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cangel
Joined: 19 Jun 2003
Location: Jeonju, S. Korea
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 Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 2:44 am Post subject: Backpacks for dummies |
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| I need to buy a backpack for a month long SE Asia getaway this January. I've already decided on the size, 50L. My questions is which brand to buy. There are just too many varieties so I need your sage advice... I saw some nice Red Face and Berghaus backpacks that are within my price range so does anyone have any advice on either brand? I saw some Nepa ones that are like 3x's more expensive. Went to the K2 store and they had some nice ones as well. Anyway, please share your wisdom. |
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kass
Joined: 15 May 2008
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| Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:55 am Post subject: |
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| I bought a 60L 'downtown' bag from somewhere in Namdaemun. It was 40,000 won I think. Only had it since the summer but it's pretty solid. |
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ernie
Joined: 05 Aug 2006
Location: asdfghjk
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| Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 3:45 pm Post subject: |
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| i recommend bringing half as much stuff and twice as much money as you think you'll need. when i went to SE asia for 3 weeks last winter, i brought a regular-sized school-type backpack. i tied a lot of things to the outside (shoes, plastic dirty laundry bag) and it was a bit tight, but i never regretted it for a second, especially when i saw travellers 'roughing it' with a ridiculously HUGE bag on their back AND a smaller one (about the size of mine) on their front. what the hell is in there? plus you can probably find a backpack in SE asia for 25% of what you'd pay here. |
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JumpinInDaRain
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:58 am Post subject: |
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| Is there really a difference between men's and women's backpacks or is that all just marketing? |
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RufusW
Joined: 14 Jun 2008
Location: Busan
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| Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:10 pm Post subject: |
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| JumpinInDaRain wrote: |
| Is there really a difference between men's and women's backpacks or is that all just marketing? |
I think there probably is - relative waist size, shoulder width and overall size is all I can think of though. Just get a blokes one if you're a bloke.
I'd recommend Berghaus if you really want to spend the cash. Make sure you have a really good look at it to make sure there's nothing obvious that'll start to wear with use. Try it on in the shop with a lot of weight and make sure the hip strap (by far the most important part) is snug. But if you're not actually hiking that's not as important.
Otherwise, yea, buy a cheap one (here or in SEA) and don't worry if it starts to fall apart. Pack less rather than more so you can fill up with t-shirts etc while you go. Don't fill 50L to capacity before you go!
Never heard of Nepa.
If you're going to be taking day trips around you could also bring a school-size rucksack, but the big one should be light enough to carry all day. |
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warren pease
Joined: 12 May 2008
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| Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:00 am Post subject: |
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| kass wrote: |
| I bought a 60L 'downtown' bag from somewhere in Namdaemun. It was 40,000 won I think. Only had it since the summer but it's pretty solid. |
same for me. had it going on two years without a problem. For the money, it's the way to go. Downtown is a korean brand, that's why it's so cheap. hit the market and be prepared to haggle. Think i paid 50 for mine. |
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jlb
Joined: 18 Sep 2003
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| Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:57 pm Post subject: |
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50 L is a bit excessive for a little jaunt through SE Asia. It's warm there (usually...check first), so you only need one pair of pants and one long-sleeve shirt. One pair of flip-flops and one pair of runners is enough for shoes. And you can buy whatever you need, like more t-shirts or books quite cheaply and easily.
I bring my 25 L pack everywhere, in all seasons and find it adequate, even in winter in cold climates. It makes life much easier on buses and trains and just general walking around if you don't have so much stuff. |
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