Gee! Nobody?!
Is it that my post is too long and people don’t want to read it?
Sorry for the length.
Or is that it just takes a while for people to respond?
I’ve seen the post has gotten a substantial amount of ‘reads’ already.
Whether that just means a click on it and then getting discouraged by the post’s length, I don’t know.
Sorry, newbie here.

In summary, I’m just looking for a backpack recommendation for a trip with the possiblity of staying longer than a year.

-22" or 26" Victorinox Trek Pack wheeled?
or
-Eagle Creek Transcontinental non-wheeled (fits like a glove by the way)?

(see details in first post for my needs and such)

Please, anybody?

ok, since no one else has responded yet, i’ll give it a go…

i did something similar about 4 years ago — i knew i was making at least a semi-permanent move, but i had quite a bit of travelling to do before i settled down somewhere.

i took a 70L pack, the MEC Brio70 BackPack (check the website http://www.mec.ca under multi-day/expedition packs if you want to see more details) — i’m a small female, so this was a BIG pack for me, and heavy! — my point is that i think you can forget the wheels. sure it’s nice in the airport and on other flat surfaces, but once you get out onto the cobblestone streets and endless flights of stairs, the novelty of having wheels wears off pretty quickly

remember if you do end up staying somewhere and trying to build a life, you can always get someone to send things over to you, or you can pick things up when you travel back to the US to visit. i started off with that 70L pack, and now 4 years later, i have an apartment full of stuff — trust me, it grows fast! — a couple of friends came to visit and brought me things, i’ve made some trips back to Canada and brought things here, and had some things sent. everything else like furniture and dishes, etc i bought bit by bit.

so, as for the specific packs you’re looking at… the 22" victorinox looks a bit small to me, plus, as i said above, i would avoid wheels — they also add weight. the larger 26" one and the eagle creek one are about the same size ~ 85L which i’d say is plenty of space… i would maybe even look for something more in the 70 to 75L range. the important thing is how the pack fits!

hope this was of some help
~glor

Between the two of those I’d definitely go with the Eagle Creek pack because they make great stuff and you said it fits well. If I remember right, people commented here that the suitcase/backpack hybridity of the Victorinox actually makes them the worst of both worlds, not the best.

PHEW!! I’m glad you two responded, I was getting a bit nervous there.
Thank you SO MUCH for your input, it was VERY helpful.
Glor, I really liked what you said especially about starting with a 70L pack and ending up with an apartment full of stuff – I can see that. And yes, I need to be realistic, I’m sure eventually I would visit back to the U.S. (although it can get expensive) and I could always pick up some things and send them to my new place.
I like how you speak from first hand experience about doing the same type I thing I want to. And yes, 70L does sound just like the magic number.
Augustin25, I like what you said about the wheelies being the worst of two worlds. It does make sense. It’s like they have to scrape on the wheeling part to fit it into a backpack and they have to scrape on the backpack to accomodate the wheeling feature.
I really did like that Eagle Creek Transcontinental. I swear it almost spoke to me when I put it on. Talk about fitting nice and snug like a glove. Plus, there’s been several great reviews on numerous sites about it. I may go with that one.
You know, aside from just this move thing, I was also just looking into some REI trips. I mean, not just Contiki stuff. I’m now getting the urge to do something kind of extreme like climb Mt. Kilimanjaro or whatever (not holding my breath though). So certainly mr. wheely wouldn’t do so well for that! I’m just saying it’d be nice to have an acceptable pack for that type of trip.
Also, with the traveling for business thing, I suppose I could just get another business type wheeled back or large briefcase type thing, or just get one of those mini dollies and wheel the Eagle Creek around.

Well, thanks again you two for your help. It is very much so appreciated. I look forward to spending more time on this forum.
Take care and good luck in any of your future ventures!

Pack like you normally would, then send for things from home if you settle in one spot for awhile.

Thanks Sailor! A nice simple solution. I really should follow suit with that.
You know, I was thinking…having really no ties, I feel like I really don’t want to settle down anywhere yet. It’s like I usually like a new place, but then when it becomes a place I live for a bit, I tend to feel ‘trapped’ and a loss of freedom. I don’t know, some may call it irresponsible…like I need to ‘get real’ and settle somewhere, but I’m sure you guys can understand being types not to go with the typical crowd and like to see the ‘hidden’ simpler things in life.
I kind of just want to travel more all over and take it from there. See what happens. If something goes well and a place feels like I’m meant to be there, well then fine, stay.

