They will make you check your bag.. if it’s a real backpackers bag, it will be too big to fit in the cabin and likely weigh too much also. I have an asolo and it’s great. I backpacked for 7 weeks and i fit all of my stuff in it (and i’m a girl!). I can’t remember how many litres it holds.. 70 comes to mind.
Get one that has metal rods on either side of your spine for support and a zipper or 2 that go all the way down the bag do you don’t have to dig down from the top opening.
I paid about $200 Canadian when it was on sale.

also.. when you check your bag, make sure that you tuck away all your strapps and buckles so they don’t get pulled or torn on the flight.. otherwise they may make you have it wrapped in plastic which is a hassle

I don’t know about packpacks, sorry.

I do remember I didn’t have such a bad time checking my backpack.

I don’t know what you mean by metal rods, Zacsh, I might be confusing them, please exlain because I have an image of those 80’s packs that had wires all over the place to take your sleeping bag, tent, etc. But I guess the message is GET A GOOD QUALITY PACK. A good pack will put less strain on your spine, and that counts A LOT. You can get good deals on the internet.

Ok, buying your pack is possibly the most important thing you do before leaving because once you’re on the road, well its all you’ve got. I’m assuming the metal rods Zachsleigh is referring to is an external frame backpack, as opposed to an internal frame where the support system is built into the actual fabric of the pack. It’s really a matter of preference, which kind of fit you are most comfortable with. You really should try on several bags before you buy one, an Eastern Mountain Sports or someplace similiar is a good choice and the people there will help you find a bag that fits properly, one that doesn’t really cause you problems later on. As far as carrying a bag on the answer is YES. Whether you’re going for 3 weeks or 3 months, there is really not to much difference in what you need to pack, the rest can be bought along the way. There’s no need to carry around 7 weeks of deodorant and toothpast when you can restock when you need.

I have two iternal frame packs both of which I’ve used on seperate trips. One is a North Face Terra 40 which runs about a $99 and is small by many peoples standards but I can carry it on the plane, its easy to carry, and it fits everything I need. The other is a larger EMS summit which I had to check everytime I flew, which to be honest never sat to well with me. When you’re a few weeks into your trip you grow a certain attachment to your pack, its your little peace of home and inside of it is everything you own. I am always very nervous waiting at the baggage claim wondering if it will show up – and I can’t imagine landing on a greek island without even a pair of socks. My EMS bag is much larger than the North Face, probably about 60 ltrs but all it did was encourage me to bring more clothes than I needed. Size is really just a preference and people always seem to gravitate to larger packs so they can bring more things, but when you’re hauling it down the road on a hot day trying to find a room for the night, you may decide just how many changes of clothes you really needed.

The metal rods that I’m refering to support the length of your bag top to bottom against your back so it doesn’t slouch or stick into your back. My bag has an internet and external frame.

I bought my bag at Sport Check at the Eaton Centre Downtown Toronto on the 5th floor. They have a huge variety of bags.

Other recommendations:

-get a bag that has a rain cover
-big, durable zippers and thick faberic.. last thing you want is to bust a zipper or rip your bag.

my bag was really good on my tip, i would consider getting a new one just for variety! lol

well, here is a review i read on another site… okay, one i wrote on another site, buty anyway, here goes…..

Well, i havent been on here in a couple weeks but i got my Gregory Palisade yesterday that I purchased on ebay. Here are my initial thoughts. First of all, someone said they seem to be more of "hiking" type packs. Well, if you know what you want, look at the picture (on the gregory or REI websites) and see what you think. I dont know what the types are, but this isnt a "backpack" like you had in high school. I am actually going to hike and backpack around europe and not ride the trains so ease of carrying the weight is what i am worried about. The only real difference between the three or so gregory packs that i checked out seems to be the pockets and such. From what i have read, the weight distribution "system" or whatever seems to be the same, like it or not. Enough of that… anyway

Initially, i could tell by just looking at it once i got it that it was a much better quality pack than the Kelty and Quest, and … well pretty much the $100-200 dollar packs i have seen in the regular retail stores such as Gander Mtn and Dicks sporting goods stores. (REI has them in stock but i havnt been there). Anyway, I threw my sleeping bag in the bottom compartment and jumped on a Scale right off the bat to get a reading. I bought a synthetic sleeping bag that weights about 2 1/2 lbs. and the bag claims to be about 6 1/2 if i remember correctly. The scale jumped up about 10 lbs for me with the backpack and sleeping bag, about what i expected.

With only that ten lbs, it felt like nothing reglardless of the system it uses, because, well really 10 lbs isnt much.

