ABD Backpacks

[blueshell]

Hi! I just received the welcome box with all of the ABD goodies in it Does everyone usually bring the backpack they give you to use on the ABD for the day trips?

 

[OKW Lover]

It somewhat depends on the trip. Some folks bring them, others have their own favorite bag that they travel with. It's seldom necessary for a couple to both carry a backpack.

 

[vakamalua]

We found it an odd, not too useful design & donated it to the church thrift shop.Take what suits your needs.

 

[peppers]

I did an ABD in the U.S. (Los Angeles/Disneyland) last fall; no one in my group had the backpack; like others have said, take what you are most comfortable with using.

 

[Chirple]

One person on our AZ-UT trip brought it when the small group of us hike a little bit into the Grand Canyon and during our Arches hike. We put our empty disposable water bottles in it. I just used a crossbody for each of my trips and tied a sweater or jacket around my waist.

 

[sayhello]

I've never found the ABD backpacks to be one I'd want to shlep with me. I have favorites of my own I bring. Some people *will* bring them, but I've found it's very few overall.

Sayhello

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Agree. The packs are nice and all, but not something we want to travel with. They're shaped oddly with too few places to hold our stuff - we bring our own bags instead. We'd prefer they knock a couple bucks off the cost and not hand them out!! But we also know they like the advertising it brings for those who do use them.

 

[sayhello]

Agree. The packs are nice and all, but not something we want to travel with. They're shaped oddly with too few places to hold our stuff - we bring our own bags instead. We'd refer they knock a couple bucks off the cost and not hand them out!! But we also know they like the advertising it brings for those who do use them.

Unfortunately, given the current trend at ABD, they are far more likely to not hand them out but also NOT knock a couple of bucks off the cost!

Sayhello

 

[jimmymc]

Most people do not, since they tend to already have their own luggage and bags they like to travel with. I never brought the backpack, but I do sometimes use the duffel bag on other trips.

 

[polynor]

We brought one of ours and have used it outside of ABD depending on the situation.it doesn’t hold a lot, but the material seems more water resistant, the flap goes over the zipper and has an additional snap which make it less pickpocket prone than a normal backpack. When you’re with ABD, there’s not much you have to carry with you so you don’t need a high capacity bag.

 

[pjacobi]

The "free" string bags that I have used never last long before breaking.

For a daypack, I highly recommend the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack. It holds 20 liters and is strong enough to carry heavy water bottles. It packs down into an attached stuff-sac which is the size of your fist. If costs about $45.00 but absolutely worth every penny.


-Paul

 

[AquaDame]

My problem with those kinds of backpacks is there is no padding - you feel every corner and poke from whatever you put in them. I use one when I have to, but generally I just use my work backpack as my carry on. The regular size Fjallraven Kanken holds an impressive amount, and since I have the laptop one I carry our passports and such right up against my back for safekeeping.

We've never used the ABD bags... and in fact I should donate them.

 

[sayhello]

We've never used the ABD bags... and in fact I should donate them.

I've donated some of them already. Probably time to go through the closet and donate the rest!

Sayhello

 

[OKW Lover]

Actual experience - just finished a Back Stage Magic (or whatever it's called now) trip and out of ~40 only 2 or 3 used the backpack.

 

[dt14890]

Only ABD backpack I use is the first one from the 2007 Southwest Splendors (now Arizona/Utah) trip. Heavy and sturdy. It is the same quality that you get if you buy a backpack from LLBean.

 

[Grifdog22]

We took our first ABD around 2008. The pretrial swag box was quite a surprise. The backpacks were heavy fabric brown, exactly the right size, multiple heavy-duty zippered compartments and a waterproof bottom. We've continued to carry and use them on the next 12 ABD trips. We've had to sew up some tears on the tops, but they remain a perfect day-companion for us on whatever trip we are taking. Several people on a Tauck trip we took a few years ago commented on them as well. Over the years the swag diminished, and the quality was not as good. A couple of backpacks were taken as a secondary on the trip they were given for and didn't make it through the trip before they fell apart. Dark green as I recall. The duffle ABD added about 10 years ago remains our dirty clothes/airplane carryon and is an excellent addition to the trips. There has been a wide variety of things provided, but a backpack has always been in the swag bag.