Illustration by Jacob Bielanski
The single greatest piece of advice I heard prior to my first vagabonding excursion was to pack my bag, then remove half the stuff and leave it behind.
As with all good advice, I only admired the lesson after I had failed to heed it. Lugging a heavy pack through border crossings and train stations, only then did I ask myself two questions:
How do you pack for a trip that has no fixed itinerary? How do you hit the perfect combination of lightweight, versatile and practical?
In 2005 I began an undertaking to find the ultimate bag. I required the bag to replace four lacking alternatives:
- A laptop attaché for a 19″ wide screen Dell Inspirion 1900
- A giant, backpacker’s rucksack
- A stylish-yet-rugged messenger bag
- A Camelbak
I had carried each of these packs in previous years, with varying degrees of success.
The giant backpack held a lot, but was unwieldy when retrieving specific items. The messenger bag made me look like less of a dork and gave me rapid access to all its contents, but its single strap made it uncomfortable and it couldn’t carry an over-sized laptop-besides, my friends felt that “messenger bag” was just a fancy way to say “man-purse”.
Then there was the laptop case, which was downright worthless, lacking pockets that could fit anything useful, including my laptop.
In Search Of Perfection
I wanted to simplify my lifestyle by traveling with one perfect rucksack, so I put forth some simple requirements for my dream pack:
- It should not be a ridiculous color or bear any logos that make it a target
- It needs to be modular–when a pouch isn’t needed, I want to be able to remove it in order to lighten my load
- It must be small enough to carry on airplanes
- It needs wide, comfortable straps at both sternum and waist
- It must be able to accommodate a hydration bladder
- It should be rugged
- It needs to have a frame of some kind, preferably a removable one
- It should be cheap
I didn’t think I was asking for too much; a cheap, tough bag that could take me from the client downtown to the mountaintop in a single weekend. My wife thought I was high–who the hell brings a CamelBak to a business meeting? Or a laptop to the back trail?
Ignoring such pessimists, I set out to learn something about the perfect pack.
Cheap, Tough, Practical
Color alone excluded most “civilian” backpacks. There seems to be some unwritten rule that says bright colors are cheap. None of the brand names seemed to carry a “black” bag and, if they did, it was their “mountain trekker elite IV”, which retails for only $572; straps sold separately.
My search began to focus on the “government” market.
The kinds of business meetings and hikes that I need my pack for have different goals than those of, say, a U.S. Army Ranger on patrol in Afghanistan.
While it’s great to think that I can easily accommodate a SINCGARS radio, a cell phone pocket would do just fine. Jump riggings would sooner choke me than enable my safe, airborne assault on corporate America. Despite those extraneous features, however, I found the liberal use of 1050 denier “ballistic” nylon, quiet chain zippers, and subdued (when not militant) colors to be consistent and practical. It seemed I was on the right track.
After an exhaustive search (mostly at the expense of my employer), I was down to two bags. With little else to guide me, I turned to an age-old tool: the spreadsheet. I analyzed cubic space against price and came to a definitive conclusion.
Perfection Found?
The Blackhawk Three-Day Assault Pack is the perfect backpack (unfortunately, neither myself nor BNT is getting ad revenue for this…shucks). The Assault Pack is cheap, tough, and can fit in carry-on. With a cinch sack, accessory packs, hydration bladders and internal frame, I can adapt it to any use. Best of all, it is a single, simple shade of flat black.
That’s the end of it. You’re welcome. Go out, buy your assault pack–or similar–and be done with this question in your vagabonding life.
If you want further proof that soft corners, kidney and sternum straps, durable fabrics and wide shoulder strap are the tops, I recommend doing you own research on a plethora of sites, such as www.backpacker.com.
Wait! There’s More!
That’s not really the end of it, is it?
In light of this search, and the euphoric, bag-toting years that have followed, I’ve begun to stare at other peoples’ bags. The laptop cases with wheels going to conventions, faux “Alice packs”-purchased from Old Navy–climbing mountains, frayed messenger bags on the way to the library, and even saddle bags on an aging motorcycle. All these rucksacks tell me a story. I wonder if the people who own them obsessed the way I did.
