Can someone help me? Second time to Europe and hoping to pack a lot lighter this time. I am interested in purchasing a Swiss Army Trek Pak Plus 26". Like the pack because of the versatility and the quality. Between two people, we plan to take this pack and also a Kelty Redwing 2900 backpack for a 17 day European vacation involving train travel. The bag itself is 17.5" wide. Too wide for train aisles?<BR><BR>I was reading a lot of posts here saying go with a 22". I looked at a 22" and thought, how could I put all my stuff in there? The posts for the backpack portion seem to take up a lot of space. Does anyone own this bag?<BR><BR>Any advice would be appreciated.

I strongly recommend you use no bag bigger than 22 inches. You get to take as much stuff as you (reasonably) need by taking a second bag. so much easier to handle two bags of 35 pounds each than one bag of 55 pounds.<BR><BR>And you will probably not take 2 bags at 35 pounds, filled - - if you follow this important rule: Bag number one should not weight more than EIGHT pounds empty. And bag number two should not weigh more than eight OUNCES when empty. In other words, a lightweight medium or small nylon duffel.<BR><BR>These are my other items of advice for luggage and packing, as previously posted:<BR><BR>* I check the larger bag when flying, and I make sure that the smaller bag (carried on with me) has EVERYTHING I will need to get me by for the first 2-3 days after my arrival in Europe - - in case my larger bag is delayed in arriving.<BR><BR>* For either bag (separately), when fully packed, you should be able to lift it entirely above your head, and carry it up one flight of steps without touching wall or handrail(s). Can't do this? It's too heavy (for you).<BR><BR>* For both bags - - TOGETHER - - you should be able to carry them up AND down one flight of stairs. It's okay to brush against walls for this. For most people, this means a total packed weight of about 50 pounds maximum, or maybe as much as 60-something.<BR><BR>* The rules relax for your return trip. Obviously, it's what YOU can manage. but I almost always take a THIRD empty bag (again, typically a nylon duffel). I check two for the return trip.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

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If you feel that a 22" is too small then go with the 26". Anything larger than a 26" will be hard to drag up 2 floors to your room.

Joanne - <BR><BR>I recently purchased the 24" and it is the perfect size. The 22" was probably not big enough for my purposes (a 1 month trip to Australia, a 2 month trip to SE Asia and a 1 month trip to Africa). I found the 26" to be a bit big for my frame, however, if the person carrying the pack is a larger man, then the size is fine. <BR><BR>By the way, I bought my pack at swissarmywarehouse.com and saved about $170 off the retail price. I highly recommend it. Great prices, no taxes and free shipping.

How could the Swiss Army have luggage?<BR>They have never gone anywhere!

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Read the first reply. Now read it again. Now look in the yellow pages and find your local chapter of 26 inchers anonymous and follow their twelve step program.<BR>

For Joanne, 17 days is NOT that long of a trip. You simply need less "stuff" that you think you do. I just finished 3 weeks in Europe in a 22" rolling suitcase, and was a couple clothing items overpacked at that. <BR><BR>Unless you are actually carrying camping gear or traveling in the dead of winter, ONLY take what fits in a smaller case or pack. It is simple once you get used to the idea & soooooooooo worth it!