Size Backpack for 1 month in thailand?

IMightKnow · 07-04-2012 01:12PM #1

Im going to thailand for a month this summer and wondering what kind of size rucksack to bring?

How does 60L sound?

Im travelling with a group of girls who will most likely want to stay in hotels and bring hair straighteners etc type people, but we will be doing a good bit of travelling/boats/trains etc so I want to be able to carry it easy enough.

Also what about the idea of a rucksack that also has wheels?
something like this: http://www.adamsonluggage.com/shop/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=59&category_id=15

Any advice greatly appreciated

dory · 07-04-2012 10:53PM

I'd say let those hair straightening girls off. They'll get a shock when they're introduced to humidity.

The bag looks fine. Just note that they're not the best for having on your back. They don't have the waist straps that make the bag lighter. For a one month trip in Thailand I'd make do with a 50L rucksack. Unless you're going to the north of the country you only need a few dresses, shorts, t-shirt and sandals. You can get a travel towel that wraps up tiny.

sitstill · 08-04-2012 06:13PM

I'm doing a similar trip as you this summer and have just bought this bag:

http://www.53degreesnorth.ie/vango-explorer-60-10-backpack.html

It's 60 Litres and expands by a further 10.

IMightKnow · 08-04-2012 06:51PM

Thanks for the advice and the tip about the towel, gonna get something like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Micro-Towelling-Travel-Towel-Giant/dp/B004SL5LOC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333907306&sr=8-1

sitstill that bag looks comfortable and good value

wallpaper12 · 08-04-2012 09:11PM

I wouldnt get a top loader you will spend ages pulling things out that are at the bottom. A bag like this would be more practical
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0039W6JRY/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0038CY53K&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=037AV36H11W9G6EZADZN

IMightKnow · 08-04-2012 10:34PM

I might go with this one for the good waist straps lacking in the sporthouse one, its a good bit dearer though and bigger so will have to try it on as im quite small. Its like a wheeled(&10L bigger) version of what wallpaper12 recommended.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Berghaus-Jalan-Womens-Capacity-Luggage/dp/B003AM8DGS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

daveyjoe · 09-04-2012 03:20AM

I'm going to SE-Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia) for two months and I'm only bringing a 28 litre backpack (here it is). For me, travelling light makes the journey far more enjoyable and everything is so much less hassle! I guess it depends on the individual though, I'll be doing a lot of the trip on a motorbike so carrying weight might be more hassle for me then it would be for most backpackers.

If you really do want to bring a 60L backpack, make sure you bring a daypack too. This is what I use, it packs down to half the size of my fist, yet is really strong.

Just ordered a few things earlier on today for the trip, might give you some ideas:

It's better to buy the backpack after you've decided exactly what you want to pack and you've bought everything for the trip; then you will have a better idea of what size bag you need. If you buy a 60 litre bag then you will feel the need to pack 60L of stuff into it. You should buy the smallest bag that can comfortably carry all your gear.

Also, you're not going to need bulky jumpers and jackets like you would in other cooler destinations. Maybe one zip-up top, one lightweight pants and a summer rainjacket... everything else should be summer clothing.

One last thing... Personally, I find cotton clothing makes me feel hot and sweaty in the extreme heat/humidity. Cotton is somewhat breathable but it absorbs sweat like crazy (and you will sweat for the first week or two at least), so I always pack at least one Polyester/Elastane top (like the material used in UnderArmour branded sports stuff). Might not be the prettiest thing for a girl to wear but if you plan on doing hiking or anything like that then this is essential. I also prefer polyester boxers/underwear but if you're comfortable with the heat then you may be ok with cotton underwear. The polyester stuff is also much easier to handwash than cotton (important because laundry might not always be an option, depending on where you go).

Hope you enjoy the trip! :-)

dory · 09-04-2012 10:20AM

Nice suggestions there Davey.

Incidentally I recently wrote a blog post about things I would pack for India but a lot of it true for Thailand too.

dearg lady · 09-04-2012 02:36PM

Don't forget those wheeled backpacks are much heavier, and realistically how easy will it be to wheel around? Will it spend a lot of time on your back? I'd go for a 50 or 60l backpack with no wheels. Pack as light as you can. My luggage is usually around 9-11kilos when I'm backpacking, and I'm working on reducing that

12-04-2012 08:17AM

Decide what size, goto the shop, dont ask or look at any prices and try on every bag with heavy weights inside... Pick the most comfortable and then buy it regardless of price.

Im a guy and I ended up with a girl's backpack at the till which I never would have tried on if I knew that and the price but it was by far the most comfortable.

Size Backpack for 1 month in thailand?

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