Hey, I'm new to this and just had a couple of questions that hopefully someone with experience might be able to help me with. I'm hoping to leave for backpacking in June for the UK, then on to Asia, then to Australia and New Zealand. I'm looking at being gone for up to two years. I've done nine months in Europe already and i just borrowed my brother's pack. I don't know how big it was or the type. I'm looking at buying my own and i've been looking at the Asolo 70L bag. It comes with an attached day pack and toiletry bag. Is that too big, would i be better off with a 60L. I don't know if the daypack and toiletry bag are included in the 70L or if they are additional. Also I'm looking at getting a sleeping bag. Do you think up to 0 degrees Celcius is okay for where i'm going. Which would be better: down or a synthetic. Thanks so much guys, i look forward to hearing from you.

Hi Marie,

I'm not familiar with the Asolo so can't comment on that. As to general volume I prefer to carry a larger sack slightly under-packed rather than a smaller pack fully stuffed, but then I'm a large bloke and can carry a lot reasonably comfortably. The temptation with a larger sack is to carry more than you need though...

As to sleeping bags - where in Asia are you going (anywhere at high altitude?) and what time of the year do you expect to be in New Zealand? Certainly 0 degrees will be fine in the UK throughout even our coldest summers!

Down tends to be dearer, doesn't like getting damp/wet but is more compressable for a given warmth. Synthetics are generally cheaper, cope with getting wet, but bulkier for the same warmth.

I advise getting a 50 litre pack-you don't need a large pack, you will just fill it with stuff you don't need. In asia it is very cheap to get washing done and any souvenirs you buy you can post home (if you are gone for two years you won't want to lug stuff around for that long!). Travel packs suck (I've gone through two), get a traditional hiking backpack-cheaper. Buy a big cheap tote to store it in if you want to make it look cheap on bus journeys and to protect it on flights. Buy a daypack and toiletry bag separately-then you can pick ones that suit your needs better.

It depends where you go in asia but you might not need a sleeping bag unless doing high altitude trekking. In New zealand you don't need a really warm one if you stick to staying in huts on any trails (there is a very large hut network, but they often are 'huts'). A down bag will last longer and compress better, so might be a good option if you can afford it, for a longer trip. A thermarest type thing (see Alpkit) would be a good idea.

In most places you can buy nearly everything you need.

Thanks so much for your help guys. One quick question again: I did get a sleeping bag for -7. Now, I'm about 5'11" tall. The bag is for a max. height of 6'. I know this is a bit of a silly question, but how much room do you guys prefer in your bags. I was planning on getting the max for 6'6" i think, but forgot to check before i took it home. Do i need that much room? Honestly, i don't know what i need or what i'll be more comfortable in. thanks, marie

More snug fitting bags are better IMO, I have one that has quite a bit of excess and all that happens is the part's that arent in contact with my body end up freezing in comparisson with the rest. Not good