Which one?

[Scabbybones]

Alright guys I have been researching and reading all about backpacks on this site and others. I'm going to Australia for about 6 months, I'm 5'4 about 125 lbs. What size should I take? I went to the only backpack store around here and the girl wasn't much help, so I'm counting on your guys to help me out. Is 60 L too small 80 too big?? I will probably order one off of the internet, and have 4 in mind:

1) Osprey Womens' Waypoint 60 or 80
2) Marmot Women's Femme Nikita 50
3) Dana Design Swift Traveller
4) Eagle creek explorer womens' fit

Anyone have any of these? Which is best? thanks so much!

[benna2]

I have the Dana Design Swift Traveller and really like it a lot. It's comfortable and pretty much a great size. I am also 5'4 and the fit is good.

It is a big backpack but I am thinking that for a long backpacking trip it will be sufficiant. I paid about $169 plus tax and shipping from REI.com outlet and was happy with their customer service.

[ScarlotteDorian]

Originally posted by Scabbybones@Nov 7 2005, 04:06 PM
2) Marmot Women's Femme Nikita 50

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love it! i've had it for a year so far...great pack! not too big, not too small. it's a comfortable load to carry. it's top loading pack and has zippers on the side to easily access a random item. also has a detachable day pack that comes in handy when you can safely leave your pack somewhere and go explore. it comes in different sizes as well. i have medium and i'm 5'9 and 145lbs. so you might want to go smaller. i've also hiked all day in the rain with this pack on a few different occasions and this pack kept everything in it incredibly dry.

[space virgin]

^What she said. I have the size small and it's great.

[kingcrazylegs]

Originally posted by Scabbybones@Nov 7 2005, 05:06 PM
1) Osprey Womens' Waypoint 60 or 80
2) Marmot Women's Femme Nikita 50
3) Dana Design Swift Traveller
4) Eagle creek explorer womens' fit

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Off the bat I will tell you that #4 doesn't nearly compair to the first three (I checked all 4 out). It will not be as comfortable nor as good for "sharing" the load across your body. #2 and #3 are very good brands and I've heard good things about both. #1 is a good brand and looks good on paper, but I have not seen any reviews on it.

[Scabbybones]

Tanks alot guys I knew you would come through. Now I just need to search out a good deal, I'll let you know which one I actually go with.

Cheers.

[@dam]

Hey- Kingcrazylegs: Can you give more specific details on the Eagle Creek Explorer LT?

I was thinking of getting this, and the woman's version for my wife. I am also looking at the dana designs far flung. The explorer LT is only a little over 4 lbs, has loads of features, and if you don't have it stuffed to the gills and I think it carr-on-able as well. It is both larger and lighter than the Far Flung, although it is more expensive as well.

So, was the build quality just not there or what?

[kingcrazylegs]

Originally posted by @dam@Dec 7 2005, 04:03 PM
Hey- Kingcrazylegs:* Can you give more specific details on the Eagle Creek Explorer LT?

I was thinking of getting this, and the woman's version for my wife.* I am also looking at the dana designs far flung.* The explorer LT is only a little over 4 lbs, has loads of features, and if you don't have it stuffed to the gills and I think it carr-on-able as well.* It is both larger and lighter than the Far Flung, although it is more expensive as well.

So, was the build quality just not there or what?

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Eagle Creek Explorer is small, very small, and its better to have too much room than not enough. The other thing that people often don't think about is this. When a pack is that small it does not have enough length for the frame to curve with your upper & lower back and still fit around your hips - you need all three to acheive real wieght distribution. Also, in my opinion, the internal frame in this pack (as with several other EC packs) is LACKING. They are made too much like luggage and not enough like backpacks.

Both the Marmot Women's Femme Nikita 50, and the Dana Design Far Flung can easily be taken on as carry on (as long as they are not extremely overloaded). Beth has the first one and takes it as carry on all the time and it is larger than the Far Flung. The Swift Traveler small would be carry on size, but the Med, and Large would be pushing it. But there is the detachable daypack as well.

Another nice pack to look at is the Marmot: Eiger 45 - very slick pack! And even nicer (and bigger) is the Eiger 55.

kcl

[@dam]

Are we talking about the same pack? The Explorer is 4200 cubic inches or 65L

[@dam]

Originally posted by @dam@Dec 7 2005, 10:38 PM
Are we talking about the same pack?* The Explorer is 4200 cubic inches or 65L

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How do you edit posts here? I meant to add that the Far Flung is only 3200 c.i., and that is one of the main reasons I'm considering the Explorer- extra space.

[kingcrazylegs]

sorry dude, I was looking at the Explorer Trek - anyhow, besides the size thing it doesn't change much. I would look at the Swift Traveler or the Marmot packs I mentioned. Looking at the Explorer it has all its bulk straight out instead of length wise. It is sooooo luggagagy (not a word huh). Thats my opinion anyhow.