango is a good brand to go with, and that's a good size pack.

It doesn't really specifically say on that website, but the +8 part most likely means that the pack has two compartments, one 40L and one 8L (the smaller one being on the bottom). These can be handy, and you can also unzip the compartment for one large 48L area.

It looks like a great buy.

**lauren313** · 04-19-2006, 04:29 PM

Hey hey, I'm in Canterbury, perhaps go to Blacks, round the back by the cathedral in case you don't know where it is!

Also try Millets, around the same area, I think. Plus, as mentioned there is Field and Trek as well!

If you're after something cheap, this might interest you. Not as big as you originally had in mind, but still large enough for 10 days worth of stuff at least. Not sure if this is just an online offer, but if you can get to the store and they have it at full price, you could always try it on for size, then order online!

**lauren313** · 04-19-2006, 04:32 PM

PS. Are you at uni in Canterbury, or is it a school/college trip?

manutdonline · 04-19-2006, 05:15 PM

hi im at uni... never realised there were so many stores arnd the area that had rucksacks! silly me!

the good thing abt the vango air ridge is that it has an adjustable back system (according to the sales ppl from the online store) so it would most likely be a better fit.

**lauren313** · 04-19-2006, 05:32 PM

Wow, I wish my course got me to go on trips abroad!

It's definitely worth going to the shops to check the bags out, they have stuff for all budgets!

**lauren313** · 04-19-2006, 05:34 PM

I just re-read your first post, and it appears you might not be going for your course! Duh. Anyway, I still wish! What you studying?

manutdonline · 04-20-2006, 03:35 AM

lol yeah i wish my course took me on trips too! i'm studying multimedia. what about you? i hate having to study over easter..urgh..

yeah i definitely will go down to millets, i do quite like the 20 quid price tag on the Wilderness 45 from them. Not gonna spend more than 45quid on the sack tho.

**lauren313** · 04-20-2006, 06:30 AM

Ah, my boyfriend is doing multimedia (multimedia technology and design, is that the same as you?), maybe you know him! He's in the final year, what about you?

I'm finding it so hard to do my work, I do psychology, I just keep telling myself it will all be over soon!

I saw a really nice pack in Millets, it's by Karrimor and it's called Wildcat, but I can't find it anywhere else, not even online. It is about £60, but luckily my parents said they'd get me it for my birthday, so that's one less thing to worry about.

What part of Italy are you going to? I've been to somewhere in Tuscany, but only the once, it was lovely though.

manutdonline · 04-20-2006, 08:57 AM

haha yeah, its the same course! i'm in my 2nd year though. and i havent even started studying yet :S

hey, i have a friend who does psychology, she's in her 2nd year too though.

OOooo £60 is a little steep for my budget...kinda paying it myself, birthday is too far away..damn!

i'll be flying off to venice and then milan, florence and then rome. hopefully we'll be able to visit the vatican as well.