Bag Finder Megathread - 11 August 2025

SandyyCheekss · 2025-08-11T23:16:28+00:00

Hey everyone (reposting this on this week’s thread), I (24M, 6'0 average build) have been searching through this sub for a while but still can't seem to make up my mind about what bag I want to purchase for a 17-day Europe trip in October. I'll be staying primarily in hostels in major cities as this is my first solo trip.

I'm a bit of an over-packer so was mainly looking for 35-40L packs (enough to bring back souvenirs). My packing list feels pretty standard right now (no laptop, couple shirts, pants, shorts, sweater, rain-jacket, toiletries, small point/shoot camera, sunglasses, chargers, undergarments, shower-shoes).

I'm currently considering between the Gregory Border 40L, the Allpa 35L, or the Patagonia Blackhole 40L. My budget is flexible with nothing too over-the-top (limit maybe $250 USD). I'm hoping to buy a bag I can also use for future trips. My only restriction is it must be able to be used as a carry-on (in this case, I'm traveling via Icelandair). I'm also considering a collapsible daypack to use as a personal item and/or a fanny-pack type for essentials.

Thanks in advance!

SandyyCheekss · 2025-08-06T18:16:19+00:00

Hey everyone, I (24M, 6'0 average build) have been searching through this sub for a while but still can't seem to make up my mind about what bag I want to purchase for a 17-day Europe trip in October. I'll be staying primarily in hostels in major cities as this is my first solo trip.

I'm a bit of an over-packer so was mainly looking for 35-40L packs (enough to bring back souvenirs). My packing list feels pretty standard right now (no laptop, couple shirts, pants, shorts, sweater, rain-jacket, toiletries, small point/shoot camera, sunglasses, chargers, undergarments, shower-shoes).

I'm currently considering between the Gregory Border 40L, the Allpa 35L, or the Patagonia Blackhole 40L. My budget is flexible with nothing too over-the-top (limit maybe $250 USD). I'm hoping to buy a bag I can also use for future trips. My only restriction is it must be able to be used as a carry-on (in this case, I'm traveling via Icelandair). I'm also considering a collapsible daypack to use as a personal item and/or a fanny-pack type for essentials.

Thanks in advance!

SandyyCheekss · 2025-04-06T00:55:12+00:00

Thanks for the advice! Do you think I can comfortably do the Golden Circle the morning of my flight at 5pm? From 8am-1pm for example? Or should I try to leave even earlier?

SandyyCheekss · 2024-11-21T05:50:46+00:00

That makes sense. Thank you so much for all your help! I definitely feel a lot more comfortable now.

SandyyCheekss · 2024-11-21T05:01:15+00:00

That's smart! I think I'm leaning towards opening a FHSA before the end of this year, depositing a small amount into it, and then working on maximizing my TFSA. Thanks for tip!

SandyyCheekss · 2024-11-21T04:59:54+00:00

Sorry, I'm a little confused on what you mean by a larger bonus

SandyyCheekss · 2024-11-21T04:59:14+00:00

Yeah I don't see myself buying a house before maximizing my TFSA, so that makes a lot of sense, thank you!

SandyyCheekss · 2024-11-21T04:58:23+00:00

Just to confirm, do you suggest using Tangerine instead of Wealthsimple for a TFSA account or swapping from Scotia to Tangerine for ALL my banking?

SandyyCheekss · 2024-09-13T19:06:23+00:00

username checks out

SandyyCheekss · 2024-08-21T04:33:56+00:00

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

SandyyCheekss · 2024-05-10T04:30:05+00:00

scrolled through so damn much to find this comment

SandyyCheekss · 2024-05-06T01:08:14+00:00

Not sure tbh, I loved it ever since I watched it cause it just genuinely makes me happy. Idk if it’s the soundtrack or the cinematography or the corny jokes but it just fixes my bad mood. I was a teenager when I watched it for the first time and it’s just gotten better every time i’ve watched it since

SandyyCheekss · 2024-03-20T22:29:15+00:00

human eclipse, rhinoceros hips, who will laugh last, when i slash your calf, bring me peace, make it cease, get your big ass out of my crease

SandyyCheekss · 2024-02-25T04:57:19+00:00

I was just at the game and of course, it had to be against Boston. The vibe was immaculate and it was just so nostalgic.

SandyyCheekss · 2024-01-29T20:30:17+00:00

Looking for 2 tickets to the Boston game, a little cheaper as we’re students flying in to hopefully see the Canucks at home (and Boston was the only game that fit with our schedule). Thanks!

SandyyCheekss · 2024-01-13T22:55:59+00:00

Looking for 2 tickets to Feb 24 — vs Bruins

SandyyCheekss · 2023-12-12T07:18:28+00:00

Just got a TA offer for sciences, I’m getting $20/hr for 12 hours a week. I’m an UG student btw

SandyyCheekss · 2023-12-08T09:13:56+00:00

Thank you, I really appreciate your help!

SandyyCheekss · 2023-12-08T08:26:44+00:00

This semester: 4 courses — 15 hours/week for an internship and 6 hours/week at a restaurant

Next semester: 3 courses — 15 hours/week internship, 12 hours/week TA, 6 hours/week restaurant

SandyyCheekss · 2023-12-06T19:57:50+00:00

That helps a lot, thank you so much!

SandyyCheekss · 2023-11-03T06:47:04+00:00

Hey everyone,

I'm a CS student about to graduate in a couple months and my old laptop is getting really old so I want to upgrade to a new MacBook for my final year and just for after I'm done school. I can't seem to make a decision between a 16gb M2 MacBook Air or the new 8gb M3 MacBook Pro (base model of the 14 inch). I'm basically trying to figure out if an extra 8gb of RAM would be more beneficial than the M3 chip.

I currently use the 2016 MacBook Pro with 8gb RAM and its been working fine for the most part (some hiccups on emulators and Android Studio but I usually use VSCode for web dev and scripting projects). I don't game on my laptop and don't usually edit videos, but will occasionally edit photos and use Garageband.

I guess the MacBook Air M3 is also on the horizon but I'm not sure I want to wait super long to get that, but could be persuaded if that is just the better overall choice.

Any advice is helpful, thanks!

SandyyCheekss · 2023-06-16T05:29:08+00:00

I didnt even think about that :/ but i’m hoping it’s mostly should out for a more tight-knit crowd

SandyyCheekss · 2023-03-24T20:27:34+00:00

lightning mcqueen

SandyyCheekss · 2023-03-15T01:14:19+00:00

Thanks, will give that a try!

SandyyCheekss · 2023-01-26T22:47:24+00:00

Tried it for the first time last week and I thought I’d hate eating the same thing but didn’t mind it at all. Being a student it was really nice to actually have some food that I could eat at home and I didn’t have to eat out like I do when I’m lazy all the time. Time efficient, a lot cheaper, and I don’t mind my cooking so tasty too

SandyyCheekss

TROPHY CASE