Originally Posted by leanneg

You know, maybe it's the way I tour, or maybe I'm just contrary, but I just don't understand this push to have the smallest possible bags while touring. I understand keeping gear weight and packed size down, sure, but I still like to have weight spread out on the bike, and I still like to have extra space. I never know when I'll stop to pick up odd size things like a bunch of fruit from a farm stand, or a whole box of donuts, or a whole pizza... It's nice to have a spot where that stuff fits, without having to tie strangely shaped bundles onto odd spaces on the bike. Also, I'm often traveling in places where I need several days of food or quite a bit of extra water, and it's nice to not have to MacGuyver a way to carry stuff when it's needed.

Then, being ultralight isn't much of a priority for me, so there's that too.