1) The Luggage - Osprey Sojourn 25 ($150 each with free shipping from Backcountry.com) - This is a 60 Liter convertible pack which is one of very few lightweight rolling duffels that converts into a VERY legit large backpack. I was lucky enough to find 2 of these for approximately $150 each at Backcountry.com while they were trying to sell off their stock of discontinued colors. Unfortunately, the full price is about $290. However, this thing has so much going for it, that I would have very likely paid full price. Robert is even getting rid of his traditional suitcases and planning to use this bag exclusively.
Pros:
- Large sturdy wheels were fantastic for going over uneven terrain - rocks, dirt roads, you name it!
- 2 sets of compression straps (one inside and one out) helped keep the size manageable and keep all items securely in place
- Numerous pockets
- Very solid hidden backpack straps - These are very nicely padded, offer lower back support, and even have a waist strap. They are also removable, if you need some extra room for your things
- The bag can be stored relatively flat, unlike a regular rolling suitcase. I managed to store mine inside one of my suitcases, so it literally takes up zero space in the apartment!
- The 60L size (there is also an 80L version) will NOT be considered overweight by airlines when filled to capacity, unless you fill it with bricks.
- The straps and wheels make the bag somewhat heavier than a traditional pack. I would not want to be carrying this on my back all day. However, if you anticipate SOME rough terrain, these straps will make your life a lot easier. Conversely, all the other backpackers will glare at you with envy as you roll your pack down city streets and they are still huffing and puffing along.
- The strap attachment takes up space that could be used for more items - Really, a negligible issue.
- This bag only has 2 wheels, so there is no 360 degree rolling capability. Again, not a HUGE deal, but would have been nice to have.
- Not really a con, but, this is NOT a carry on sized bag. Many reviewers on Backcountry gave horrible reviews because they claimed to be misled into thinking this would fit into an overhead bin. Just like the time a woman next to me on a flight attempted to jam a huge rolling suitcase underneath the seat in front of her, all I can say is No. Just NO.
You can buy them here, but check several outdoors retailers for potentially better pricing:
2) The Carry Ons - Eddie Bauer RipPac Duffel and Backpack (Currently $29.95 each at EddieBauer.com) - I got a set of these for each of us (also on sale!) for about $15 each. The regular price is about $30. The usefulness of these cannot be overstated. They fold up tiny and are super light. I wanted the duffels for 2 purposes - 1) the PeruRail trains to Machu Picchu have severe luggage restrictions and do not permit full size luggage and 2) to have the option of some extra space to bring back souvenirs. These were absolutely perfect for both. In fact, due to some ridiculous new TSA regulations (rant to follow), we actually had to check one of these duffels full of Duty Free alcohol and it survived with zero damage! (Don't worry, all the bottles made it too!!)
Buy them here:
3) The Pants - I am a big fan of Columbia for outdoor and sports clothing/accessories. Also, in my opinion, they make the least horrible hiking pants. Seriously, why can nobody make them reasonably stylish! The men's are usually ok, but the women's always look like you're wearing beige ski pants. For Robert, I just bought several pairs of the generic zip-off convertible pants/shorts things. He was skeptical, but apparently they are so comfortable that he now wears them in the city too (but only while riding his bike!). I, on the other hand, looked like i was wearing paper grocery bags on my legs when I tried on a similar pair, so I went with the ones below instead. I sacrificed the zip-off feature for style and, no, I am not sorry. I even bought a second pair that were capri length.
Buy them here:
4) The Jackets - Eddie Bauer RipPac Jackets (Currently $60-$70 each at EddieBauer.com) - As you may have gathered by now, I REALLY like all of this Eddie Bauer stuff that folds up really small. All of these things save so much space, that I don't have to feel guilty about overpacking like crazy! I don't actually remember how much I paid for these, since we purchased them for our trip to the El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico a couple of years ago. However, I will say that if you have access to an Eddie Bauer outlet, that is definitely the way to go. I definitely I didn't pay more than $40 per jacket.
Now for why these are so great. Both the men's and women's versions are waterproof, VERY wind resistant, and retain body heat extremely well. Several times on our trip, we faced some very unexpected elements including extreme cold, wind, and snow. These jackets paired with some wool/fleece layers underneath were perfect! For reference, the temps went down to the low 30's at a couple of points during the trip and we were (more or less) fine.
The Men's Jacket
5) The Bug Spray (!!!) - Repel 40% DEET Insect Repellent ($4.47 on Amazon) - Just some background on bug sprays - For any type of long-term exposure to the outdoors, insect repellent containing DEET is recommended. However, after a certain concentration, it becomes really bad for you. I bought the 40% concentration because it is more than effective enough, while still not strong enough to kill you. Win-win. My main concern in terms of bugs was the Amazon, for obvious reasons. Of course, the bugs outsmarted me and got me good in Machu Picchu where I was least expecting it on the ONE day I didn't use bug spray. But if I had used this awesome spray, maybe my legs would not have been covered in sand fly bites for 2 and a half months after the trip!
Buy it here:
6) The Travel Guides - For the longest time I thought having a tablet was kind of unnecessary. But when my mom got me one as a graduation gift, I saw the light. Among many things, the iPad is fantastic for travel. There are tons of useful features from basic entertainment to apps that allow you to download free detailed and interactive city maps that are usable without Internet access.
My favorite, though, is being able to have all of my travel guides in one place. I like to print WikiTravel articles on all potential destinations to PDF and then store them on my iPad. I try not to look at my guides too frequently though, for fear of being flagged by pickpockets as an easy target. But then again, anything I do while being a tourist makes me look like a tourist, so there's really no escaping it. Every time I take out a map or take a photo, I might as well wave a giant American flag while eating a bacon cheeseburger.
7) THE REASON I'M STILL HERE TO WRITE THIS - Osprey Verve 13L Hydration Pack and Osprey Raptor 10L Hydration Pack ($109 and $118 respectively on Amazon) - We actually got these at a pretty big mark up at an outdoors store in Lima, but out of all the items we had on the trip, these were THE most worth it. The only thing that still kind of bugs me, considering how much I paid for it, is the awkward spruce color of my bag. Again...why is all women's outdoor stuff soo...awkward...On the other hand, Robert got an awesome red backpack. But anyway, here are the pros and cons:
Pros:
- These packs are made very intelligently. Each pocket is convenient, well placed, and has the perfect amount of space for what it is intended for.
- Even when full of gear and water, these are so light and hug so close to your back that you can barely feel the weight!
- There are bungie bike helmet holders, so we now use these for biking around the city too.
- I am a giant wimp, so I would have probably had to be air lifted off the mountain at Machu Picchu if it wasn't for this amazing bag. Ok maybe not, but Robert would have definitely had to carry like 7 water bottles for me.
Cons:
- Awkward spruce color that doesn't match any of my outfits.
Buy them here:
On a side note, while outdoor gear (such as real and knock off North Face) is very easy to get, hydration packs were not at all widely available in Peru. We only saw them in one store and the selection was very limited. Had we know how much we needed these, we definitely would have bought them in the US.
8) Last but not least, just for the ladies...This $10 piece of plastic called the "PStyle". Yes. I am serious. Yes. It's gross, but do YOU want to be squatting over some unidentified, potentially poisonous, rainforest plants covered in bugs? No? Then you need this.
Buy it here:
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