cheap backpack or not?

[fibster]

Hi
I know for travelling or backpacking etc, backpack's not something you should save on at all
But would you trust a cheap pack like

eye mountaineer 38L (@ WINNING shops for $39 ) www.tackthis.com/shop/3847/#/product/eye-mountaineer-hiking-bag-38l-e264-2-

to do a one-month trip in places like thailand/cambodia?
mostly going from hostel-hostel-publictransport-hostel
i wouldn't pack it full.

it's gonna be a one-off thing, this is gna be my first trip but might just be my last in the near future. so don't want to spend too much on a pack then leave it there to collect dust.

help?
(borrowing isn't a choice bc idk anyone who backpacks, and those who do, are going on the trip tgt)

 

[fibster]

anybuddy? would you take the risk?

 

[wuso]

Sure, why not?

 

[dilphinus]

When i bought my last backpack (I have two prior to purchasing it), I also thought it would be my last backpacking trip. But I went on a few more backpacking trips after that.

A good backpack protects your back too. You may end up over exerting your bag and have to spend more money on medical.

You will always think you will be carrying light but there's always so much stuff to bring and it'll be barely enuff space.

The flightcase I have, is approx. 44litres and I usually carry about 8-10kg load.

Unless you are an avid backpacker, I don't think you really know how much a 38l bag can fill. Try packing the stuff you require for a month and see how much/heavy it is. You will think a pair of jeans, a pair of shorts, a few shirts won't take up much space....

You may want to check out the reviews. It's always good to get a bag that you can lock too. I don't like getting all my stuff out of the bag just to take something, which is why I absolutely adore the flightcase. Backpacks are usually 'hollow' which I find really inconvenient.

 

[butterbarter]

anybuddy? would you take the risk?

As you said, it's a risk. I have taken the risk before, with mixed results. One backpack ripped on it's first trip. Luckily it was not in a critical part of the backpack, but I retired it after that trip as I did not trust it anymore.

Another backpack worked well, but was heavy. The use of cheap thick canvas made for a heavy pack.

The third one was light and durable, and remained with me for several trips. So it's really down to your luck.

Apart from quality, the other problem with cheap backpacks is the design. Obviously, the manufacturer is not going to spend much time and money thinking through how the pack is going to be used and how comfortable it is going to be, so you might end up with a bag that looks fine but is not comfortable, the hip belt is too high/low, straps that don't ride well on your shoulders, or have pockets that are hard to access.

So it's completely up to your luck.

If you buy a good, branded backpack, you can check reviews and be assured that it has gone through proper QC and it will not fail you easily.

When you travel, there are 2 items that need to be reliable and comfortable. Your shoes, and your backpack.

Considering you are likely to spend thousands of dollars for a trip, spending $100-150 for a decent backpack is a good investment to ensure a less problematic trip. Ditto for your shoes.

PS: if you really don't want to spend $100+, and your load is not too heavy, you can get by with a durable haversack. I have used a Jansport haversack (Wasabi, 32L, S$50 from Royal Sporting House) for several trips, and it has worked out well. Of course haversacks are not meant to carry too much weight, so if your load is < 5kg, it should be fine. My current backpack is a Osprey Hornet 32L, and it's great too, although I don't really like top loading bags.

 

[singexpat]

I would choose a reliable and good backpack no matter what as it provides a peace of mind when u travel..

Hate those moments when ur equipment fails on u, ESP during critical moments like chionging for bus ride etc...

Take it as a form of insurance and u probably feel much beta with the extra money spent..

P.S am also scouting for backpack now.. Lols

 

[fibster]

seems like it isn't a good choice.
so if say I would spend $100-$150, what choices are there?
I've been to the stores in novena, hmm almost nothing there.
I want one that's between 35-40L, panel/front loading.. are packs a cheaper at queensway/army market/mustafa? haven't been there yet.

 

[dilphinus]

seems like it isn't a good choice.
so if say I would spend $100-$150, what choices are there?
I've been to the stores in novena, hmm almost nothing there.
I want one that's between 35-40L, panel/front loading.. are packs a cheaper at queensway/army market/mustafa? haven't been there yet.

I always recommend the Tatonka flightcase. There's a newer model I think. Should be less than S$150 at queensway. It's cheaper at queensway.

 

[fibster]

I always recommend the Tatonka flightcase. There's a newer model I think. Should be less than S$150 at queensway. It's cheaper at queensway.

