Geek sédentaire à chats, je m'émerveille des photos de déserts sahariens, forêts tropicales, des tranches de vie, habitudes, coutumes et recettes culinaires partagées sur internet avec des inconnus du bout du monde, mais je ne trouve aucun intérêt à voyager, et ne trouve que des arguments contre :
- soleil : babtou transparent, j'ai une peau adaptée au soleil fade de ma latitude native, et j'associe à mon aversion pour les endroits extrêmement lumineux le fait que je n'ai aucun soucis de vue à 38 ans à passer 10h par jour devant des écrans.
- maladie : de la tourista aux pandémies internationale en passant par les piqûres d'insectes divers, mon système immunitaire à ses limites, et quit à être malade, autant l'être dans un pays avec du papier toilette, une sécurité sociale et où l'eau 'courante' n'essaie pas de me tuer.
- écologie : mis à part pour les courageux qui font un tour du monde à vélo, je trouve complètement dingue de brûler ces tonnes de diesel/kérosène (how dare you ?!)
<edit>Un commentaire m'a rappelé un oubli : la destruction de certaines niches écologiques par les locaux eux même pour favoriser la manne pécuniaire que sont les touristes</edit>
- frustration : je me sens personnellement très à l'aise dans mon environnement, j'aime mon travail et ma vie de tous les jours. Tout ces fans de voyages n'ont l'air de rêver que d'une chose : être ailleurs... Pourquoi ne pas organiser votre vie 'ailleurs' ?
De mon point de vue (de vieux con aigri ?) j'ai l'impression que cet attrait pour les voyages ne vient que de l'envie de 'flexer' son expérience pour faire rager ses voisins de bureau au retour de vacances...
Quand je pose la question aux voyageurs de mon entourage, je n'obtiens que cette réponse étanche digne d'une secte : "non mais tu peux pas comprendre, il faut que tu voyages."
J'ai voyagé, et je déteste ça. La pression des obligations administratives et commutations entre les moyens de transport, les incompréhensions, les arnaques, le manque de confort dans les transports...
Un seul intérêt pour ma part : goûter les mets locaux, préparés par des locaux. Mais au delà de la turbo-chiasse et d'éventuelles déceptions, ça ne remets pas en cause tout les points négatifs décrits plus tôt (à mon sens)
Et vous, voyageurs, quel(s) attrait(s) trouvez-vous aux voyages ?
Il était au Mexique avant le fameux vol d'aller de la gang à Awad...
Le Journal de Montréal est hors contrôle et Air Québec a bien sûr suivi la parade, il fallait mettre des gens au bûcher. Et comme tout bon tribunal populaire, ça fait des victimes innocentes.
Ils ont tout effacé sur leur site web, mais trop tard... C'est partout dans l'édition papier.
Je lui souhaite de poursuivre.
In my never-ending search for the perfect minimal OneBag, I'm looking for a pretty simple, BIFL, bucket-style travel backpack in the ~25L (+/- a few L) range. The GoRuck GR1 21L ($335) & the 25L MEI Voyageur Mini ($85) come to mind.
They both seem to have very similar characteristics:
- Handmade in the US w/ a lifetime warranty (although GoRuck's is probably the best in the business)
- 1000d Cordura fabric
- Neither come with a water bottle holder
- Both have limited pockets and minimal organization
- Both have front pockets that are relatively tight when the bags are packed out
- Both have relatively simple strap/suspension system
- GoRuck has a separate laptop compartment. With the MEI, I'd need to chuck the laptop in the main compartment or have them build a laptop compartment in the bag (which they'll do for a small fee but I'm honestly fine with throwing the laptop in the main compartment. I'd just need to buy a sleeve for the computer for a lil extra padding)
- You can pretty much pick any color with the MEI
Given that the price difference is SO big between the bags & the quality and feature set so similar, is there any reason to go with the GoRuck? I prefer the looks of the GoRuck and for those that actually go rucking, I'm sure the GR1 makes more sense... but for the rest of us, is MEI the more sensible option?
Despite MEI (Mountain Equipment Inc) pioneering travel packs in the '70s it maintains, by intent or indifference, a minimal presence in the sector. The only outlets to market seem to be its California workshop and a website whose brief summaries and spare photos can leave one with more questions than answers. It's a tiny outfit and its products don't move through mainstream bricks and mortar channels so trying before buying is not realistic for most.
This aims to bridge the knowledge gap; it's not a review so much as an overview. That is, a detailed breakdown of the pack's design, construction, measurements and price, geared toward providing a sense of what to expect–and not expect–when considering the Voyageur Small (VS).
MEI offers customisation of its packs so ostensibly design features missing or unsatisfactory can be rectified before buying. I bought my VS second hand and so can't comment on this process. I've never communicated, or am affiliated, with MEI.