All these rucksacks tell me a story. I wonder if the people who own them obsessed the way I did.
Was the pack a gift? Have they had it long? Is it comfortable? What’s in it and why does it go there?
I begin to find that people’s bags–and the way they carry them-are like a signature, a unique thumb print of where we’ve been, where we’re going, and how we plan on getting there. I wondered if anyone noticed my bag and wondered the same.
Fellow Seekers, Deeper Questions
I found that I was not the only one obsessed with the perfect pack. Another gentleman, more traveled than myself, has begun to work with a Filipino bag maker to concoct the ultimate backpack.
His name is “Andy” of Hobotraveler.com. Perhaps he can put the formula to work and give us the perfect backpack.
Then there are the other, countless questions that arose during my quest. Can a backpack make us move faster, love travel more, and even help us remember not to leave our contact lens case on the hostel sink?
Is it possible to make Kevlar fabrics and solar panels “fashionable”? Do we decide what to put into the bag or does the bag demand to be filled?
My bag recently took me up the Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala. What was expected to be a light jaunt through a National Park, turned out to be a grueling hike through a jagged, unprotected landscape.
Our guide moved at a calf-taxing pace with little effort. As the day wore on, I found myself ill prepared for the terrain and ensuing precipitation. Feigning toughness, I acted as if I just loved the rain.
Our guide danced across volcanic rock and up steep slopes with the deftness of a mountain goat and finally came to rest at my side. I couldn’t understand his Spanish, but understood his message–here, moron, take this rain jacket.
As he turned I saw the bag from which this gift had come-a small, vinyl, Winnie the Pooh backpack. I was using my bag to carry cheese sandwiches and photography equipment.
One Life, One Love, One Bag
A gentleman by the name of Doug Dyment has been running an ad-free page called www.onebag.com (previously “The Compleat Carry-on Traveler”) for years.
His simple and effective compendium of bag-carrying knowledge corresponded to the qualities of the bag I had purchased. His recommendations for soft corners, subdued appearance and a list of other tips could’ve been plucked straight from my own skull.
It seems the perfect bag truly is a well-balanced formula. In spite of all this knowledge, I found the most wisdom in a line under the heading Choosing a Bag:
“Traveling light is not about figuring out how big a bag you can take, or even what kind of bag provides the most storage; rather it’s about determining the minimum amount of stuff you truly need to cart around with you, and finding the smallest bag that will comfortably hold it.”
Jacob Bielanski is a Technical College dropout from the boonies who drinks too much. His one-eyed cat “Spudnick”, travel-sized dog “Norm” and sexy photographer wife do most of the work. You can find his ramblings on his blog and his “real” writing at any place that ponies up the dough.About the Author
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24 Comments... join the discussion!
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not bad, not bad
question: how much does it weigh when you add “a cinch sack, accessory packs, hydration bladders and internal frame” ?
Unfortunately, the Blackhawk assault pack cant be MY ultimate backpack, cuz it has so few external pockets and probably isnt sized for women.
the quest continues…
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Jeff: As I always say, if the answer was easy, the question wouldn’t be worth asking. This summer I have to figure out hwo to modularly attach a baby to it, so a new bag (and series of journeys) will probably be in order.
Jeela: It weighs as much as you want…which is what I love. Any of accessory packs–when empty–barely weighs a pound (so I can easily pack them in the bottom “just in case”). The hydration bladder doesn’t have to be full, and the internal frame is actually a light-but-sturdy plastic. I loaded it up with groceries once–every pack full of hard bulky items, including a 12, 12 oz cans–and weighed it when I got home (it was long bike ride)…just around 40 lbs.
I hear you on the external access–I’ve since learned to supplement my Blackhawk with the aforementioned man-purse.
Try and believe me when I say, I’m not a salesman for Blackhawk.
Everyone should undergo a close, personal journey to get their bag. I think the most important message in this whole article is a line I didn’t write…the very last one from Mr. Dyment.
Thanks for reading, you crazy vagabonders!
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I am a big fan of the Patagonia brand Onebag. Just wish it had a waist strap.
