Backpack size recommendations?

[stevage]

I'm in the market for a backpack that I can use for bikepacking, and hopefully also big daywalks. You can see what I'm currently using here. It's just slightly too small, and doesn't have a vented back, so you get pretty sweaty.

I've been looking at a couple around the 28-32L mark - curious if people have recommendations for specific sizes? Also, what's the maximum weight you can carry without back problems?

Any other suggestions for features to look for would be handy. (Recommendations for specific backpacks often aren't so useful, as I'm in Australia, and the popular brands here are a bit different.)

[sfuller]

I know you didn't want specific recommendations, but I've had good luck with my Ergon BC3. It's about 25L in capacity. The hip belt really helps keep the weight off the top of the shoulders. It doesn't have a lot of small pockets, but it's easy to organize things inside. They have rated it at about 22 lbs of capacity.

[stevage]

22Lbs (10kg) - but how much weight do you actually carry?

[sfuller]

On longer trips, I've tried to keep it lighter (10 lbs or so with water), using the space for bulkier items. Usually a 100 oz hydration bladder, clothes, some food, etc in it. For day trips around the area or single track, I've had a twelve pack of beer plus other stuff in it.

[stevage]

well, that's certainly a valid use of weight

[DaveC]

There seems to be a huge amount of variability in what amount of backpack weight folks find tolerable.  It's probably a trainable quality; if you don't ride with a 20 pound pack, it won't be very sustainable.

Unless you're hellbiking, I don't see any reason to have a pack bigger than 25-30 liters for bikepacking.  If you can't fit your kit in that sort of pack, a seatbag, frame bag, and maybe a bar harness you have way too much.  Excess capacity is nice, so you can put more weight on the bike for dirt roads and more on the back for technical singletrack.

I've carried 6 liters of water and a full load of other junk in packs like the Talon 22 and found it just fine.

[Area54]

Seeing you're in Melbourne, head down to backpackinglight down off little bourke st (up an alleyway) up near kathmandu, mountain designs and all the other 'outdoor stores'

Check out the range of Aarn packs, they make some specific cycling packs and there is a lot of design process in the product. Aarn is NZ based.

Pack length is related to your back length and height, when walking your load should be located on your hips, not the shoulders. Getting the right length pack and being fitted by a quality outfitter (as well as loading hte pack correctly) is crucial to comfort and performance. This of course changes on a bike as your back is in a different curve, weight distribution changes and loading points move.

[stevage]

Great tip - I hadn't heard of Aarn. Their packs look very interesting - but I'm sure hideously $$$. (They don't list prices for any packs, as far as I can see). I'll definitely pop into Backpacking Light and have a look.

[Area54]

They certainly take a different approach to design. On my list for next pack.

[stevage]

Went and checked out the Aarn Marathon Magic 20 and 33. They look pretty good, but I wish I could find more reviews from cyclists. I know they're great for trail running - but that's not something I do. I'd definitely use the 33 for overnight hikes, which I do a bit of. The 33 turns out to be around $240AUD.