Backpack

[indigo_rose99]

I bought a backpack for this trip. I felt guilty at the expense going into this trip. Now?  Maybe not so much.

We researched the carryon size limitations (tighter for European airlines than for US ones). My backpacks for the last 10 years have all been rolling, which are only really for wearing on my back for very short periods of time.

I wanted something that is relatively comfortable to carry on my back and fits in the European carryon size restrictions. I found North Face Overhaul 40.

The only down side I discovered was the lack of strappy spots for me to strap on my seat cushion (T strapped it on his backpack). I LOVE the rest.

Like most backpacks, it has chest and hip straps to distribute the weight. I think this is my first backpack to ever have those,  and they really do help. It has a top and side handle for picking up. It has pockets for my tablet (in the huge otterbox case!) and a laptop. It has a compression zipper for the large compartment. There is a compartment in the bottom (takes space from the main compartment) that I've been using for my dirty laundry. Two bottle holders,  one on each side. Overall it packs my possessions well and is comfortable to wear.

Ok, I'm leaving out the snow boots, shirt, and pants I wore on the plane in this picture. But here is the rest of everything I brought for 10 days. The black smear on the right is my coat. Backpack is on the left.

The smallest blue packing cube is my revised shower bag. That part was a bit painful to cut down. But it and my black cable bag fit nicely beside the the big blue cubes, so space-wise it worked well.

Comments

[reedrover]

May I point a few traveling friends to your blog? I think both of them would be interested in your packing skills and choices.

[indigo-rose99.livejournal.com]

Sure.

[fireandearth]

Thank you for the packing suggestions! I'm headed to Germany in a few weeks and you gave me some useful things to think about. I need to start planning now!

(Reedrover suggested I take a look at your travel entries.)

[indigo-rose99.livejournal.com]

Safe travels on your trip! I plan on adding pictures when I get a chance.

I will say that T & I did a fair amount of gloating about how easy it was to move around all of our possessions, in comparison to our traveling companions dragging their carryons and backpacks. And in the big picture, they still packed pretty light.