Carolyn

Hi all,

I'm planning for a 10-week trip to Asia this summer (month around SEA and 6 weeks teaching in 2 diff. cities in China) and I was so excited to find your site today!

In the past, I've backpacked around parts of Latin America and Europe using a fairly big Eagle Creek backpack I bought ~5 years ago. I decided it's too big for me, though -- I want to do this trip with a pack that's a little more streamlined (and airline carry-on-able).

I checked out some packs this weekend and brought home a Dana Designs Far Flung, size small (I'm 5'4" with a short torso.) I love that it's smaller than my old pack and seems well-designed. I just have one question:

I like that it comes with a detachable daypack, but the daypack doesn't seem to be able to be attached to the front of the pack. Am I missing something? I think I could clip the sternum strap through the daypack straps, but this seems pretty makeshift. When I travel, I generally keep valuables and frequently-accessed items (guides, etc.) in the daypack, so I really like to put it on my front as I walk around so I can keep an eye on it and grab stuff as needed.

Will the Far Flung let me do this? Or should I return it and get something else? Or does anyone have any travel tips that'll let me find a better way to go about things?

Thanks very much! You all seem so knowledgeable that I'm excited to hear what you have to say!

Happy travels.

Carolyn