Best Large backpack for traveling Asia | Gear review

Photo by: Lindyi

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As backpacking suggests you’ll become very close to one particular item of gear – The backpack.
Buying a backpack is one of those moments when your planning a trip that really helps it to sink in. Things start to feel real and excitement grows. Making the right choice here can really make life easy when your dragging your well traveled arse across the sand of a paradise island. I’ll say it now and probably again later on… Pack light = easier travel. But I’m aware people struggle to live out of a 20l pack… Me included! So we got a few of the newest ones our shoulders to test out.

If your looking to live out of your backpack for extended periods of time there’s a lot of things to consider – easy access, security and space to name a few. 60l is pretty standard size these days and unless your mad about souvenirs then you should have loads of room for everything you’ll need. I’ve lived out of a 60l for up to a year at a time and always had space to spare but when they’re full… They’re heavy! Really heavy… I’d go as far as to suggest get a smaller pack (40l for instance) but… If you need the space then here’s three that are worthy of a look:

Best Large backpacks:

Osprey Aether / Ariel

Price - £150. Capacity -60l, 70l, 85l. Sizes - S, M, L, XL, WXS, WS, WM, WL. Heat-moldable foam using Osprey CM™
in-store hip belt ovens. J-zipper panel access. StraightJacket™ compression. Recycled HDPE framesheet with
weight-reducing cut-outs.

Good points:

• Tailored fit padding
• Comfortable
• Lightweight
• Handy front pocket
• Detachable lumbar pack
• Extremely adjustable

Bad points:

• Has too many straps
• Too many access points
• No lockable zips
• Pricey

Lowe Alpine Appalachian / Nuptse

Price - £125. Capacity -60l, 70l, 85l. Sizes - S, M, L, XL, WXS, WS, WM. Ergonomically shaped, rotating hip belt. Rain cover, 2 compartments with zip out divider. Hip belt pockets.

Good points:

• Great build quality
• Most waterproof of the three
• Comfortable
• Has an airflow back system
• Strong padding
• Lightweight
• Superb back height adjustment

Bad points:

• Not lockable
• Poor external storage
• No day sack
• Top loading only

Berghaus Jalan

Price - £104. Capacity -60l+15l. Sizes - male, female. Zip-away harness cover and padded side and top carry handles. Hidden security pocket. Zipped expansion gusset and internal compression straps.

Good points:

• Full frontal opening (like a suitcase)
• Good sized day sack
• Strap cover ( for zipping al the straps away at airports)
• Secret compartment
• Very durable
• Proper locking zips with padlock eye

Bad points:

• Quite uncomfortable
• Heavy
• Not very waterproof
• Height adjustment is rubbish!
• No rain cover

Conclusion: which backpack you choose depends heavily on what type of backpacker you going to be.. It really does. If you just planning to skip along the backpacker trail from guest house to minibus to guest house then I’d recommend the Jalan, its what I’ve been using for 3 years. While the other two both knock spots off the Jalan for comfort and external storage they lag way behind on security and access. The Jalan manages to be both extremely accessible and secure – with its full frontal opening and properly lockable twin zips. If I was planning on wearing one for extended periods of time… I would have to go for Osprey, the pads can be moulded to fit your contours and the straps have much much more adjustment than the competition. But bear in mind – all these packs are around 60l and when full will be pushing 30kg… Regardless of moulded padding and strap adjustment, that weight will anchor you down and tire you out in no time! If you want to be super mobile… Pack lighter and get a smaller backpack.

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Aaron Bradford has written 62 articles. Aaron is the leader, mentor and chief geek of the Happytime team. He put together this crack team of travel writers known by codename “The Firm“. Twitter: @b4ubackpack | Google profile | More articles by Aaron