Packing tips - backpack
- Thread starter miss direct
- Start date
That does sound better than eating porridge all year.
But nobody had invented potatoes at the time 
so they were stuck with wandering back and forth with big bags of porridge.About the chip barms, brown sauce or tomato sauce?
Maharani
Just like Heaven
I misread miss direct 's post. Sorry!
Maharani
Just like Heaven
I misread miss direct 's post. Sorry!
chilango
Hypothetical Wanker
That does sound better than eating porridge all year.
About the chip barms, brown sauce or tomato sauce?
Neither. Salt & Vineger.
They were free if you were in the pub at about 5. If you were still there at 8 you got a cheese and onion sandwich.
What? The actual food was free? I like the sound of this place. <Goes to pack up rucksack right now to move there.>
ViolentPanda
Hardly getting over it.
Supine
Newt Member
Now there's a thing. Has anyone yet produced a Swiss knife that is also a lighter? That would very useful.Yes, I know wee disposable lighters are cheap these days, but I sort of like the concept. A Swiss knife in the handbag or pocket is a very useful thing.
I have a cheap lighter that is also a torch. Solving a problem I never had!
Pingu
Credo
as anyone who has had to wear a backpack for any length of time wil tell you spend some time fitting it to you properly. work out what works for you and make sure you have the load well balanced. i used to have the piss taken out of me a little bit but i was the only one in our group that didnt end up with sore shoulders or sore bits from the contact spots. you wil very quickly learn wht you need as opposed to what you want when you have to carry it round with you all day
miss direct
misfungled
I'm not actually going to have to carry it that much, am I? I mean I'm not hiking through jungles with it on my back, just getting from one city/place to another.
Maybe not, but the thing is, the fuller (and heavier it is) the more important it is to get the hip belt and the shoulder straps adjusted to the right length for you, or it can pull you off balance and cause quite painful injuries. And you need to get the hang of doing this for yourself so that you can do it quickly, preferably without taking the rucksack off.
You'll get used to it, I promise - I can move in mine almost as easily (although more slowly) as I can without it. That includes reversing in narrow spaces and even going to the loo (in a large cubicle).
Gromit
International Man of Misery
You might like to read this article then:
Best Luggage for Long-Term Travel: Backpacks vs Rolling Luggage - The Professional Hobo
A woman traveler who started off with big backpacks, then went to wheeled backpacks before finally deciding that a wheeled case and being sensible with what you take is the way to go.
If you are hardly ever going to be in a position where you need put a bag on your back (rough ground) then why bother with the agony?
just cause its called backpacking doesn't mean....
miss direct
misfungled
Well I have half packed and tried the backpack on, it's not too bad actually. My friend who is already there said to bring a backpack - she only has 5kg! I also spotted that this backpack has a big handle on the side so you can hold it like a holdall if you want. It also has lots of cool pockets and opens right out so I'll be able to find stuff. The only problem is...no room for my shopping!
planetgeli
There's no future in England's dreaming
This time last year I spent 6 months travelling SE Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Laos). My backpack weighed 7kg. Anything more is masochism. How long are you going for? Stuff is cheap out there. You can buy as you go, throw away (donate?) as you please. There is never any need to take loads of shit with you. Have fun.
chilango
Hypothetical Wanker
I can, and do, hike for hours - even days - in my packs. Carrying everything I need (and that includes tent, sleeping bag, stove, food, etc etc) in a 38l pack (55l in Winter when I need extra insulation, crampons, ice axe etc) always under 10kg.
So , there's no need to have a heavy pack.
So , there's no need to have a heavy pack.
<Adopts voice of miserable prophet of doom>
A problem you have not had YET! Who knows what horrors the morrow might bring? Oh, the horrors, oh, the Disaster!
Gromit
International Man of Misery
Btw I have as a result of this thread been wondering is this woman's tips could be employed in a backpack / suitcase capacity to some benefit.
I may try to apply them when i travel across France this year:
Japan's decluttering guru says she is on a mission to 'organise the world'
Would you like to know more? /Starship Troopers
Well there are YouTube videos too if you care to search
I may try to apply them when i travel across France this year:
Japan's decluttering guru says she is on a mission to 'organise the world'
Would you like to know more? /Starship Troopers
Well there are YouTube videos too if you care to search
DrRingDing
'anti-human wanker'
How long are you going for?
Some things I would not leave without:
-Never take a normal towel. They take ages to dry in the tropics, take up loads of space and are fucking heavy. Get a travel towel
-Don't take a bulky torch, get a head torch. An absolute must...and make sure your travel companion has one too.
-Take a compass. Not going on any treks? Or going off road? It doesn't matter, you're heading into unknown places, you may have a map in your guide book but you need to know what way you're facing at least.
