Gear and equipment forum

Posted from within Vietnam.

Arc'teryx - the best you can get. True waterproof, very tough and high tech.

Never buy the ghetto cheap backpacks at the thai markets. They really suck, you can just tell by looking at them.

My LL Bean is fantastic and everyone compliments me on it. The quality is great and the salesman will help you find one that fits properly.

Quality is most important, but it must fit you well so that you can walk a long while in it and it doesn't cause much strain. Your back shouldn't hurt after you wear it.

I've always made do with two bags. One a US Army style canvas sausage bag (with a home-made padded rope sling that goes nicely over the shoulder), and secondly a more traditional daypack for just wandering around town.

I found the US Army bag really good for the following reasons:
1) Cheap: cost about $20 at a disposal store
2) Hardy: it's a very hardy, durable piece of work
3) Simple: no more "damn which pocket did I put the condoms in" moment. There's only one place for everything.
4) Antitheft: lowlifes don't seem interested in a scuffed up canvas sack, they're far more likely to go for a $300 snazzy pack

The only negative is that it isn't really all that waterproof. It's ok in light rain, but if it pours then I need a day to dry everything out.

Works for me.

What Somtam wrote in the "how to chose a backpack" section is very useful and like the previous posters I'd agree with most of it, but he says not to buy one that needs a cover to make it waterproof. Well, a cover also keeps the pack clean so I'd suggest you use one anyway. My old pack died this last trip after about 10 years of loyal service. Probably bunging it in the washing machine a few times had something to do with its demise, but backpacks get quite dirty after a few months on the road.

Anyway, I had to get a new backpack in Bangkok about three months ago. I spent a day going round all the posh shops selling genuine ones and failed to find an affordable quality replacement that was lockable. Nearly all the models in the shops had drawstrings rather than zippers. The only lockable models I found cost over 300 euros, most had wheels (ie too heavy) and non of them were very comfortable to carry.

I ended up buying one on the street ...a 50L Alpine Lowe (according to the label anyway) for 1100B. I expected it to fall apart within weeks but it hasn't. I've had it three months now and so far no problems at all! The stitching seems solid enough and the zips all still work. It's actually even more comfortable to wear than my old backpack, and has lockable zips, useful compartments and comes with a waterproof cover so it's still looking like new. I may just have been lucky, but from what I've seen so far I think it would probably be adequate for the occasional short term traveler on a tight budget.

Samual
You're mine kinda guy. I have two of those bags, I should start using one for my periodic trips to Bangkok.

I swear by Camelback backpacks as I am fairly active with snowboarding, dirtbike riding, hiking, etc. They have a bladder that you can drink from which is key where a lot of cities you're not supposed to drink the water. I also love that they have specialized bags for your activity and your type - I bought a women's, hiking backpack for a hiking trip and EVERYONE was jealous of my bag. A little pricey but 5 years later and it looks brand new

Camelbacks are great - but only if you're a serious hiker.