Anyway…Glor, I checked out that pack…it’s a bit too backpackish for me. I really prefer a full type opening (like the Transcontinental) or book type opening for easier access, and also a detachable daypack. I do like the Eagle Creek Transcontinental. I wonder if this pack would work for things too like a mountain hike expedition or a safari trip. I would think so.
Still hunting for backpacks though.

Thanks again for all your input.

Pack money.
thats all you really NEED.

I always pack about the same amount and items for 4 weeks or 4 months… anything longer than a month is all the same(to me), including not returning… ok maybe a couple differnt things if planning on possibly not returning, but then less of something else.

i recommend to stay away from wheeled bags unless you need it due to health/strength considerations and stick to conversion packs, mine is older and simple and looks like a suitcase (I think from a store called travel 2000 and is roughly 5000cu.in.??? and no longer available sorry..) but is completely soft and has a great padded shoulder strap system , it sounds perfect for you <..and me too sorry>

but really all you need is a little money, and a pair of black pants

Thanks STH for your nice and simple, but effective post!

You say to stay away from wheeled bags, do you mean wheeled suitcases (because you say to go with conversion packs) or do you mean to stay away from the likes of the Victorinox Trek Pack wheeled backpack type gear?
(just to note, I am a healthy, fairly strong, tall, slim guy).
When you say to go with conversion packs, do you mean like the Victorinox Trek Pack wheeled backpack, Eagle Creek Switchback, Columbia Sportswear Ridge Runner, etc.?

Again, I am wondering if the Eagle Creek Transcontinental would suffice for a trip such as a Mt. Kiliminjaro climb or a 2 week safari trip on top of just hosteling around Europe.

As crazy as it sounds, that darn Victorinox Trek Pack 26" keeps calling me. It seems to be built better than most wheeled backpacks. And it’s not so suitcase looking.

I think it’s come down to either that one or the Eagle Creek Transcontinental.
If the latter, then I would just by a small wheeled, elegant looking, carry-on, type case for short business travel.

I’m really staying away from all those packs downstairs at REI…you know, the ones for the hardcore backpackers. The huge packs, the ones that mostly are top loading, the ones that take the camping stove, the climbing gear, the tents, etc. I don’t need those ones (or so I don’t believe!).
So I suppose what I’m looking for is travel gear and not really backpacking stuff.

Ok, well, thanks again everyone for your helpful posts!

Most travel packs are not suitable for mountain climbs and jungle treks; they’re designed for urban expeditions.

My comments may or may not be relevant to any of this.

For traveling/business, buy a cheap walmart/target rollaboard type.

Or alternatively, get a "business" looking bag that can fold inside your normal travel bag, and either hold the travel bag or be able to stash the travel bag at a hostel for a few days/weeks (but not leaving valuables).

Kiva’s fold and go looked good.
http://www.thetravel…

Or buy a black travel pack – and make sure it has standard clips for the one over the shoulder strap that has been traditional in the past. And a way to hide the backpack straps (probably good anyways if you are forced to check ever). Carry in traditional fashion if you need to go into a hotel for business.

If you are going to be travelling for months, and expect to do much walking, make sure you get nice padded shoulder straps,compression straps and internal stays. Padded hipbelt and sternum strap will all help too. Even a quarter mile with aching back and feet is misery. My travel experience has never seen many budget lodgings next to the airport/train station/boat dock.

I’ve gone from using an unstructured suitcase on my back to using just a standard hiking backpack. The problem with hiking packs is that they are usually not shaped well for carry-on travel.

Even with the black boxy suitcase on my back approach, I still got stopped in the San Francisco airport and had my bag checked with an external swipe for drugs 6 years ago. It may have been semi-random, but I had just come from Silicon valley for work and was dressed their version of business casual.

I’ve done the expat thing, and although my company paid to ship some stuff, I’d definitely agree to take just 1 nice outfit that you could use to interview with, and that will survive your suitcase, and 1 "business casual" outfit that you could wear to work until the first paycheck comes through. Box up and prepare to ship anything you won’t need while travelling. And if you don’t need it while travelling, odds are that you won’t need it for the first 1-3 months you are working.

I stowed a couple bags while travelling, before my old stuff arrived, and because I thought I would be looking for a job. I think most everything that was shipped, I could have done without permanently I’ve also been a packrat in the past, and that will usually have lingering problems regardless if you are doing this sort of move.