Price Considerations (for non-American readers):
MEI products are American made and don't benefit from economies of scale or labour arbitrage–expect to pay a premium. Then there's shipping, brokerage fees, and taxes…
I'm Canadian and here's how buying my exact pack adds up:
- Price: $140 USD
- Standard shipping: $45 USD (from checkout cart)
- Bottle and interior pockets (add-ons): $30???? (That's my guess, I've no idea other than it's a premium on top the base price)
- $215 USD == $275 Cdn at today's exchange.
- Add another ~$30 Cdn for HST (tax)
- And brokerage fees: ??? (courier contingent).
- Total: > $300 Cdn.
I expect other international buyers will face similar exchange and logistical inflation. Yes, it is expensive. FYI, the pack featured here was bought unused, from a fellow Canuck, for $120 Cdn ($93 USD), including shipping, from eBay. That goes a long way to explaining why I have it.
Enough blather, here are the goods:
Edit: Link to MEI Voyageur Small Travel Pack. Apologies, you're going to have find your own way there as posting this link violates r/onebag rules. Reason: MEI's website is hosted from a shopify domain.
My MEI Voyageur Small Overview (39 Photos at Imgur).
If further questions feel free to ask.
What hall has the best and biggest rooms? I mostly care about a big room. I would prefer answers from people who have lived in Athabasca, Saskatchewan, Qu’Appelle Hall and Qu’Appelle Hall Addition. Thanks.
I'm planning on going to Voyageurs Natl. Park for the first time in July/August. A few questions...
- Any campsite recommendations?
- How far out in advance should I reserve a campsite? (I'm worried about it just raining the entire time if I book it too far out without knowing the weather forecast...)
- Any other random tips or advice?
If you’re planning on paddling the Gunflint side, look no further than Voyageur Canoe Outfitters! Great holiday deals to save on your trip. Matt, Cassidy, and the crew are top notch! 218-388-2224
Hey all, made a post in national parks but haven’t gotten any responses yet. Anyone have any recommendations for voyageurs national Park in Minnesota? Going to spend a week there in August, and want to hit the must sees and any recommended camping sites. Thanks!
I'll probably get downvoted for asking this here but I'm interested in getting this group's perspective as well.
In my never-ending search for the perfect minimal OneBag, I'm looking for a pretty simple, BIFL, bucket-style travel backpack in the ~25L (+/- a few L) range. The GoRuck GR1 21L ($335) & the 25L MEI Voyageur Mini ($85) come to mind.
They both seem to have very similar characteristics:
- Handmade in the US w/ a lifetime warranty (although GoRuck's is probably the best in the business)
- 1000d Cordura fabric
- Neither come with a water bottle holder
- Both have limited pockets as well as minimal structure & organization
- Both have front pockets that are relatively tight when the bags are packed out
- Both have relatively simple strap/suspension system
- GoRuck has a separate laptop compartment. With the MEI, I'd need to chuck the laptop in the main compartment or have them build a laptop compartment in the bag (which they'll do for a small fee but I'm honestly fine with throwing the laptop in the main compartment. I'd just need to buy a sleeve for the computer for a lil extra padding)
- You can pretty much pick any color with the MEI
Given that the price difference is SO big between the bags & the quality and feature set so similar, is there any reason to go with the GoRuck? I prefer the looks of the GoRuck and for those that actually go rucking, I'm sure the GR1 makes more sense... but for the casual traveler, is MEI the better option?
MEI, Mountain Equipment Inc, despite pioneering travel packs in the '70s maintains, by intent or indifference, a minimal presence in the sector. The only outlets to market seem to be its California workshop and a website whose brief summaries and spare photos can leave one with more questions than answers. It's a tiny outfit and its products don't move through mainstream bricks and mortar channels so trying before buying is not realistic for most.
This aims to bridge the knowledge gap; It is not a review so much as an overview. That is, a detailed breakdown of the pack's design, construction, measurements and price, geared toward providing a sense of what to expect–and not expect–when considering the Voyageur Small (VS).
MEI offers customisation of its packs so ostensibly design features missing or unsatisfactory can be rectified before buying. I bought my VS bought second hand and so can't comment on this process. I've never communicated, or am affiliated, with MEI.
Price Considerations (for non-American readers):
MEI products are American made and don't benefit from economies of scale or labour arbitrage–expect to pay a premium. Then there's shipping, brokerage fees, and taxes…
I'm Canadian and here's how buying my exact pack adds up:
- Price: $140 USD
- Standard shipping: $45 USD (from checkout cart)
- Bottle and interior pockets (add-ons): $30???? (That's my guess, I've no idea other than it's a premium on top the base price)
- $215 USD == $275 Cdn at today's exchange.
- Add another ~$30 Cdn for HST (tax)
- And brokerage fees: ??? (courier contingent).
- Total: > $300 Cdn.
I expect other international buyers will face similar exchange and logistical inflation. Yes, it is expensive. FYI, the pack featured here was bought unused, from a fellow Canuck, for $120 Cdn ($93 USD), including shipping, from eBay. That goes a long way to explaining why I have it.
Enough blather, here are the goods:
MEI and its Voyageur Small Product Page.
MEI Voyageur Small Overview (39 Photos at Imgur).
If further questions feel free to ask.
