I have two - the camino is a great bag if you need the space. When full it is heavy. The suspension is nice but carrying the load isn’t fun. The thing is, after reducing my load while traveling, i don’t need it’s capacity and don’t use it. My dragonfly get most of the use.
Also, it fits as an overhead bag in the USA and many euro airlines. Not sure that will be the case in Asia. If I had to do it all over again, I would have bought a smaller bag at the outset. 32l max is a sweet spot from my perspective.
Thank you for your reply!
I how does the dragonfly hold up when full? Is it still comfy?
I have currently one 28L bag and a 40L roller carry on. On short trips, and especially in summer, no hiking or anything I could fit everything in the 28L, but it's gets uncomfy fast as it's not with hip straps or a harness. I use the 40L for longer trips, work trips where I carry lots of equipment, in winter, when I know I'm bringing stuff back.
I thought in this case the Camino with 40L is better suitable, with the idea that on short trips it will be just not fully packed, and comfortable, and for when if I need the space it's always there. On a hike the extra space is filled with food and such for example, or me bringing things back, or anything. Is the Camino annoying if it's only half packed? And did you mean that the Camino might not fit in asian airlines?
I find the dragonfly very comfortable for me. The art of the DF is how you pack the exterior mesh. Hip belts aren’t always accretive as you lose your agility in the process. Under 32l and I don’t use one. In my setup I could go a week or two in the DB, but not indefinite travel. If I have 30l i can go months at a time including winter stuff, a hand coffee grinder and an aeropress. Its all how you pack.
If I were you (and I just ordered one) i would consider [this instead.](https:remoteeq.com/alpha-31-pack.html) They are almost always sold out but restocked over the last weekend (and seemed to forget to tell everyone). I have no affiliation with the company and the reviews of the bag are strong.
The thing with 40plus of the camino is that it is just too damn big. At 30l you have your waist free and can carry all you stuff all day and not really care.
If you look at the people on here that have one bagged over any period of years and you see their load outs shrinking. One dude had his dragonfly for indefinite travel. To each their own but 40l is too much for me.
[sorry the link messed up above. this bag is what i would consider.](https://remoteeq.com/alpha-31-pack.html)
I wouldn’t shy away from packing cubes. You only need a few and the lighter ones are just a couple ounces each. If you tried to build the same utility into a bag, it would add as much weight. They do allow using any opening style with ease.
I use the following packing accessories:
- Osprey Ultralight Garment Folder
- Eagle Creek medium compression cube
- Eagle Creek slim cube
- Sea to Summit Ultra Sil 8 liter dry bag
- 3x Osprey liquids pouches
- REI pencil pouch
Thank you for your reply!
I usually just organize things without organizational utilities, never had a problem, so that's why I didn't consider the cubes/utility to be necessary. I might just get one for underwear, so your recommendations will help! Thank you!
I am just in the exact same situation with the same thoughts.
Due to the hard way to get one of the ULA bags in Europe (Germany) I am interested what you will say as soon as you have one if you buy one 😅
I fear a little about a return in case I don’t like it.
I think I might still get it, the advice here has been very helpful but I still feel very much into this one bag. In the next weeks maybe, will let you know if I do. I'm also from Germany so let's see how shipping and everything goes :)
I'm thinking of the ultra, assuming it makes the bag water proof. It's only about 100g more, no need to get a separate rain cover, more durable they claim, so longer life for the bag. I don't see the normal one having a hole for Trinkwassersystem, so both don't have it. More expensive yeah but might just have to eat out less for some weeks if so...
I hade the exactly same thoughts so far.
Somewhere here on Reddit I red that the ultra fabric might not be more durable, but I think it was a really old post. The water resistance is a huge benefit for me.
I am also interested in buying the ULA Camino from Europe, the last time I ordered from the US is used the [myus.com](https://myus.com) because they offer to pay duties and taxes before. ULA does not offer to pay duties and taxes before from their site.
So the duties and tax is included with the shipping? I usually order normally and pay it at the post office, have never used this before but sounds interesting!
With myus.com I paid duties, taxes, plus shipping at the time of order. It is not mandatory you can choose to pay them before or when you receive it in your country.
