Going to Europe in a few weeks.. any thoughts on a good travel backpack? Looking for something I can use on a plane without having to check luggage.

Going anywhere with gypsies? Get a theft proof bag from www.pacsafe.com at Camper's Village
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Pacsafe Anti-Theft Travel Bags and Travel Accessories | Pacsafe

Osprey Farpoint 40 is the single best travel backpack and I can confirm it will work as a carry on on all european airlines, including the discount ones!

That's one of the ones I was looking at, just wasn't super happy about the price lol

The price is 100% worth it. You'll feel it too once you've got it in your hands!

For a 40L it's pretty decent I guess. I checked MEC but there's limited selection for the size required for those budget airlines..

Josh, where did you get yours from anyway? Trying to find a place online and Campers Village might be the only one...

Outter Limits. Its saskatchewan based I think. Fast shipping!

Having suffered the indignity of being robbed, from my fanny pack on the Rome metro, the $300 you pay for a secure backpack is money well spent, IMO.

Prerna Grover,
Rohit Tayal

Liz What one do you have?

Ospreys are well worth the money! They have a good fit and nothing is worse than having sore shoulders and back from carrying a cheap and heavy pack up around when you're in Europe.
I carried my large osprey on my back, had a money belt on and wore my small osprey in front. My purse say between my chest and the front pack. I went 3 months in Europe and had no problem with pick pockets; you just have to be aware of your surroundings.

I prefer using a waist money belt that fits passport, ID, cash etc., but I do have an anti theft Magellan purse (that is available at Campers Village.)

Mountain equipment Coop has a great selection MEC online.

Check out MEC if you're in Edmonton and check the airline's policy on how big your carry on can be.

Tortuga!

If someone sold it locally I'd def consider it

I'm just ordering online. Even the $30 shipping is not that outrageous. I haven't got mine yet, but my research led me to this one several times.

True. I considered it, the exchange rate is what kind of kills the price for me

Yes MEC and/or Campers Village have a good selection of bags that will meet carry on restrictions.

Go to Campers Village and get fitted! Then go by what will suit your needs. I can not stress enough that a fitted bag will be the best thing you ever did.

They carry PacSafe locally but not Tortuga.

Osprey Fairpoint 40, even took it trekking in Nepal

Check out mountain equipment co-op. They lots of options and they are guaranteed for life. That's where I bought mine.

My girlfriend used the tortuga on our latest trip, and I my farpoint. Her back bothered her some of the days where we had longer treks, or where we were stuck with the bags all day. She had the smaller tortuga, I think it's called the air. it's shorter than the farpoint, which makes it a bit fatter -- and if yours is packed full, it won't fit through ryanair or any other discount airline. She had to unpack part of hers and put it in mine almost every time we used a discount airline.

Good to know! I'll be checking out MEC and Camper's Village over the weekend to see what they have, hopefully one of them has the Farpoint 40 I can try out as well.

The sportchek at WEM sometimes has them, although they usually have only the bigger sized farpoint. I think MEC and campers are both at or near wem, right? Good luck man!

If you do not need something to haul around w/ good support and simply want a good bag for not having to check, I got one of these and so far have liked - http://shop.eaglecreek.com/gear-hauler/d/1291. If you want something with lots of support for hauling, you'll likely need to check as the straps and hip support are large/bulky.
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Gear Hauler | Eagle Creek

I loved my Pacsafe backpack when I went to Europe last year.

LOVE MY OSPREY

Farpoint 40? We're looking at that as a 2nd bag to the Gear Hauler.

Opt for one with a day pack attached for sure. I used it everyday. I just browsed the website and lots of the new ones have wheels. That would have been incredible you convenient. Especially on trains and that the airport.

Ya I don't want wheels and too much $$$. Have heard 55 w/ day pack also little too big for carry-on at times even with pack removed. I went for the 40.

You won't be disappointed with that pack. Where are you going?

Next trip Costa Rica. We're going 2+ weeks and trying to do carry on only (convinced my wife/daughter). So we'll have the Gear Hauler and Farpoint 40, plus maybe a small day pack (pack inside one bag) and a smaller bag for our daughter. The disadvantage of carry on only is still lots to carry around airport vs. checking and not having to lug around.

Haha wow well done on convincing the fam. I am definitely a backpack out of necessity kinda gal. I like having a suitcase if I can manage it. But carry on is def more convenient. Plus last time I flew to Spain my check bag didn't arrive for a few days. Carry on would have been great then.

Make sure to get a front load not a top load! If you have a top load you'll be dumping your shit out everyday and then repacking. It's a pain

Agreed. I had a 65L hiking bag I took to Japan.. while it worked, the top load thing was super annoying.