I was looking through the picturs they supply with the pack on how to load it and etc.. There is an "inner" pocket type place where they recommend you load your "heavy" items. I dropped two ten lb weights into it and put it back on, jumped on the scale (I know i didnt need to since the weights are obviously the right weight, but i did so anyway). Was about 30 lbs at that point and it truely did feel like having virtually nothing on my back. The system rides amazingly well on your hips and back. The instructions for the bag show how to adjust the weight to your back or to your hips if it doesnt feel right, but i didnt play around with that any yet. I was just trying to get an idea.

The bag is rated "up to 65 lbs" by gregory. Like i said, i dont know how that would be yet as i havent tried it, but i thought i would get an initial review of it up in case anyone was interested. If there are any direct questions, i will try them out and answer them. I was hoping to get out this weekend and do some local camping/hiking to try out my equimpment but i have to work, where i was hoping to have five days off. Oh well, overtime is more money to spend on my trip.

tony

well, i purchased this and it looks really good,

JanSport Purist 56

http://www.amazon.co…

though Nadrazi brought up some really good points. that’s the one thing i’m worried about now, that when i have to check the bag, it might go missing.

but this one was another one i was looking into

Bigelow Day Pack, Top-Load

http://www.llbean.co…

i bought the jansport cos it was discounted 50% from the original $200. though, from what everyone else has said is good advice. just make sure you can fit the nessasary items and purchase everything else there.

I wouldn’t change my eaglecreek. Can’t remember the exact model at this time, but it has lasted me like no other. The backpack has gone with me and others through many journeys, and the smallpack I use every single day as I have for almost 2 years, carrying heavy loads, filling it in impossible ways, and it doesn’t have the slightest intention of tear or wear…

Ugh, that sounded like I sell eaglecreek, but I promise, that is not the case…

http://www.rei.com/p…

This is the pack I bought!

It was a bit expensive at $240, but it can be carry-on and it’s just the right size. Plus I love the fact it has a detachable daypack! thanks for the advice you guys-

Will my school backpack work? Or is that a big no-no? And by "Day Pack" do you just mean a fanny pack?

School pack will work…if you travel very light. Don’t overpack it or you will have a sore back by the end. A day pack is a small (10 liter) pack that will hold tickets, maps, guidebooks while you leave your big pack at the hostel or in a locker.

btw, if you plan on going through the UK, its a "bum bag" and not a "fanny pack" or you’ll see some red faces

Here are my two cents worth on packs – - – I have had many backpacks over the years. On my first Eurotrip in 1969 I carried a Vietnamese army rucksack that my brother brought back from Vietnam. Since then, I have had every brand, style, etc made.

Most have their advantages and disadvantages and some are nothing but crap. My most favorite pack is Rick Steves’ and I have used one for the last six years. It is the BEST I have ever had. I have NEVER had to check it and I have traveled on planes, trains, buses, taxis, some things I that I do not know what they were, and various animals. It has practical features that make it a GOOD, functional pack. I am a woman and I have never filled it up.

I admit that the pack is square and does not look like the typical pack, but it is comfortable, practicality and functional making that of no concern. Also, I do not travel for less than a month and my average trip is three months and the pack is there day in and day out.

Most backpackers don’t ever walk very far with their packs. If that fits you, then you do not need a backpack with a mountaineering/treking suspension system. Wha´t you may want is light weight, lots of open space, and ease of access, plus flexibility in use. These objectives are satisfied by many budget "travel packs" sold by places like EMS. They are light weight. They have one, single big compartment , usually in the 60-65L range, which is plenty, they are front opening so you can get to everything at once, not like a top loading rygsak, and you can carry them like a back pack, or like suitcase, or over your shoulder on a strap. Eagle Creek is the most famous and well built. It is also the heaviest and most expensive. EMS and places like this sell them much cheaper.

It’s been awhile, but in my days as an airline baggage handler, I used to get on a soapbox about buying a GOOD Quality Backpack.

A "travel pack," an internal frame pack which turns into a suitcase is suitable for a European trip. They do make them in a size and shape that you can carry on in the States, but European rules are much stricter and you WILL be checking it on the trip home.

Personally, a top loader would drive me crazy. People claim that they hold more, but it seems to me that a bag can only fit so much crap in a bag regardless of how it’s loaded and it only seems like they hold more because you have to pull out ALL YOUR CRAP every time you need to pull something out.

Make sure to get a pack with good quality zippers.

I have an ancient Camp Trails bag that is still my favorite even though I’ve let UG adopt it. I have an Eagle Creek bag that I’ve been using the past couple of years.

BTW, waterproof-spray the heck out of it before your trip, just in case you get caught in a downpour and can’t get a raincover on it.

My Eaglecreek comes with a raincover

Good info here. It is true that backpackers don’t walk very far with their backpacks, but I insist on buying a good one instead of taking the schoolbag. A good backpack, as with clothes, must be fit for your body. Although you won’t be sightseeing with your backpack, the perception of "long distance" changes when your backpack is giving you back problems.