So first of all, you should know that I am just not a suitcase gal. I mean, I like the romantic image of pulling a chic suitcase along a crowded train platform in 1930’s Europe as much as the next gal, but I’ve found that practically speaking the suitcase does not fit my style. I want to have mobility – to be able to sprint after a bus, amble along cobbled alleyways, or hitch a ride on a country road. Hence, I’m a backpack gal.
I’ve been hauling my beloved women-specific Arx’teryx backpack around the world with me for about a decade now, and I noticed recently that it looks a little worse for the wear. I needed a new backpack that fulfilled several criteria; it needed to be-
-affordable
-relatively nice, shall we even say, professional looking
– just the right size; not too big, not too small
When I picked up the Vagabond Travel Pack at my local REI a few months back, I wasn’t sure how it was going to suit me. But it was on sale for a great price, and with REI’s extremely reasonable return policy, I figured it was worth a try.
Overall, I’ve been pleased with the Vagabond and have definitely decided to hang on to it. Here’s some of the features I like the best:
* the size is just about perfect for me. REI lists the capacity at 2800 cu
bic inches. The max capacity, for me, is just about right for a multi-week trip (unless it involves special gear, such as winter clothing or camping gear). But it also works well if filled to less-than-capacity, like I’m doing for a long weekend trip. It can cinch down smaller to accomodate a smaller load.
* it loads like a duffel bag. This was a new concept for me, and I dig it. When you lay the backpack down on the ground, it opens widely across the front, rahter than the narrow top side as is traditional with most packs. SO much easier to pack and rummage through. Good thinking!
* the rain cover is the bomb. Besides offering full protection from inclement weather, I’ve been using it to tame all the straps when I check it on the airplane. The rain cover zips up on the backside of the pack with two duffel-style handles, which is easier to heft around when you are in-transit.
* it’s pretty good looking. Muted earth tones and a lack of blingy straps, webbing chains and all the other backpack bling that I loathe get the thumbs-up from me. I may still be a backpacker, but at least I look like a slightly more mature one.
To be fair, there are a couple of things I would improve about the pack as well:
* the outside pockets could be designed better. Specifically, the top pocket seems to zip open the wrong way. When the pack is open it naturally lays flat (as mentioned, like a duffel) and in this position the top pocket zips open so that everything falls out onto the floor. I think it should zip the opposite way.
* the positioning of the straps is a little funky. At least, it is for my small frame – the straps are placed for a larger person, so the fit is not the most comfortable after long periods of cruising around with the pack on.
If you can find it for the sale price I did – about $80 bucks – then it’s a small price to pay for a good functional travel-specific pack.