just an idea – keep the "smaller" bag, haul less stuff around, stop off at the post office before you leave each city to ship your souvenirs back to someone in the states, no worries about carrying them around then.

"only" hostel to train station will involve:

Your room in the hostel may be on 3rd floor (or even 4th or 5th) with no elevator or the elevator doesn’t work.

Generally, you will have to take the subway to your hostel — down stairs (maybe several flights) and back up. VERY few subway stations have esculators (and they’re usually out of order, anyway) and elevators are usually reserved for handicapped persons only.

Getting to the right train platform may require going (stairs again) over or under the other sets of tracks.

You will frequently have to walk several blocks from the subway to your hostel.

What happens if you don’t reserve ahead and have to walk from hostel to hostel trying to find a place that has beds? What if the hostel is up a long hill from the train station? What happens if you are tired?

There are plenty of reasons to pack light. The idea about mailing souvenirs home is a good one, especially for the heavy stuff.

I’m just curious, which bag did you go with? Does it have a detachable daypack, and does that 60l include the size of the daypack?Did you pack everything efficiently? Are you sure you’re not taking too much stuff? I’m not a light packer by any means, but last year I did fine with a 55l main pack and a daypack.

I got the eagle creek continental which I think is actually 62L not including the day pack. My day pack is empty right now. Here is what I am taking:
1. 4 T shirts
2. 1 long sleeve T shirt
3. 2 shorts (one is a bathing suit)
4. 2 pants(one is light and the other is a jean)
5. 5 boxer underwear
6. 5 pairs of socks
7. 1 fleece
8. 1 Merrell sandals(Size 13 though)
9. Toiletries(small tooth brush and tooth paste/Deodorant/contacts/Solution/ eye glasses/soap and shampoo)
10. Light weight towel and blanket

I will be wearing my sneakers most of the time. My bag is pretty tight with just that.

Your packing list seems perfectly reasonable, the only thing I might change is to forgo the jeans for a pair of khakis or something lighter According to the REI website the 62l includes the daypack, and the main pack is just shy of 51 liters. I can see you wanting something a little bigger than that since you’re a good sized guy and your clothes will take up more space than someone who’s 5’4" 130lbs.

Also, the heavier your bag, the harder it’s going to be to haul it up the luggage rack on the train.

The Continental Journey is a good bag because it can often be taken as carry-on luggage on flights instead of checked luggage. This doesn’t usually apply to intra-Europe budget airlines, though, which have super-low restrictions on luggage.

Lightweight towel is a good idea. Are you saying the towel doubles as a blanket? Or are you also taking a blanket? If so, skip it. If you’re cold just put on another layer of clothing instead.

Jeans are fine if that’s what you’re comfortable in. Everyone tells me not to travel with them but I’m always glad I have them. Versatile, and they go a long time between watches.

If you can comfortably carry a slightly bigger bag then it’s not such a big deal, though.

I am happier with a small bag for many reasons, mainly: I like to use public transportation, which if it happens to be peak hours, is basically NEVER a good place to have a big backpack with you. And if you wanna stop in a grocery store on the way with it you can almost expect hassel!

Even when I didn’t THINK I would be walking far….I often did. And having a giant pack slows me down, fatigues my back, and makes me stick out like a SORE THUMB.(yuck!)

Sweat! Yup,lots more sweat.

Cheaper and easier to lock up in train stations (if the big lockers are full and your bag won’t fit….guess what )

That’s just me. I like the added freedom I feel from not carrying a bigger backpack. It’s a very nice difference.

Here’s a good try out….
load all your stuff and take it to the local mall or outlet store area… jump on the local bus.. pack that bag around with you for just ONE DAY… see what you think of that experiance.

Just a thought anyway..
649

If you don’t want to pack light or you just can’t for whatever reason, you can obviously still travel, but I’d suggest taking more preparatory steps.

For example, prebook hostels that are easy to get to from the train station or airport.
Consider taking taxis and include that cost in your budget.
Go on a major fitness improvement campaign for a few months before you go.

Obviously the carrying abilities of a skinny 4’11 person and a heavily muscled 6’5 person might differ somewhat, so realistically assess what you will feel comfortable with when tired, jetlagged, hungry, and confused.

hmm well good advice so far……but being I only have one pack for outdoors and travel its fairly large,and can be cumbersome at times.
Theres not much like getting stuck in the bus door with the driver yelling at you in macedonian during rushour in skopje…..hmm wonder if REI is still open

I guess if your a bigger guy and your willing to cart around a bigger bag you can but would you really want to when its just as easy to pop your souvenirs in the mail and send them home. I recently tried on back packs and while my friend loves the 60L and its a breeze for her to carryb shes almost 6 feet me being just 5’4’ it was very uncomfortable! Have you tried a test run with your 60L yet if not I suggest filling it up and hiking it around town for the day maybe when you get back you’ll know what you could handle!

Sending things in the mail is a good idea, but is it really worth the cost of shipping?