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Hello this is Andy of HoboTraveler.com. I am looking for good people to test and complain about my perfect backpack as I expect it to go beta… Soon… hehehe
If you go to my page, click on contact eventually you will find a way to contact me. If you would like to test it, with a few other selected people, send name and address and all the other things a traveler like me does not have.
Thanks, on the way to Philippines in 2 days to check out the zipper pulls that took ages to find.
This thingy has my email address also, and if you can get to it, use it.
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i found the perfect pack! i come across it by chance in Lidl its a cheap german food market here in the UK and it cost me £7.99!
its a big reduction from my lovely North Face backpack, but your right! it needs to go on the plane as hand luggage, doesnt attract attension but yet will with stand strains and durability , im very pleased it does all 3, wow what a bargain
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Not cheap, but I guess the saying “you get what you pay for” applies here:
Tom Bhin’s bag’s are amazing, especially if you carry a laptop with you.
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What a funny and entertaining article! My husband has the bad habit of obsessing when purchasing gear, and he also falls prey to Excel spreadsheets comparing and contrasting features. In my opinion, it’s his overly logical way to force himself to make an expensive decision.
I’m a diehard Osprey fan, and I firmly believe their women’s line is worth the money. I settled for a cheapie when doing some long-term backpacking, and for me it’s worth it to spend a little more for more comfort. I think of my Osprey Aura like a turtle’s shell. It’s like I’m carrying my home on my back.
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Tim: You’re not biased about the onebag because its “Patagonia”…are you?
Andy: Were you able to find a reasonable kevlar fabric? I think that’s the only way you could get much tougher than ballistic nylon. Good luck on the work!
Dave: That sounds awesome, but if the dollar keeps going the way it is, then £7.99 will be–like–$200 USD by the time I get to the UK (Jan ‘09).
PTB: They actually didn’t seem too expensive. The Blackhawk lists at something like $70…of course, that’s relative since I hope that my $70 investment will last until my grandkids are born (I’m a spendthrift…what can I say)
Haley: I’m going to forward the Osprey info onto my wife–she doesn’t obsess about gear like me (is that a guy thing?), but she has an additional kink…mild scoliosis. Her hunt for a bag has been a nightmare.
ALLES: Danke schon für Ihre Anmerkungen!
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Jacob, nice article!
You are right, if the answer was easy, the question would not be asked…
I personally, believe in travel light. Difficult if one has a laptop, SLR camera, tripod, and heavy lenses. I have decided to forfeit clothes. Depending on climate offcourse. I found that travelling in cold climates is easier, because, one can wear all your clothes. To travel in warm climates, with the occasional cold snap is more difficult, because then you have to pack warm clothes, wich takes space…
The downside of forfeiting one’s clothes, is that one tends to stink a bit after a while. You start noticing that the “clean” people are walking further away from you, wich can get a bit lonely
For me, a backpack must have pockets for lenses, camera batteries, memory cards and bird/wildlife guide books.
I have noticed that some of the flashy brands are including kevlar as an advantage! This is strange. Kevlar is heavier that normal fabric. Altough kevlar has good ballistic and anti-abrasion properties, the biggest enemy to kevlar is good old fasioned UV, sunlight! Maybe these backpacks are intended for people who wants to hike the Kaiber-Pass between Afghanistan and Pakistan at night…
The quest continues!↵ -
thanks for the response, Jacob
you’ve helped inspire a similar post on my blog, cuz even tho I dont do spreadsheets, obsessing over gear is def not a guy thing :~j
http://www.jeelago.net/work/2008/01/17/in-search-of-the-perfect-travel-backpack/
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So I’m not the only one that obseses about bags, I am not alone!! This article couldn’t have come at a better tme…a time that consists of employing half my office-day in scoping the web for a bag that suits my needs. After all, I ONLY have 4 months to pick the bag that will accompany me during 2 years of non-stop traveling! I have decided I will switch from a carry-on backpack to one of those brilliant wheeley bags with the option to carry…this was decided after my arms and shoulders went completely numb when walking 10 blocks in Barcelona. Eastpak in London has a good array of special bags for travelers who are in it for the long haul, and don’t know when they’re coming back. Good job Jacob!
