sparkchaser - those Clark desert boots look amazing

Kja - Thanks for the detailed tips

With the jeans - I will be taking a pair as they are skinny jeans, but the most comfortable jeans I have worn, they are 64% cotton and 36% polyester and are very thin. I wear them all the time and it will be what I wear most often, work well for going out as well.

I find Sandals very uncomfortable, with the straps rubbing against my feet, so wont be bringing them.

Thanks for the advice :)

Enjoy, and let us know how it works out!

I used to use a backpack, and I still have several, but I very rarely use them. I've found a roller bag to be much more practical. I take one that's small enough that I can carry it up stairs. You're not taking an excessive amount, so you should be OK with a fairly small bag.

What I often use is a combination of a small rolling carryon bag. (Mine is so small I can slip it under the airplane seat) and a little duffle bag that sits on top of it and has a wide strap that slips over the roller bag handle, so it stays put. When I have to go up steps, I can carry one in each hand. It's also easy to lift either of them up into an overhead compartment on trains or planes.

Cobblestones are not really a problem for a good rolling suitcase. I occasionally find a patch that's hard on the wheels, but these stretches are short and I can just carry the bags for that short distance. I don't know what the problem would be in hostels; I've seen all sorts of bags in hostels.

A larger backpack, such as the one you're considering, is a real nuisance on crowded public transportation, and in any crowded situation, such as busy urban streets. You can hardly move without smacking someone in the face. Of course, you could take it off and carry it, but then you have all the disadvantages of the rolling bag. I also got very tired of taking it off so I could sit down and then putting it back on. My largest backpack was smaller than yours (35 l, I think), but putting it on my shoulders without resting it on something at least waist height was no picnic.

I agree the rolling bag is better. We used to have a convertible bag - could be worn as a backpack but had small wheels. My husband liked to use it as a backpack but it really seemed inconvenient, I much preferred the rolling bag. A good one rolls fine over cobblestones. Much easier on trains, narrow staircases to hotel/hostel rooms, etc.

I read all that 'jeans are heavy/don't dry/don't look good' stuff and for several trips I brought other types of slacks/pants but I love my jeans and they are just as comfortable if not more so than any other type of clothing. Unless you sit in something or spill a lot they don't need to be washed that often (certainly not like under clothes or tops). On a trip that long you'll obviously have to do actual laundry every so often anyway. Take the jeans.

If flip flops are a good brand (eg Teva) I can walk miles in them. I average about 9 miles a day, every day for 4-5 weeks on my trips and do the majority in Teva flip flops. No blisters from straps rubbing. They have to be new (they wear down after a year or so) and fairly thick soled. New but broken in. Last year I did get a pair of Teva's that had more arch support and were not flip flops (but had minimal straps) and they worked well.

Does seem for that length of time you could use a few more changes of tops. I usually bring at least 6 or 7 shirts and am really sick of them after a month. Also stretches the time between when you need to do laundry. Of course you can buy stuff there, but still.

I wore high tops and put an extra insole inside of them. I am so old school, wore them all through high school in the 70's. :) I have black on blacks and love them. They have gone everywhere with me and love them most because they are light. My hikers weigh a ton. flip flops are great for hostels and even some other funky showers and floors.