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Mountaineering backpack 35 liters , Worth Buying?

Camino Ready, Backpacks, Boots etc
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Do you currently own a pack that would be suitable for the camino?
Could you borrow a more suitable pack from a friend for your trip? (or even borrow packs from others to try them out on a practice walk?)
Will the bag (and the hip straps) fit as a carry-on?
What do the seams where the straps are attached look like?
If you ordered from aliexpress and the item didn't arrive or was defective or just poor quality, would you be fine with not having any recourse to get your money back?
What do you know about the working conditions of the people who manufactured the bag?
What do you imagine doing with the bag when you return from your camino?
What else will you use the bag for?
How long do you want the bag to last for?

I would personally look for a pack that had a drawstring or clip closure instead of zipper because zippers are often the first thing to fail. A drawstring+clip closure can also usually squeeze in just a little bit of extra volume.
 
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Well, I guess that nearly all brand name packs are made in Asia, for all we know those are made in the same factories - who knows?
But - over £45?
One can buy a Jet 28 - which seems bigger than a 28 to me, more like a 32 ... on sale now for £19.99 (from £49.99) - They are a Scottish company, make good things - winter sales.
Looks like a great pack - good reviews ... reminds me of Osprey or Technical packs - sized as an aeroplane carry-on, snow neck drawstring closure on the main compartment, lots of pockets, the 25l is 945gms.

- https://www.xs-stock.co.uk/products...mping-hydrate-backpack?variant=33319863550029
 
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JohnS1993 said:
Hello Folks, Just found this on aliexpress : www.aliexpress.com/e/_DEy0Tv3
Price is decent but I worry aboout quality. Anyone have bought something similar?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
All I can say is that I walked my first Camino (StJpdeP to Finisterre) with a cheap backpack from Lidl. I think it was less than £15. I kept the weight to a minimum - 5kgs - (it was in Summer). It did the trick, never gave me any problems.
I KNEW this was the only Camino I would ever walk so laughed at the idea of spending hundreds of pounds for something I would never use again. Ha!
Needless to say, if you are more serious about walking than I was then, listen to the advice given above ;-)
 
Train on the 4-day Catalina Camino
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I bought, used and threw out at least 4 backpacks before finally going to a proper hiking store and buying a proper backpack. Fully adjustable, fantastic design, 65 litres. But I had to pay for it, and by golly I’m glad I did. It makes all the difference. I carry about 9-10 kilos when I walk the camino.

Try it. If it works for you, great. No way of knowing until you wear it, and walk your distances, if it’s ok or not.
 
When I click the link it shows as €18, but I think that's because I'm a "new customer".

I wouldn't buy it because I know that anything from outside the EU won't get through Greek customs.
 
Camino Ready, Backpacks, Boots etc
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I don't think it is well designed. I don't think it will last long. I do think there are quite some questionable claims (it will not be waterproof).
Most likely you can do a camino with it. Or with any of the other cheap backpacks from Aliexpress or Amazon. Don't see why this one should be any better or worse. Won't be perfect, but what is.
 
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Lindsay53 said:
Where in the ad does it mention the weight? But in any case, 1.01 kg for a 35 lt. pack is ridiculously heavy.
Click to expand...
Only if you're an ultralighter.
An Osprey Tempest 30l weighs 1k, the Stratos 33 1.43kg. A Gregory Zulu 35l comes in at 1.33kg, a Deuter Futura 32 litre is 1.44 kg . All are typical mainstream rucksacks.

They are well made, comfortable, and durable with way more padding and features than a Zpack Subnero for example.

Even Decathlons MH100, an extremely budget orientated item weighs 0.94 kg.

They are also a fraction of the price of most ultralight packs.

Each To their own.
 
@JohnS1993, personally there are two items that I do not buy for hiking/Camino without trying on: shoes and rucksacks.

I see you've listed your location as CA. I would suggest visiting your local REI and explaining your needs, (short/ long Camino, future plans if any) and let them know your budget. As I understand it they tend to have fairly well-trained, helpful staff.

Buy the most comfortable pack you can that holds all of your gear and fits within your budget.

