hi, i am set to travel europe on the go roman tour in may.. My parents got excited and bought me a 75L backpack (with wheels) for christmas.. im starting to slightly worry that maybe its too big for only 8 weeks..

what would most people suggest in terms of backpacking size?

I've borrowed a 75l pack which fits everything and heaps of room for purchases however I'm going for 3 months. Friends previously used this pack for 8 weeks and did end up filling it in that time. Hope this helps

well Honestly, if you are staying with Busabout and mostly at the drop off place go for it! Wheelie bags are more practical I think... you're only going a few steps from the coach to the room and you don't need to worry about schlepping a bag around town. Backpacks I guess are good for places without lifts but seeing more and more wheelie bags!

I'm trying to decide between a 50, 60 or 75L backpack with wheels. I'm going for 4 months but i'm not sure if i want to go for the bigger one or just get the 50L and really minimise the amount of stuff I can take... But i'm beginning to think that because it has wheels and i'll use it that way for most of the time, then the bigger one wouldn't be too bad...

I'd go big...Just make sure it meets the Luggage limitations... and remember the old adage... lay out everything you want to bring... then take 1/2 as many clothes and twice as much money!
Then you'll have loads of room for souvenirs!

I totally agree im going for 3 months with a 75litre but I plan on packing light and buying loads of souvenirs

after 2 months on the bus last year (plus another two in uk) i was glad i bought the biggest bag i could get. i have an 85L, fits everything in sweet. its all in how you pack it ey?

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Nowhere Man...

im going for 4 months with a 75 litre...have no idea wat im bringing with me!! plenty of souviniers 2 bring back though!!

Just curious, you don't find the 75L too taxing on the back? Most backpacking outlets will recommend for a female a 65L pack and not to go over that size.
I only ask because I saw a caribee bag 75L wheels + backpack which seems perfect but I'm worried about the weight of it when full.
Thanks and happy traveling.

I've ended up getting a 50L (with a 15L daypack that can clip on) for my 4 month trip. I thought maybe it could be too small but I've done a rough tryout with pretty much everything I'm planning on taking and it doesn't even have a bulge! Plus it feels pretty light... So there is plenty of room for buying things so I'm pretty happy!! It has wheels so I'll probably use those most of the time but is also really comfy on my back which is great. Will just have to wait and see how it goes!

Katherine, I feel better after reading your post! I only have a 45L with a small day pack(probably around 15L) and after reading some of these posts I though it would be way too small(I haven't done a trial run yet)...but I'm thinking it should be fine now...

Hi Katherine

Is your backpack 50L all up including the detachable backpack?

I started looking around for a backpack with wheels over the weekend, but the shops only had 75 or 85L ones, which seemed pretty heavy as the wheels & handle adds a fair bit of weight. And then they just had some small ones that were more of a carry-on size 30 L etc..
I live in melbourne so i just went to Strandbags, Victoria Station, Mountain Design & Katmandu...but they had not much at all. Might have to checkout the other backpackers shops....

But I'm undecided as to whether I might just go with a normal wheelie bag...

I just brought a Caribee 70L backpack with a detachable day pack - perfect size and it folds out like a suitcase. It feels pretty comfy on the back too. Not sure what stores in Australia they would sell it (I looked everywhere in Perth and ended up buying it from Ebay), but thought I would suggest it

Happy travels all!

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In Scotland for Haggis 30th July-8th Aug, then starting Busabout from Paris See you on the road!

Hey Sheryl. Mine is 50L for the main bag then an additional 15 for the day pack. I got it from Mountain Designs, it is a One Planet Wheelie. The wheels and handle do add a bit of weight but I'm not too concerned after trying it out with all my stuff in it and it felt alright on me. Will probably use the handle and wheels more than the backpack part but good to have the option (in case of stairs!).
Kat.

Hey Sheryl,
Dont forget to check out camping stores to they have a great range. I ended up getting a caribee fast track bag as it has both wheels and a full harness. I brought a 85ltr which I know is way to big but will need a bigger bag down the track. It's only 4.5kgs even with the handle and wheels. They have a smaller option as well.

If you have enough time before you go definately check on ebay. I got mine through a ebay store for half the price I found it for in the shops and it was delivered in less than a week. If your interested their site is www.wildearth.com.au from memory they had a few different options.

Julie

Im leaning towards the caribee fast track 75L, (backpack and rollie bag). I am just wondering, how big is too big to fit into hostel lockers??? this would help, as i wont buy this one if its too big. I am a short ass... but not going to lie, high maintenance, and need the space.

my girlfriend and i both have 65 litre back packs no wheels, gems is from rays outdoors mine is from mountain design, we have found that we needed to send some clothes home i think we packked a little too much to begin with. my zip off day bag had a blow out early in the trip which was a bummer but realistically 65 to 70 litres is plenty

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kamperth

Hey guys,

Thanks for your help.
After searching around at lots of stores and online, i found that there wasn't many brands that do the wheelie bag & backpack combo. I ended up getting the Caribee Fast Track 75l plus 15l daypack that straps onto it. The wheels are pretty sturdy looking and the backpack straps have a waist & chest harness. I haven't packed anything in it yet, but it should be alright I think as long as you intend to wheel it around the majority of the time. It's supposed to be a total weight of 4kg, which is OK for the size.
I'm not sure if it fits into the hostel lockers, I guess it would depend on each place. But I guess you could buy a lockable cable to attach it to the bunk during the day???

Updated May 13, 2010 at 3:44 AM

yeah i did end up getting the fast track. After reasearching it, it seemed like the best option. Main reason is that it has a proper harness on the back rather than just straps which alot of the hybrid bags have. Im pretty happy with it. It is pretty big on me, but i will definately need the space.

Hi guys,

My friend and I each purchased a 55L backpack after spending lots of time in store with the sales assistant trying on different types. We were originally set on one particular brand but after trying it on with weights, it was a different story. I went with a Deuter brand, which is specifically designed for females.

I was a bit worried that anything bigger than 55L would be too bad for my back. The sales person was very helpful, and when i tried on a bigger size, she said it didn't fit and wouldn't recommend going any bigger than 65 for a female - but in saying this, it depends how comfortable it is for you. Just make sure after putting weight in it, that you can still carry it If I could carry bigger, I probably would, but I don't want the burdern of so much weight on my back either.....