'Now I know I have posted up a thread a couple of mo this ago looking for a new Rucksack, and to be honest I still cant make up my mind.
Currently I own a 75L ARC'TERYX Bag.
I try to get out for a two or a three nights at least once a month..
Looking at LBT and Mystery Ranch with a few others. I like burgens with a full access entry design ie. not from the top only. I like some sort of front opening device so that I can not only see everything I'm carrying, but get to stuff right at the bottom without taking everything out first...
However most companies rate there three day bags in there collection at 30L capacity.
Who on here can get a Sleeping Bag, Bivvi Bag, Rollmat, Basha (pegs bungees paracord) Cooking Equipment, 3 days of Rations and Brew Kit, Waterbottles, Water Purification, Spair Clothes, a Waterproof Jacket, Fleece... (and all the other small odds and sods like a Torch, Fire Lighting Kit, First Aid Kit, Knife, Saw, Radio. etc etc
Into a 30L bag ?
In the Army I had to struggle getting everything into 100L'
I dont think you can get everything into a 30L bag, at least without looking at what you are putting in it. And even then, its going to be tough. However, a 45-50L pack is doable, gives you flexibility, and isnt that difficult to get hold of. Osprey have several, and Mammut, Montane, Jack Wolfskin, Haglofs, Vaude, Deuter and Arc'teryx all have them. And no, you dont really need surplus - heavy, often no back system to speak of, and frankly, features often not applicable if your a civilian.
Mystery Ranch etc are nice, but you will struggle to find one in the UK to try out, and will perhaps pay accordingly when you do.
Having said that, the
Mystery Ranch Raven 50 is available for £144, which is much the same as a Osprey Kestral 48, and the way it opens it might work for you.
Look at whats in your rucksack - do you need a rollmat (self inflating is way more comfortable )? The size and type of sleeping bag - down is much more compressible, down or synthetic jacket rather than fleece, etc. The smaller and lighter that stuff is, the easier it is to get a smaller bag. But you dont have to fill a large bag - its what suits you, and flexibility is always useful. I would far rather have a slightly larger bag and make life easy, rather than try to get everything into a bag that is far too small, and perhaps have to hang things off it..