Although it says 5000 cu. in., it looks kinda small, and I’m guessing that detachable daypack is almost 1/3 of the capacity.  On top of that, it looks like it sticks out about 2 1/2 feet behind your back, which is very aggravating in large crowds and on public transport.  I prefer something that straps a little closer to your body and goes up rather than out.  The reviews seem to be good, but I don’t know, just doesn’t look like high quality to me. 

The daypack’s capacity is lees than 1000 cubic inches, so that pack is plenty big.  Rob’s right that a pack that sticks out like that can annoy people when you’re in crowds etc. – just try to be aware about smacking people behind you with it.   I don’t have any experience with the brand.  Most of the reviews seem good, but the ones about the straps would make me a little leery.  Overall, it doesn’t sound like it’s complete junk and will probably hold up through your trip.  So, if you want to save some $$ and buy something that should survive one trip then this sounds like a decent candidate.  I tend to buy packs with the intention of repeated use, so I’ll spend more for something I know will last.

good point w/ the daypack sticking out. i’ll head over to a camping store or two this weekend and give it a go in person.

thanks

I just got a high sierra pack for my trip and I think its fantastic. It has plenty of space and is well made and comfortable. I noticed though that you were looking at ebags to purchase it but I found it was cheaper on amazon.com. I contacted ebags to see if they would match amazon.com’s price, give me the free shipping like amazon, and take 10% off of the price to beat what I would get from amazon and they wouldn’t match the price or free shipping and handling. So if you get it I’d suggest amazon.

overstock has a few worth taking a look at:
 
rod_id=2099903” class=“bb-url”>http://www.overstock.com/?page=proframe&amprod_id=2099903
 
rod_id=2015376&AK=1” class=“bb-url”>http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&amprod_id=2015376&AK=1

i have a high sierra back pack – regular book bag.  going on 6 years.  use it daily to bring my lunch and books to work/school.  quality material.  the bag looks awkward.  i prefer Mountain equipment Coop.  Their hiking bags are better IMHO, probably sit better and are cheaper e.g. Brio 40/50/60/70……….but i ended up buying a Rick Steves bag the year after i bought my MEC sojourn for my first eurotrip

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442096519&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302700073&bmUID=1171687290063
 
depending on how long you’re travelling , i’d recommend finding the smallest pack that you can work with for your trip

i’m an admitted overpacker. i can limit jeans/shorts but i’m sure i’ll pack a few more shirts than necessary.

what about shoes? i plan on mostly doing bars (for which sneakers would suffice) but when going to the occasional club/lounge, would a nice pair of moccassin loafers work? something like roductGroup=125473” class=“bb-url”>these would be ideal b/c they’re very light (which is nice for a] summer weather and b] packing lighter)

I bought this pack for use last summer on a 5 week trip. It held up really nicely, and worked overall, but I think I’d probably splurge to get a different one. Keep in mind that I’m female and only 5’3. The pack when packed with all my stuff ended up being too heavy and I did not even bring that much. I brought a pair of sneakers that I wore pretty much all the time, flip flops, 2 bathing suits, 2 skirts, a dress, jeans, around 5-6 shirts, and a matching sweatsuit (which came in handy in switzerland where it got chilly at night). I brought a guidebook and some toiletries but only the little bottles of shampoo (like 1-2). It was too heavy for me! I got so sweaty walking around with that thing on my back. It also was pretty bulky. My boyfriend had the same one and since his clothes were bigger than mine (cuz men are bigger lol) I think the size was decent for him.. but still heavy nonetheless. If you really care about money go for it because its not terrible, but I think if I were youd I might choose a different one. 

ATTN TRAVELERS:
This backpack is perfect for the price unless you want to buy an Eagle Creek or other brand for over $300.00.
The bag will last you years of travel – IF YOU TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT!
Don’t worry about how far the bag sticks out in the back….. You do not wear the backpack with the daypack zipped on the back…..If you read the information and instructions, QUOTE:
Adventure travel backpack for the student or active traveler who wants the convenience of carrying their pack on their back. Removable daypack attaches to the main straps to carry in front for security.Always wear the detachable daypack in front with your valuables.  I have caught many thieves trying to unzip daypacks on the backs of unsuspecting, (stupid) travelers while in long lines, crowded buses, trains and subways.&nbspack your bag so that if thieves open the main bag on your back, they will only get your dirty laundry. Your valuables are always in front of you on your chest. Don’t wear backpack when boarding crowded subways to avoid hitting people or you will be a “bull in a china shop”.  Take your backpack off and stand over it with the bag between your legs and the daypack on your chest to prevent pickpocketing.  Always get to your train early, so that you can place the main pack in the rack directly above you.  NEVER place your bag in luggage racks at the end of the train. The dapack stays with you in your lap.As for fit, these bags are designed for the average size person and most waiststraps will not tighten enough to hold the load properly on small waisted persons.  Many companies make “women-only” or “small frame” bags.  The waiststrap goes above your hip bones so that the weight rests on your hips.  Shrug your shoulders to take weight off your hips and tighten the waist belt. The shoulder straps should be 1” – 2” above your shoulders. The majority of the weight is on your hips with next to no weight on your shoulders.  If your bag fills too heavy, than most likely you have too much weight on your shoulders. On hot days, I can loossen the shoulder straps and let air flow between your back and the pack. In the past few years, I see more travelers are buying an upright suitcase on wheels and using a daypack.  Sizes run 21” to 26” tall x 16” wide and 8”-10” deep. any larger will be a pain on the trains.  In Southern California, I saw namebrand closeouts at ROSS for $29.00 – $34.00 and hundreds of my clients have used these bags with no problems. You do have to carry the bags up and down every staircase but that only takes a few seconds.  It is personal preference on the type of bag you choose.  Remember…NEVER pack your bag more than 3/4’s full.  If you do, you have packed too much.Hope this helps!  Happy Travels!

I have the railpass and it is great. I love the removeable daypack. Packer is right in that you can put that section on the front of your chest. As I said earlier, it is $20 cheaper to buy this pack from amazon.com than it is from ebags, and you get free shipping with amazon. Fetusfood said that it is big for her but I would think that just about any bag would be big on someone who is 5’3”. I’m 6’1 and it fits perfectly on me.
 
P.S. The bag on ebags and the one on amazon we’re talking about is 3510 cu. inches. Ebags has it listed as 5000 but it isn’t. Above where it says 5000 cu. in on the product features it lists the dimensions 26“x15“x9” which if you multiply together is 3510 cu. in., not 5015.

thanks for the advice all