First off, let me say that I am by no means an expert when it comes to choosing a backpack. Everyone is different. My only recommendation is that you do your research, try on several backpacks and make a choice that fits you and your specific adventure.

With that, I’m currently in the process of choosing a backpack for my trip, and let me tell you, this is proving to be quite the task. There are literally a thousand options for every possible trip you can think of. Hiking, backpacking, traveling, day trips, extended day trips, the list goes on. I’ve been fortunate enough to have one of my best friends, Shay, help me with this process.

Shay traveled Europe and South East Asia back in 2014 and has so far been a HUGE help to me in planning and preparing for this trip. Her and I share a love of traveling and it’s something that has brought us closer as friends. She also has some of the craziest and most hilarious stories that will make you wish you were with her on her journey. Seriously, ask her about her adventure to get to JamBay in Thailand, getting lost in the German Countryside, or the story about meeting Mateus in Thailand. I promise you’ll be in stitches by the end of it.

When I found out that my employer was giving me a 4 month leave of absence to travel, Shay was one of the first people I told. When it comes to exploring new and exciting places, Shay is someone you want to share that with.

Shay’s first comment when I told her I was planning on taking a backpack, was that a 70L was too big. She took a 70L, had to check it on every flight and the airline lost it for 2 1/2 weeks when she arrived in Thailand. If you go with carry-on the entire time, you don’t have to worry about lost luggage. Now, when you say that to a girl who normally packs a huge suitcase for a week in Mexico, panic starts to set it. How in the world am I supposed to fit 4 months worth of stuff into a backpack, that should be smaller than 70L?! Shay’s response? “You just do it.”

On a side note, I knew going into this that I was going to take a backpack and I also knew I really wanted to only do carry-on. Baggage costs on those cheap European flights can sometimes cost as much as the bloody plane ticket. I’m on a budget here, so I need to save $$ where I can. So, smaller than 70L, I can get on board with that. I also knew I did NOT want a load from the top bag. Every person I talked to about backpacks who had used a load from the top HATED it. 90% of the time you’re just unloading your bag to load it back up again.

Now, keep in mind that choosing a bag you’ll be carrying around for 4 months, is not an easy decision. By the end, I will have a very intimate relationship with this bag, so I need to be sure it’s the right fit for me. Not to mention, these bags aren’t cheap. The last thing I want is to spend $200+ on something I would end up bitching about later. So this is not a decision to take lightly.

The first place I decided to look for a pack was at MEC (Mountain Equipment Co.). They had an array of packs and travel bags, and an assortment of travel necessities. This seemed like it was going to be my place. I even found a couple packs I really liked the looks of. But…alas, they were too big. When we talked to one of the employees and asked what type of bag I should be looking at, he said about a 45L. If you could have seen my face when he said that, you would have seen panic.  The guy we spoke to was very helpful, but suggested going to Atmosphere or Camper’s Village as they have Osprey packs. Apparently, this is a very popular and reliable brand that lots of travelers use, Shay included.

A few days later I stopped at Atmosphere to see what options they had for me. When I first talked to the Sebastian, the sales guy, about my trip and what I was looking for he said I should be looking for something in the 30L range. Again, wish you could have seen my face. My damn backpack just keeps getting smaller!

Anyways, after a bit more discussion, and being the good employee that he was, Sebastian suggested  that I look at the dimensions allowed for the airlines I was flying. If it fit within the dimensions, then I should have no problems carrying my bag on the plane. Sebs even pulled out the trusty measuring tape and helped me measure the bags’ dimensions. Thanks for that btw Sebastian!

Anywho, I still have yet to buy my bag (I know, I’m cutting it close), but I have a much better idea about what I’m looking for. I think I should be able to get away with a 55L bag, IF I don’t completely jam it full.

Therefore, Operation Alysha has to fit 4 months worth of stuff in a 55L backpack has begun.

Lawd help me!

Don’t worry, I’ll post again when I finally buy my backpack!

‘Till later…

Ciao!

Alysha ❤