Back pack recommendations

[Diane Kinney]

Hi, I am in the very early stages of planning my next camino. I sold my Osprey backpack I used on my previous walks. I loved the comfort but really hated the top load feature. No matter how well organized I though I was, what I was looking for always seemed to be at the bottom. Especially annoying when trying to leave early in the morning and not disturb others with searching around.
I am looking for recommendations for front opening backpacks. They have a C or D shaped zipper in the front and when opened expose nearly everything inside. I think they are called Travellers packs.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Diane

 

[gracethepilgrim]

Hi Diane, I agree with you about access to things in your pack so I spent a lot of time researching before buying my last pack.

Have a look at the Osprey Ariel (55l ). I always take a 50-65l pack which is half empty while walking making it super easy to find things during the day.

Comfort is more important than pack size, and having a bigger pack gives you space for travelling/shopping after your camino has ended.

With a bigger pack you also get better/more padding on many brands. The Ariel comes in M and F and various back lengths.
Although in the end I chose an Aarn, the Ariel was my second pick for comfort and ease-of-use. Cheers

 

[trecile]

I have this Marmot Graviton backpack, and so far I love it! It's lightweight and has a zipper that opens all the way up. Plus it's a great price right now.

 

[Rupe]

Hi, I am in the very early stages of planning my next camino. I sold my Osprey backpack I used on my previous walks. I loved the comfort but really hated the top load feature. No matter how well organized I though I was, what I was looking for always seemed to be at the bottom. Especially annoying when trying to leave early in the morning and not disturb others with searching around.
I am looking for recommendations for front opening backpacks. They have a C or D shaped zipper in the front and when opened expose nearly everything inside. I think they are called Travellers packs.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Diane

Outbound Canyon Backpack 45L at Canadian Tire great price too!

 

[smj6]

I have this Marmot Graviton backpack, and so far I love it! It's lightweight and has a zipper that opens all the way up. Plus it's a great price right now.

The website has an informative video on backpack sizes.
Suzanne

 

[mikeo]

Have you looked into the Gregory Zulu 40?

 

[mcopeland]

Used an Osprey 36L. It has both top load and a u-shaped zipper for flat loading.

 

[james walter purdum iv]

i used a 50l osprey anti gravity...it is a top loader but has a separation from the way bottom compartment. i used 4 medium sized dry sacks to divide my load and so it just was merely lifting those 4 bags out and putting them back in. i loved that the bag was too big so as to easy entry and i came home with a few gifts. i carrying on both ways.

 

[Diane Kinney]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I can now focus my search. Never thought of carrying a larger pack to make finding things easier but that is a good suggestion as long as I don't succumb to the temptation to overload

 

[marbuck]

An under loader larger backpack is very hard to carry, it has a tendency to slip all over your back. You are better off with the right size to suit your gear, much more comfortable. Also be aware of a travel pack, they are called a travel pack for a reason. They are meant for travelling with, not for walking with. We use Mont packs, as they are a great walking pack. But brand is a very personal thing.

 

[long trails]

I have used the Osprey Talon 44 on two occasions of the CF and it's been awesome. There is a opening at the bottom for easy pack access.

It was big enough to carry a small tent, sleeping pad and the usual camino gear, all inside the pack too. Without water my pack was 9kg. I used a pack liner to avoid the need for a pack cover (which are useless anyway!).

 

[Deleted member 43985]

An under loader larger backpack is very hard to carry, it has a tendency to slip all over your back. You are better off with the right size to suit your gear, much more comfortable. Also be aware of a travel pack, they are called a travel pack for a reason. They are meant for travelling with, not for walking with. We use Mont packs, as they are a great walking pack. But brand is a very personal thing.

I think most modern backpacks have a pretty good system of compressions straps so if you are below maximum capacity there shouldn't be an issue of the load slipping around. One (theoretical) upside to under loading a larger pack is that your centre of gravity should move down helping to stabilize you more. As an aside, for larger people a large pack is also a good way to get a well fitting harness. I do agree wholeheartedly about the travel packs. Good for getting from the airport to an accommodation but wouldn't want to try hundreds of Kms with one!

 

[Jo Jo]

I would contact Joe at Zpacks. They have what I think are the best-designed packs in existence (they are also expensive, but worth it for me). Ask him is he can build you a 45L version of the Arc Zip. I think he probably can, and that would be about what you want. Note: I prefer the Dyneema fabric because it is more durable and I hope to get many trips out of my pack. The cuben fiber is how lighter and plenty tough enough for probably 2-3 Caminos. Also get a couple of belt pouches (I actually have a third one for carrying my camera on my shoulder strap).

Buen Camino,
Jo Jo

 

[Lynda t]

I used a Queshua forclas 40 air purchased from Decathlon for camino SJPP to Santiago in 2010 and a Low alpine air zone 35 walking up from Lisbon in 2012 summer. The low alpine only had top loading but I carried far less because the weather was so good and reliable.