How big a bag do I need for my 2 week trip?

[taminca]

Decisions, decisions, decisions...indeed. But what wonderful choices from which to decide!

As for Dyneema vs Parapack... They are both lightweight and excellent at not attracting lint, hair, etc... so it boils down to aesthetics for me. I prefer the look of Parapack, especially in a work bag since I think it looks more professional. But that's me. You are wise to ask for swatches so you can compare for yourself. And FWIW I think the Black Dyneema/Wasabi color combo (my Aeronaut) is gorgeous!

[Travelmom4]

Wow, Tam, well done! Your effort is much appreciated. I was inclined toward the 19 and it sounds like it will be just right for my needs. I would love to hear your thoughts on the parapack vs the dyneema. I've requested swatches of the steel, black, wasabi and iberian dyneema and the parapack so that I can decide. Decisions, decisions, decisions...

[monkeylady]

You go, Tam! Sounds like the S19 will do.
Travelmomma4, I really like the wasabi interior for the backpack as it's bright and light and easier to see inside. Sometimes solar interiors are offered, and they're great, too.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Yoda Sloth]

I LOVE the wasabi color (but then I like greens...). I am 5'6" and carried my Synapse 25 (black parapack/Iberian) as my personal item on a recent business trip - it was great to carry and fit well on my frame. While it sounds like your stuff will fit in the Synapse 19, the Synapse seems to hold its shape well - full or empty - so if you have extra space it would still carry well.

You might consider which would be more useful to you after this trip? As someone else pointed out recently - these bags last a long time...

[taminca]

Here is what I expect to pack: on the planes I will carry a clean shirt, socks and undergarments, wallet & travel docs, kindle, a guidebook, medium cosmetic bag, pashmina, cell phone, water bottle, gum, tissues, compact comb, quart size bag of liquids and a deflated travel pillow.

Travelmom4, I have a Synapse 19 and tried to mimic your packing list as follows: a Corduroy shirt, wool socks and ExOfficio undergarments in a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag; wallet, cosmetics in a small Organizer Pouch, tissues, medication and cough drops in a Side Effect; travel documents in a medium Clear Organizer Pouch; Kindle; Sierra Nevada Guidebook; cell phone; 20-oz Nalgene water bottle; hair brush; and liquids in a 3D Clear Organizer Cube.

I do not have a pashmina or travel pillow. The rest, however, fit into the Synapse 19 without any problem. And there is still capacity for more.

I have 2 of the Synapse 19 -- one in Steel Dyneema/Wasabi and one in Black Parapack/Wasabi. I love the wasabi Dyneema interior! Bought the Steel Dyneema first, then the Black Parapack when the fabric was introduced. The latter is now my EDC work bag.

I did try the Synapse 25 but found that it was more than I need, and I prefer the S19 on my 5'2" frame.

Hope this helps.

[Travelmom4]

Thanks for the details, Monkeylady. It is very helpful to see just what you pack-that bag holds an enormous amount! I just can't get over how much room you have in there.

Do you like the wasabi? I'm thinking either steel or black dyneema. I would love the iberian interior if it was offered but wasabi is my second choice and I am getting antsy so I might not be able to wait for more color choices.

[monkeylady]

P.S. My pack is steel dyneema/wasabi. I LOVE dyneema. My color choice wasn't as exciting as was possible, but I stuck to a more neutral outer color to facilitate wildlife viewing.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[monkeylady]

Dear Travelmom,
I have no experience with the S19, so can't compare for you. I'm off to Ecuador and Panama in 2.5 weeks (but who's counting?) and I can tell you what my S25 is carrying. I am 5'8" BTW. For the flight: binocs, a change of clothes including sleepwear, rain jacket, fleece, camera, noise cancelling headphones (the big honking over your ears variety), Kindle, travel tray, bathroom
kit in a clear 1/4 cube, paperwork for trip, organizer pouch with chargers and cords not in Travel Tray. Suspended inside the bag at the top is a Side Effect with my backup battery, snacks, extra wipes, glasses case.

