You are going to want a good, sturdy travel bag that’s comfortable to pack around. Due to the size of our group, the conditions of our host countries, and the amount of in-country travel we do, you are required to use a backpacking pack or duffel bag instead of a suitcase.
Trust us, dragging wheeled suitcases down bumpy, cobblestone streets or along dirt roads can be really frustrating!
Look for a bag that has the following characteristics:
Carries between 40-50L
Has two padded shoulder straps (a hip belt is always a bonus)
Made of water-resistant material
Front-loading (this means that you can access all your stuff from the front instead of only being able to access it from a hole in the top of the bag)
Does NOT have a metal frame
Remember that you can always borrow a backpacking pack from a friend or family member.
If you choose to invest in your own bag, these are some of our favorites to help get you started: 40L Patagonia Black Hole Duffel, 50L Fjallraven Duffel No. 6, 40L Osprey Transporter, 42L Cotopaxi Allpa Del Día.