Which Travel Bag
 

I am going to Southeast Asia for 1.5 months in January and I am trying to figure out what bag I should take.

I currently have this '65L' bag;

http://www.luggagesuperstore.co.uk/c...orts-bag/p1029

however, I haven't used it / travelled with it before, or at all without conventional standing wheeled luggage. It seems a little small, but I'm currently not in a position where I can fill it up and test it, unfortunately.

I was considering buying this 90L Kathmandu bag;

http://www.kathmandu.com.au/packs-an....html?___SID=U

I'm not sure if I would prefer some kind of backpack or not. Please advise.

Does anyone have insight or reccomendations for me? Is there a better value option somewhere? Kathmandu isn't usually great value, even on sale.

Thanks in advance.

solo travel btw

You haven't mentioned what your activities might be and that would help determine what size bag you might need. Both of your choices seem rather large and unwieldy to me. You might consider a travel pack which gives you a variety of carrying options. There are many on the market with carry handles, shoulder straps and zip-away backpack straps. Here are a few examples:
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/64438...on-travel-pack
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/51615...438-ppxs&dds=y
http://www.tombihn.com/travel_bags/TB0906.html
http://www.meipacks.com/TravelPacks01.html

Everyone has their favorite for various reasons. Think about what you need to carry and read reviews of various bags and packing methods. Remember that a larger bag will tempt you to pack more than you need. A six-week trip that does not require special equipment should not require more than a carry-on sized bag if you pack travel-friendly multi-purpose items.

You don't need any more "stuff" for a six week trip than you do for a one week trip. 65L should be plenty. (For my packing list see: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/...take-part-one/ and the two following posts.)

I would not take either of the bags you link. Either take a wheeled case or a convertible backpack. The backpack I used for 10 years came from Eagle Crek, I currently use a rolling case from Rick Steves.

http://shop.eaglecreek.com/rincon-vita-65l/d/1003_c_116 (for women)
http://shop.eaglecreek.com/rincon-65l/d/1002_c_116 (for men)
http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/ca...entId=8&id=527

Another vote for the Rick Steves rolling carry on. It's on sale roght now too. I use it for travel from a weekend to six weeks in length.

I have an earlier version of that Rick Steves bag - bought it in 2005 or 2006. I have used it for trips all over, and it has held up nicely. I usually use it for trips from 1-3 weeks long, but yeah, for longer trips you don't need more stuff, just do laundry. I usually pack for a week regardless. And in SE Asia, getting laundry done is generally pretty inexpensive.

Is there a specific reason why you are considering a large duffle instead of wheeled luggage or a backpack? For me, wheeled luggage is my preference unless I will need to walk a lot with my luggage over uneven ground, then a backpack is my preference. I only go with a duffle for camping and/or car trips where I don't actually have to carry my stuff anywhere - I find that a full duffle bag on 1 shoulder carried over any distance is really bad on the back and shoulders.

Either go with the duffle bag you already own (65L) and just pack to that. Or buy a small wheeled suitcase or small backpack.

Do NOT buy that huge duffle bag!! That's be a bear to move around with for a couple months in SE Asia. And you don't need that much stuff anyways.

I have a 65L at the moment I have used for 2 years in Europe. I go to Southeast Asia for an unknown period in Feb and I'm ditching this and going to a 40L. The 65L fits heaps, that's the problem. Carrying more than necessary and I always end up collecting more. Recently hitched from Amsterdam to Spain and it killed me. So if you think you will walk a lot I wouldnt go big at all. Less space, less weight! Few changes of clothes and your away. (: