Backpacks: Size vs Fitting

The fit is much more important esp if you are going to be using it a lot. Just this weekend I went hiking with my old backpack from 18 years ago - it fits well and can expand when I need it to. The smaller pack will be uncomfortable if you can't fit it well around your waist since that is where most of the weight has to rest.

Why 20-30 lbs? Are you going to be camping/true hiking? If not, you can easily get by with much less. My husband's bag usually weighs about 10 lbs and mine between 12-15 lbs. (and the bags each weigh about 1 1/2 - 2 lbs so really only 8-13 lbs of "gear"). But we don't camp or "hike". We carry our bags fromt the train to the hotel, back and to the airport. So "fit" is not important for us.

Wait. Stop. There is a huge difference between camping/backpacking and Europe backpacking. If going out for a multi day hiking trip in the mountains, you need a properly fitted pack. If going to Europe on the cheap with a backpack instead of a roller bag, and you will be carrying this pack for sections of a day from train to hotel and back, you want lightweight and comfortable, but it does not need to have ultimate fit. I would go with the larger pack so long as it fits carryon requirement for your airline. You do not have to fill it up. The Kelty Redwing is a solid, time tested standby. Go with the 3100.

Michael, I'm a strong believer in using a Backpack that's properly fitted for torso length. Although in most cases you'll only be using the pack for short periods of time to travel from rail station to Hostel / Hotel or whatever, there may be occasions when you'll be wearing it for longer periods of time (that's been my experience). On those occasions, you'll appreciate a proper fit, as without it your shoulders will take all of the weight. With a properly fitted Pack, most of the weight should rest on your hips, not your shoulders. Of course the weight of the Pack will have a bearing on the comfort level, whether the weight is mostly on the shoulders or on the hips. It sounds like you haven't determined your final packing weight yet? In choosing a Backpack, some features to look for: > Panel Load or top load configuration - panel load models provide easier access to contents and can be "secured" to a certain extent to provide minimal security. > Detachable Daypack - if the pack is large enough that it has to be checked, a Daypack works well for carry-on. > Stowable Harness - again if the Backpack has to be checked, it's an advantage to store the Straps behind a zippered panel, so they're not damaged by airport baggage systems (my packs have that feature). You might have a look at Backpacks from Eagle Creek or Osprey. I'm not sure how far Overland Park is from St. Louis, but you might have a look at the REI Store at 1703 S Brentwood Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63144, (314) 918-1004. They usually have a great selection and the staff should be trained in properly fitting Packs. Good luck and happy travels!

Some good comments have been made with respect to "normal" backbacking and European "backpacking"...On a 6 week trip I used Rick Steves Convertible Carry On ( and have used it on several weekend trips since) that has waist straps that I have never taken out and used. Even during my 6 week Europe trip in 2009, which was done on a budget, I'd walk sometimes up to 20-30 minutes to get to my hotel from the train stations and still didnt need to use the waist straps. The thing to remember is that your really not going to be carry it on your back ALL day, just for short intervals and if you're packing light, then there won't be a lot of weight that needs to be supported. My bag weighed in at 20 lbs, which, now that I have more experience at packing light, was somewhat heavy. You indicate you'll be between 20-30 lbs...are you packing tents, sleeping bags, etc? If not, and you follow some of the advice out there on how to pack light( see Rick's packing tips and the website onebag.com ) you should easily be able to take everything you need and weigh in at less than 20 lbs. I'll be going for 3 weeks starting early November and my bag will weigh no more than 15-16 lbs ( I've done a trial pack already...lol ). The other important issue is your back. What can your back comfortably manage? 15-16 lbs is no problem for me, and I have a partially degenerated disc in my lower back so I've experienced back pain before, but not from carrying my bag..
Happy travels!...

Thank you everyone for your input. I have decided to go with the Kelty Redwing 3100! It's panel loading, has a removable (stow-able) waist strap, is extremely highly reviewed/tested, and can qualify as a carry-on so long as it's not completely stuffed. I'll probably just use a small daypack, such as the sea-to-summet stow-able pack for shorter day trips. I plan on using the pack for numerous reasons: multiple trips to Europe, a visit to Singapore, road trips, business trips, etc. Most of you brought up good points about weight. After I got the pack, I loaded it up with 3 pair pants, 3 shirts, 3 boxers, 2 pair socks, some toiletries, a journal, my Kindle, and my laptop. I would say the bag weighed around 25 - 30 lbs (unfortunately I didn't have a scale). I adjusted the hip straps as best I could and got a feel for what it's like to have most of the weight rest on my hips. After walking around for a bit, I tried to lighten the load by removing a T-shirt, 1 pair of boxers, and my laptop (which weighs around 8 lbs. UGH!). It felt considerably lighter and more comfortable. Given everyone's thoughts, I want to aim for under 20 lbs. I do have a question, however. What should a properly fitted pack feel like as you wear it? After putting the pack on and adjusting the aluminum stay, I would say the pack felt comfortable. However, when I stood still the pack wanted to fall backwards from the top. Is that supposed to happen? And how tight should the shoulder straps be? I found that more weight rested on my hips when the straps were relatively loose. Thanks everyone!

