Back pack buying in London

[Pierre Julian]

Hi everyone, can anyone recommend a good shop to buy back packs in London please? I know there's lots around Covent Garden. I'm looking for a place with good choice, and good staff, who know what they're talking about can fit me and give good advice - not just a quick sell.

My old Talon 44 was 2nd hand when I got it - and is getting very tired and worn, having done 1000s of miles. I like the size, but it doesn't fit well.

My friend swears by his Deuter Furura Pro 36. Anyone know where these can be found in London, and any thoughts on them?

Thanks in advance, it's a big investment and I have one weekend left before I head to VDLP, and a busy week at work, so any advice, help gratefully received.

 

[Waka]

Cotswold Outdoor in Piccadilly is an excellent store for fitting.

 

[Dorpie]

I was impressed by the Cotswold staff at the Southampton St. (Covent Garden) branch too, though it was very busy even on a weekday afternoon.

Think the most important thing though is to have a very definite idea of what you want from a pack before you go in. I did quite a bit of research to get a shortlist before going into a store. Maybe I've just been lucky with my Gregorys and more recently Lowe Alpines but I get the impression that all but the very worst packs are good enough in terms of comfort these days and it's more a question of the features you want. The only pack I've heard people complain about is the base level one from Decathlon.

 

[Gareth Griffith]

Personally I like the Osprey AG range. A little on the large size but I prefer having room for stuff! It amazes me the people that come with small backpacks and have half their belongings hanging outside their pack. It's very comfortable and has great reviews.

 

[t2andreo]

As you are fitted in a shop, try to load the considered rucksack with weight. Many shops will have sandbags for this purpose.

I recommend placing about 25 pounds - 12 Kg in the rucksack to wear around the shop as you look at other gear, or perhaps try footwear as well. Also, I suggest wearing the rucksack for as long as you can, without making a pest of yourself... 30 minutes should do it, in my view.

The two most important pieces of kit you will obtain are your rucksack and your footwear. They must be properly fitted, suitable to purpose and comfortable when carrying the appropriate load. If you take care of these foundation pieces of gear, the rest will come easy enough.

Consider that EVERYTHING else you will obtain or pack to take is just 'stuff' that goes into, or which attaches to the rucksack or your person (dangly bits). So, in that context, everything else EXCEPT the rucksack and footwear is debatable and subject to being left behind or donated along the journey if you are like the rest of us and take way too much on your first few pilgrimages...

Remember, you can also post excess 'stuff' ahead to Ivar in Santiago. It will be there when you arrive.

I hope this helps.

 

[Sixwheeler]

Any branch of Cotswold will have staff specifically trained in fitting rucsacs and excellent product knowledge too. Make sure you ask for their rucsac specialist. They have a Covent Garden branch.
Ultreïa

 

[John McEvoy]

Hi everyone, can anyone recommend a good shop to buy back packs in London please? I know there's lots around Covent Garden. I'm looking for a place with good choice, and good staff, who know what they're talking about can fit me and give good advice - not just a quick sell.

My old Talon 44 was 2nd hand when I got it - and is getting very tired and worn, having done 1000s of miles. I like the size, but it doesn't fit well.

My friend swears by his Deuter Furura Pro 36. Anyone know where these can be found in London, and any thoughts on them?

Thanks in advance, it's a big investment and I have one weekend left before I head to VDLP, and a busy week at work, so any advice, help gratefully received.

Hi everyone, can anyone recommend a good shop to buy back packs in London please? I know there's lots around Covent Garden. I'm looking for a place with good choice, and good staff, who know what they're talking about can fit me and give good advice - not just a quick sell.

My old Talon 44 was 2nd hand when I got it - and is getting very tired and worn, having done 1000s of miles. I like the size, but it doesn't fit well.

My friend swears by his Deuter Furura Pro 36. Anyone know where these can be found in London, and any thoughts on them?

Thanks in advance, it's a big investment and I have one weekend left before I head to VDLP, and a busy week at work, so any advice, help gratefully received.

I did the Camino this fall and used the Deuter 50/10 which was excellent. I found the Deuter material and construction far superior to Osprey.
I know people will say you don't need a pack that big or since you have a pack that size you will fill it (wrong). First, this pack weight consciousness is way overrated in my opinion. The pack WILL be heavy even if you have it at 15lbs. I had mine at 18lbs and then added to it during the trip because I simply got used to it. I watched people with small packs 35-45 , struggle every morning and night putting their gear into and out of the small packs. I never struggled with that, it was very easy plus the empty weight of the pack is less than a pound. That is my opinion .

my advice is to bring what you need and don't try to mimic people that say they did the Camino with one set of underwear in 20 days.

 

[Pierre Julian]

Thanks everyone for your really helpful replies.