I like the suggestion to ship stuff, but some countries say they post customs duties and actually do. I ordered some clothes from a US retailer. They didn’t ship overseas, so I sent to my mom, she sent to me. She sent original box, including receipts. Japan imposed 50% customs duties. I’d still recommend it though. All my amazon.com purchases came through fine, and they were shipped direct.

My question for this board:
If you really do have back and feet problems and need a bag that rolls whenever possible, and uses backpack straps and good load balancing when it can’t, what kind of bag would you recommend? Victorinox, REI, or Eagle Creek are what I’ve considered. I do pack light (minimal carry-on) but tend to buy lots of souveniers when travelling any length of time.

I don’t know how active this thread is…. but I did something similar and went with a North Face Pack. It has a top opening, a side zip and a bottom access point from another pocket. There is also a small daypack. I can’t think of which model it is, but it is very large and I fit enough stuff in it to last me for a year of treking and teaching in China. The only problem I have had with it is that if I leave anything in the daypack (unless VERY light e.g. no water bottles) and attach the daypack to the bag then its balance gets skewed and I fall over.

That said, after a year here I realized I wasn’t going anywhere for awhile and have had stuff sent over. Now the problem is that I am planning on a RTW trip in fall 06 and I have to figure out what to do with stuff acquired and my two cats. shrug

Good luck!

This is a bit OT from the "which pack" question…

But if you’re setting out to travel and planning on never returning, you may have some issues with countries requiring proof of return travel in order to give you a visa. Also remember you have a 90-day limit in the Schengen agreement countries.

Of course, you can always buy a RT ticket and throw out the return portion or change the date for a time to come home to pick up stuff. But all I’m saying is, before leaving, you may want to consider the legalities of what you’re doing, so you don’t end up with problems.

Gee, I thought this thread had died a while back and I haven’t had the time till now to check up at Eurotrip.
I am really glad to see that more people took their time to respond. I’ve received more great advice!
Thanks a bunch!

The reason I’m back at ET is that I’ve FINALLY narrowed down my choices to two packs and am planning to go this week and buy one.
I’ve forgotten the wheeled thing as it does makes sense that when traveling flights of stairs and on trains and busses etc., the wheels are useless. I’ve considered the possibility of having to lug around for a while in environments in which wheels would do no good. I love the fit of the EC Transcontinental and it seems ironically a bit more universal to me as oppossed to the more confined Victorinox.

So it’s between these two:
– Eagle Creek Transcontinental
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(or maybe the Continental as some people state the Trans may be too much space!)

OR

- R.E.I just came out with a new version of its Grand Tour.
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I guess it’s to be in the same class as the EC Trans. Seems a bit nicer in some ways. I was in the store comparing the two and I plan to go back once more to compare and then buy.

So before I head there at the end of the week (last week in April), anyone have any experience with this new pack…and vs. the EC? Probably not, just thought I’d ask.

Also to note for the post above….I planned on staying in one country , getting a TEFL degree and hopefully landing a job and luckily obtaining a work visa (I know, I’m dreaming…but hey, you’ve got to try at least). This of course is my first desire…to be legal. If this fails…I may have to be a bit more low key. Either way, I mentioned the possiblity of a very long stay considering either scenario.
I used to be a real packrat but over the past couple years, I’ve done a lot of cleaning up. Especially realizing more what matters in life…not really all these ‘things’ I had. I began to sift through and see how much they didn’t matter. So this really helps my packing as well. My motto from now on is to try to keep things as simple as possible.

Well, thanks again everyone for your input. It is of course much appreciated. It’s nice to see as well, that there are others out there that have that same type of bug as for not wanting to quite settle in one place yet. Not everyone, but they are out there.

No, don’t take any big pack up a big mountain, unless you have a lot of stamina, and then only take one with a climbing frame. Have you ever climbed over 14,000 feet? Let me tell you, each step is an effort and you pack feels like a ton of rocks. Climbing Kiliminjaro is not just a long walk. I’ve never been that high, but I have climbed many 14eers in Colorado.

You might find this book interesting:
http://www.vagabondi…

Yes! Thank you. I find that very interesting.
Great link!
I do have a passion for this…of course, only until I reach my main passion: to eventually meet a nice person, in a nice place and have a family, then I can’t really see vagabonding working out too well. It would just be a precursor leverage tool for myself to reach my ultimate goal, hopefully.
I also thought about doing the air courier thing.
Basically, treking across the globe to find the right spot for myself to live and have a family. I know it’s not this area in which I am in, in the U.S., where I grew up.
Well,
Thanks again!