Travel backpacks

[Neodymium]

We are travelling to Europe this year for 4 weeks in winter - family of 5 (kids will be 14, 13 and 10).

i want to start getting organised with bags. I’ve read that backpacks are better than wheeled suitcases.

thinking also want to stick with carry on size to save time.

so, was thinking should I get the osprey porter 46 for everyone (one each) or just me and dh get that and the kids get a porter 30

planning to pack super light!

packing list is:

2 x thermals
4 long shirts
3 long pants
2 tshirts
2 shorts
1 swimmers (in case of saunas ect)
5 undies
5 pairs socks
2 jumper
1 warm duck down jacket
1 raincoat
2 shoes
1 small towel
toiletries

my pack will also have a travel washing bag

i was going to get a small travel bag cross shoulder one for passports ect.

My best combo for travelling light is Eastpak xs wheely suitcases ( even Ryanair hand luggage size) and a small rucksack.

The case is much more practical at that ages as not heavy, and you will need a rucksack anyway that’s empty of daily stuff for day to day stuff like hat, gloves, water bottle, snacks, kindle, iPad etc etc.

I have used this on planes, trains and buses for year

We are planning on taking DS14 and DD15 inter railing next year and I have been thinking the same... how are you travelling?
Have seen a secure backpack for passports (pacsafe) that I thought mught be useful.
What about the 3 in one raincoats so you strip out the inner if you are warm? Less to carry.
Your packing list looks great! Saving it for reference!

Try Osprey farpoint , get some packing cubes. Travel size cosmetic bottles, soap.

i think we will probably get trains. I don’t think either of us would want to drive too much. Definitely lots of internal flights too I think. We have a rough plan but need to work out how to get from place to place.

yes have seen the pacsafe. I was going to get a small shoulder bag I can put under my coat with whole families passports and money. Not planning to bring a big purse.

ive read they can be tricky to manage on cobblestone streets and crowded public transport with the wheels. Plus if we do hire a car backpacks would squash in - have heard the boots are tiny. That’s why I was thinking backpacks. But yes it is a problem them carrying them.

i was going to get a small packable backpack too that we can take out for day trips. Kids won’t be bringing iPads - they can bring a phone and headphones. I’ll probably bring my iPad for the whole family.

I’ve seen those the far Point for men and Fairview for women. Not sure if they are still available though? In the 40l size. They would probably be perfect for the kids. At least the 2 older boys. Dd is youngest and she will want to pack the most. She will want to pack a teddy 😂

Osprey Farpoint is certainly still available, I bought one a few weeks back. Will be using it for both a Norwegian fjord cruise and travelling across Canada coast to coast on trains during the summer. I've also bought an Osprey Daylite plus 20l daypack which attaches to the outside of the Farpoint. I'm hoping to fly Air Canada with these a carry on only...

Farpoint and Fairview are 36l rather than 40l but the wheels make life around the airport so much easier.

Maybe it’s the 40 that I can’t get.

www.osprey.com/us/en/product/fairview-40-travel-pack-FAIRVEW40F22.html

I am in Australia so we are kind of limited anyway

The osprey porter is quite bulky and won't necessarily go in the overhead racks on a train. We've got the cabin bag sized transporter which works well and fits everywhere. Decathlon do very good dupes for half the price.

I would get 2 rucksacks and 2 wheely bags. Wheely ones are annoying on cobbles, but rucksacks get heavy surprisingly fast, especially if you're on a platform waiting for a train or have to walk 2k to the hostel. Put the heavy stuff like toiletries in the wheely when the ground is good, then swap it to a rucksack if you'll have to deal with stairs. The rucksacks can sit on top of the wheely bags a lot of the time.

Ihave an osprey fairview 40 which is fabulous and carry on size and for a day pack I have the 20 litre from the same range and it will clip into the 40 - they're expensive to start with but lifetime guarantee with no quibble repairs - I love them

I bought a cabin max backpack similar to this a few years back. Fits loads, no problem using it as hand luggage & my 12 year old has been carrying it for camps etc for a few years.

Honestly to Osprey Fairpoint is massive. We get a family of 3 (one 5 year old) clothing for a week in it with careful packing and packing cubes!

If you’re only doing carry on and backpacks I would definitely get something with a hip strap. Fitted right it really takes the pressure off your shoulders.

@Neodymium - the Eastpak xs have a comfy side handle to carry over cobble stones if you really need to and up stairs. But I have easily carried onto train with baby in sling and small rucksacks and it’s easy. They are soft sided so squash down for storage and easily fit in car.

I would be tempted to have two Eastpak xs cases for adults. Then everyone a smaller rucksack rather than a huge one.

Nobody should carry a bag more than 10% of body weight really, especially children. So the 10 year old in particular will be limited to a quite small bag, so the adults can use some of their case to carry extras.

I have used the xs Eastpak, plus small rucksack to have everything needed for Ds and I for 10 days ( when he was 10months and 18 months). That’s with washing basics as we go.

Also where and when exactly in winter are you travelling? As most of Europe in winter you will need decent ish warm and waterproof boots as it’s freezing/ snow. Something like timberlands but any similar brand. But you can wear them

Plus will need neck buff or scarf, gloves, hat etc.

Just another option - My adult dc have both used North Face duffels - 32l and found them good to use. Also, Patagaonia do a wheeled 40l duffel which dd seriously considered.

If you haven't already, it's worth having a look on YouTube at reviews of the bags mentioned above, see them a bit more in action.

North Face duffels are great, we have a few and used them for our trip to NYC recently

Osprey Farpoint and Daylite plus

I'm with the Cabin Max crowd, I use them all the time. Hold loads and are very compact.

I have two, the CM Evos, and the CM Greenwich. Both have wheels. The Evos fits under the seat, and the other one is underseat for Easyjet, otherwise overhead.

I don't use packing cubes as I think they take up a lot of precious space, even though many love them. I use light nylon zipped bags of various sizes that I got in Flying Tiger like this.... flyingtiger.com/products/travel-bag-3032048

I find the smaller the backpack the more careful I am with packing. I use hotel laundry services where I can't locate a launderette, or if in a warm country wash the undies in the sink, and the crotch of pants/trousers. Sorry if that sounds gross, but it works if packing minimally. No one will give a hoot what you are wearing, so less is more. Comfortable walking shoes a must. I have a great pair of Skechers that I got in an outlet in Spain and I did over 100kms in a week place to place and they were like wearing pillows. But whatever works for you.

Oh and my daypack is a light foldable gym bag with drawstrings and an invisible side pocket that I got in Decathlon. I have a small cross body flat "wallet on a string" that I use in addition to the daypack it holds phone, ID, hotel key card, and cards/cash.

Yes one of the pairs of shoes will be waterproof. Actually if anyone has any recommendations for good quality boots that aren’t too heavy that would be great too!

yes going to take a scarf and beanie, and some gloves.

that’s a good point. I think we can make hers lighter. I was going to aim for them all to be under 6kg anyway. All the clothes will be lightweight stuff from Kathmandu ect. My boys will be fine - they are already round the 40-50 kg mark now.

we will probably just have 1 toiletries bag too. We don’t need 5 cakes of soap and 5 bottles of shampoo.

These are great...
www.eastpak.com/uk-en/luggage-c140/travelpack-black-pEK-0A5BBR-008-OS--1-.html
Also available with wheels but still usable as a backpack...
www.eastpak.com/uk-en/luggage-c140/strapverz-black-3c13ac-pEK58F008+00+999.html