Bag s/o: backpack for 1 week trip

[SusanBAnthony]

I'm going on a 1 week trip to northern Europe and would like to bring just a backpack.

My brother recommended a 150$ Patagonia backpack but that seems insane. I can't see using it more than twice a decade.

What else is out there? What matters in a bag? I'm a very light packer but I think I want more space than my old Jansport from high school.

We will be traveling by train, bus, and jet blue. We will be in 3-4 different hostels. My mom and sister can't walk or carry stuff long distances so we will use a cab if we need to transfer our stuff a long distance. So I don't see myself needing a fancy bag that does all the things. I just want to be able to easily carry my own stuff in case I need to help others.

[isabel]

I have a regular style OGIO backpack that has a nicely sized center compartment. Might be a brand worth looking at. They probably run $70-80.

[Deleted]

I have a High Sierra backpack that I use for work that I bet I could make work for a weeks worth of clothes if I packed light.

shop.highsierra.com/backpacks/laptop/high-sierra-access-2.0/1051571041.html#start=16

[tripleshot]

This one is on my wish list. It gets great reviews and I think there’s a bigger version too. It’s on sale for $80 on Amazon. Check to see what the price is on ebags too. eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Junior 19" Carry-On Travel Backpack - Fits Up to 17.5" Laptop - (Heathered Graphite) www.amazon.com/dp/B01AKIMHF2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_fYekEbYSEA1XQ

[CloudBee]

I would post on your FB page and ask if any friends have something along the lines of that Patagonia bag that they would be willing to let you borrow.

[Vespasia]

Jan 22, 2020 8:23:23 GMT -5 tripleshot said:

This one is on my wish list. It gets great reviews and I think there’s a bigger version too. It’s on sale for $80 on Amazon. Check to see what the price is on ebags too. eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Junior 19" Carry-On Travel Backpack - Fits Up to 17.5" Laptop - (Heathered Graphite) www.amazon.com/dp/B01AKIMHF2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_fYekEbYSEA1XQ

This is what I was going to recommend. I have had mine for years. It's really great. It holds lots of stuff, is easy to access, and is relatively comfortable. It has also held up well through lots of travel. 

[SusanBAnthony]

Thanks everyone!

I'm glad a couple of you mentioned the Ogio. H has one for work and he may be willing to just let me use it for a week.

I'm 90% sure none of my friends have anything along the lines of the Patagonia one but it doesn't hurt to ask- I hadn't thought about that.

If not, I'm willing to spend in the 80$ range so I'll check out those reccs.

[winecat]

I see people borrow this kind of stuff on NextDoor all the time. You never know what someone will let you use.

[mbcdefg]

I like this blog post from someone who did several months in Europe with just a 30L Osprey backpack. I don’t think I’ll ever do this kind of trip myself, but it’s good for inspiration when I find myself overpacking for a shorter trip: thetravelmedley.com/2016/12/12/bri-backpack-longterm-travel-europe/

I recently did a 3-day work trip with an LL Bean Deluxe school backpack. I think I could’ve easily packed (light) for a week if I didn’t also have to pack my laptop: m.llbean.com/llb/shop/121113?page=l-l-bean-deluxe-book-pack-print&bc=50-816&feat=816-GN1&csp=f

[ohgillian]

Jan 22, 2020 8:17:15 GMT -5 isabel said:

I have a regular style OGIO backpack that has a nicely sized center compartment. Might be a brand worth looking at. They probably run $70-80.

I've had an OGIO since 2003, I've traveled a lot in it, and the thing still looks brand new. (Which honestly at this point is kind of annoying. I want a different backpack!)

[wildrice]

This question was timely, as I decided on my trip last week that it is the last we are taking with a big suitcase. I don't have any recs though!

[isabel]

Jan 22, 2020 10:25:08 GMT -5 ohgillian said:

Jan 22, 2020 8:17:15 GMT -5 isabel said:

I have a regular style OGIO backpack that has a nicely sized center compartment. Might be a brand worth looking at. They probably run $70-80.

I've had an OGIO since 2003, I've traveled a lot in it, and the thing still looks brand new. (Which honestly at this point is kind of annoying. I want a different backpack!)

Mine isn't that old, but it's definitely still going strong 4ish years in. I got it from work and use it to take my stuff back and forth several times a week, and also travel with it for both work and personal travel. It gets a good amount of use and isn't showing any wear.

[mich1]

DH bought an Osprey backpack, which is really 2. A clothes compartment hooks onto a daypack, which means you can use the daypack for touring. He spent about $200 for it. I think this is the one he bought.

www.osprey.com/us/en/product/farpoint-80-FARPNT80_526.html

I replaced my Tumi backpack with a Northface one. It is not as big as his, but I can use it in a pinch for a couple days clothes. I think mine was a little over $100.

When we travel, we go with expandable 22” roller bags and backpacks. We have gone as long as 6 weeks with this little. The expansion of the bags comes in for purchases we make. For instance, we just got back from South America and brought back 6 bottles of wine.

[neonpink]

I have this backpack that opens like a suitcase. I've done a week in Europe in December and just did 2 weeks in Australia with it. It's an awesome little bag. I checked it coming back from Australia for the first time and it still looks awesome.

www.amazon.com/dp/B07DG7YXZM/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?pd_rd_i=B07DGDCS3F&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNDdMSTJJQ1dQUlZKJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTAwOTc0UkxYQlozRzNFQ0cwJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2MjI2NjAxQkdKQks3T1ZHME9NJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

[jordylee]

If you can go to an REI to try some on, I would do that. They have weighted pillows that you can put in the bags to test them out and see how they fit / feel. I have a 40L REI Lookout that I have traveled all over with and I love it. I hate top-loading bags, but that is personal preference.

Also, a compression sack and packing cubes are a godsend for backpacking.

[iheartbanjos]

Jan 22, 2020 20:14:36 GMT -5 jordylee said:

If you can go to an REI to try some on, I would do that. They have weighted pillows that you can put in the bags to test them out and see how they fit / feel. I have a 40L REI Lookout that I have traveled all over with and I love it. I hate top-loading bags, but that is personal preference.

Also, a compression sack and packing cubes are a godsend for backpacking.

I was just coming in to recommend this! Also, REI branded bags are durable and affordable.

[stephm0188]

Jan 22, 2020 8:36:36 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

Jan 22, 2020 8:23:23 GMT -5 tripleshot said:

This one is on my wish list. It gets great reviews and I think there’s a bigger version too. It’s on sale for $80 on Amazon. Check to see what the price is on ebags too. eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Junior 19" Carry-On Travel Backpack - Fits Up to 17.5" Laptop - (Heathered Graphite) www.amazon.com/dp/B01AKIMHF2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_fYekEbYSEA1XQ

This is what I was going to recommend. I have had mine for years. It's really great. It holds lots of stuff, is easy to access, and is relatively comfortable. It has also held up well through lots of travel. 

This is what I have. I like that it opens suitcase style. I use Dot & Dot slim packing cubes in it and can cram in a ton.

[lolo]

Jan 23, 2020 21:15:43 GMT -5 iheartbanjos said:

Jan 22, 2020 20:14:36 GMT -5 jordylee said:

If you can go to an REI to try some on, I would do that. They have weighted pillows that you can put in the bags to test them out and see how they fit / feel. I have a 40L REI Lookout that I have traveled all over with and I love it. I hate top-loading bags, but that is personal preference.

Also, a compression sack and packing cubes are a godsend for backpacking.

I was just coming in to recommend this! Also, REI branded bags are durable and affordable.

You can also rent back packs from them, which might be a great option since OP, you say you don't anticipate using it often.

[outnumbered]

Eagle Creek makes great backpacks for travel.  Some of their products can be found at REI.  I have 2 Eagle Creek bags, one a traditional roller and the other a backpack that converts to a duffle.  Both are durable and fit a lot of stuff.  I recommend using packing cubes to get the most out of your space.

Don't be afraid to buy used.  My son hikes and camps with the Scouts.  We bought his backpack used through REI.  It is in perfect shape.  Probably used once and returned, and we bought it $100 off.

[lilles]

I did a two week trip to Japan last summer with this bag
www.eddiebauer.com/p/82300087/women's-adventurer(r)-30l-pack?sp=1&color=Chrome%20Htr&size=ONESZE

It was perfect

[clseale]

Another vote for the ebags motherlode weekender. I packed for a week in Portugal in it and had no issues fitting my stuff or lugging it around while 20 wks pregnant.