Currently travelling around South America for 6 months using a http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowe-Alpine-.../dp/B001V5O450 . It fits within most airlines carry on dimensions so no need to check bags in which saves time and avoids the possibility of lost bags. I supplement thesis with a small packable day pack http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skyflite-Lug...skypak+luggage

<i>Apparently he went away just like he promised . . . and aren't we all happy about that.</i>

It may not have been completely his own doing...otherwise, look forward to a long, boring summary of his findings while irritating everyone on Fodor's. I don't know about you, but I won't be reading it. :-))

<i>Three compasses?</i>

That went without saying.

cheers guys!

<It may not have been completely his own doing...>

I don't think so, because he's still registered. If he was kicked off the forum his profile page would be gone too.

Apparently his MO on Thorntree was to change his user name frequently.

He is/was the self-anointed backpack expert over there for the two years that he posted.

Maybe we are lucky that his "reign" here was much shorter.

He had the user name BpGuru at one time - Bp being backpack, I suppose.

Does anyone really believe he has travelled anywhere outside his hometown? Seems like a classic "Wikipedia expert" to me

:))

Here's my two cents on the options, after trying out a lot of different ones for a travel gear blog.
http://www.cheapestdestinationsblog....erm-travelers/

If I were going out and spending my own money, I'd probably go with one of these brands.

<his MO on Thorntree was to change his user name frequently>

re "improviser" if he comes back here with a new screen name, he certainly won't be hard to spot.

You got that right.