Michael, A properly fitted Pack should be so comfortable that you hardly notice it (except for the weight on your hips). Most good quality Packs have "balancing" or load lifter straps on the shoulders, which allow the weight to be balanced between the hips and the shoulders. The fact that your Pack wants to "fall backwards" indicates that possibly the balancing straps aren't set right? You might find it helpful to have a look at: www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374302887279 www.arcteryx.com/pack-fit.aspx?EN#hipbeltAngle www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnLCM_3RjuA Cheers!

The biggest advantage of going with the smaller one is you can carry it on to the plane instead of checking it. Backpacks with suspension systems have a nasty habit of getting bent out of shape when checked. Also this bag doesn't zip into itself so the straps are almost guaranteed to get caught in the airport convey belts and get ripped of or otherwise destroyed. The redwings are designed more for trail use than designed with the traveler in mind this bag would be more at home on the Appalachian trail than the Paris metro. Not that it wouldn't work but it is not what it is designed for. You could in theory hike the AT with a Rick Steve's bag but they aren't designed for that either. I would recommend going with a bag designed for travel and not trail. http://www.meivoyageur.com/ has a very good but not trail quality suspension and is designed for travel.

When you say the Redwing 3100, do you mean the Redwing 50 that holds 3100 cu in? If so, you may have a problem if you want to carry it on with you instead of checking. It measures, I believe, 25 x 18 x 14.5 Maximum carry-on dimensions are 22 x 14 x 9. You really have to underpack if you want to carry it on. Otherwise you'll be checking it everywhere. If that doesn't bother you, then you have no problem.

Well, after your last two replies I'm starting to have my doubts about the Redwing 3100 (ie. 50). It seems that if I want peace of mind with this pack - knowing it will pass as a carry-on - I'll have to remove the suspension system so that it shrinks down length-wise. If I do that, what was the point of buying the larger pack to accommodate my torso length in the first place? If I remove the suspension system, then I might as well get a smaller bag that I KNOW will fit as a carry-on. Despite how hideous the Voyageur looks, it seems to get excellent reviews and may just fit my needs. Can anyone else share their experience with it? Just from pictures I see that there's no place to put a water bottle. It's a minor concern, but still... Thanks for everyone's input!

Are you really planning to do serious backpacking or are you going to have the bag on your back while transiting from airport to hotel, or train station to hotel, etc. If that's the case,there really is no need for a suspension system. It just adds weight and it may be overkill. Look at these bags as they may work as well, carry what you need (and in some cases a water bottle), and still give you support. They all have hideaway backpack straps and will look much better on a business trip: Ebags Motherlode TLC: http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101?productid=1370035 L.L. Bean Quickload: http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/51615?feat=506074-GN2 Osprey Porter 46: http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/gear_hauling/porter_46 All are within the same price range as the Kelty and MEI Voyageur and will fit standard carry-on rules. They all are made to hold their shape without an internal suspension system. I own the first two listed as do many people here and I can give both high marks for functionality and comfort.

Michael, are you using the sternum straps and the pack is still falling away from your back?

Frank: Thank you for your recommendations. I looked at the other bags you posted. The eBags Mother Lode looks sweet. I love all the extra pockets and the cool colors - even more so than the Osprey Porter. Its downfall, however, is the lack of a decent hip belt. And I think that's finally what my decision is coming down to. I know that at some point or another, whichever bag I choose will find it's way onto my back for a few miles or so. When that happens, I want a bag that's going to be comfortable. All of these bags fall within the 3 - 4 lbs category - even the Voyageur with the internal suspension system. I think that that's the bag I'm going to choose. Eileen: I adjusted those straps, but I do not think I was doing it correctly. I read an article the next day that explained adjustment process in detail, but I had already decided against the bag. .............. If anyone has any more pack recommendations, or thinks I'm making the wrong decision, I'm all ears. Please let me know what you think! Here's what I want in a pack: -Meets carry-on requirements -Has a decent hip belt to distribute load (doesn't necessarily have to have a heavy-duty suspension system) -stow-away straps
-under $150 Thanks!

Besides adjusting the suspension straps you may also want to look at how to pack a backpack - there is generally a sequence to use such as where to load the heavy stuff so that you don't tip over. You are also right to look for a bag with a useable waist belt. I wouldn't buy a backpack without a good one.

I forgot to mention the Rick Steves Convertible. It has a decent waist belt with some hip support. http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=8&id=139 If you surf the web, you can find the bag cheaper than what they charge on this website.