One bag carry for backpacking

This post will detail my recent lessons learnt from my 2 week trip to Argentina and Brazil in September 2019 and Myanmar Vietnam in 2018.

First we should look at the requirements for multi-destination trips.

Considerations for multi-point trips

1. Weight (under 1.7kg)
2. Comfort (chest strap, waist strap)
3. Convenience (large space, laptop easy access, drink bottle, smaller)
4. Protection (Material thickness, waterproofing)
5. Aesthetics (does it look good)
6. Zippers (YKK)

Destination: Travel to Argentina and Brazil (Hot Weather)

Carry: 45L Carry-on roller  x  30L Timbuk2 Spire Laptop backpack

The idea for this combination was to put clothes etc into the roller and use the backpack for the expensive stuff. This was to be more free while travelling. Having a 46L backpack on your back is expecially restrictive, and since I was travelling to more ‘dangerous’ places I thought this would be better.

A cheap roller ($50 from Big W) and a new 30L Timbuk 2 backpack ($160)

Pros

Roller definitely lessons your load while in transit so you are not walking around with 15kgs on your backside. Problem is the whether the footpath is flat and even, which South American footpaths are not. I ended up carrying the roller most of the time.

Roll top on the Timbuk2 really a great plus, allowed me to store my neck wrest and jacket where required without adding to the bulk of the bag.

Cons

The biggest problem with this combination is weight. My carry did not come under airline carry-on policies. The general rule here on South American carriers is (GOL,AA, LATAM, Norweigen) is 10kg.

Suffice to say, my bags did not come under the travel limits. I packed my bags close to their volume and my total weight was approximately 8kg (roll on) + 7kg (backpack). This included a SurfacePro laptop. The problem with this is that the rolling suitcase minimum weights are going to be 2.7kg

• Ospray Fairpoint 40L = 1.4kg
• Timbuk2 Wander Backpack duffle = 1.7kg
• Timbuk2 copilot luggage roller 42L = 3.4kg
• Wandred HEXAD 40L = 1.8kg

Luckily for me, they did not weigh any of my bags and it seemed that there was fairly loose checking on the stewardess part. Just make sure you arrive at the gate early to get the space in the overhead compartment. I presume this is because the flights are not ‘budget’ airlines and were partial service (drinks were provided).

Air New Zealand (and generally Australian) carriers have a limit of 7kg for carry on. I have found that they do not generally weigh backpack looking bags but will weigh suitcases.

How about getting around? Most of the my travel from destination was with Taxi/Ubers so there was not alot of walking around point to point, like say you would in Japan. The footpaths in Brazil were not flat and it was difficult to roll at times. Argentina was a bit better but I encountered the same problems

Developing country = Back pack, Developed country = consider roller

Matching carry to the weather. The Spire2 Backpack selected was a bit too ‘heavy’ for the tropical destination and since it was black did not match the aesthetics. Much more suited for cold weather climates eg. Argentina

Destination: Travel to Myanmar + Vietnam (Hot Weather)

Carry: Osprey Porter 46L backpack  x packable north face side bag

Pros

One bag travel. Comfortable with chest strap.

Cons

Ospray Porter a bit too large and therefore looked too large on my frame. I am 6ft3 89kg. My friend was travelling with the 40L Ospray fairlight and that looked alot more suitable.

Northface packable side bag for those day trip. Easily fit a water bottle and any extras. I had decided with using this over a packable backpack in hot water countries due to sweat gathering on the back.

Ospray porter lacks a laptop compartment and drink bottle. Drink bottle is great to have as it reduces the space required inside the bag for a bottle.