http://spreadsheets.google.com/feeds/list/pv6W-xHCsGGGOPCCZ1EezEQ/od6/public/basic/e5yid2009-11-03T07:16:52.328Zcountryonyourpassport: Canada, firstname: Ryan, yourage: 25, travelascoupleorsingle: Single, whatisthelongesttimeyouhaveevertraveledoutsideyourcountry: Wandered around the North West USA - 2 months. Ireland - 2 months. Central America - 1 month. , brandnameofbackpack: Osprey, whatdidyoupayforbaginu.s.dollars: 200, listtheitemsthathavebrokeonyourbag.: sternum strap buckle, rear lashing buckle. , whatarethebiggestproblemsyouhadwiththebag: This has actually been a good bag, once the silly detachable day pack was removed. I only wish that the main compartment was deeper (distance from my back to the outer edge of the bag). , whatfeaturesorbenefitsdoyouwantincluded: -Where straps / buckles are used, and I think they are useful on large capacity backpacks to take some of the load / strain off of the buckles, make sure that both ends of the strap are long enough that they can be tied together when the buckle breaks. -Make the I.D. window only accessible from the INSIDE of the bag. -Shoulder straps should be without lots of seams, which casue friction points, and smooth low profile straps are better than thickly padded ones. -Keep outside pockets/compartments to a minimum: perhaps only one for a map or guide book and maybe one for a water bottle (I seldom use a water bottle pocket for water, but it's handy for sea shells or other things that you pick up but don't want to put inside your pack. Also good for toilet paper). -Arrange a place for lashing sandals. I wear mine in the shower and they're often wet. -Put D ring near the top of the bag so that it can easily be clipped to me, for example while in an airport, or also for clipping a towel to that isn't quite dry. -I would like a mesh stretch pocket / pockets stiched along the front of the main zippered compartment (the part that zips away) for books and other flat items etc. -Make sure the material on the bottom of the bag is not too coarse or loosely woven. Make sure that it is easy to wipe clean, as this is the part of the bag that sits on the ground and gets dirtiest. -two small / oblong pouches on the top inside of the bag would be nice to store a camera and sunglasses (in case) away from the main weight of the bag)- it also would keep them more easily accessible. Make sure they are securable with velcro tab etc (Not snap!). , howmuchweightdoyoucarryinthebag: ~50+- lbs, didyoureturnwithmorethanbagsthanyouleftwith: No extra bags, howoftendidyouusethewaistharness: Sometimes, wasyourobbedonthetrip: Not yet..., didyoucarryatent: No, didyoucarryasleepingbag: Yes- I carried a light weight rectangular bag which could be zipped open and used as a blanket (Snugpak Jungle bag). , didyoucarryacamelbackwaterpouch: No- too hard to refill or clean! Bad for extended trips!, whatitemsdidyounotneed: -Didn't use my hammock. -Would replace my alarm clock with a digital watch with alarm function. -Carried a compact water filer which I never used. , didyouloseawaterbottle: No, explainyouropinionsonwaterbottles: A 1l plastic pop bottle is almost as good as it gets. Wide mouth bottles are easier to clean but harder to drink from without spilling and more prone to leaking. For reusable water bottles, I want something stainless steel that I can boil in. I like the Klean Kanteen line, although they are heavy (I use a flat cap, as the tall one may work loose?). "Sig" bottles are junk not good as they dent easily and are plastic coated so that you cannot boil them. Nalgene are ok- but a coke bottle is nearly as good if you want plastic. , doyoucarryandumbrella: No, wheelsornowheelsbag: No wheels, howmanybagsdidyoucary: One large backpack (Osprey Waypoint 60- threw away the strap-on day pack it came with) and size small "Timbuk2" messenger bag for daily use and to be slung across my chest for things needed at hand while wearing the backpack., linktophotosofyourbag.: http://www.ospreypacks.com/detail.php?productID=43&colorCode=5451&tab=description (Note- used without the removable "day pack". , doyoucarryarainponcho: yes- I use a sil-nylon tarp/poncho (Inegeral designs). It was too expensive, but is useful: it's light, works well as a poncho, covers my pack while wearing, and becasue of its useful rectangular shape it makes great curtains or shade at the beach (provided some trees, etc). , doyoucarrryacomputerexplainhowyoucarry: I have not carried a computer in the past, but I would get a Acer Aspire One ($400 9" "Webbook) on my next extended trip. , didyoubreakacameraorlose: No, averagepriceofroomsyoulivedin: $15-20 in USA hostels, whydoyouloveyourbag: Nothing serious broke or failed. It didn't look to fancy and it hasn't been stolen yet., howdoyourepairabagwhentraveling: Heavy needle and fishing line or take it to a shoe repairman. Duct tape can be useful, too. Improvise! Note! Make buckels all the same size so that you can move a less important one to relace the one that broke! , doesapersonneedhikingboots: Not unless that person is hiking. I wear leather walking books / work boots that I had made for me, but I like a leather shoe that I can have resoled. They are really heavier than they need to be, but sturdy and comfortable and look ok. I wear sandals a lot, too. , explainhowyoumanageguidebooks: I keep a small size timbuk2 messenger bag with me at all times, on my back mostly or across my chest if I am carrying my main backpack. The guide book stays in there unless its in my hands. , doyouclimbmountains: Not often, doyoulikeallthelittlepocketsinsidethebag: Some inside pockets are ok, so long as they are designed well, but I like Andy's idea of a roll-up backpack organizer much better. The more material sewn into the bag, the less free space there is and the heavier the bag will be (and more expensive, too). Keep it simple!, didyougetyourbagslashedwithrazor: Not yet!, wouldalargedufflebagworkgoodenough: A duffle could work but it is less comfortable to carry heavy loads and the contents slide around more. I prefer a backpack. , doyoulockyourbag: Yes, explainbagsecurity: I keep a lock on the main zipper any time that my bag is outside of a locked room. That's why some additional outside compartments (guide book pouch, water bottle pocket) can be useful., doyouknowofanyonewhohadthebagstolenexplainwhathappened.: I have heard, but don't know the details. Most people say "I only set it down / looked away for a moment and...", whatfeaturedoyoudreamofonabackpack: Keep it simple and easy to fix. , candidateforbetatestersshortlist: Yes good Name: Ryan Lloyd EMail: awx01@hotmail.com Country: Canada