I know I said panel loading, but I think what I meant was really those 3/4 one? :l Like school bags lmao. because I have a question, if while walking, (like you're not in your room), and you need something. you have to lie it down and open the whole zip too right? Is it troublesome?
Or am I the only one that always needs to open my bag for water and to just double-triple check if my stuff are inside? (Assuming I packed them into the main compartment). Paranoid much..

 

[dilphinus]

I know I said panel loading, but I think what I meant was really those 3/4 one? :l Like school bags lmao. because I have a question, if while walking, (like you're not in your room), and you need something. you have to lie it down and open the whole zip too right? Is it troublesome?
Or am I the only one that always needs to open my bag for water and to just double-triple check if my stuff are inside? (Assuming I packed them into the main compartment). Paranoid much..

Zip 01 - smaller compartment where you can put your bottle. I usually put unimportant stuff there that I can afford to lose, and also guides, maps, sweets, etc.

Zip 02 - can be locked using a lock (duh). don't have to open all the way (just open the top) just to get a bottle or anything ya? This compartment here is not the main compartment. See the 2nd pic.

And, don't you have a day pack?

 

[singexpat]

Hi TS, sry to hijack your thread.

Does anyone knows where can I get jack wolfskin bag packs in SG? Looking for mountaineer 48..

TIA

 

[evilerniex]

seems like it isn't a good choice.
so if say I would spend $100-$150, what choices are there?
I've been to the stores in novena, hmm almost nothing there.
I want one that's between 35-40L, panel/front loading.. are packs a cheaper at queensway/army market/mustafa? haven't been there yet.

u can consider Osprey. their items have lifetime warrenty, and they will repair for u even if ur backpack is damaged from wear and tear.
visit sports connection at queensway or shaw tower to take a look. some items on offer are really value for money.

 

[beanstalk6]

Agree. Get an Osprey. I have 2.

 

[Delsamor]

Zip 01 - smaller compartment where you can put your bottle. I usually put unimportant stuff there that I can afford to lose, and also guides, maps, sweets, etc.

Zip 02 - can be locked using a lock (duh). don't have to open all the way (just open the top) just to get a bottle or anything ya? This compartment here is not the main compartment. See the 2nd pic.


And, don't you have a day pack?

I bought a 55L Osprey backpack and feels that its too big. My initial thoughts were to get something big enough so I can fit in anything I want. But after one trip with it, I decided that a 40L will do. With the reduce in size, so will my items and not the other way round.

So now I'm tempted to get this flight case but feel so wasted for my Osprey.

 

[fibster]

I bought a 55L Osprey backpack and feels that its too big. My initial thoughts were to get something big enough so I can fit in anything I want. But after one trip with it, I decided that a 40L will do. With the reduce in size, so will my items and not the other way round.

So now I'm tempted to get this flight case but feel so wasted for my Osprey.

and if i may ask...... where did you get your osprey from at what price?

 

[Delsamor]

and if i may ask...... where did you get your osprey from at what price?

From queensway, Sports link if im not wrong. Got it at $180. But there are also outlet at Funan and forgot what other place that you can check out too.

 

[singexpat]

From queensway, Sports link if im not wrong. Got it at $180. But there are also outlet at Funan and forgot what other place that you can check out too.

There's one big sports link at shaw towers beach road. On the ground floor

 

[evilerniex]

From queensway, Sports link if im not wrong. Got it at $180. But there are also outlet at Funan and forgot what other place that you can check out too.

There's one big sports link at shaw towers beach road. On the ground floor

it is sports connection, not sports link
and yup, they are located at queensway, funan and shaw towers

 

[butterbarter]

it is sports connection, not sports link
and yup, they are located at queensway, funan and shaw towers

Sports Connection gives 10% discount to Passion card holders. Quite worth it when you consider a good bag is $150 onwards.

 

[butterbarter]

Water bottle can usually be placed in an external pocket, or in the case of backpacks, in the sidepockets. This is better than putting your water bottle inside your main compartment in case it leaks.

Front loading or zipper-style backpacks are more convenient for loading/unloading stuff, compared to the narrow top opening of top-loading bags.

Buy the bag that is the most comfortable, light, have decent hip belt + straps, and have the correct number of external/internal pockets to help with organization. I think these are the most important. There is no perfect bag. All designs have pros and cons, so I don't think you will get anywhere if you try to accommodate all possible usage scenarios.

I know I said panel loading, but I think what I meant was really those 3/4 one? :l Like school bags lmao. because I have a question, if while walking, (like you're not in your room), and you need something. you have to lie it down and open the whole zip too right? Is it troublesome?
Or am I the only one that always needs to open my bag for water and to just double-triple check if my stuff are inside? (Assuming I packed them into the main compartment). Paranoid much..