Backpack – Osprey Meridian 75Lt

After spending several months deciding which backpack to go for, I finally decided on the model and got round to getting it today!

It’s an Osprey Meridian (travel wheels, convertible).  The main pack is 55Lt, and comes with a detachable 20Lt. day pack.

There are scours of information available online recommending the best packs available and how to choose the right bag.  However my decision boiled down to the following factors :

• Travel pack instead of a top-loading backpack (I wanted to be able to open the bag like a suitcase and see all my things immediately instead of taking out ALL my belongings just to access an item at the bottom of the bag)
• Ability to cover shoulder straps during check-ins, to prevent it getting caught at the conveyer belts
• Reliable brand
• 50 Lt. capacity
• Attached day pack

The decision was between an Osprey Farpoint or a Black Wolf Cedar Breaks (available only in Australia and New Zealand).  In a recent trip to Perth in May, I had a chance to view the Black Wolf and although the features were really good (durable, built in rain cover, customised locks included), I felt that it was too bulky for my liking.

Spoke to the sales person on her recommendations between an Osprey and Black Wolf, and in her opinion she said the Osprey were better as they were lighter and comes with a life-time guarantee.

While spending some time in the shop comparing between the 2 bags, a customer walked in and probably seeing that I had a hard time making a decision (I must have spent almost an hour there!), spoke to me and said

“I just came back from an Asian tour with my wife and 2 daughters and had purchased 3 Osprey rolleys for the girls while I used a carry-on backpack. 

We hardly went trekking up in the mountains, and since we were mainly travelling across cities, they were handy to move around and the girls loved it so much!  I regretted not getting one for myself.

If you aren’t planning on trekking that much, you should consider the wheels type, they would be very useful, and the wheels from Osprey are extremely durable!”

I had never considered getting one with wheels as had initially felt that they looked a little flimsy (They were really plastic-y looking stuff!  How could that be durable?!?). 

But after hearing what he said and the durability factor, it made really good sense and I was sold on getting a convertible.  Plus I didn’t want to torment my poor self and suffer from aching shoulders and lower back because I will have to carry it all the time.

I must say, the cost of the Meridian was definitely way above what I had budgeted for initially, and thought for some time on spending that additional $$$.  However if there was anything that should deserve spending more for the trip, it should be for a quality backpack since I will be lugging it around with me for the next 6 months.

So the purchase was made a few weeks after I got back to Singapore, and the decision made easier as it was sponsored!   Thanks Vincent!