Many backpack models have one or two large compartments and perhaps one other small compartment. Having just one or two compartments might be fine for some people, however it can turn out to be a nuisance. The problem of having a few compartments is that it is sometimes difficult to find certain items, especially those items that end up at the bottom of the backpack. From experience I know that sometimes it is necessary to get most of the items out of a backpack in order to find certain small items. In dimly lit, cloudy or dark places the issue of finding a small item in a backpack usually becomes more evident.

The above is the main reason why I prefer backpacks with a lot of compartments. Having a lot of zipped compartments makes it easier to get all items organized into separate compartments. While it might still be necessary to get some items out of the bag in order to get small objects that reside at the bottom of a compartment, it is never necessary to get all items out of the bag at once.

The best types of multi-compartment backpacks are perhaps military backpacks and rucksacks. Military backpacks usually come in different sizes but one particular feature that is usually common is the inclusion of many zipped compartments. As a matter of fact, most small to medium sized military backpacks include two large compartments, one medium compartment and one small compartment. Some military backpacks also include two small side pockets.

Another advantage of military backpacks over any other backpack is the inclusion of several MOLLE attachment points. The term MOLLE means Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment and enables one to attach MOLLE compatible accessories or pouches to the backpack itself. One particular useful MOLLE attachment is the water bottle pouch.

Top of the range military backpacks cost over $150 (about GBP 92 or €116). I would not mind forking that amount of money for a large robust hiking backpack for; however I would not fork that amount of money for a small to medium sized backpack. As a matter of fact, one can still buy decent small to medium sized military backpack for less than $50 (about GBP 31 or €39). Some of the bestselling Military bags and MOLLE compatible accessories on the Amazon marketplace are the following:

 

Military Bags on Amazon.com:

Mil-Tec Military Army Patrol Flecktarn Camo Backpack – http://www.amazon.com/Military-Tactical-Rucksack-Backpack-Flecktarn/dp/B004LSBBS2/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=1CJM1DW5TFJPF63Q8E4W

Mil-Tec Military Army Patrol Coyote Tan Backpack – http://www.amazon.com/Mil-Tec-Military-Tactical-Rucksack-Backpack/dp/B004LSO1U2/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1CJM1DW5TFJPF63Q8E4W

Condor Outdoor Convoy Backpack – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESOXHDQ?psc=1

3V Gear Paratus 3 Day Operator’s Pack – http://www.amazon.com/Operators-Military-Compatible-Tactical-Backpack/dp/B00CICGI2W/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_26?ie=UTF8&refRID=1CJM1DW5TFJPF63Q8E4W

 

MOLLE Compatible Pouches on Amazon.com:

Rothco Water Bottle Pouch – http://www.amazon.com/Rothco-MOLLE-Compatible-Water-Bottle/dp/B00GJZA8VG/ref=pd_sim_a_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0PV6Y8N200R5D741YJV5

Red Rock Outdoor Gear Utility Pouch – http://www.amazon.com/Red-Rock-Outdoor-Gear-Utility/dp/B00M1U8O00/ref=pd_sim_a_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=0PV6Y8N200R5D741YJV5

 

Military Bags on Amazon.co.uk:

Woodside Tactical Assault Backpack – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nitehawk-Assault-Backpack-Tactical-Rucksack/dp/B009NSKRNU/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1410012783&sr=8-15&keywords=tactical+backpack

LYNCOL Tactical Military Backpack – http://www.amazon.co.uk/LYNCOL-Tactical-Military-Rucksacks-Backpack/dp/B00H93FAQU/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1410012783&sr=8-8&keywords=tactical+backpack

Tinxs Tactical Military Backpack – http://www.amazon.co.uk/tinxs-Tactical-Military-Rucksacks-Backpack/dp/B00G357CK2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1410012783&sr=8-3&keywords=tactical+backpack

Mil-Tec Military Army Patrol Black Backpack – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Patrol-Assault-Tactical-Rucksack-Backpack/dp/B005KDBHWM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1410012783&sr=8-4&keywords=tactical+backpack

