Backpack Only

I use a rolling carryon and a Civita daybag for travel days, but I pack along a messenger bag for getting around cities. For your purposes, a messenger bag could be worn before you put on the backpack while you travel and everything would be accessible. Just make sure you don't have an exposed but out-of-your-sight zipper on the messenger bag, or don't put anything of value in it while you are in transit. I wear mine a little to the front rather than the side when I am also using the carryon.

Just double checking. You do know that the Schengen visa is good for 90 days and not three months. Sometimes it is easily to think of three months as 90 days.

I traveled for two months in Italy with a Tom Bihn bag - it converts to a backpack and I used it that way most of the time - a large messenger bag, put on underneath the backpack and worn towards the front, and a smaller light weight nylon cross-body handbag, which I packed in the large backpack on travel days. This worked well, and I was very happy not to have a roller bag.

We've done a lot of multi-month backpacking in Europe and have found that a smallish, cross-body bag of some sort works best. It rests in front of you so that you can easily get to the items you need frequently and can be used as a day bag. Since you will have a car for most of your trip then something like this should be fine for the first 20 days. I have also used a mini backpack...I currently have a Deuter brand Speedlight 10-350 backpack that I picked up in England a few years back. It fits like a backpack but is quite small. I use it as a "purse" for my wallet, keys, passport, etc., but it's big enough to hold a water bottle, light jacket and a snack. I haven't used it in combination with a full-on backpack but I think it could be easily strapped on backwards for easy access to the stuff I need.
Like the previous poster said, be careful of the Schengen laws about the 90 day stay...this is assuming your country of citizenship has this limitation...many people on this forum are American and this applies to them.

I use a messenger bag. I also use the Osprey Porter 46. It is a little awkward with both on but I rarely carry both except when in transport. My Patagonia mini mass works perfectly for me.

jeanne,

I've found that the best solution for the situation you describe is to use one of the Backpacks which has a detachable Day Pack, such as the Osprey Farpoint 70. The Day Packs can either be carried on the back, or in the front to allow better load balancing. These also use a convenient panel load design, and have a stowable harness to prevent damage from airport conveyor systems. Of course with any Backpack, it's essential to be properly fitted according to torso length. Eagle Creek also has packs of this type (the model shown in the link if designed for women). f you have a good outdoor / travel shop in your area, you could check out the various models in person.

I've been using packs of that type for many years, and find that really works well for me. My main pack is always checked and my day pack is always used for carry-on, and I use that for my Netbook, cameras and other valuables along with 3-1-1 bag and other accessories I may need en route.

As someone else mentioned, be sure that your three month trip does not exceed 90 days in the Schengen area.

The wheel was devised several millenia ago, thus liberating folk from the chore of carrying everything on their backs, at least in the less mountainous regions of the earth.

It surprises me that many people, notionally "backpackers", choose not to avail themselves of this most useful invention.

Thank you all for your advice. Since I will be hiking in National Parks, and many other destinations, a messenger bag would not be to my liking. I have a hydration pack for the hikes I take in the U.S., but it fits too high if I choose to wear it on my chest for an on-board bag. I was fitted for the Osprey Porter 46 at REI and since I have a very short torso, although average height, I was told by the specialist that I was very limited in a pack that would fit correctly. I have noticed that certain packs are too high when worn on the front, making it difficult reaching the neck wallet and simply uncomfortable. If I weren't planning on hiking as much as I am, a messenger bag would be perfect.

I will check into the packs mentioned, and possibly just a smaller backpack, not over loaded, worn on the front might be the way I go. I live three hours from a major outdoor store, so all your advice is appreciated as I continue my search.

My email did not alert me to responses to the forum, therefore the delay in expressing my appreciation. Thanks again.

jeanne,

"My email did not alert me to responses to the forum"

Have you got your profile configured to allow E-mail notification of replies on the forum. There's sometimes a short delay, but that feature works well.

Peter.S.Aus,

"The wheel was devised several millenia ago, thus liberating folk from the chore of carrying everything on their backs, at least in the less mountainous regions of the earth."

If I ever have to resort to using one of those goofy wheelie bags, I may quit travelling!!!

I like to carry three bags on my trips. One large backpack for the bulk of my stuff. A cross-body messenger style bag to carry my 'day' items for travel and city days. And a light-weight backpack to use on longer day trips and hiking. The backpack I use is from REI, weighs 10 oz, and lays flat in the larger backpack, taking up hardly any space when not in use.

Was in Italy, Switzerland and Germany hiking around in September wtih 7 others. One person had what Ken mentioned above a combo bag where the daypack came off but was attached when we took trains from city to city and to our hotels. I thought it was convenient after seeing it. THere are many styles and types to choose from. I'd suggest go to you local outdoor store and look in person.

http://www.ebags.com/product/eagle-creek/deviatetravel-pack85l/288699?productid=10346760

Again, thanks to all. Amy....That may be the best suggestion yet for me. I have looked on REI's site to find a 10oz day pack, but to no avail. I will keep searching. I had thought about putting a pack inside the main pack, but the packs I have are just too bulky taking up too much room. Now to find the perfect "fit inside" day pack. Do you happen to have your 10oz pack information to pass along? Thanks!

