Where in Seoul could I find a good backpacking backpack?

[#basedcowboyshirt]

I'm off to Cambodia and Laos for a month, and I'd like to avoid having a shiny, brand new North Face or other brand name pack, but I want something that isn't going to fall apart on me halfway through my trip. Are there any army surplus stores or other places in Seoul that sell quality gear that isn't plastered with branding?

I've googled and navered, but I can't seem to find anything.

[vitamin-d]

Hey Cole, I'm not certain if the branding is going to make too much of a difference.
People's bags get probed pretty indiscriminately on public transport and such. Aside from moving between accommodation and place, you shouldn't be carrying it around so much, should you? If you're worried about being a target, it's jewellery, cameras, wallets, ipods, etc that draw attention. Plus, there's tonnes of fake brands out that way, as I'm sure you know. Just because it says Northface or whatever doesn't mean it actually cost a lot. If you're really concerned and can only find branded stuff, then scratch or pick the brands off. Within a week of travelling your bag will no doubt look, and smell, pretty grimy anyway...   

[#basedcowboyshirt]

Thanks, D-Bone.

I'm new to the traveling thing, and I just didn't want to be walking around with a big sign saying, "Hey look, I bought a $250 backpack - please rob me because I look like a big, dumb, citydweller."

[m1zk0]

Namdaemun market in Seoul has a bunch of non-brand name backpacks. Not sure on the quality but for a cheap price it may be worth it.

[ttuts]

I wouldn't be too concerned about looking like a big, dumb city dweller. They will already be able to tell you're foreign and generally in such places people think foreign = money.

That being said, if you do buy a big pack try to either A) buy a large stuff sack to put it in, or B) check with the airlines you are flying to make sure that checking such a bag is okay. I've had friends travel with big packs and they got their straps cut off by baggage handlers.

[vitamin-d]

Saying that, bear in mind when spending those $250 that the bag might get stolen.
I, personally, would spend a little less, and if I lost it I lost it.
As ttuts said, you will immediately be seen as a walking cash machine.
Only take things you are willing to lose.
 
Also, regarding the size of the bag, what are you thinking?

The best piece of advice I could give anyone for travelling is pack lightly.
Especially for S.E. Asia where you can get anything and cheap.
A 40 to 50 litre, packed correctly, is perfectly adequate for a 6 month journey.

[rich]

If you know anyone that works on one of the military bases, I heard that there are excellent backpacks at reasonable prices there.

[Janitor]

Gmarket always has a great selection. There is a whole section devoted to proper backpacks. If you want something fitted you may want to measure your back and see if it matches the dimensions. I would recommend Gmarket because you can research and find the brands that you can find outside of Korea or find a decent Korean pack for cheap.

[vitamin-d]

I would stand by Berghaus any day.

[Morticae]

I was confused at first. Being American, "backpacking" means something different to me... I see what you mean now, though. I was about to comment that there is no way a 40/50 liter could last you 6 months... but when you're in civilization and there's stores right around the corner, sure.

I do backpacking back home, as in, out into the middle of nowhere (hiking/camping in the mountains). It's good fun! I prefer to ditch the known trails and forge my own, but I always plan around water sources.

I'd hit up GMARKET if I were you.

[Koradian]

40/50 liter refers to the size if the bag, not amount of water.

Thanks for the chuckle!

[vitamin-d]

Do you guys not measure your bags in litres?

[Wretchard]

I'd recommend getting a nice comfortable bag. You're gonna be lugging it around around your back in super hot weather and its nice to have a bag that lets your back breathe.

And don't worry about a brand name. You won't be the only person traveling and you wont' be the only person with a brand name bag. Even the dirty-non-conformist-dread-lock-wielding-bongo-drum-beating-hippies often have unusually nice backpacks.

If you are living out of a bag, it may as well be a decent one.

[ttuts]

40/50 liter refers to the size if the bag, not amount of water.

Pretty sure he got that, which is why he put the 'a' in front of it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm thinking the assumption is that if you take a smaller pack (40/50) you'll be fine. You won't need to take as many things with you as you'll be able to buy them all with relative ease. Then you can donate your clothes, etc to a children's home or something before you come back. This way you don't invest hundreds in a big pack that is too large to count as carry on luggage.

Bags are sometimes measured in the amount of cubic centimeters they can hold, but most people should know both...?

[MiaBritton]

Gmarket has an amazing selection!
You could have a look on Travelfish.org (best site for anywhere is SEA) for their many recommendations. I have a Northface Stamina 70l and it's perfect for a month or so away and never seems to get full!
Kolon have good packs here for under 100,000.

[Joss]

Most I've seen on G Market measure them in Litres as well.
Remember if you are going to be buying stuff, you need room in your pack to carry it back with you. The one I bought last year was a 60LT with an extra 20LT zipper extension. Helped me manage my souvineers for the family.

[vitamin-d]

dirty-non-conformist-dread-lock-wielding-bongo-drum-beating-hippies
lol

[Morticae]

40/50 liter refers to the size if the bag, not amount of water.

Thanks for the chuckle!

Koradian- Are you commenting on my post? I'm sorry you were somehow confused. I'd love to clarify, if I knew what you were talking about. Perhaps if you just reread, you may understand.

Vitamin-D, yes, we measure bags in Liters.

But "BACKPACKING" (where I'm from) is generally meant to be hiking/camping for several days in the middle of nowhere, in which case, 40/50 liters is not big enough. Considering you need to bring a tent, sleeping bag, water filter, dehydrated/freeze dried food, and other miscelaneous things (first aid kit, etc).

Using the "BACKPACKING" definition as the form of travelling internationally, ie "I backpacked across Europe," you certainly don't need to bring all of that and thus a small size as you mentioned would be just fine.

[vitamin-d]

I still take a 50 for a few days in the middle of nowhere.
I take most of what you said anyway, and the tent just straps to the bottom.
Cooking equipment can be a pain, but I normally squeeze it all in.

I would call that camping though, borderline trekking if you do lots of walking.
Either way, we're on the same page.

- saying that though, I often come back stinking because I rarely pack many clothes.

I think it's only in cold climates that one normally needs a larger rucksack. 

[Morticae]

I don't put anything on the outside of my pack (don't have the straps for it, and don't like that weight distribution). I used to use a stove from Jetboil, but recently switched to another stove that is the size of a box of matches (fuel canisters not included in that size, of course).

I would consider camping stationary, not mobile. You could call it trekking, I suppose.

When you hike all day 15-20 miles (24-32 kilometers) and then camp for the evening, get up and do it again the next day... repeat for multiple days (usually I do this for 5-7 days). We call that backpacking in my neck of the woods.