Need Some Pack Advice

“Hi all,
I'm looking for advice about the volume of backpack I should get. I'm wondering if there is anything wrong with buying a large pack and using it underloaded. I'm a med student and will potentially use the extra space for medical supplies. Right now I'm about to do a 2.5 week trip in Ecuador where I don't think I'll use all the space. Is there a downside to using a partially filled 5500 ci versus a packed 2500ci? Also, I have to get it soon and the only nearby place is Gander Mountain. So does anyone have any opinions about the Kelty redwing, redcloud and commanche or North Face Packs (Crestone).”

“I'd get the bigger one, but that's just me.”

“i just bought the redwing...not a bad pack but i don't like the lack of accessibility...you can only get to stuff from the top which makes it difficult to get to those small things that fall to the bottom of your pack...pretty good pack for the money though...a little heavier than the north face pack will be but that's what you get with the cheaper packs”

“Sit...I had a nice 5000 CI pack...I found that there was a tendency to "try to fill it" with a smaller pack I have become more judicious about what I pack.”

“I wouldn't want to lug around a 5500 ci pack if my load was only 2500 ci. How about compromising and getting something like 3500 ci?”

“The big pack could be ok, so long as there is a good way to compress it down when you aren't using all of the available space. A lot of times on backpack trips, we'll take a day to peak bag - then I'll remove the lid from my bigger pack and use the compression straps to squeeze it down to handle the daypack load.

Works pretty good for me.”

“...if you're going to equador you'll want the 5500 ci just to hold your own mini water purification plant ;)”

“hupcap, I'm not really sure what my load is going to be. I'm just wondering if there's a huge downside to underloading. If not it seems like it would make sense to get a 5500 if i happen to need the space later.”

“The Osprey Aether 60 and 70 are great because they compress like roamy was saying and they are light.

Get your torso length and order online. REI has 100 money back guarantee.

PS I didnt suggest Osprey just because I own 2. They are great packs.”

“do you double bag? if you use those big ziplocs like some people do, i see no issue, so long as you can sinch it down to fit, and you don't have to worry about it not filling it up, heightwise..”

“I'm part of the lightweight hiking crowd, so I'm kind of biased. Having the extra space probably isn't going to keep you from doing anything you want in Equador. The bulk becomes more of an issue if you are hiking off-trail where you can snag it on stuff or if you are doing some technical hiking and the load flopping around can throw you off balance. But as Roam mentioned, you can usually find some way to compress the excess bulk.

On the weight issue though, be aware that if you have the extra space, you will tend to fill it up with stuff you may not really need. It has happened to me. "Look at all this space, I guess I'll take the kitchen sink afterall".”

“The short answer is no, there's not a huge downside to underloading.

Good Luck w Med School.”

“I would get my wife and dogs to carry all of my crap, O wait, they already do!!!!”

“Where are you hiking in Ecuador? I spent a few months packing all over that country...”

“have a dana new size m ltw with tag,to sell cheap.”

“"Sorry, I thought i posted this yesterday"
Rosey, I'm not sure exactly were I'm hiking. I'm meeting a friend that I lived with in Australia who's been volunteering in Quito for the past year. She apparently has some places in mind though. Thank you to all for the advice. I'm thinking the Osprey Crescent 85 over the Aether since all those pockets may come in handy. But the Kelty is so much cheaper...”

“Hope you get good weather. We really were hitting winter weather around this time when we were there. Not that you asked, but recommendations: Banos, Cotopaxi, Galapagos. Stay downtown in Quito and not in Gringolandia. If you use Hillary Bradt's book, take directions with a grain of salt.”

“I'd get a smaller to medium sized pack to start. If a larger pack is needed later on, I'd buy a second one. You can never have too much gear. But you probably need to make that decision before Ecuador, huh?”

“Big pack = more area to stuff "crap" in.

Look at what you are going to be wearing down there. Clothing is one of the bulkier items in a pack. Try to only go with stuff that you can launder while on the go; pack additional underwear, but leave the majority of pants and shirts at home (or support the local economy by buying clothing along the way).”