Backpacking in Europe

Question:

Dear Kristin,

I plan on backpacking Europe for about a month. What is the most suitable backpack for me to use?

Submitted by – Eric, Tyler, TX

Answer:

A lot of people who hop around Europe via rail a combination of rail, bus, car and foot opt for a “travel pack” which morphs the best qualities of a roller duffel bag (big, easy to load, immune to strap blowouts, and dragable) with the best of a backpack (comfortable to carry). Travel packs have full blown suspension systems—padded hipbelts and shoulder straps—that can be tucked away and often hidden behind a zippered panel for safekeeping. Osprey , Eagle Creek, and Kelty make some of the best travel packs I’ve seen. You might also want to consider a security system such as the Pacsafe (pacsafe.com). It’s a metal mesh net that locks over your valuables to keep them safe.