Any ideas for expanding my rucksack? Or hip bag?

[LipikarAP]

I've tried on lots and they are uncomfortable so I've decided to keep my smaller one, but need ideas for increasing storage. I'm not sure if a hip or sling bag would work with all the straps.

[StamppotAndGravy]

How big do you need and how far are you walking? It sounds like a bad idea if you're talking 80L trekking because the weight won't be well distributed. If you just need to get it from train to campsite, a large wheeled suitcase or trolley might be best.

Have you measured yourself and what is your budget? I buy rucksacks online mostly from smaller specialist European companies which sell by back size. Shops in the UK are unlikely to stock a good range of women's bags apart from a few specialist stores.

[LipikarAP]

Thanks @Stamp I'm looking for 50/55l. Mixture of camping, rural things and city visits when I have to carry after checkout.

I think women's rucksacks here tend to cater for the short and curvey body, which isn't me. The men's don't feel right either. What websites do you use?

[StamppotAndGravy]

Alpinetrek.co.uk is from a German company. If you message them they're normally helpful and can often recommend things. I think you might be over lapping too many categories though. 50L is getting into trekking size, so then you expect to have a structured frame to carry long distance which needs to fit well. For outings you probably only really need 25L in a softer day bag, with a couple of shopping bags stuffed in for the supermarket.

Decathlon is ever reliable and French so always comes up narrow. For more technical bags, most brands make men's and women's, both with a range of back sizes. You might do better with one for a short man.

I'm currently mostly using a mountaineering rucksack from Blue Ice. They're designed to be very light weight so have no frame, which might be a problem if you buy lots of lumpy shopping but makes the fit more flexible. They shrink and expand from about 10L up to 50L and you can balance stuff on top. Decathlon do a similar bag in their Simond range.

[LipikarAP]

@StamppotAndGravy

Alpinetrek.co.uk is from a German company. If you message them they're normally helpful and can often recommend things. I think you might be over lapping too many categories though. 50L is getting into trekking size, so then you expect to have a structured frame to carry long distance which needs to fit well. For outings you probably only really need 25L in a softer day bag, with a couple of shopping bags stuffed in for the supermarket.

Decathlon is ever reliable and French so always comes up narrow. For more technical bags, most brands make men's and women's, both with a range of back sizes. You might do better with one for a short man.

I'm currently mostly using a mountaineering rucksack from Blue Ice. They're designed to be very light weight so have no frame, which might be a problem if you buy lots of lumpy shopping but makes the fit more flexible. They shrink and expand from about 10L up to 50L and you can balance stuff on top. Decathlon do a similar bag in their Simond range.

Thanks so much.

No carrying of shopping. I do find the frames uncomfortable, so perhaps the way to go.

[JennyfromtheBlok]

I am Sure that there is an Osprey backpack out there that you would find comfortable.

Go somewhere like Cotswolds Outdoor or Go Outdoors and try a load on.

[LipikarAP]

@JennyfromtheBlok

I am Sure that there is an Osprey backpack out there that you would find comfortable.

Go somewhere like Cotswolds Outdoor or Go Outdoors and try a load on.

I've tried both shops and found Osprey the most uncomfortable! Maybe I'm not a standard shape.

[StamppotAndGravy]

Sorry, I misunderstood checkout as supermarket, rather than hotel!

I never found Osprey bags comfortable either. They always seem to go saggy too. I do have their 55L transporter duffle which I use loads for city trips and camping and could be an option. Unfortunately there are hardly any decent outdoor shops in the uk anymore to try stuff. There are a few around the mountains but that's a potentially long journey! If you're going abroad on holiday this year it might be worth checking what's there.

[LipikarAP]

@StamppotAndGravy

Sorry, I misunderstood checkout as supermarket, rather than hotel!

I never found Osprey bags comfortable either. They always seem to go saggy too. I do have their 55L transporter duffle which I use loads for city trips and camping and could be an option. Unfortunately there are hardly any decent outdoor shops in the uk anymore to try stuff. There are a few around the mountains but that's a potentially long journey! If you're going abroad on holiday this year it might be worth checking what's there.

You've reminded me there's an independent knowledgeable camping shop a few towns away ...

[nearly55]

You could try a chest pod - they can be attached to smaller rucksacks to add more storage space. The most lightweight is the OMM one but they are rarely in stock. An alternative could be the Geeky Hiker one Chest Packs | Geekyhiker