Modifying Backpacks

We have travelled thrice in Europe w backpacks as our only luggage. The answers to your questions will largely depend on how long you will use the packs, what you will carry and how careful you will be. That said, it is probably best that you have the straps sewn on by a local tailor.This will likely be a stronger stitch than you can provide and will give you longer usage.
As to panels, try poches of plastic or cloth that you can zip closed and attach by means of carabiners-- we found them very useful

I have Rick's convertible bag and you're right about it being large--most consider that a plus, but it sounds like it might be more room than you think you'll need. I'd be cautious about trying to do the sewing myself--they absorb a lot of force in use. Good luck on this.

Thank you for the responses.

To Kent: the convertible bag seems like it would be too big and would become too heavy for me because I am a small 25 year-old woman. I want to try traveling with a bag that is light to begin with.

Last time I went abroad, I used an Osprey Luna 60, and it worked wonderfully, but it started out around five pounds in weight when empty. It got very heavy on my back. I may not have packed that lightly, in retrospect, but I figure that if my pack had not weighed so much to begin with, it would have greatly helped when I was out there.

Jamie: Now that I read your further reply about exactly what you are looking for, I'm thinking that you might want to give Rick's convertible backpack a try? The main thing you would like: it is very light empty, because there is no internal or external frame. And when not in the expanded mode, the bag is only normal size (it's only when you unzip the perimeter expando zipper that it becomes large in capacity). It worked well with my small load: you keep the expando feature zipped up and use the four external compression straps to cinch the bag down tight to a smaller load. Also, the bag seems well sized for someone of average or somewhat less than average height (whatever average is, and also I don't know your height). And you probably can't beat the price for the value. Only problem is you probably can't find one to try on before buying. Send me a PM if you want to follow up.

Tailor or even a shoe maker could use the heavy duty stich/threads. But by the time you go thru all that - youre more than 1/2 way to a new bag. Each year the tech gets better and better - stronger, ligter, more pockets etc. Id say go look at an outdoor store and see what fits- then if its on sale get one - or go home and look online like REI.com or other sales. THere are lots of great bags out there for under 100$ - and on sale - even a student can affort that investment for future trips. Re: the RS bags - I use those and a daypack from Northface (or a bigger day pack from Fjallraven (Sweedish)) The RS bag is only 3 lbs. and they make a smaller-size for shorter folks. Keep you close to 10lbs or less and you are good to go!

If your original backpack weighs 5 lb. to start with, then Rick's will be a breeze. Mine (more than 20 years old) weighs about 2 lb. or less unpacked. It is the BEST bag! My husband and I have both used our bags for more than 40 trips- from a few days to a 2 and 1/2 week around the world trip. His never weighs more than 10 lb- usually a lot less- and mine never more than 12-14 lb. I consider those bags our best travel investment!

I'd find a good hiking store and try on different packs. Find a place with good staff who can help.

If you're checking it I'd worry less about the weight then how well it fits and feels. My big pack is huge and weighs quite a bit. OTOH it can carry the world with relative ease. My smaller back is much lighter but I'd rather not carry a heavy load in it.

If you're carrying it on then you need to worry about the carry on limits.

But I got a "tote" bag cover for my back pack. It's easy to check. Just looks like a duffel bag. Carry on the valuable stuff and check the rest.