Tiny backpacks - thoughts? - YouLookFab Forum

Tiny backpacks - thoughts?

Astrid

I'm thinking of getting a small backpack that fits the airline dimensions for the carry-on luggage (see here http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....o-extremes). I have my one big bag and am allowed a second bag that can't be bigger than 35x20x20 cm, which isn't much to be honest. When it comes to backpacks it's something around 10 litres. Although it is big enough to carry my personal essentials (wallet, mobile, camera, small waterbottle etc...). I don't want to go much bigger than the stated dimensions because I worry they would force me to check the bigger bag in that case.

Unfortunately there aren't many tiny and practical backpacks out there when you don't want to shop in the junior departement. I found two that more or less fit the dimensions, made by Haglöfs and Vaude.

http://www.haglofs.com/de-de/p.....de-de.aspx
http://www.vaude.com/de-NL/Pro.....bbles.html

Both are marketed for trekking/hiking. The Haglöfs backpack looks more like an everyday backpack to me and I could definitely see myself carrying it wearing "normal" clothes. The Vaude does look more like gear to me. I first thought of getting the Haglöfs, but now I'm undecided because I'm worrying about the rain. Both have no raincover integrated, but Vaude sells one (http://www.vaude.com/de-NL/Pro.....orange.htm) that should fit perfectly over their backpack. I don't think I could use it for the Haglöfs backpack because the shoulder straps don't attach lower on the back like they do on the Vaude.

Thoughts? Which one would you go for? Or do you know a different model that would work?

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

12 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I agree that the first one looks less gearish and more versatile. As far as rain goes, in my experience all nylon backpacks are a little rain resistant, although obviously if you're caught in a downpour your stuff might get a little damp.

I wish I could give you more recommendations but I fear that the stuff available here won't be available there. If you were in the US I'd just send you to REI - is there a camping or sporting goods store that you could check out in person?

12 years ago

kkards

Veteran

Astrid, if you are really looking for a gear type of pack, I would agree with Laura. Try stopping into a camping/ outdoor/ sporting goods store, at least to see the different types of bags available. Here in the states you can get bags that will pack up small, and are super lightweight. They don't have much shape to them, but I think they could be handy in travel, because if you wanted to they can be tossed into a suitcase without taking up a lot of room. I have linked to one just to give you an idea.
http://marmot.com/products/details/kompressor

12 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Laura. If I'd use them here in Berlin I wouldn't think twice about my stuff getting wet, but I I think rain in Scotland is something different and depending on wind I won't be able to use an umbrella either. I mostly worry about the damp because of my camera. Mmh, maybe I could pack up the camera/phone into an waterproof bag inside the backpack... Might be the easiest solution. We do have big outdoor stores and I've already had a look at their corresponding websites, it's just that this size isn't very common. Lots of backpacks with 18 litres volume upwards.

Thanks kkards! I won't need to pack the bag into something else, so that isn't an issue. As long as the dimensions work out anything goes.

12 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I'm not sure why you want this tiny backpack. Is it for the airplane, or for your trip?

The reason I ask is I have a very small backpack (by Patagonia) and I find it fairly useless for hiking. It is beautifully made and is cute, but I can barely fit a light jacket in it, and really not much else. It's more like a medium sized purse with straps. I also have a nice sized North Face backpack that I've taken on several trips where we hiked, and it's very useful. It has lots of compartments and zippered pockets. It packs flat if you don't want to use it for your carryon.

12 years ago

meibaola

Active Member

Hi Astrid!

I have a tiny packback from Caterpillar that I love... it's my go-to casual bag for the weekend. They make durable and quite stylish products, here's the link: http://www.cat-bags.com/int/pr.....es/view/26

12 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks JAileen. I want to use it for my personal stuff on the airplane and then during the trip. If I would take a bigger backpack I would need to put it into the carry-on and that would take a lot of room. It's not a problem that I won't be able to add a jacket to it, we always take one or two bigger backpacks for jackets/rain protection/food/drink and take turns (we are six people).

Thanks meibaola! I'm going to check these out.

12 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Okay, I've had another look and found one with integrated raincover, although it's bigger than the stated dimensions. Allowed are 35x20x20cm, this one is 44x19/24x14cm.

http://shop.jack-wolfskin.de/h.....l-one-size

I'm not sure how picky they are going to be. If they say it's alright when it's roughly the size and not filled to the brim...

ETA

Another one with 42x21x16cm.

http://www.vaude.com/de-DE/Pro.....black.html

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

12 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

I use small gear backpacks for day hiking or sightseeing a lot and find them useful - they are a great balance between carrying essentials and being comfortable (they aren't hot or heavy). They can just about hold water (look and see if there is a pouch and exit hole for a water bladder tube if you want super convenient/not bulky water), some power bars, a camera, and an outer thin rain shell and hat and gloves (or a down jacket that compresses a ton).

In your first pic the full side-zip bag is good if there are a lot of internal pockets with small things in them and you want to be able to unzip and pick out what you want (kind of like a hanging travel dop kit). The bag with the 'lid' is great if you are mainly pulling out jackets and want the bag to be able to expand or contract depending on the contents (and serve as a compression sac as well for fluffy/down stuff for example)

You can buy a separate cheap plastic coated rain cover that is elasticized and will fit over the top/outer face of any of these bags. In general I've found that either built-in or separate bag rain covers are good when it's dripping a bit or there is a brief shower, but they don't protect long from downpours. The water will still slide down your back and eventually soak through the padding against your back given a long enough time. So I'd still have a dry bag inside for just your camera, or down, or anything that really can't get wet.

Oh, and if there is a lot of other stuff that needs to go in the bag on a particular day hike, and it seems too small, there is usually someone with a bigger bag in the party that can share the load if need be...

12 years ago

Mander

(website)

Veteran

Why not just use a plastic trash bag for water protection? You could use one to line the inside of your bag -- put your stuff inside it and twist the top a couple of times, and it should be safe. I've used this trick with dubious bags on several occasions when walking in Yorkshire and Cumbria and it worked fine.

12 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Rabbit and Mander! You're both making good points. I think I'm going to try the first one I posted at the start. It fits the airline guidelines the best and will also look good in the city. It's the least expensive too. And I'm going to get myself some waterproof bag for inside for the camera and phone.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I have two backpacks that are similar to what you posted, though they maybe slightly larger. I use the one that fully unzips for plane, train, and general travel with the kids. It has a good harness on it and can handle being loaded with heavy water bottles, camera, books, iPads and food. I can easily access stuff without completely unloading the pack. There are few outer compartments for small things. My top loading bag (no zipper) is great for lighter trips, generally short hikes/excursions by myself. I use it to stuff jackets, hats, small amounts of food. It is fairly small and to get to anything on the bottom I have to take everything out - not what I want to do at the airport! My top loading bag also has a very flimsy harness and does not handle a heavy load, it become very uncomfortable with too much weight. One other point is that the backpacks that are fairly curved, slimming to the body can be a bit harder to load non gear type stuff - cameras, iPads, books. They are great for hiking and stuffing fleece and jackets but not great for travel IMO.

12 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Marin! I think in my case the one with zips might be more appropriate because I'm going to carry my valuables in it for the flight. I think I'm going to order it, it's inexpensive and I found a good deal.

12 years ago

Category