Or take a risk and just buy what maybe a nice piece of gear - or a piece of trash.
No idea what price you're being quoted but for me it's 26 euros - that's incredibly cheap.
 
Yes, I tend to be in the lightweight to ultralight camp when it comes to gear and it does cost significantly more than the mainstream stuff. I sometimes forget that this is out of the range of many pilgrims who are not bushwalkers in their normal lives and just need reliable gear to see them through their camino.

Having said that, I still don't think that this pack in the OPs link is a good choice.
 
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Molly Cassidy said:
When I click the link it shows as €18, but I think that's because I'm a "new customer".

I wouldn't buy it because I know that anything from outside the EU won't get through Greek customs.
Click to expand...
Obviously the UK isn't EU anymore but I have no problems receiving goods from outside the UK .
 
JohnS1993 said:
Hello Folks, Just found this on aliexpress : www.aliexpress.com/e/_DEy0Tv3
Price is decent but I worry aboout quality. Anyone have bought something similar?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
"Mountaineering" packs are shaped tall and narrow so you can climb with them on your back. They are often a pain in the butt to pack and retrieve stuff at the very bottom unless they have a secondary zip. Not sure if this does or if that is just a pocket at the bottom.
Hiking packs , either top loading with a secondary opening at the bottom or clam shell opening are much better especially if you use packing cubes or extra strong zip-locs (IKEA's are wonderful).
You didn't say which Camino you intend to walk but assuming it will be a full Camino Frances then you'll be walking for 30+ days with a pack on your back that you bought without seeing let alone trying on - although there are transportation services!
I have bought some bargains from AliExpress including an amazing walkie-talkie of superior build quality for just $20 but you know what they say: buy beware!

Buen camino which ever way you decide.
 
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I was thinking ultralight myself, but then went to Breathe Outdoors (an Alberta-based company) and got their head backpack techie to help me out on a slow day. The ultralights were not comfortable; I ended up getting a Mystery Ranch pack instead in the 40-litre range. It served me well, and it definitely wasn't ultralight. It also wasn't cheap, but the TANSTAAFL rule applies.

For most people, I suspect "comfort" trumps "ultralight." It certainly did for me, and I don't regret it. The cost to me was an additional pound of weight, which turned out to be the least of my problems during the Camino.

Now if I could just get my blasted footwear dialed in . . .
 
Lindsay53 said:
The specifications don't say what it weighs and the reviews seem false....Cheap and nasty Chinese crap, stay away from it.
Click to expand...
I agree!! Unless you can examine it and try it on forget about it. What are the buckles like, what's the pack made of, what's it weight, what are the zippers like, is it ventilated where it comes in contact with your back, what's the hip belt like, etc.? Also you do you need a mountaineering pack, if in fact it is one?
I understand that some individuals just want a pack for one trip. If that's the case consider buying a used one (there are plenty available) and that helps the environment in a number of ways..
 
Camino Ready, Backpacks, Boots etc
3rd Edition. Vital content training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Well there is a 90 day free return policy so you can return it if it doesn’t suit.
It might still be worth while to try on other packs so you have something to compare it to when it comes.
And keep the purpose in mind - walking 30 + days every day.
Most of us have found that well fitted comfortable packs feel lighter and are easier to carry than their actual weight might indicate.
Buen Camino
 
I'd certainly avoid it.... eBay is a better option, go to a store and try a few on, then have a look on eBay, for similar money you'll get a known make. I'd put the pack as second only to your footwear as things you need to get right.
 
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JohnS1993 said:
Price is decent but I worry aboout quality. Anyone have bought something similar?
Click to expand...
In my opinion, the price is not decent, but too low: I guess that the Chinese workers who made it have not enough time nor money to perform hiking...
Furthermore, what it weighs empty ?
 
Pafayac said:
In my opinion, the price is not decent, but too low: I guess that the Chinese workers who made it have not enough time nor money to perform hiking...
Furthermore, what it weighs empty ?
Click to expand...

Honestly, thats a weak argument. The Chinese/Vietnamese/Bangladeshi/etc workers making the backpacks for Osprey, Gregory, Deuter and whatnot will in all likelyhood not be any better of than the workers making packs for any of the myriad of unknown brands selling directly via aliexpress.
 
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