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I’ve been traveling a little while now, and have cut my load in half time and again, I actually started with THREE backpacks, hanging off caribeaners and shoulders, somehow able to carry it all. I’ve since obsessed about the perfect pack, but then came up with an idea… no backpack… sort of.
Picture a sleeping bag with sleeves, the top half unzips to double as a jacket, the bottom half equipped with straps and back support (doubles as a sleeping mat). So now the thing that takes up the most room in your pack (at least for me), the sleeping bag, IS your pack. I’ve detailed it out a bit more than that and would love to make a prototype with someone who knows what they’re doing. I’d also love to hear the thoughts from some more experienced travelers.
For what it’s worth, my site is HoboLifestyle.com, and among my many “wish I had a better bag/less stuff” posts, this is the most recent, titled “How heavy is your life?”
http://www.hobolifestyle.com/blog/2007/12/how-heavy-is-your-life.html
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I found this site by accident and boy am I a happy bunny! Great post and I’m happy to find I’m not the only one obsessed with finding the perfect backpack for my various activities. I currently use a bag by Eagle Creek when I travel. It’s roomy and I start out with it half-full and with a spare duffel inside for purchases.
http://www.eaglecreek.com/bags_luggage/adventure_travel_packs/Voyage-65L-10051/
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I’ve been looking for my ultimate backpack for a while now (ditto for saddlebags too!) and I think I’ve found it. For me its probably the Cilogear 60L. Good for climbing,hiking,backpacking, etc…, but also compresses quite small, and surprisingly everything is removable.
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Hi,
Cedric – I have a bag for you to consider…and it meets the needs of most looking on this websote.
I am in the Excel making category and researched because my wife and I were going to Florida from Canada last month and with all the airline restrictions, security whatnot and so on we wanted to go carry-on only. She got a wheeled carry on which worked well for her, but was a pain in the airport and she (and I) ended up lugging it up and down stairs, escalators etc and generally it was a nuisance, but at least it was carry-on.
The bag I had was a LowePro Computrekker Plus, which is a large camera bag but a legal carry-on – I carried my 35 mm Nikon d70, with a 28-70mm lens and a 70-210 lens in the bag PLUS my Apple MacBook Pro 17″ laptop and clothes for the 2 weeks. By followin the one bag/ Rick Steves list of clothes with the backpack I had my hands free and the bag was never in the way. We were first to the rental car counter off the flight on the way down, first through customs on the way back and did not once say “I wished I had brought…”.
I love the bag and it is now my default leisure travel single bag (and it doubles as a “put it all it” camera bag for photo shoots from a car at home).↵ -
Amusing article…I find myself always complaining about the unweildiness and weight of my backpack…then I have a look over at the old Vietnamese man carrying four times what I am in plaid plastic bags…
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here’s my dilemma–I want the perfect backpack–but unfortunately I already found the perfect backpack for my photography supplies….and I only have one back–I’m in a pickle-
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I ended up buying this pack for my RTW trip based partially on your article.
If anyone is interested, I’ve posted some of my own quick observations about the Assault Pack and a link to a photo gallery on Flickr with more photos of the bag and one of me wearing it for size reference:
http://nathanshipley.com/blog/index.php/2008/05/15/blackhawk-3-day-assault-pack-review/
Thanks!
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I am working on an ultimate backpack, I would appreciate people to complete a survey on my site.
Andy of HoboTraveler.com presently in Pucallpa, Peru on the Amazon.↵ -
Just curious: is there a particular accessory that’ll make this thing laptop ready?
Either way, what configuration might you suggest, in order to carry one around -in a safe enough manner?
Great post, and thank you for your input.
All the best!↵ -
Hello everyone! My name is kibakichi, and I am a lone wolf who has dedicated his life to the dream of becoming perfected as a martial artist and warrior. I will be leaving on a 10 year journey of training and experience at the end of the year, after finishing my duties to my beloved shaolin temple. I am looking for an ultimate pack for traveling. I have a list of what I will be bringing with me that I will be posting in my next post. I welcome any advice you can give me. Thank you.
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