Rucksack kind of guy

**Richard** · 2nd-July-2011

When I was a student, my favourite item of luggage was a holdall, and a...rucksack. A rucksack is great - it leaves both your hands free (-:

Now over the last 20 years I have regarded rucksack as an integral piece of my life. Indeed, in Eastern Europe it was also a common piece of luggage. BUT...over the past few years as Poland has become more afluent, travellers are using flight cases or cabin size suitcases - you know the ones on wheel with pull out handle to drag them along.

I bought one of these recently, but am not happy with it.

This summer I am spending (again) in South Wales (UK) and as I live near the beach, its just a short ride away on the train (about 10 minutes). I take my rucksakc with a drink, towel, etc. BUT also in the UK I notice that no one carries a rucksack to the beach - or indeed almost anywhere else, it has become restricted to backbacking toursits! Oh dear! A rucksack is so comfortable for me I just cannot live without it, so if on your travels in Wales you see a rucksack with a handsome mid-40s guy - have a closer look, it might be me (-:

**nivek** · 2nd-July-2011

Yep, if I can't fit everything in my pockets then it's the rucksack for me

**Richard** · 2nd-July-2011

And another thing. I have two mobile phones, a massive set of keys, plus a wallet and USB pendrive with me at all times, which means I have to have a small bag - often it feels like a bloody handbag and I notice that men in the UK dont seem to carry anything except a mobile phone. I have almost never sen a man in the UK carry a small bag/shoulder bag to carry such items. Do British men have some kind of magic solution to this probllem? Maybe with feminism, they have been booted out of their homes and all they are left with is a mobile phone? (-;

**nivek** · 3rd-July-2011

One phone two keys and a wallet is all i usually take anywhere so generally speaking a bag is overkill

**Richard** · 3rd-July-2011

By bag I mean one with a shoulder strap and the sort/size of one that just about would fit a camera (I dont want to give you the impression I am a homeless bum ! (-;

**Marx** · 3rd-July-2011

I use a rucksack a lot for carrying my laptop around, it has additional sections set aside for things as an MP3 player, a phone, document wallet, etc. etc. They've incredibly useful and versatile. If I don't need the rucksack, I'm usually found with just a bit of money, my phone and my housekeys.

**Percy** · 3rd-July-2011

40 year olds need a young chap, say 19/20, to walk behind him carrying all his necessities (shield, helmet, spare sword, lance etc) and observing him in order to learn how to be a gentleman.

**The Possible Human** · 3rd-July-2011

Quote from Percy

40 year olds need a young chap, say 19/20, to walk behind him carrying all his necessities (shield, helmet, spare sword, lance etc) and observing him in order to learn how to be a gentleman.

Ah yes, I had 2 Squires who grew into manhood with me. After the dubbing, they took off and went to further their education. Frequent complaining was the norm: "This shield is too heavy Sir Knight, I'll make one out of Kevlar", "Your Claidheamh Mor is too cumbersome, use this weapon I have created, I call it the M1 Garand. I can even snap on this long dagger to make multi-functional as a short pike".

**BobV01** · 7th-July-2011

My experience in the USA is that many carry a day back pack (Rucksack). Yes on occassion I use something more "formal" for meetings but Rucksacks rule, in my opinion, to the beach, on a bicycle, for a walk, to a concert, to a class, to many meetings.
Sad to say though, I have been told, my young son, who starts middle school this autumn, may not carry a Rucksack to and from class: it is a security issue on several levels - from terrorism to illicit drugs. Can we learn from this how a few can ruin a good thing for many?

**James Huff** · 7th-July-2011

I have a HUGE military rucksack. I bought it myself, when I found out I had to turn the one I was issued back in to the Central Issue Facility on post. That was one of my best investments. Everything I own EXCEPT my computer equipment and food can fit in it. EVERYTHING. Total weight fully packed is about 85 lbs.

Then again....I have always traveled light during my adult life. I don't require much.

Clothing, Bedding, a cast iron skillet, a single serving set of eating utensils, a canteen cup, canteen, some paperwork, a few survival books, lots of lighters...and other odds and ends that can keep me going for several weeks.

**The Possible Human** · 7th-July-2011

Quote from James Huff

I have a HUGE military rucksack. I bought it myself, when I found out I had to turn the one I was issued back in to the Central Issue Facility on post. That was one of my best investments. Everything I own EXCEPT my computer equipment and food can fit in it. EVERYTHING. Total weight fully packed is about 85 lbs.

Then again....I have always traveled light during my adult life. I don't require much.

Clothing, Bedding, a cast iron skillet, a single serving set of eating utensils, a canteen cup, canteen, some paperwork, a few survival books, lots of lighters...and other odds and ends that can keep me going for several weeks.

I hiked around Europe and S.E. Asia when I was younger. It's amazing with what you can do with out. I bought a small Optimus Svea hiking stove (white gasoline) and used it almost every day for 1 1/2 years. Never failed to start. Others were using the bluezgaz compressed butane gas stoves. They had problems when it got cold, below 10 C. The other problem is that they had to find a hiking store where ever they went to get replacement cartridges.

I have since purchased an Optimus multifuel stove that burns kero, diesel, gaoline, white gas, meths, jet fuel-pretty much anything liquid that is flammable.

I used an old military rucksack from the 60's. Fully packed it was about 70-85 lbs. It is still in use, my younger son has it now......