A shorty needs help - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

SaraCait · 06-08-2005, 04:18 PM

Hey all,
I'm going to Australia in about a month to study for a semester, then I'll be backpacking with a friend around Australia, New Zealand and possibly Fiji for 3 weeks to a month. My dilemma: I need a backpack that has plenty of room for this long amount of time, but that won't topple me over! I'm 5'2" and 110lbs, so this might be a problem. Can anybody reccommend some good packs for shorties like me? Thanks!
-SaraCait

**Tadpole** · 06-08-2005, 06:32 PM

Welcome to the boards!

Are you a light packer? Do you know how many liters you want to carry?

SaraCait · 06-09-2005, 08:58 AM

Thanks!

I'm a fairly light packer, but the problem is that it's going to be winter while I'm there, so heavy coats and jackets will play a big factor in my packing. I'm going to bring a backpack and a big rolling suitcase for the semester, and store the suitcase during the weeks I travel. But hopefully by then it will be warmer and I'll be able to store some of my warmer clothes too. Not sure about the amount of liters, but from what I've researched, I think I'm gonna need at least 3500 c.i.

**omisan** · 06-09-2005, 10:18 AM

Go to a backpacking/outdoor store like REI or whatnot and see what their sales people (most of whom usually know their stuff) recommend for someone your size.

Then go buy that model at eBags or somewhere with decent pricing!

**SuDz** · 06-10-2005, 03:42 PM

My sister did a semester abroad in Australia last year and I went to explore with her this time of year. Out of curiousity, what school will you be going to when your there? Not Wollogong is it?

SuDZ

**LostFarmboy** · 06-11-2005, 11:14 PM

Maybe if everyone gave their height, weight, and size of their pack it would help you determine the best size for you.

I'm 5'6" and 140lbs and I have a 65L pack with a day pack. It's about the perfect size for me, it's big enough to fit all that i want in it and not so big that i can't walk with it on. Hope this helps.

**pinion** · 06-12-2005, 08:31 AM

I'm 5'9 175lbs I had a 70L pack. My next trip I'm going to buy a 60L....I felt 70 was overkill, but I got a great deal on it.

**benna2** · 06-12-2005, 02:48 PM

My advice would be to definately go to a store and try some on. Even bring some stuff to put in the backpacks you're trying on just to give you a better idea of what feels most comfortable. Everyone is built differently so you really need to find the one that fits best on your body. So yeah, like Omison said, write down the model of the one you like and then you can search the internet for a good deal.

SaraCait · 06-12-2005, 04:09 PM

Hey Sudz, nope, I'll actually be at the University of Sydney.

What parts did you travel to while you were there?

Thanks everyone! I guess the best solution is to just go to the one good camping store in town, heh, and try 'em all on.

**LostFarmboy** · 06-12-2005, 05:43 PM

I live 2.5 hrs away from Sydney, i go there for the odd night out every now and again. Maybe we could meet up sometime and have a few drinks

**space virgin** · 06-12-2005, 05:47 PM

I'm 5'2 and I have a 60L pack that's separated into two compartments, one 50L and one 10L. I feel that it's a little big for me but that's because of the way it's built, not because of its capacity. Definitely try some different ones on.

SaraCait · 06-16-2005, 07:20 PM

LostFarmboy, that would be cool. It's always good to have friends in foreign places.

In other news, I got a pack! It's by Granite Gear, the Ozone model (short torso length, of course). I love it but I'm also going to one more store and looking at their gear before settling into this one.