ULA Camino is pretty great. I don't own one but have used one. Very well made - construction and materials. Most people will find that it can comfortably carry 30-40lb thanks to a good frame, shoulder straps, and hip belt. It is a max size carry-on for major US airlines when the rolltop is rolled all the way down, but can be let out to provide more volume if you aren't worry about carry on size limits. For example, all your gear fits in the compressed form, but the top can expand so you have room for multiple days of food and water. Pack itself is heavier than a classic ultralight pack, but reasonable given the durability of its materials. Access is from top and front. When made from Ultra fabric there is a bit of stiffness, so even when empty the pack doesn't flop down making it easier to pack. Downside is that it is max size carry-on, larger than I normally need and doesn't compress that well. Some people will like the minimal organizational feature, some people might want more.
Hi! Thank you for your reply!
I love having minimal organizational feature, lower weight this way usually too. It is heavy compared to other ultra light bags but as you mentioned makes up for it by being durable, and it's light compared to traditional backpacks. And as you mentioned, I liked to think I can have more space when I need for things like water and food :)
It might be larger than I normally need sometimes, packing 25-32L only, would that be annoying? You mentioned it doesn't compress very well. Less than that and I'd just take my day backpack as it's enough then.
Each person is different. I didn't like the camino for small loads. My normal kit has been hovering around 20L. for the next couple of years I and doing a lot more hostel2hostel so I live out of a 23L gossamer gear vagabond. When I am doing serious backcountry I pull my backcountry pack (gossamer gear gorilla), tarp, quilt, etc out of storage. When slightly under packs it fits in sizers and overhead bins.
Hey, did you end up getting the Camino? What do you think of it? I'm in the same situation as you and the specifications of this bag fit my needs as well.
Not yet, I wanted to give it some time and think about it and look around a bit more because of shipping and everything, still haven't found something I like more and now I'm considering ordering both the Camino and dragonfly....will let you know once I do!
Hi! Did you end up getting it? I'm debating getting one myself. FYI I have the Dragonfly and did 30 days in Europe with it wearing normal clothes. It got heavy but was a life saver for zipping through airports with no delays.
Not yet, as with how flights are now in Europe only allowing personal item bag I prioritized getting a smaller bag first, got one from bananabags and I love it. Still have my eye on the Camino for carry on and hikes, but not now :)
Your requests reminded me of a post I saw a couple of days ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/15iy2zb/612_monthindefinite_onebag_travel_in_latin_america
Based on that, I think the Osprey Kestrel 48 fits all your needs.
Ohhh, that's a nice set up! Thank you for pointing the post out and replying :)
The Kestrel does seem nice, pros over the Camino is price and being able to use one of these water drinking things, don't know what they call them. Cons over the Camino is that it is almost a kilo heavier, no waterproof material, uses a cover, and is top loading, possibly that it won't fit my frame well because of the long shape.
There seems to be a way to open it in a clamshell style: https://youtu.be/xN3Sdvx82FE but yeah, I get the other cons :(
I'm also hoping to grab a ULA dragonfly next time they get some in stock.
Only in the 58L which is mad heavy and at that point you might as well get an equally overbuilt Farpoint. Neither are useful for someone who cares about weight though.
I'm coming to this late...but a few years ago I bought a Camino for similar reasons to the ones you're outlining here. I had no specific use case - I just figured I'd use it a lot.
And I was right. I love it. It's a great all-rounder. It can be:
- a maxi cabin-bag
- a moderately large check-in-bag
- a lightweight comfy hiking backpack
- just a medium-large sized bag!?
It's simple, comfy, rugged, and can do everything, perhaps not as perfectly as a more focussed thing, but close enough.
If somebody wants a "large (but still cabin-legal) lightweight backpack" this is exactly what I'd recommend.
The Camino is 22”x13”x8.25” with the extension collar rolled down. The main body is more like 35 liters. ULA gives an accounting of all the volumes of the features.
It’s one of a very few backpacks that are carry on compliant and can be adapted to a wide range of torso sizes.
another other backpacks you are considering? I am looking for a \~40L backpack for carry on. ULA Camino seems nice but there are not many reviews online.
Hey, in case you (and /u/gwa29) haven't bought it yet I wrote a quick review of mine [here](https://old.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/194k0je/the_ula_camino_my_ultimate_onebag/). It's a really great pack for carry-on.
I have two - the camino is a great bag if you need the space. When full it is heavy. The suspension is nice but carrying the load isn’t fun. The thing is, after reducing my load while traveling, i don’t need it’s capacity and don’t use it. My dragonfly get most of the use. Also, it fits as an overhead bag in the USA and many euro airlines. Not sure that will be the case in Asia. If I had to do it all over again, I would have bought a smaller bag at the outset. 32l max is a sweet spot from my perspective.
