help choosing a pack

[Costaricanpacker]

hi, im going on a trip backpacking to europe just me and my friend, the trip is probably 2 months maybe 3. and ive seen alot of packs and stuff but since i have no experience with this things i need help with choosing one... so any ideas will be greatly considering since most of you are pros on this stuff... i have a few choices maybe an osprey, dunno if jansport packs are good... what size would be best? i was thinking maybe 70L or something in that range.... so if you could help me with options and ideas or comment, thanks alot

[kingcrazylegs]

As an example, here is one of the best packs on the market right now: Marmot: Eiger 55 This should give you an idea of the features to look for...

- Removable front pocket/daypack
- Front panel access (so you don't have to unpack everything from the top/bottom)
- Hydration pocket and port designed to hold hydration pouch systems
- Dual density, S-shaped shoulder straps for increased comfort
- Adjustable waist belt

MORE details!

[nemesis331]

KCL truly is our official gear guru.

good luck! keep us posted

[Costaricanpacker]

that marmot looks nice, im guessing i have all your support on that one.. its definately on my top options... i was also wondering... theres basically no stores here to find packs and stuff like that but if anyone by a chance knows if there is a store here ( Costa Rica) it would be really helpful, im also guessing it woill be very expensive but at least i would get to try on packs and stuff to get the feel and maybe order them on the internet....
And also with that eiger 55. you think its about the size i need? what can you tell me about it...
and again thx alot you are most helpful!
gracias

[kingcrazylegs]

Originally posted by Costaricanpacker@Apr 2 2006, 06:47 PM
that marmot looks nice, im guessing i have all your support on that one.. its definately on my top options... i was also wondering... theres* basically no stores here to find packs and stuff like that but* if anyone by a chance knows* if there is a store* here ( Costa Rica) it would be really helpful, im also guessing it* woill be very expensive but at least i would get to try on packs and stuff to get the feel and maybe order them on the internet....
And also with that eiger 55. you think its about the size i need? what can you tell me about it...
and again thx alot you are most helpful!
gracias

[snapback]110090[/snapback]

As far as sizes, they have both Medium and Large - if you are over 5'9 I would go ahead and get the large. If you are tall and thin like me, then order a large but get a Medium hip belt.

The other things I can tell you...its a great pack. All the specs are laid out - it would be hard to find a better pack with all those features.

[Costaricanpacker]

How about the other marmot packs? i was looking around and i liked the marmots
T4000 Or the Marmot arc energy glacier, what do you think about those bags?
thx again

[kingcrazylegs]

Originally posted by Costaricanpacker@Apr 3 2006, 07:08 AM
How about the other marmot packs? i was looking around and i* liked the marmots
T4000* Or the Marmot arc energy glacier, what do you think about those bags?
thx again

[snapback]110192[/snapback]

I have the Glacier (though mine is an older model from when it was still Dana Design) and I love it. Its made for the backcountry though, and not as much for traveling. It is certainly a work horse though. The features that you'll loose out is the side access panel, which the above mentioned do not have, and there is no removable day pack. For hiking/camping though, these are great packs, and I have used it just fine for traveling as well. That said, if I were to go out and buy a pack today for both traveling and hiking, I'd get the Eiger 55 - but it really just depends on what you want!

[Costaricanpacker]

im just going backpacking, but i plan on making it my first of many trips, so i need a strong durable good pack..... another thing im concerned with... that daypack seems i dunno like you can just pull it and it comes off? how is it straped..... does anyone have like pictures of it opened and stuff like that so i can see how it looks like... hehe thanks again
oh and thx kingcrazylegs for being so helpful

[kingcrazylegs]

Originally posted by Costaricanpacker@Apr 3 2006, 08:58 PM
im just going backpacking, but i plan on making it my first of many trips, so i need a strong durable good pack..... another thing im concerned with... that daypack seems i dunno like you can just pull it and it comes off? how is it straped..... does anyone have like pictures of it opened and stuff like that so i can see how it looks like... hehe thanks again
oh and thx kingcrazylegs for being so helpful

[snapback]110392[/snapback]

I don't have photos, but I can say that it is VERY secure. No one would be able to just take it off, on the other hand, I always advise not putting important things in easily accessable places. The day pack is not huge, but large enough for the basics...

[Costaricanpacker]

i hope this doesnt sound like a stupid question, but i think i finally decided on the eiger 55, its quite beautiful actually, lol... just wanted to hear more about it, and what its lenght like from top to bottom how big is it... hehe thx alot