In the front side pockets, a stuff sack for my rain jacket, a stuff sack for my Nano puff jacket, more snacks, my passport pouch, 3-1-1 pouch. In the bottom pocket is my other Side Effect which is outfitted as an EDC. This I can remove when I need to use the loo on the plane, instead of dragging in the whole pack (Mr. Monkeylady does an excellent job of guarding my precious belongings in these circumstances). With all this stuff, there will be quite a bit of room left over in the bag.

For everyday carry, it's going to be woefully underpacked with a rain parka, camera and kit, binoculars, several liters of water, bug and sun stuff, snacks, notebook, pen, wipes, sunglasses, buff, hat when in the jungle. When in the Andes, I'll have room to strip off my Nano puff or fleece as it warms up. But, there will be room for a pony in there as well!

I chose the S25 because of my height and because i only wanted to invest in one pack, and for me the S25 gave me more options. Last summer, I packed a week's worth of clothing and gear in it for a trip to the Oregon coast and used another bag as a personal carry for my toys. This worked for me because we drove and I could throw my extra shoes and jacket in the backseat with the dog. I don't know if this helpful to you. I hope so.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Travelmom4]

Thanks for the packing info, Monkeylady. I am with you on low expectations for the airlines and luggage. I am interested to hear about your S25. I am wondering if the S19 or the 25 is right for me. Here is what I expect to pack: on the planes I will carry a clean shirt, socks and undergarments, wallet & travel docs, kindle, a guidebook, medium cosmetic bag, pashmina, cell phone, water bottle, gum, tissues, compact comb, quart size bag of liquids and a deflated travel pillow. As a day bag, I need to carry a fleece, my small wallet and sunglasses, binoculars, small cosmetic pouch, sunscreen, tissues and wipes, gloves and hat and a water bottle. I am most interested in the dyneema fabric. As someone with experience with the the bag, what do you think about the S25 vs the S19? FYI, I'm about 5'6" and medium/small build.

[monkeylady]

I also use my Synapse (25) as a personal carry. Depending on the time of arrival at my destination, I may also pack in it night wear, indies, and a clean shirt for the next day so that I don't have to rummage through my main bag in the wee hours. I also put my Travel Tray in my Synapse with flashlight, headlamp, glasses case, meds for night and morning, and my mini kit of charging gear. Again no need to rummage through main bag in the wee hours. Sometimes I pack one full set of clothes, just in case I get gate checked. I have ZERO trust in airlines' handling of luggage.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Travelmom4]

Thanks for the tip, I will search for the Africa threads. While I am working to pack light, I'm still a newbie so the Synapse19 will be my personal carry.I'm considering the Aeronaut for my main bag. For the personal carry, I need something that can hold my fleece, binoculars, wallet, sunscreen and everyday items that I can keep with me on the international flights, small planes and game drives. My "big" bag will be squeezed into cargo holds on the small planes so no wheels and no frame are allowed. I am thinking that the backpack straps will be useful.

[monkeylady]

I think your packing list looks great! Not too much, not too little. There have been some posts here in the last 3-4 mos. about packing lists for Africa. You'll likely find them through the Search function. I seem to remember someone talking about some chilly nights and another about occasinal rain, hence my suggestion about the jacket. Is all your gear going in the S 19 or will it be your personal carry.

[Travelmom4]

Yes, Monkeylady I will wear the heaviest shoes on the plane. I'm wondering the same thing about a light rain shell-need to look into that question. The small camera will be in my soon-to-be-ordered Synapse 19 and my husband will carry the big lens. I'm working on the packing list now and keeping it as pared down as possible.

[monkeylady]

No camera?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[monkeylady]

Back to your packing list...it looks reasonable to me. I'm assuming you'll wear your hiking/trail shoes on the plane? I've not been to Africa yet, but do you think you could use a super light weight rain jacket to layer over your fleece?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD