As a beginner I chose a massive backpack and I never regretted it, in fact I only bought a second smaller one 25 years later. The reason is that back in the nineties I didn't do much hiking but I went on trips abroad for weeks by public transport to youth hostels and bed & breakfasts. So I didn't stuff it so much with tent and sleeping back but with clean clothes. And if I did go camping, it was on stationary locations, not walking around, so the sleeping back and mat could be carried at the outside for the first day. The point is that you can't fix it when your backpack is too small, while you're just walking around with extra air if it's too big.

Great video Andy . Very good advice. I’ve dialed into my 48L Kestrel. A few tips ! Get a waterproof liner to take sleeping system. I fill every corner of the bag with this way . I never use compression sack . I strap Helm 2 at the top . Vango seat strapped to bottom . Clothes , cookset , food , bits and bobs throughout in hip pack pockets and lid . Poles for tent in side compartment. It’s about 14kg . Compact and easily carried . Less is more for sure 🙌👌🇮🇪

I’ve got the Atmos AG 50 & 65, I’m 5ft9 slim/medium build and I have to say I honestly prefer the 50 litre, I’ve managed to fit everything I need in there using all the external fasteners, this includes the Fjallraven Abisko Dome 2, Rab Ascent 900 sleeping bag, Big Agnes rapide SL wide, Jetboil, clothes, food and accessories, just about fits everything in for 1 to 2 nights wild camping, it is tight but much more balanced and gives you the ability to travel further more comfortably, luckily I do have my girlfriend who has the 50 litre too so it makes it a bit easier for us. When I began my journey a year ago my thought process was completely different, get the biggest possible bag lol, now that I tried both I’d rather aim to reduce my load than to fill a 65 litre 😊

Gave up tents a few years ago, but had much fun and wild camping memories for both my children and I. I tend to book cabins at my age now (60). have a 65 ltr and still manage to stuff it to the gills.

Really good advice!!!! Very clear explanations with some great insights on the different capacities of the same range.....every day is a school day lol!

Absolutely brilliant video Andy. Really helpful. Thank you. 👍

Really good and practical advice. Thank you!

Good advice here, but in over 50 years of hiking & camping, I have never ever packed my tent in my rucksack/backpack. I live in Scotland.. it never goes away dry so lives on the outside.

Well explained Andy. Great help.

All great advice Andy. People tend to start off by carrying a house on their back and soon realize they need to pack lighter. I got the Atmos 65L for multi day hikes (which would have been perfect if you could still remove the top). I also have the Talon 33L for day hikes or overnight in a hut. But going UltraLight with a base weight of 7kg (including tent) for 2 season multi day tramping I think I will get the Exos 48L.

The more gear collected, the more ways to play with different loadouts😅. I just picked up the Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40-60 and like it so far with its adjustable pack size. I was using the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 and it's great as well. I have a smaller GG Vagabond Trail 22L which I'm thinking of using for more ultralight trips during the Summer but mostly used as a day pack. It's nice to have options based on the activity, mood, or conditions. Thanks.

My first backpack (a Forclaz MT500 Air) is a 60+10 L, and it could have been a little larger. "If in doubt, go big." Very good advice.

Learning to camp with a tarp instead of a tent is the key! ☺️

I always will want the largest rucksack possible. Because they're pretty good with compression systems. When mostly empty, I compress mine to the tightest possible, and make the footprint smaller. Will always have room for more stuff when needed.

Great advice ❤

when starting out, surely it's best to get the majority of your chosen gear with season usage and weight in mind and when got the majority of the gear, tot up the weight (ISH) then get a backpack to suit, get it home pack it and see how it works, if not big enough or too big then back to the shop to exchange, as long as a good shop they wont have an issue. or that is my ex-military brain thinking. but on the whole two packs one for quick and easy say 35/36 is good for a one night excercise and for multi nights a 55/60L... great video again Andy...

thx for the tip, bro. i'll go big for the 65.

Thanks for this.

Myself prefers a 65l even if not carrying to heavy as there is plenty of room for sleeping bags etc as somethings can be puffy and the longer im out the more I need to carry

Thanks that was really helpful! Every time I go for a wild camp I struggle to squeeze everything into a 45L Osprey Levity, particularly in winter as I have a synthetic bag/quilt which is great but a bit bulky. I really should have just gone for the 60L version in the first place and stopped kidding myself that I'm some sort of minimalist ultralight backpacker.

Gear is an absolute minefield, especially for beginners. Probably whatever you buy first will get replaced after a bit of experience and more knowledge of what kind of adventure you enjoy. But good advice in here, sure to be very helpful. ATB, roger

I was in decathlon today, they have 3KG sacks to put in the Rucksacks.

I got a 44L and once i put the sleeping bag in theres not much more room, the tent which is a vango orion 2man has to go on the outside. The space inside isnt even enough to hold a 3 litre water bladder. So im going for a 65L. I'll keep the 44L for when i go tarp camping but even then theres not going to be much soace in it.

Timely video for me Andy, I just got the Osprey Exos Pro 55 after seeing your review of the Levity 60, for a lighter set-up in Spring/Summer, also have the Kestrel 68. Will you be doing one that covers best time to buy kit ?

Enjoying my exos 58 -out with it right now. Good size - not too small. Don't need to always fill it to the brim....

Have you done an ultimate winter camping bag pack???

For most of the yr that isnt freezing at night I can use a 40 liter pack with no issues. Food for 10 days and it all fits nice and compact. The problem comes when you hike where bear canisters are required. They are huge and are uncomfortable to carry and as you deplete your food they stay huge and uncomfortable. I would have to go all the way up to a 65 to carry a canister. So that is another consideration in your pack size. The trekking pole tents are great at being compact. If you use trekking poles its a no brainer. I personally use hammocks and can also put them on the ground if need be and use trekking poles to hold up the ridge line.

Hi Andy, great advice for beginners! Incase one becomes a frequent hiker, one will end up with a collection of backpacks from 38 - 65 or more liters (like you and me). By the way - will you review that Atmos LT 50 as well? I just ordered it . . .

I’ve got a 45l DLX, 1 man tent, pad, stove, bag, food, spare clothes and water no problem. Weighs about 12 kg, good for 2 nights out 😂

just brought a OEX Vallo 60 from gooutdoors member price plus 20 percent of 77 pounds thought was a bargain - its to replace my 40l rucksack as i realised 40l is way to small for UK wild camping, however just seem some reviews and people say the shoulder strap breaks easily... has anyone else got this bag and can confirm this or are they just overloading the bag like you talked about in the video

I'm very happy with my mac pac torless 65l ❤

I hope ur good Andy im looking at getting another backpack. I currently have the berghaus Arrow 30L backpack and it's not bad it's been alright but not perfect for me. im after something bigger but I don't want too big that it looks stupid on me being a small guy of 5ft3. when I do one day camping with my 2 big dogs I use the berghaus backpack and the items I put in are (Naturehike cloud up 2 the lighter version 4 season white tent with everything with it in the backpack, blowup naturehike mat, MacBook Pro 16", that fire maple frying pan u reviewed, titanium firebox, anger 27000 power bank, cables, GoPro, marauder mini torch and some other items I could fit in but I struggle to get my north face booties and sleeping bag in and food for me and the dogs so I just use 1 carry a bag for them. I only do one night campings so I don't need to have extra space for say clothes. im not sure if 40L,45L,50L is the one to try get for my need. like I said I don't want to so big it looks stupid on me being small lol. any bigger than 50 im guessing is gonna look silly. I also like to hide everything in the bag rather than strapping stuff to it. like I could strap my sleeping bag to my berghaus but I don't because I don't want people to know im camping.

To save money im using a pack i already owned, but which i bought not knowing the 1st thing about backpacks! 35ltrs is not enough. It will just about get me out in summer. Aside from the size being too small, i think my back is a bit too long for it. Otherwise its actually a good pack, trecking pole holder too, although i had no idea what that bit was for when i bought it!

I never thought it'd be so difficult to choose, but it's a nightmare. Basically, I want one with sensible buckles on the top, bottom and sides, for attaching extra things onto. Aside from that, just a REMOVABLE hip strap if at all possible (seemingly not so). A lot of these products are what I call hyper-modern in their approach, but all I'm after is something designed to be simple, effective and tough.

What's the best size and Osprey bag for winter overnight?? Kestrel 48 65?? Etc etc

I bought a 65, then a 55, 45, and settled on a 35. For winter I use a 55.

I can’t decide between the Exos or Atom. I’ll be carrying around about 12kg+ I know the Exos is up to 15kg. Is it as comfy as the Atmos for around 12kg? I hope somebody can help because I’d love to know if the Exos will be comfy enough kept a few KGs below it’s max weight load as advertised. My tent will be a LanShan Pro 2. I don’t want to camp in winter, just the 3 seasons.

I have 20, 35, 50, 75, and 90 liter bags. Weather and trip duration are hell. If someone wanted to get by with fewer packs then I'd suggest a medium sized bag 40-60 liters with a floating lid and lashing points top or bottom. A sleeping bag will sit comfortable under a floating lid and a pad can be lashed outside if you need to overpack.

Great video! Very helpful! I’m thinking about getting a 58L pack but am not sure if that will be big enough for a week or longer hike? Any advice?

Your tent is huge, it's almost the same size as my 5 person family car camping tent

Hi, I'm looking for a traditional hiking backpack 50 L what brand of backpack you recommend please..

Not sure if I should Get 48 or 58L. Im going on a longer trekking, but Im just taking my sleeping bag (not tent). I want to try to size down and not take onto much weight but afraid 48 L will be too small.

Great video, thank you so much! Your voice/accent kind of reminds me of Tom Hardy btw.. 😁👍

I just bought my very first legit backpack. im planning to go on multiday spring, summer, autumn camping/backpacking trips. Im 5 feet tall and 100 pounds, super petite. and I went with an Osprey Aura AG LT 50, because I cant load myself as an average sized person would be naturally able to do. Have I made the right decision?

ist 40+10l enough for 1-2 weeks hiking in switzerland ?

Is 45l small enough for a carry on

30l with molle is the right size.

tent across top n lid,,,mat under bottom with straps or bungee,,sbag in waterproof n compression iether strapped on or hanging from top n rain cover round iit all,,,,,tentd bags do not need to go in a ll,,strap them on.

Absolutely no experienced backpackers use Jetboil system. Too heavy and bulky. It's only great for CAR camping and the like when you don't need to carry it far. And why not strapping your tent outside of the backpack?

Only 45 imo. Anything more is overkill.