Looking for a travel pack, there’s tons of choices out there – brands, sizes styles, etc. I don’t buy things in stores a lot of the time. Simply for starters, there are no outdoor type stores anywhere close to me, only 1/2 hr drive each way + away. I can’t stand spending all that time driving to a store only to find out their selection sucks, they don’t have something in inventory, or it costs way more than it should cause they’re hosing people. So I do a lot of research online and then shopping for things. That’s exactly what I did for my travel pack. I ended up getting an awesome deal on an Osprey Waypoint 65….. $189US(+$33CAD customs fees at the post office = approx. $222CAD at my door), delivered to me from Moosejaw which arrived last week. I’ll give anyone $10 if you can find one anywhere near this cheap from a store in Canada after taxes – it’s simply not possible.
Anyways, for the pack itself, I did spend much time researching online, flip flopping between different brands, models and styles. I dig the packs that have an integrated daypack that detaches from the mothership bag by means of a zipper or clips. Even in that category there’s quite a few choices. I was looking at the Osprey Waypoint, and Farpoint series, Eagle Creek, Deuter and some of the MEC branded ones. I eventually chose the Waypoint 65 due to it’s size and some reviews I read about all the packs I was looking at. Osprey is a great backcountry backpack manufacturer, and I was figuring that they can translate their knowledge of that to a travel version. I would rather have that than the other way around – a luggage company creating a backpack.
Volume is another question – for someone who has not spent much time travel backpacking, especially in a tropical location, I have no idea how much space I would want in my pack. Even though it might be a bit much for my impending trip to Borneo I opted for the 65 liter, since I would be able to use it for future travels in colder climates where I would want to bring more gear. The Waypoint comes in two different lengths small and medium/large to fit different torsos. I got the Large which also has a slightly higher capacity than 65 liters. The Waypoint has been a model Osprey has carried for a while. Osprey also makes a newer design slightly lighter weight, lower cost and less frill version of travel pack c/w daypack called the Farpoint series. I originally was looking at this one but I didn’t opt for that one in the end as I read somewhere that the material is quite thin and may not be all that suitable for checked baggage. I also do like the few extra pockets and don’t mind the slight bit of extra weight the Waypoint has over the Farpoint. In any case, I am looking forward to using it and seeing how much gear I will have in it for my Borneo adventure.
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