My first ever backpack was a Lowe Alpine Walkbout 35. A lovely bag, it seemed so big. I vaguely remember buying it from Field and Trek in Slough. I can't remember what for exactly, perhaps a trip to New York or Vienna? Whatever, it was the start of the end of my use of suitcases. I now have a 60+15 Berghaus travel rucksack. It's arm straps can completely zip away leaving a smooth and lockable exterior for airplane holds. I use this for trips longer than 2 weeks. But my Walkabout 35 was small enough to be taken onboard as hand luggage.
There were a few things about the Walkabout that niggled over time. It had bulging side pockets. This meant I would walk around and worry constantly about the 'wings' hitting people as I swung around. Second, although it felt big, it wasn't big enough by the end of the holiday (souvenirs etc), I needed more space. Third the back system, well it was state-of-the-art for it's time, with channels in the mesh foam back, but the foam back acted like a sponge. Not hopeless, not great. Four, wearing it, I had no way to wear another bag. I suppose I could put everything into my pockets, but it would be nice to have access to a pocket on the bag while wearing it. Five, it was top entry only. This meant if I needed to access something at the bottom of the bag, everything had to come out. Finally, the last time I used it, I was shocked to find that when I took my clothes out, they were covered in rubber deposits. The bag was disintegrating.
All this is solved in my new bag. I looked at many bags, and narrowed the choice down to two options the Talon 44 and the Freeflow Pro 50. Both are very similar. They solve all the issues above (no wings, bigger, air back systems, pockets on the waist strap and bottom entry) and have metal internal frames to better transfer to load to my hips rather than my shoulders. Additionally, to my surprise, they are no longer, when compressed, than my old Walkabout, so these will still fit in the hand luggage container at the airport.
I looked at both, and the Talon is more attractive. It also seems to have a simpler shaped interior (the Berghaus is curved away from your back). But the Berghaus appeared to have tougher materials and more robust clips and a bit more space. So I got that one.
Yes, in red. It looks nice. I think. £100.
Next was a travel wallet. I think my old nylon wallet is
as old as the Walkabout and that too is falling to pieces. That's a problem because it means tickets might fall out. Some more research. I wanted something British. I came across the Queen's travel wallet, from Launer. £205? I don't think so. Anything like that but cheaper? Yep. Something called Aspinal. £120? Hmm. Still not good enough. KikiJames? OK, £65 is getting there, but I was walking through Greenwich market last weekend and I saw a modernised version of all of the above for less still. Modern in that it had specific provision for cards e.g my E-HIC and YHA membership.
So I got a HIDESIGN travel wallet. £50 and it smells great.
Finally, I got a tub of Hoodia vegecaps. I'll be taking 1 a day after lunch to curb my appetite for snacks during the afternoon. £39.99 from Holland and Barratt. Maybe it works, probably.