-Don't listen to the haters get a guide book for the place that your in. Ideally get 2 to cross reference. Or you could get yer mate to get a Rough Guide and you get a Lonely Planet. For a less patronising more worldly guide try Footprints
-DEET. Get some and read the dos and donts with it. Don't listen to the hippies bleating on about how it's a chemical and you should rub yourself in citronella or similar bollocks.
Gromit
International Man of Misery
I have one of them but i never feel like i'm drying myself, more like pushing the water around.
DrRingDing
'anti-human wanker'
I have one of them but i never feel like i'm drying myself, more like pushing the water around.
They're not as absorbent as a normal towel but fuck me sideways they are light, dry quickly and pack down tiny. Much preferably when lumping bags around.
DrRingDing
'anti-human wanker'
Plus where you stay may provide towels to use.
Gromit
International Man of Misery
I carry one in a hope i never need to use it but i've got it if i have to capacity.
Keep an eye out for places like Go Outdoors knocking em out cheap if they have a load of em.
The one you showed online was £20. i think i paid a tenner for mine.
Only essentials in my backpack are toilet roll, babywipes and a good knife. Everything else is luxury to be carrying.
Luxuries: t-shirts, socks, underpants and shirts. Laptop, camera, music thing. Paints, pens, brushes, sketch pad, torch/lamp, blanket, basic medicines and creams, bottle of wáter, odds and ends including nail clippers, condoms and the like. Everything else fits in my sturdy coat pockets.
Never been to Thailand though. I am generally a €urozone backpacker.
Luxuries: t-shirts, socks, underpants and shirts. Laptop, camera, music thing. Paints, pens, brushes, sketch pad, torch/lamp, blanket, basic medicines and creams, bottle of wáter, odds and ends including nail clippers, condoms and the like. Everything else fits in my sturdy coat pockets.
Never been to Thailand though. I am generally a €urozone backpacker.
not-bono-ever
meh
this may not appeal, but when I go away, I try to load my rucsac with shitty clothes- stuff with the arse out of it, holes in and crap- so I can dispose/ gift along the way rather than carrying. same goes with books and stuff I take along. Downside- I never get invited to the ambasseduers party, Upside- I look like I am a tramp and no one gives me a hard time. The awful tracksuit bottoms adopted in Georgia proved remarkably effective as a scam/tout repellant
DrRingDing
'anti-human wanker'
Riklet
procrastinación
Take a tupperware box. Or buy one.
Get a silk sleeping bag liner.
Get an inflatable travel pillow.
Id go for a small towel over a travel towel any day. Half the time you will get towels and if not, and you need it for the beach, buy one.
In fact, better than a beach towel is one of those giant squares of dyed and pattered cotton - beachbum essential and lightweight.
Compass - good call only if hiking etc.
Some light weight PJs in case you wanna wander around in someones house or a hostel at night.
Water purification tablets have always served me well.
Washbags tend to be bulky and heavy so try and slim that Down, but hey, some stuff is worth lugging!
Flipflops - take or buy out there. Other shoes and even sandals can be quite heavy but it might be worth 2 lightweight pairs anyway.
Kag in a bag or v lightweight waterproof useful too.
You can buy pretty much alllll this shit anyway, most places. So pack super light.
I think backpacks are great personally and if theyre nice and light, have good straps and a waterproof covering you should be fine. Definitely get some of those packing or vacuum bags though to squeeze it all in.
However well you pack, it will get smelly and youll want to take every single thing out and spread it round your room regularly, in my experience!
Get a silk sleeping bag liner.
Get an inflatable travel pillow.
Id go for a small towel over a travel towel any day. Half the time you will get towels and if not, and you need it for the beach, buy one.
In fact, better than a beach towel is one of those giant squares of dyed and pattered cotton - beachbum essential and lightweight.
Compass - good call only if hiking etc.
Some light weight PJs in case you wanna wander around in someones house or a hostel at night.
Water purification tablets have always served me well.
Washbags tend to be bulky and heavy so try and slim that Down, but hey, some stuff is worth lugging!
Flipflops - take or buy out there. Other shoes and even sandals can be quite heavy but it might be worth 2 lightweight pairs anyway.
Kag in a bag or v lightweight waterproof useful too.
You can buy pretty much alllll this shit anyway, most places. So pack super light.
I think backpacks are great personally and if theyre nice and light, have good straps and a waterproof covering you should be fine. Definitely get some of those packing or vacuum bags though to squeeze it all in.
However well you pack, it will get smelly and youll want to take every single thing out and spread it round your room regularly, in my experience!
Hold on. You are the Guardian Reading nightmare in the bunk below me?
Please consider the noise you make (amongst other things).
Towel is a waste of space and weight. Use the bed sheets.
