Gear and equipment forum

I always bring a day-bag, something big enough for a book, a camera and a bottle of water. Usually I use that as my carry on for the plane . . . you might call it a purse but I prefer satchel.

Just a thought, my day-bag is a single strap, over the shoulder, so it fits more like a messenger bag, that way I can have it on my front while my backpack is on my back - without it dangling everywhere to the side and what-not. Seems more secure when I have both bags, which is usually in a sketchy area with lots of transportation and crowds.

40L should be fine unless you must pack a load of toiletries and you want more than just casual wear. I've always thought the two things that should take up the most space in a pack would be a fleece, a towel, and a pair of close toed shoes. For 4 months you'll acquire plenty of stuff I'm sure, but you can always just mail that home.

For a discussion on some essentials:

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/9834_top-5-things-you-can-t-travel-without---

that's a good call on the shoulder bag caseyprich,

i was planning on bringing my 32 L back pack along with my 55 L, to use as day pack or whatever, but was always wondering how abouts i would carry 2 of them when trekking along, was thinking of tossing the smaller one into the bigger one, but don't think that would work out sufficiently... and putting the smaller infront of me wouldn't work either...

so the only option as you mentioned, is to get a shoulder strap bag, since that'll work out fine on the front...