I have for years carried a 22" backpack together with a cross-body bag that's just a bit bigger than Rick's Veloce iPad bag but smaller than what you might think of as a "messenger" bag. I like having my necessities at my fingertips for travel in town, although it is a less ergonomic configuration to carry hiking supplies, so that may be your priority.

jeanne,

If you can manage with a lighter packable Day pack, here are a couple you can have a look at.....

• http://shop.eaglecreek.com/packable-daypack/d/1120 (made of a poly ripstock material)
• https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/civita-day-pack (made of a micro fibre material - very light and packs flat)
• http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/segmentation/everyday_packs

There are lots of products available, so hopefully you'll find something that works for you.

Here is the day pack I use: http://www.rei.com/product/809163/rei-stuff-travel-daypack

In person, it doesn't look like much, very lightweight and flimsy. But it easily carries everything I need for a day hike ... Fleece, rain jacket, water bottles, map, compass, first aid kit, etc.

Thank you! I did not even know they made "packable" backpacks! That is a little embarrassing considering how much traveling I have done. You learn something every day! Great ideas all.

This line may interest you,
the front waist pack is intergraded to the backpack and you just release a magnet and then pull and it rotates from inside the backback to in front of your waist.
You swing the pack back to put it back into the backpack, so basically you never need to remove the straps from your arms or the pack from your pack to access the front section.
Bonus for travel is that the waist pack insides are totally protected, no way to get at them from the outside of the backpack so a pickpocket could never access your valuables in here.
They have different sizes and price points, though non are cheap, they are designed for professional photographers but anyone might find it useful.
They have hydration pockets for water reservoirs, rain covers and just about anything you would need.

The waist pack is also completely removable so can be worn separately while the backpack main section stays in your hotel room.

There are short videos on the site showing how it works.
I have the Horizon model, below is the professional which is larger but if packing clothes for 3 months you likely will want.
http://www.mindshiftgear.com/products/rotation180-professional
REI and similar stores carry their smallest version but none of the larger models since they are targeting photogs..
All other photo gear backpacks, require you to take the straps off and place you bag down if you are standing in water or mud this new option is quite revolutionary.

I use this http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/longchamp-le-pliage-backpack/3023122?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Deep+Red&resultback=1424

Been on many a trip with me. Folds up to almost nothing, fits in your carry on. Big enough to hold a rain coat, water bottle and needed papers.

I bought an older version at Duty Free probably 10 years ago. I use it on every European vacation. I also travel with a small carry on, but now we normally use Eagle Creek, but I also have the Osprey Porter 46. It's amazing and roomy and has a new organizer on the front for electronics, etc. http://www.ospreypacks.com/us/en/product/porter-46-PORTER46_703.html

This reply is for Peter ^^ and his wheel comment.

For more than 20 years I've backpacked it all, for trips as long as 2 months and quick weekend getaways. This summer, during a 3 week trip, I envied - at times - the wheelie folks. But mostly, they truly were a major pain in the butt. Wheelie people seem to lose track of their bags, bumping into people as they drag behind, holding up lines while they stop and get out the handle, causing backups on the stairs while they stop, retract handle, grab the bag, then repeat at the bottom. Meanwhile, my pack and I breeze right past them and get along with our travels. (I am careful about bumping people with my turtle-back, but it can be a problem too, I admit.)
But I did envy the occasional times when I was huffing 20 lbs on my back and they were blissfully strolling along, not sweating like me.
So, I compromised. I now have an REI rolling backpack, and the frame is removable. Best of both worlds! If I want to drag the wheeled bag in airports or on that mile-long walk to the hotel, I can. If I have to run with my backpack to catch a train that's moving, I can. The straps zip away. The frame has its own bag that stores the pieces, or the whole bag+frame, for storage.
I am using it for an 8-day trip to Italy next week, which will be the first true test.
I suspect I will still use the backpack function more than the wheels, but we'll see. Wheels are good, but not the be-all, end-all, if you ask me!
Happy travels... to each his own.

My pack system is similar to Amy's:
Carry-on pack (Rick Steves Classic backpack
Patagonia Half size (mini) messenger bag in front of body
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/black-hole-mini-messenger-12-liters?p=49321-0
Patagonia Light Weight
Pack (in pack)
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/lightweight-travel-pack-backpack?p=48817-0
Unfortunately out of stock.

The light weight pack is 12 oz and holds 26 liters, good for day tripping but packs in minimal space,

I carry documents, valuables, electronics and camera in the half size messenger bag cross strapped in front.

Consider a "sackpack". It is a light backpack with rope shoulder straps that you pull to open or cinch-close the opening of the pack. It compresses down to nothing and only weighs a few ounces. You can find them in camping, sports or athletic shoe stores. Nike, Adidas and other shoe comanies make them.: http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asackpack

If you are going to carry-on your main backpack on the plane, you should not be carrying a second dayback at the same time. Just stuff the sackpack in your main pack to make your life easier. If you plan to fill both your big packpack and your daypack for the plane trip, you may be seriously overpacking or should consider checking in.

I know this is unrelated kind of backpack but it's actually very good if you want to use it for traveling. I have one and I can confirm 5.11 covrt18 is good enough to bring all of our items when we are traveling somewhere

http://renfels.com/5-11-tactical-covrt18-backpack-reviewed