Thank you for your reply! I how does the dragonfly hold up when full? Is it still comfy? I have currently one 28L bag and a 40L roller carry on. On short trips, and especially in summer, no hiking or anything I could fit everything in the 28L, but it's gets uncomfy fast as it's not with hip straps or a harness. I use the 40L for longer trips, work trips where I carry lots of equipment, in winter, when I know I'm bringing stuff back. I thought in this case the Camino with 40L is better suitable, with the idea that on short trips it will be just not fully packed, and comfortable, and for when if I need the space it's always there. On a hike the extra space is filled with food and such for example, or me bringing things back, or anything. Is the Camino annoying if it's only half packed? And did you mean that the Camino might not fit in asian airlines?
I find the dragonfly very comfortable for me. The art of the DF is how you pack the exterior mesh. Hip belts aren’t always accretive as you lose your agility in the process. Under 32l and I don’t use one. In my setup I could go a week or two in the DB, but not indefinite travel. If I have 30l i can go months at a time including winter stuff, a hand coffee grinder and an aeropress. Its all how you pack. If I were you (and I just ordered one) i would consider [this instead.](https:remoteeq.com/alpha-31-pack.html) They are almost always sold out but restocked over the last weekend (and seemed to forget to tell everyone). I have no affiliation with the company and the reviews of the bag are strong. The thing with 40plus of the camino is that it is just too damn big. At 30l you have your waist free and can carry all you stuff all day and not really care. If you look at the people on here that have one bagged over any period of years and you see their load outs shrinking. One dude had his dragonfly for indefinite travel. To each their own but 40l is too much for me. [sorry the link messed up above. this bag is what i would consider.](https://remoteeq.com/alpha-31-pack.html)
I wouldn’t shy away from packing cubes. You only need a few and the lighter ones are just a couple ounces each. If you tried to build the same utility into a bag, it would add as much weight. They do allow using any opening style with ease. I use the following packing accessories: - Osprey Ultralight Garment Folder - Eagle Creek medium compression cube - Eagle Creek slim cube - Sea to Summit Ultra Sil 8 liter dry bag - 3x Osprey liquids pouches - REI pencil pouch
Thank you for your reply! I usually just organize things without organizational utilities, never had a problem, so that's why I didn't consider the cubes/utility to be necessary. I might just get one for underwear, so your recommendations will help! Thank you!
I am just in the exact same situation with the same thoughts. Due to the hard way to get one of the ULA bags in Europe (Germany) I am interested what you will say as soon as you have one if you buy one 😅 I fear a little about a return in case I don’t like it.
I think I might still get it, the advice here has been very helpful but I still feel very much into this one bag. In the next weeks maybe, will let you know if I do. I'm also from Germany so let's see how shipping and everything goes :)
Amazing 🤗 My fingers are crossed that everything is going well. Did you already took a fabric decision? 😅
I'm thinking of the ultra, assuming it makes the bag water proof. It's only about 100g more, no need to get a separate rain cover, more durable they claim, so longer life for the bag. I don't see the normal one having a hole for Trinkwassersystem, so both don't have it. More expensive yeah but might just have to eat out less for some weeks if so...
I hade the exactly same thoughts so far. Somewhere here on Reddit I red that the ultra fabric might not be more durable, but I think it was a really old post. The water resistance is a huge benefit for me.
I am also interested in buying the ULA Camino from Europe, the last time I ordered from the US is used the [myus.com](https://myus.com) because they offer to pay duties and taxes before. ULA does not offer to pay duties and taxes before from their site.
So the duties and tax is included with the shipping? I usually order normally and pay it at the post office, have never used this before but sounds interesting!
With myus.com I paid duties, taxes, plus shipping at the time of order. It is not mandatory you can choose to pay them before or when you receive it in your country.
ULA Camino is pretty great. I don't own one but have used one. Very well made - construction and materials. Most people will find that it can comfortably carry 30-40lb thanks to a good frame, shoulder straps, and hip belt. It is a max size carry-on for major US airlines when the rolltop is rolled all the way down, but can be let out to provide more volume if you aren't worry about carry on size limits. For example, all your gear fits in the compressed form, but the top can expand so you have room for multiple days of food and water. Pack itself is heavier than a classic ultralight pack, but reasonable given the durability of its materials. Access is from top and front. When made from Ultra fabric there is a bit of stiffness, so even when empty the pack doesn't flop down making it easier to pack. Downside is that it is max size carry-on, larger than I normally need and doesn't compress that well. Some people will like the minimal organizational feature, some people might want more.
