Fortunately in the metropolitan cities, you can still find dodgy, cobwebbed, petit shops that store a backpack or two above 45 L, which is what you actually need if you're travelling for a couple of months or so ... or if you're travelling to colder regions and need to carry warm clothes ... basically if you have lots of 'really necessary' stuff that you need to carry. But, be careful, even if you purchase an 80 L bag you can only carry stuff that you really need because there's only so much that your airline or your shoulders will allow you to carry, so 'Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.'
here's a small list of places in new delhi and bombay where you can buy backpacks. i compiled it from all sorts of internet conversation threads by hiking enthusiasts ... if you're in other cities, perhaps you can get in touch with these guys and find out if they have outlets in your city ...
1. AVI Industries
Our Imported BOLL (german) Backpacks are available with Rocksport Outdoors, New Delhi.
80 L bag was unavailable when I visited. They can order it from Bombay on request.
Address : 127, Rajendra Bhawan, (next to Siddhartha Hotel)
Rajendra Place. (Exactly Opp. the Metro Station)
Ph: Manish Gupta - 9810215848 (owner)
Aditya - 9999703875 (shop attendent, very very sweet fellow)
If the bag of your choice isn't available you could write to: they may deliver.
avinashkamath@gmail.com
www.aviindustries.com
2. Adventure 18
Opposite Venkateshwara, Ramjas College,
18, Satya Niketan.
Limited Options (One german bag when I visited)
3. Stikage India
7 UB Jawahar Nagar, Kamla Nagar
(Main Mc Donalds on Bungalow Road in the Kamla Nagar Market ... this shop is in the lane behind it. just call them for directions once at Mc Donalds)
Ph no. - 23850036/26
Limited options. They have cheaper options though, starting 1300 Rupees. Not all options on the website are in stock. Check with them on the phone before visiting, to see if they have what you like in stock.
http://www.stikage.com/back.htm
4. Gupta Sports House
25 F, Connaught Place
(Directions: With Janpath market on your left, go straight through the red light into the inner circle. Before you hit the inner circle road, on the left is Palika Bazaar, and on the right is this shop)
They had only one german 80 L and one 45 L bag. Make sure they have the bags before you specially make a visit.
Phone: 23315407, 41526009
E: rg_gsh1920@yahoo.co.in
5. Outdoortravelgear
This store is in bombay. They can deliver to other cities.
http://www.outdoortravelgear.com/product/hiking/backpacks/92.aspx
7. Carabin Inc
K 17/ 4A DLF 2
I do not know anything about these guys. Just found them on the internet. Didn't visit them.
Phone: 9811076556; 9811615298
http://www.carabinindia.com/contactus.html
I eventually bought a BOLL Mirage 60 + from Rocksport. I am hoping it will prove to be a good investment.
Oh! and I simply couldn't resist buying carabiners or loop hooks or whatever you call them from the shop. Apparently they come in all sorts of sweet metallic colours. Weeeeeee! Mine are purple and red and I don't have a clue how or when I am going to be able to use them :D ... Of course, whilst buying them I pretended that I was 'certainly' going to use them ;)
Cheerio old folks ...
* Talisman - An object marked with magic signs and believed to confer on its bearer supernatural powers or protection
