Gear and equipment forum

35- 40L backpack in wet season?

palle22

longtail driver
Posts: 6

Hi

My girlfriend and I are going to SE Asia in aug, sept, oct.

We both need a 35-40L backpack. I suppose built-in rain protection and a lot of air between the back and the sack is important.

We are 193 and 160cm tall.

We are willing to pay around 100 Euro, and we need to be able to find it in Europe.

Any suggestions?

#1 Posted: 25/5/2011 - 00:19
goonistik

adventurer
Posts: 326

This Osprey pack should be within your budget. It doesn't have a ventilation system and I am not sure if a rain cover is included. It fits in the overhead bins of airplanes. In the event, you are asked to check it in, the straps can be tucked away. It is a little larger than your preferred size.

http://www.ospreypacks.com/detail.php?productID=48&colorCode=549&tab=description

Reviews of it can be found here.
http://www.rei.com/product/803307/osprey-porter-46-travel-pack

Ventilation systems are nice but they are usually included in backpacks designed for outdoor activities like hiking and trekking. So if you really want a ventilation system
maybe something like this
http://www.karrimor.com/catalog/rucsacs/airspace-35-5

#2 Posted: 25/5/2011 - 08:19
SBE

mahout
Posts: 1735
Located in:

Private message

Don't know how good or comfortable it is but Decathalon do a 40L backpack that has ventilation and waterproofing.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/forclaz-40-172309890/

Decathalon have outlets all over Europe so if there's a store near you it wouldn't hurt to go and have a look at what they have and try out the backpacks there for fit. They're cheap, sturdy enough and have a 5 year guarantee. I use a slightly larger model and a day bag I bought there and they're perfectly adequate for what I do (6 months on the road a year).

Bear in mind that you generally don't actually have to carry luggage much anyway. All you'll be doing most of the time is carrying it from the airport, bus or train station or pier to your guesthouse and back. Unless you're planning on doing a lot of trekking you don't really need a super deluxe expensive technically advanced backpack. I just get ones that have got pockets/compartments I can live with and sturdy zips that can be padlocked shut.

I'd recommend getting an extra rain cover whatever model you chose ... the rain in SE Asia can be torrential and a cover also keeps the bag clean. (It's much easier to wash a cover than a backpack!)

#3 Posted: 25/5/2011 - 15:51
palle22

longtail driver
Posts: 6

Thanks both of you. I have found a Deuter Futura Pro 40EL for around 100 Euro. I think it looks amazing. Do you know the pack? And do you know if it's lockable? (is there a double zipper in the top opening?)

#4 Posted: 26/5/2011 - 00:12
goonistik

adventurer
Posts: 326

I am a big fan of Deuter. Build quality is good, materials are good quality. All around a good product. I have a Deuter Trans-alpine 30 and I love it.

The issue I have with Deuter is that they haven't made a travel backpack that I like. The ones they make are just too big.

Ideally, a travel backpack should have panel access for ease of use/packing. The Deuter Futura is top-loading or access is from the top. The osprey offers panel access. See here
http://www.ospreypacks.com/detail.php?productID=48&colorCode=285&tab=features

The Deuter Futura is a great backpack that is more oriented for hiking and trekking but is still serviceable for travel.

#5 Posted: 26/5/2011 - 06:33
palle22

longtail driver
Posts: 6

Cool - do you know if the Deuter is lockable at the top? Is there a double zipper that can be locked together?

#6 Posted: 26/5/2011 - 12:19
Phiddy

tout
Posts: 64

Hi sorry to hijack this but does anyone know where the Osprey Porter 46 is available in the UK? Every website I have seen with it is either Aus or US based and all the UK ones have other Osprey bags but not that one in particular.

#7 Posted: 30/12/2011 - 13:33
altmtl

adventurer
Posts: 460
Located in:

Private message

I have a Deuter 70+10 and it's lockable, but the day pack to the big pack is not. But I found a solution to this problem... http://www.lacordee.com/eng/product/eagle-creek-tsa-3-dial-lock-and-cable/8663 - good for when you are sleeping on a bus or train, no one can take off with your bag.

#8 Posted: 30/12/2011 - 15:13

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