This question comes up a lot, and the key question to ask in turn is how long will you be out for and what sort of kit are you carrying? You could do a week with a 35L sack, but your pretty minimalist, its very warm or you've spent a lot of money on your sleeping bag, because spending £400 gets you a bag thats the size of a coke can. A cheap bag is the size of a bus, and so you need a 65L bag just for that.
Like Squidders I've got a Lowe Alpine bag, in this case a Liberty 70+20 (old school!) which is more than big enough, but with a very comfortable back system. The average cheap rucksack or surplus bag tends to have a minimalist type of strap system, and basic waist belt at best (which is where the bulk of your weight should be). I agree totally with Squidders - surplus is seldom the best way to get great comfort or flexibility (although the LA packs Endicotts is selling are very different from that - certainly worth looking at). Frankly, I find a lot of surplus kit too knacked, too uncomfortable, too expensive (compared with civvie stuff) and too heavy.
A 55 to 65L pack might be fine, and a quick look on Ebay might bring up an old school Karrimor for a decent sum (Podsac are selling off the last of their range - very solid, no frills, but good kit and now very decent prices). Go to your local Cotswolds and join their EXplorer card scheme. There are good reasons to do that anyway, but you also get the catalogue free. That means you can look at the packs size, weight, etc over a coffee and see what the market is like. Then you can look for a bargain. Buy once, buy right - so think about weight, dont worry about pockets, and try back system before hand if poss. EXpect to pay £80 new for a decent one.
As time goes on, you'll know exactly what works for you, and as your kit gets refined, then you'll tailor the bag to it (you'll probably end up with more than one bag). But I dont think you fill the bag just because you have the space available - its more about catering for the task, and trying to get lots of kit in a small bag doesn't really work. I'd rather have a slightly larger bag and be warm, than have a small bag, and then be cold, because of the amount of clothes etc I could fit in the bag.
Start with a decent size, and that gives you flexibility. Dont be afraid to get it wrong - we all do, and thats how we get to know what works.
Like Squidders I've got a Lowe Alpine bag, in this case a Liberty 70+20 (old school!) which is more than big enough, but with a very comfortable back system. The average cheap rucksack or surplus bag tends to have a minimalist type of strap system, and basic waist belt at best (which is where the bulk of your weight should be). I agree totally with Squidders - surplus is seldom the best way to get great comfort or flexibility (although the LA packs Endicotts is selling are very different from that - certainly worth looking at). Frankly, I find a lot of surplus kit too knacked, too uncomfortable, too expensive (compared with civvie stuff) and too heavy.
A 55 to 65L pack might be fine, and a quick look on Ebay might bring up an old school Karrimor for a decent sum (Podsac are selling off the last of their range - very solid, no frills, but good kit and now very decent prices). Go to your local Cotswolds and join their EXplorer card scheme. There are good reasons to do that anyway, but you also get the catalogue free. That means you can look at the packs size, weight, etc over a coffee and see what the market is like. Then you can look for a bargain. Buy once, buy right - so think about weight, dont worry about pockets, and try back system before hand if poss. EXpect to pay £80 new for a decent one.
As time goes on, you'll know exactly what works for you, and as your kit gets refined, then you'll tailor the bag to it (you'll probably end up with more than one bag). But I dont think you fill the bag just because you have the space available - its more about catering for the task, and trying to get lots of kit in a small bag doesn't really work. I'd rather have a slightly larger bag and be warm, than have a small bag, and then be cold, because of the amount of clothes etc I could fit in the bag.
Start with a decent size, and that gives you flexibility. Dont be afraid to get it wrong - we all do, and thats how we get to know what works.
) now I've realised it's easier and cheaper just to get fitter!
