Gear and equipment forum

The main problem with a 65L pack is that people then pack 65L's worth of stuff in it, and then have a big, heavy load to slog around. You already know not to fill it completely, so you're already well on your way to avoiding that problem!

Hopefully it's got compression straps so you can reduce the size to fit what you're actually using. What's important is that it fits you well and that you can carry it without discomfort. If you can do that, then you're ace.

If you run out of room in your backpack for souvenirs, you can always mail them back surface for cheap, though it does take 2-3 months. I've mailed boxes from Malaysia, Thailand, and Laos without any trouble. All arrived on time and in good shape.

I'd say 65L means it will get filled up with stuff, and more quickly than you'd expect - and I could see a 65L for an around the world sort of thing - but for 6wks in SE Asia, a 45/50L should be fine, most of the room would probably be a pair of jeans and a fleece anyway.


When I travel I use a 45L and a small day pack that keeps my camera and kindle in it and other such like that (my carry on basically). I've found that if you're doing multiple climates (highlands & beaches) you pretty much pack the same amount of stuff for a week of travel as you would for a month. As for purchases - there are so many small and light weight things, fabric, statuettes, that I don't think you'll fill that much space. A lot of the flashier and bigger stuff you see will be available in every city and you probably won't want it once you note its mass-produced nature. However, as it makes nice cheap presents for family I've usually just saved a day at the end of my trip to pick stuff up in my departure city and bought the cheapest duffel bag I could find to throw it into for the flight home.

Hey all

Thanks for your replies, I think I may just retain my bag since it does have compression straps so hopefully it will reduce the size of my stuff which will be good.

Thanks for your inuput!