Gear and equipment forum

Yes, 70 is very big -- you will end up filling it and then you'll need to carry it! I'd be leaning towards a 50 litre in the first version. Though they both look a little uncomfortable to wear - sort of like wearing a suitcase on your nack. Have you considered a more traditional pack? Caribee do make great bags - my first pack was from them and it lasted a good ten years.

I considered taking a backpack wheels on my last adventure (and even bought one), but changed my mind and decided to carry a conventional packback. And I was glad.

For the most parts, wheels are no good on Asian streets - too much broken concrete, uneven paving stones, and too many obstacles on the footpath/sidewalk! When in Vietnam, your room is almost always on the 3rd floor (with no elevator) so you're going to carry it up anyhow. In the islands in Thailand, wheels do absolutely no good when you have to get your pack off the longboat, across the beach and up the sandy path to your guesthouse.

The only time that I thought wheels would be useful is lugging it around the airports - but of course, there are free trolleys there. Most of the time, I didn't have to carry it far - to/from the bus and into a taxi/tuktuk to take me to my next destination.

Wheels and the associated frame also add weight to your pack which you don't want, and eat into your valuable 'storage' space. And don't think it's OK because you'll be wheeling it everywhere... you won't. Refer to paragraphs above. I still have memories of watching these two girls trying to haul their wheelie case across the sand in Railey - from the mudflat side on the east, across the sandy track to the west side. About a 5 min walk, but definitely harder with wheels dragging in the sand.

Yes, 70litres is big. It's too tempting to stuff it full of 'just in case' stuff. But personally, I probably wouldn't be able to go any smaller than 60-65l. I do like my stuff!

There have been a few discussions on backpacks vs wheelies in this forum - check it out.

Yeah for SE Asia the wheels really dont seem necessary. but for future travels around europe they might be handy!

And yes the added weight could be pain too.

40L might be a bit small for me, the extra room in say a 60-65L wouldnt go to waste even tho ill be packing lightly.

i had a look through the caribee website and this one looks ok to me

http://www.caribee.com/product.php?prd=268


thoughts?

thanks again for the help

Many great brands out there including Deuter. That pack in you recent link is probably the right type of pack for you. The zip on/off daypack is handy.