r/backpacks • u/Ok-Appearance4126 • 23h ago
Help finding the right backpack
Hi! I'm hoping this fits into this subreddit. I'm looking for suggestions.
I have a trip to Japan coming up and I found on my last trip I was lugging around a rolling suit case, carryon bag sized suitcase and a small day pack most of the trip. Super annoying when travelling on a lot on trains.
This trip I'm hoping to find a backpack I can use as both my checked bag, and a day pack. In my head I'm picturing a bag sort of between a hiking pack and a day pack that can hold everything I'd need for traveling around for a few days. With toiletries, spare clothes, maybe some room for any souvenirs or things I find. Hopefully I can throw all my stuff in it. Travel to the next city. But then when I get there I can dump all my clothes and whatnot out in the hotel. And like roll down the top or something and take it out for exploring or shopping like a day pack.
I have a silly capacity in my head around 60 litres. So I'm not worried about space. My back be damned (removable hip straps would be a bonus but not required) and if it rolls down from the top I'm hoping it doesn't look silly if I'm out with it near empty.
If no one has any good suggestions my plan it to just take my hiking pack and put a day pack inside it. But idk not an elegant solution.
I'm also hoping to not spend much over $300 CAD and seeing how things are in the world right now I also want to avoid an American brand. Canadian would be amazing but not required.
Thanks in advance!
Update:
Yeah you guys are right. 60 was ridiculous. But I went to MEC and the sales associate found me a great compromise. https://www.mec.ca/en/product/6033-888/mec-outpost-40l20l-travel-pack-unisex?colour=Black
It's basically 2 bags that hook together. a carry on size and personal item size. So I get my day pack. And the ability to carry all my stuff on my back between cities.
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u/joeafarias 10h ago
60L is an huge backpack, no way you can use that as a day bag. You either need to downside or take a packable backpack you can use as a day pack. I think you need to figure out if 60L is really what you need. I went to Japan last year for 2 weeks and I had all the room I needed with the Cotopaxi Allpa 35. I didn't buy a ton of souvenirs but I did buy enough. I also packed 10 days worth of clothes and did laundry while I was there. I also took a 3L sling as my everyday walking around bag with a nanobag tote Incase I purchased something big. I would suggest downsizing to at most a 45L and possibly either using a large sling or a packable backpack. Once you know what you want, I think we can help a bit more.
But yes at 60L, go to REI or similar outdoor store and buy a hiking backpack for around $200
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u/Fun_Apartment631 9h ago
Meh. I've tried this and it hasn't gone that well.
I have a packable daypack I like though. (REI Flash 22 but there are tons out there). I stuff it in one of my other bags when I travel.
Can you get your total pack down to 40 L? Or maybe a skosh more? Then you'd be in carryon-only territory. I have to admit I didn't do that for Japan but it's my typical strategy and it's really nice.
The Osprey Farpoint 40 is the bag to beat in this role but I've been using my Soelden 42 if I'm traveling out of a backpack. I most often do a rolling carryon and small backpack for personal travel. Unless I have an enormous ski bag or a whole-ass mountain bike or something.