Decisions, decisions...

[durulz]

I'm being a right tart and I just can't make up my mind.
I've decided to get a new rucksack. Specifically, either a Highlander Forces 66, or a Forces 88. The reasons for choosing this is twofold: cost and local availability.
But I can't decide which to get.
Part of me wants to go the 66 route. Because I like to travel light and it forces you to not take things you don't need.
But the realist in me acknowledges that the extra room of an 88 will mean I can fit all the stuff I can get in a 66 but with a bit more room which means I won't have to cram it all in. And I may be able to take one or two luxuries that make inclement weather camping that bit more tolerable. Even if the vain part of me likes the thought of a smaller pack.
So, what should I do? Which would you buy? I need to be convinced one way or the other before I go and buy it tomorrow. I want the sensible side of me to hold sway, and buy the 88, or else I know I'll get a 66 out of vanity and then just curse myself when I can't get everything in it I want to. I don't like carrying too much, though.
See my dilemma? With an 88 I can also take my big, fancy, Gucci camera as well...Oh, sod and bugger!

 

[widu13]

Do you want it for walking or for getting to the campsite. For walking go lighter and smaller. For short walks to the campsite- <10 miles bigger is better, but remember you've got to carry it!

 

[John Fenna]

The big one - and buy some self discipline at the same time so that you do not over fill it!

 

[durulz]

...and buy some self discipline at the same time so that you do not over fill it!

That's just the trick. Self discipline costs an AWFUL lot.

 

[scanker]

I have a Forces 55 and 99. I use the 99 all the time, but haven't managed to get all I need in the 55, so haven't used it yet. I do need to be a bit more ruthless in kit selection I guess, which is why I've kept the 55. I will use it eventually. Go for the 88.

 

[saddle_tramp]

i dont know what highlanders ar like, but if its got compression straps, and you can tighten the lid down past a fixed point at the top, then you can easily turn an 88 into a 66, but to do it the other way means strapping stuff to the outside, and then your vanity is well shot lol

 

[Barn Owl]

Get the 88,the extra volume will be handy at some point.

 

[durulz]

Righty-O. I think I'm going for the 66L one. Maybe.
Mind you, I've just seen the Snugpak Rockpak (at 70L). Has anyone got one of these (or a Highlander 66) and can give a quick review - is it worth the money? Which would you go for, out of the two?
I suppose it's also a style things as well. Although a similar capacity, they are completely different styles - the Highlander is a long thin pack, and the Snugpak one is a wide and shallow. Which, and why, do you prefer out of these two styles?
Cheers for your advice.

 

[sapper1]

I have a snugpak rocket pack and find it to be an excellent pack ,well made waterproof ,light and has plenty of room.So why do I never use it? I'm 6'4" and the damn thing is only available in short back, if it fitted I would use it all the time as it's plenty big enough,just to short in the back for me.
If you look in the review section there is a good reveiw there.

 

[durulz]

I bought the Highlander 66.
It's massive. As soon as I saw it up close and personal I knew the Forces 88 would be totally unnecessarily big (what on earth do people who use sacks of such a size put in them!?). Ditto the Snugpak Rocketpak. I did prefer the darker green colour of the Snugpak (a trivial point, I confess, but still...)
What I didn't say when I started this thread is that my normal (Summer) bag is about 50L. Therefore, going up to 66L is positively decadent. 88L would be totally pointless since I don't HAVE 88L worth of kit. I have all my stuff (including winter bits) in the 66L and there's still 1/4 of the space left over (which'll be about right for some booze).
Never really thought of myself as a 'lightweight' camper (an inflatable mattress forms part of my 'essential' kit), but I suppose I may be. Well, more 'middle weight'.
Anyway. REALLY pleased with the Forces 66 and know I made the right decision. Shame it's not a slightly darker green...