Looking for a Backpack to Buy for My Daughter

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  Fake News on 15/06/2017 - 22:59

  +1

  She really needs to try on a few and see what fits her frame. I've heard good things about Osprey packs from friends who have used them.

  Aim for one that top loads as well as front loading access, when you've got too much stuff at the end of the trip is easier to squish it all in from the top than try and do the front zip up!

  I've used this one https://www.macpac.com.au/gemini-aztec-75-travel-pack.html for backpacking around Europe and Asia, and for hiking (loaded up with 15kg, trekking with students in Cambodia, Thailand and India for 7 day stints) and it still looks brand new. I lost the waist clip after a bus ride and emailed Macpac and they mailed another one to my next hostel!!! Great service :) I've found the Macpac Harnesses really comfy for hiking and lots of nooks and crannies for storing things, but if I had my time again I would get one that top loads as well as the front zip. Also, buy her some stuff sacks so she can easily separate all of her gear- no one likes the person who is rustling around through lots of plastic bags at 6am!!!

  These Macpac ones look like good options:
  https://www.macpac.com.au/genesis-aztec-70-travel-pack.html
  https://www.macpac.com.au/torlesse-65-tramping-pack.html

  Don't feel like you need to get a pack that has a day pack that attaches to it- they're handy, but most are only 10-15L so they don't hold much. It's easy enough to carry your daypack on your front when you have your pack on the back.

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  Rifraf on 16/06/2017 - 02:12

  Lots of used packs for sale on gumtree.

  I agree with Gina that Macpac is a good brand.

  There are different sizings depending I think on height from memory.

  You need the right sizing for it to be comfortable.

  Go to the Macpac website: www.macpac.com.au and click on "equipment" and then "Pack and Bags"

  Some info from the site under "sizing" includes

  "WOMENS PACKS

  Men and women are different in body form and how they distribute and carry a load. Macpac have a number of women's models in our Liberator™, Liberator™ Freeload™, AirFlo™, Quantum™, Dynamic™, Wraptor™ and Active™ harnesses that offer optimal fit, comfort and performance.Design features

  Shoulder straps are closer together so they sit on a woman's narrow shoulders and don't slip off.
  Hipbelt is longer and more flared to fit over a woman's broad and curved hipbones.
  Soft dual-density foam on the shoulder pads provides comfort across the sensitive chest area.
  Lower-profile shoulder pads with tapered thickness under the arms provides more clearance and reduces chafing.
  Sternum strap is narrower and sits higher.
  Small and less bulky buckles are used to get a neater fit on a woman's smaller frame. This also makes them easy to adjust and open with small hands. Note: Features vary depending on the load-carrying system"

  Knowing that females generally overpack, I'd hesitate to make suggestions.

  I love my Macpac Cascade pack.

  Good luck

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  carnyturbo on 16/06/2017 - 08:39

  The Aura is good, and gets good reviews for being light. The Osprey Farpoint 55 is also a really good choice for her circumstances, I think. It is basically a 40L backpack with a 15L zip-on smaller day pack. It is very light for the volume, and has a decent internal frame. There are tons of good reviews for it online. And she'll use it more than a bigger backpack after her trip is over.

  Backpacking around cities you can take 55L with you, but then you could leave the 40L in the hotel/hostel and just take the 15L out for the day. Or if you are just doing a few days away, the 40L bag can be taken carry on with the small bag zippered off (it is slightly too long, but lots of people say it isn't a problem when they've been asked to weigh it or put it in the measuring bin). There are also reviews with people doing day hikes with the 15L bag, and overnight hikes with just the 40L section.

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  [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 12:36

  Thanks everyone you have given me a lot of information. I will forward it to my daughter and see if she has any comments or preferences. Thanks again for taking the time to answer in detail my questions.

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  nkription on 18/06/2017 - 11:50

  Just recently returned from 6 weeks backpacking in Asia. We took Osprey farpoint 40. They are amazing packs. My wife who is a smaller framed had the small size and it fit her well. Our packs were carry on size so we didn't have to check them in for the plane ( no waiting for luggage to come out was awesome) but it depends on where your daughter will go as to how much luggage she will take. Eg hotter climates dont require bulky jackets ect so you can travel lighter. Don't want to have to lug around a huge pack full of stuff she won't use either.

  Also top loaders area great if your 'hiking' but if your mainly just traveling between places via bus or train a front loading packers are a lot easier to live out of.

  There is a lot of info on this kind of thing on reddit also. All the best with the search for the pack!

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  katekate1 on 19/06/2017 - 23:02

  I have used local, but heard good comments on Macpac. I've found the Macpac Harnesses really comfy for hiking and lots of nooks and crannies for storing things, but if I had my time again I would get one that top loads as well as the front zip.