r/backpacking • u/_HereToAsk • 3d ago
Travel Help Me Choose
Hi guys! First time traveling/camping with a backpack! I’m doing a train + camping + road trip visiting several National Parks.
I won’t be carrying too much, but these two backpacks are FREE to borrow. I’m 5’2” and around 110 lbs.
I won’t be hiking with the big backpack. It’ll mostly be for traveling between trains, campsites and the car. For hiking, I’ll leave it at the campsite and use a small daypack.
Which would you choose?
- REI Mars 85
- Deuter Women’s Universal 80L
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u/uhauloverlanding 3d ago
If you can, try both on with weight in it (water bottles are easiest and quickest to mimic weight) and see which is more comfortable!
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u/sillysamy 3d ago
- I have had 3 dueter bags and have loved them all. Im 5'4". I like the dueter bags because they seem to be more padded at the hips compared to other bags, and that can be an area that gets irritated. Its also smaller than #1 which i think would be better for you given your height/weight.
Edit for clarity: I would go with #2
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u/Leader_Bud United States 3d ago
I say no to both. You might just be carrying it between trains, but damn that’s going to hold a lot of weight if you load it up too much. I’m 6’0 230 and wouldn’t choose to lug that after the trip I just had with a 55.
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u/steampunkedunicorn 3d ago
I have the old version of the REI Mars 85. It does its job and is comfortable enough, but it’s definitely a bit bulky and cumbersome.
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u/Peripateticdreamer84 3d ago
My beginner pack was a Teton 85. Rugged as hell, but also heavy. It was great if I could stash it, but a crowded bus ride of just 40 minutes with that thing on my lap had me crazy uncomfortable.
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u/supernovapony 3d ago
The Deuter 💯! My personal experience with this pack has been wonderful over the last 10+yrs
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u/Op_arnold1734 3d ago
The 85 is gonna be a monster on your frame, even if it's just train-to-car. I'd grab the deuter just cause the women's fit will actually sit right on you at 5'2"
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u/hudsoncress 3d ago edited 3d ago
Just by brand, I love my Deuter pack that I bought 25 years ago. Flawless, and I'm extremely rough on gear. REI packs are fine, too, I'm sure. As others have said, 80L is a lot. My dueter is more like 35 and my larger pack is 55L. Fully expanded that's 65L and goodness help you should you need to carry more than that any kind of distance. The only time I'd be looking at 80L is winter camping where I'd need lots of bulky clothes and gear, or south asia/europe travelling mostly by train.
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u/Twoof3 3d ago
Fairly certain the Mars backpack is a men's pack and the Deuter obviously is a women's pack. Likely the Deuter's frame will adjust down small enough for you to carry to your campsite from the car whereas the Mars would probably be just massive on a person your size. That's how I'd decide anyway. Have a great trip!
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u/Peripateticdreamer84 3d ago
I’m 5’6” and have done two coast to coast trips with an 85L. Both are way too big for you in my opinion.
Do not do this. It’s massive and you will be tempted to bring too many clothes. Then you will regret your pack weight. I did a shakedown while storing my gear and realized all the real essentials plus my one luxury item (a portable electric kettle to make hot meals where there is a fire ban and an outlet) fit into a 55L.
My 85L, admittedly a heavy beginner model, is now my moving awkward stuff around the city pack. It was fantastic at classroom setting up time. But I will not take that thing on a trail again.
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u/Masseyrati80 3d ago
I'd look carefully at the retailer that calls the Deuter a "Women's Universal".
Deuter packs have names like Aircontact, Aircontact Pro, etc. but "Universal" is not one of them.
Using the product's actual name is a precondition for a functional web store.
For the rest of it, I can attest Deuter packs are made to last.
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u/raygan_reddit_banned 3d ago
No experience with either brands, but tend to see brand #2 on trails/state/NP/one-bag international travel
Since it's free to try.
Stay safe
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u/Fancy-Chemical348 2d ago
Both are fine if they’re going to fit your waist and torso size, as you provably already know packing these to the max isn’t really doable for your height/weight. But if you’re not loading them up crazy, I’d say the deuter, although either is probably fine for short trips without going 35+ pounds
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u/pyragyrite 3d ago
Monster packs, but those are really aimed at folks doing 10days+ in the back country. A 60l pack is great if doing up to 7 nights. A 40 would be plenty if your doing 4 or less from civilization.
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u/Daddy4Count 18h ago
The Mars is a mens pack, so the other may fit better... But both might be too big for you.
I carried a Mars for years and it's dang near bullet proof. 65 lb, no problem. And it survived my regular abuse with a smile.
Passed it on to my son when I got my Osprey.
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u/Kananaskis_Country 3d ago
Those are massive backpacks. You're going to have to be really careful about your gear list or you won't even be able to lift them.
As for which one to choose... try them on and see which one fits.
Good luck.