What is a good size hiking backpack?

What size hiking backpack for europe?

• I am going to ireland in the winter, and want a good backpack. I will be gone for several weeks, so I am looking at the bigger packs --- right now, it seems like something around 5000 cubic inches would be the right size to carry clothes, shoes, a small amount of makeup and hair product, and a blanket as well as some toiletries. I am having some trouble finding a good backpack; basically, I want something that is the right size for me and isn't going to break while I'm trekking. I am about 5'6" tall and fairly thin. I am not exactly super strong either....does anyone know if 5000-6000 cu3 is too large? thank you

• Answer:

  From experience, I can say you want the smallest pack possible. 6000 cubic inches is 100 liters, which is HUGE. I'm 5'11 and athletic, and there's no way I'd carry around a pack that size. 65 liters (about 4000 cubic inches) would be my absolute maximum, and that's still a very large pack. If you are actually hiking/walking/carrying the pack around, you will likely get very tired very quickly with something that size. Bring the least amount of clothes possible (doing laundry is better than carrying a pack) and no more than one extra pair of shoes. For trips that last several weeks, I bring no more toiletries/makeup than can fit into a freezer bag (if I need more, it can always be bought locally). Personally, I'd limit myself to a 40 liter pack (2500 cubic inches) because carrying around the extra weight just isn't worth it, but if you can't get by with a pack that small try a 60 liter. I have this 65 liter pack (that I used for moving countries) and it's held up very well. However, it gets very heavy very quickly, even with good weight distribution. http://www2.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=EU&model=AENJ&language=en http://www2.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=EU&model=AM5N&language=en http://www2.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=EU&model=AV9D&language=en