Hi all~ I'm moving to England in January and I will remain there for 6 months and I plan to do some traveling around Europe while there. I want some suggestions for backpacks...not just regular ones, but the larger, hiking ones where you can basically take weekend trips with everything on your back. I don't know anything about them or brands or internal/external frames..nothing! I looked on eBay (I like to be resourceful and buy lightly used if possible) but there are SO MANY I don't even know where to begin! Any info, suggestions (backpacks or places to go ), experiences would be very greatly appreciated. In Peace Rachel Patrice
Travel light. Traveling light doesn't mean hiking faster, it means longer hiking days, ergo seeing more. England in January? Layers, layers, layers. The most important thing you'll need is proper footwear. Do not skimp. If you want a gear list, PM me. I don't advertise. Thrift shops, especially in cities are amazing places to get good, used gear and outdoor clothing. If you're hiking the UK there are only two words you need to know: Scottish Highlands.
I'd recommend an internal frame pack. The load tends to ride lower so can be slightly more tiring than an external - but the tradeoff is it's much more forgiving (i.e. comfortable) and gives you a better range of motion IMO. Plus it's easier getting it in and out of vehicles. Size depends on your size/strength and how much crap you want to carry. I recently picked up a chinee' made 5200ci internal frame pack off ebay new for 50some shipped. Pretty nice for the price. If you're just planning for weekend jaunts, and depending on your physical characteristics, you may not want or need something that size. I'm not saying you couldn't handle it, I'm just saying... Whatever you get make sure it's the right size for your needs and body. A properly fitted pack makes all the difference. You'll be surprised at just how much weight you can carry comfortably in a framed pack with a sternum strap and belt. Go into an outdoors store to try them on and play with them - most good places have weights and crap you can use to simulate a packed bag - I wouldn't necessarily buy from there but you'll get a better idea of what's up and what you want to be looking for. Zoomie's thrift shop suggestion is excellent. I get most of my stuff off ebay, some sweet deals there too, the dowside is you can't try it on first. Here's a pretty good page I just found: http://www.backpacking.net/gearpack-tips.html
One thing I would say to watch out for is dimensions. I had problems with my strangely shaped body that made it very difficult to find a properly fitting pack. Sometimes the pre-made packs that you can buy just don't work on everyones bodies. I always had problems with packs killing my back so I put a size small back section with extra large shoulder straps and a small waist strap and it fit like a charm. If you are going to need to do that you would most likely need to get one new and would need one of the more expensive ones that you can mix and match. I got a gregory and it wasn't too expensive. I would agree with Zoomie in don't skimp out on your boots. The way I see it, cheap gear is great until you start carrying heavy loads. The contact points are where you should put most of your money. Feet with the ground, body with the pack.
I suggest checking out Backpacker Magazine annual gear review. Go to www.whiteblaze.net. The folks on there have VERY extensive hiking experience (many have 10,000 + miles of hiking under their belt) and can give you TONS of advice. They even have a forum especially for the ladies. Many of these folks are old friends of mine so tell 'em BooBoo sent ya! For great deals on gear www.campmor.com
I bought a new one in the summer, its modern and has a design that keeps the pack about an inch away from the small of my back to let air circulate...stops me getting a sweaty back! its a good idea.
i got a Kelty external frame with the tags still on it at Goodwill for 5.00. You never know what will turn up in thrift shops. Also sierratradingpost.com has amazing deals on camping/ outdoor gear.
Hi zoomie, Its in the attic for the winter but im sure its a karrimor. Its a little bit too small for what I need it for but im sure bigger versions are available. I did look at the Deuter ones but they were pretty expensive. R.
Kelty (Cloud 4500) white pack made with spectra cloth.Deuter air comfort packs,Vaude airoflex packs,and Jack Wolfskin packs.
Kelty Cloud packs are super light and really durable. The fabric can't ber dyed so it only come in white. Forget those overweight,over rated, over priced Gregory packs. I'm a bit partial to Sierra Designs. I reccomend Sierra Designs,North Face,Kelty Mtn. Smith. Just do your research to make sure that you find a ladies model as a mens backpack won't fit properly and won't be very comforrtable. Wild Rose is an entire outdoor equipment/clothing line made and designed for the ladies. Check em out.