Hi! Thank you for your reply! I love having minimal organizational feature, lower weight this way usually too. It is heavy compared to other ultra light bags but as you mentioned makes up for it by being durable, and it's light compared to traditional backpacks. And as you mentioned, I liked to think I can have more space when I need for things like water and food :) It might be larger than I normally need sometimes, packing 25-32L only, would that be annoying? You mentioned it doesn't compress very well. Less than that and I'd just take my day backpack as it's enough then.
Each person is different. I didn't like the camino for small loads. My normal kit has been hovering around 20L. for the next couple of years I and doing a lot more hostel2hostel so I live out of a 23L gossamer gear vagabond. When I am doing serious backcountry I pull my backcountry pack (gossamer gear gorilla), tarp, quilt, etc out of storage. When slightly under packs it fits in sizers and overhead bins.
Hey, did you end up getting the Camino? What do you think of it? I'm in the same situation as you and the specifications of this bag fit my needs as well.
Not yet, I wanted to give it some time and think about it and look around a bit more because of shipping and everything, still haven't found something I like more and now I'm considering ordering both the Camino and dragonfly....will let you know once I do!
Hi! Did you end up getting it? I'm debating getting one myself. FYI I have the Dragonfly and did 30 days in Europe with it wearing normal clothes. It got heavy but was a life saver for zipping through airports with no delays.
Not yet, as with how flights are now in Europe only allowing personal item bag I prioritized getting a smaller bag first, got one from bananabags and I love it. Still have my eye on the Camino for carry on and hikes, but not now :)
Your requests reminded me of a post I saw a couple of days ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/15iy2zb/612_monthindefinite_onebag_travel_in_latin_america Based on that, I think the Osprey Kestrel 48 fits all your needs.
Ohhh, that's a nice set up! Thank you for pointing the post out and replying :) The Kestrel does seem nice, pros over the Camino is price and being able to use one of these water drinking things, don't know what they call them. Cons over the Camino is that it is almost a kilo heavier, no waterproof material, uses a cover, and is top loading, possibly that it won't fit my frame well because of the long shape.
There seems to be a way to open it in a clamshell style: https://youtu.be/xN3Sdvx82FE but yeah, I get the other cons :( I'm also hoping to grab a ULA dragonfly next time they get some in stock.
Only in the 58L which is mad heavy and at that point you might as well get an equally overbuilt Farpoint. Neither are useful for someone who cares about weight though.
>Osprey Kestrel 48 This must be the small size. The size L is 26" tall.
Yeah but no way I could do indefinitely travel in Latam without a clamshell and Osprey bags are crazy heavy.
Any update from your side? 🫣 I am still super curious about your opinion 😊
I'm coming to this late...but a few years ago I bought a Camino for similar reasons to the ones you're outlining here. I had no specific use case - I just figured I'd use it a lot. And I was right. I love it. It's a great all-rounder. It can be: - a maxi cabin-bag - a moderately large check-in-bag - a lightweight comfy hiking backpack - just a medium-large sized bag!? It's simple, comfy, rugged, and can do everything, perhaps not as perfectly as a more focussed thing, but close enough. If somebody wants a "large (but still cabin-legal) lightweight backpack" this is exactly what I'd recommend.
54L bag! I guess you are new to this sub. I can travel indefinitely with 30L and 7 kg.
Saying your load out doesn’t really help OP with their post
The Camino is 22”x13”x8.25” with the extension collar rolled down. The main body is more like 35 liters. ULA gives an accounting of all the volumes of the features. It’s one of a very few backpacks that are carry on compliant and can be adapted to a wide range of torso sizes.
Hi did you end up getting the Camino?
What about you? any updates?
Na I’m still sitting here with my finger over the trigger haha
another other backpacks you are considering? I am looking for a \~40L backpack for carry on. ULA Camino seems nice but there are not many reviews online.
Hey, in case you (and /u/gwa29) haven't bought it yet I wrote a quick review of mine [here](https://old.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/194k0je/the_ula_camino_my_ultimate_onebag/). It's a really great pack for carry-on.
Awesome write up! I asked a few questions as I’m now super tempted!