Odd backpack/ travelling question. Advice needed please.

Hi

I'll be travelling to southeast asia for two months between June & August (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam) And wanted to ask for your experiences with packing/ backpacks as i have a unique problem.

I broke my leftside collarbone back in Nov, had surgery n there's a pin in there. I'm not sure i'll be able to handle double strapping a traditional backpack on it. Though it's fully healed, the pin being on a bone that's very close to the surface of the skin means there's irritation and some pain when i double strap with a normal backpack (a heavier one would prob be a nightmare for 2 months)

So i was wondering, since i'll be slumming it a bit & not taking anything unnecessary (buying most clothes and anything i can get there etc) i was thinking of taking the biggest messenger bag i could instead.

What do you guys think, is this a dumb idea? what's the biggest capacity/ toughest messenger bag would you recommend?

Obviously I'd need a right shoulder one.

I'd appreciate any advice, tips.

Cheers

Messenger bags work best when on a bike (ie leant forward)

A proper backpack with an internal frame and lumbar strap will actually put very little weight on your shoulders - as it should place 90% of the weight on your hips, although it can take a lot of adjusting and trying out to get one that fits properly and actually works as intended....

when trying on backpacks in a shop for fit, put something(s) heavy in it so you can feel if you can get the weight on your hips as danb describes. trying on empty bags is pointless

yes - thats a good point - good shops will have a range of heavy been bag/sandbags to put in so you can test it with an example load.

But why not use a rack, since this kind of thing is what they're made for?

Edit: unless, of course, you mean you won't be taking a bicycle. But what sort of maniac would do such a thing?

i've seen porters put a strap over their head so the weight goes partly on the neck area
this might help take some weight of your shoulders

he is carrying three rucksacs here though

Just get a porter when you are there.

No bag carrying at all.

Nepali porters are hard as nails though! That guy is probably carrying 30-40kg minimum....

Well I would say it may not be a huge problem, depends on how much walking around with your pack you actually intend to do. Having spent about 6 months in total in that area I can't think of more than a few occasions I actually walked more than a few km with my main pack fully loaded. Tuk-tuks, mopeds etc are so cheap that they are the main way you'll get from bus and train stops to accomodation, then drop of the big bag and away you go.

I presume when you mean travelling - you mean on foot and not by bike? - otherwise just get a rack and panniers...

what do you even need to carry? just keep a spare pair of underwear in your pocket

with a clever turn-inside-out regime, you only need to wash them every 3 days or so

I've travelled a fair bit using a a messenger bag for a few weeks a couple of times, always very annoying and wouldn't recomend it, they are best for cyling not for walking around.

A backpack set up correctly should rest on your hips with its weight so not much pressure on your collar bone, I've dislocated mine a few times and its always been ok with backpacks. Take as little as possible and a 30 litre bag should do you fine.

there is this....

https://www.radicaldesign.nl/en/products/walking-trailers

http://www.petesy.co.uk/pulling-power-the-radical-design-wheelie/

walking trailers lol

Thanks guys, really appreciate the input. I think i'll go with a properly fitting and tried on backpack that rests on the hips.

Choices:

[]HTFU.
[]Or use a bit more padding on the strap on the side with the pin (hard padding to raise the strap on either side of the pin).
[]Wear the backpack correctly, where most of the weight is carried on your hips.
[]Have the pin removed sooner rather than later.

Thanks, i think i'll go with a combi of padding & proper set up. I am having the pin removed when i come back, it has to go since it's close to the shoulder joint, just didn't wanna have the op to remove it so close to when i leave.

I hated backpacks until I discovered Deuter. I'd recommend flying out with shite luggage tho, hitting Koh San Road and buying there.....which is where I discovered my Deuter - £25 or so for about £120+ worth of pack.....is it fake? No idea, and frankly, could care less 7 years of abuse later!

unless your hiking take a split roller. backpacks are shite for finding anything.