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.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a 10l or so daypack? I keep looking at the Nordace one but it's bigger than that and seems a bit bulky. I need one suitable for long train journeys (so water, some food, jumper etc) and also for sightseeing days. Quite like the idea of the anti-theft ones but they are so expensive!

What are you doing while you're there? Alpine cities are unlikely to have snow on the ground for more than half a day. They clear the paths fast. Eastern European towns might have snow on the ground. If you're doing hiking/skiing you need more kit. What are you planning to use the shorts for? It's not tennis season ;) Most European cities won't be much different from the UK in terms of temperature.

I've taken thermals with me a dozen times and never needed them.

not going to go skiing so we don’t need ski clothes.

should add - we are Australian. We live in qld, our ‘winter’ during the day the coldest of cold days we might get down to 11 or 12 degrees. Typically winter days are 18-20 degrees. So we will need thermals to cope in Europe. I wear a jacket anytime it drops below 20 😂. Including in summer when the air con is set too cold.

Oh and shorts will be for pajamas, swimming in a spa or going to sauna stuff like that. Like 1 pair of soft quick dry shorts and tshirt each.

Fyi - you won’t be able to wear shorts in a swimming pool or sauna in most of Europe. Ours ( Central Europe) have swimming pools in swim wear only, saunas nude only. You cannot wear ‘outdoor’ clothes ie shorts in a public pool. And no swim wear at all in sauna.

So I would bring normal
swim clothes and regular pjs instead of shorts tbh.

I have the cabin luggage size osprey transporter and it is fantastic. Personally I'd pick the transporter over the fair point. Firstly because i use organiser cubes so I find a cavernous opening more spacious. secondly I love the fact that they fold down. I don't hike with it though so literally humping and dumping it on trains and planes.

I too would think a roller better for a 10 year old.

I normally stick a small crossbody bag in the bag, usually a flat handbag detachable strap so you can use it as a "passport pouch" on the airplane, and a flat pack backpack.

Oh do check though what your cabin luggage size is. My 46l transporter does not fit new easyjet cabin luggage size unless you upgrade/pick your seats. If there still offering the handsfree deal though the transporter is perfect, you can sling it in the hold without a second tho

Thought

You need to make sure that these meet the carry-on requirements for the flights. Cheap European airlines have different restrictions to longer flights like Australian Airlines.

If you want backpacks, then go for it. But you'll probably have pay extra on some flights for each bag. You'll also need to keep buying showrgel and shampoos those little bottles won't last long. We used bigger backpacks and stord them in the haul. We put smaller day packs inside. Definitely better than a wheeled suitcase

Just yo clarify I have this duffel (with packable backpack_shoulder straps) not the straight backpack also described as a transporter

www.ospreyeurope.com/shop/gb_en/osprey-transporter-40-2021#92=874&205=27&fo_c=3784&fo_k=3e40de4e0f45186142048b586b7ba435&fo_s=gplauk

Whatever bag you have look for one that has grab bags on every side. You wouldn't believe how much easier it makes lifting things in and out of airplane lockers and train luggage racks

Oh and look at solid soap/shampoo bars, so much easier than bottles. no leaks, last forever and don't count as liquids

Ospreys are good rucksacks. But they are like shoes - you need to try them on and get them fitted. Got mine in Cotswold and they gave me a discount because I had an old National Trust membership. They'll give you a discount for membership of all kinds of outdoorsy organisations.

Plus if we do hire a car backpacks would squash in - have heard the boots are tiny.

It wholly depends what size car you hire !!

Oh that’s a great idea thanks I’ll look into that!

I meant like board shorts. That’s what we wear swimming here.

i guess thinking it would be cheaper to hire a smaller car.

@Neodymium - yes that’s what I mean, just be aware some places as in entire countries won’t let board shorts be worn as swimwear in public pools. Ie France is very strict in some areas about what’s ‘swim wear’. They even have vending machines selling ‘appropriate’. Worth looking online first.

ok I don’t even own that kind of swimwear 😂 this explains all those old French dudes that hang at the beach here in their budgie smugglers

You have to wear speedo swim shorts for swimming in most of Europe. They do speedo shorts (they don’t have to be budgie smugglers) but board shorts won’t cut it. Many places also enforce swim caps.

I tried carrying soap and solid shampoo and my bag got inspected because oddly shaped tins showed up on the x-ray. So not necessarily easier than a liquids bag.

Travel really light. Like REALLY light.

Best travel advice ever. I travel all over with DS. We both have rucksacks which are fairly small. Even Roku are fine. I got one on amazon with packing cubes.

If it’s winter, some light layers of merino wool or cotton. One jacket.

Great walking shoes that are for city streets.

Small light slip on pumps for going out.

Interrailing is a lot of going on and off trains and the feeling of a not heavy rucksack is so freeing. It should be light enough to think - let’s stroll around this city for a while and have some lunch.

With your packing list I’d

• not bring a towel
• only bring one coat (you don’t need a rain coat and a warm coat - bring a semi warm coat for both rain and cold, with a hood)
• wear one pair of shoes and pack very light alternatives
• bring a very small wash bag. Travel size toothpaste. Travel hairbrush. Small versions of make up. A solid soap for all the family.
• two snood scarves - both fairly light
• warm hat and gloves if you are going north
• devices - one ipad between you. Decent headphones. Chargers and adapters.

Cabin Zero do fantastic rucksacks in all sizes.

My DC are both goi g travelling - different continents- and both have opted for backpacks which can unzip like suitcases for easier access ti their things. I can't remember where DS got his but DD bought hers from gandy.