Mil-Tec Military Army Patrol Coyote Tan Backpack – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Military-Backpack-Assault-Hiking-Coyote/dp/B004LSO1U2/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1410012783&sr=8-12&keywords=tactical+backpack

 

MOLLE Compatible Pouches on Amazon.co.uk:

Mil-Tec Tactical Utility Multi Purposes Pocket – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Military-Tactical-Utility-Purposes-Airsoft/dp/B005MYALUS/ref=sr_1_9?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1410022630&sr=1-9&keywords=MOLLE

MFH Multipurpose Bag – http://www.amazon.co.uk/MFH-30610A-Multipurpose-Bag-Molle/dp/B006MUJTEU/ref=sr_1_36?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1410022630&sr=1-36&keywords=MOLLE

Salomon is a well-known sports equipment manufacturer that originated in France but now forms part of the Adidas group of companies. Salomon is known to produce high quality items including, amongst others, hiking boots and shoes. The Salomon Conquest GTX Boots is one of the popular models this company produces.

The Conquest GTX weather proof boots are made from the so called split-suede leather, which according to the manufacturer, allows “for longer wear and durability”. These boots utilize what is branded as GORE-TEX, a technology that keeps the feet dry at all times. Though these are robust boots, they are fairly light weight at the same time.

Some reviewers on Amazon praise the boots for being comfortable out of the box. These reviewers wrote that it is not necessary to wear the shoes beforehand so that they break in. One particular reviewer wrote that he has hiked with the Conquest GTX for 170 miles with a 45 pound backpack but he did not have a single blister to show for it. Reviewers wrote that these shoes provide a great grip even on damp surfaces while at the same time they provide great ankle support.

While doing my research on these boots, I did only come across one negative review. The reviewer in question wrote that the shoes provide too much arch support. To be honest this would be fine for me since I have a big foot arch, however flat footed people may find these boots to be a bit uncomfortable. Two particular reviewers also wrote that the shoes run a bit small and in fact, they wrote that they had to exchange their shoes with one that is a half size larger.

For further information, please visit Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk. Apart from the reviews on Amazon.com, there is also an interesting review on the site The Big Outside. The reviewer in question praised the boots for providing a lot of cushioning and support. The guy said that the Conquest GTX boots are completely waterproof while at the same time they are breathable which is great for avoiding overheating of the feet. More user reviews of the boots can be found at Camp Saver and Moosejaw.

There are at least 15 different power socket standards in use all over the world (refer to http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/ for more information). Thus a travel adapter is an essential piece of equipment for anyone who travels regularly and also the occasional tourist.

Travel adapters come in different shapes and price ranges. Many of these are of good quality; however there are some cheap versions which are not worth the money. I remember buying one from eBay that never worked as expected. I still used it for a couple of years until it stopped working completely.

While a travel adapter is a cheap piece of equipment, it is still worth while paying a little extra for a better quality product. It is frustrating to find out that your travel adapter is not working the moment you want to charge your mobile phone or any other electronic device. In any case, no travel adapter will serve a lifetime so it is always recommended to travel with at least two adapters just in case one stops working.

Some of the best rated travel adapters on Amazon.com are the following:

FosPower World Wide Universal Adapter with one USB charger port: http://www.amazon.com/FosPower-World-Wide-Universal-Adapter-Charging/dp/B00KSLCU72/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Z34QRCJGN398K2MRF6Q

FosPower Adapter with two USB charger ports: http://www.amazon.com/FosPower-World-Wide-Universal-Adapter-Charging/dp/B00MY9F7U8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_39?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Z34QRCJGN398K2MRF6Q

Ceptics-International All In One Travel Adapter: http://www.amazon.com/Ceptics-International-All-In-One-Travel-Adapter/dp/B00LIAI3HI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Z34QRCJGN398K2MRF6Q

M8 International Worldwide Adapter: http://www.amazon.com/M8-International-Worldwide-Adapter-Charger/dp/B00ECAP572/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_13?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Z34QRCJGN398K2MRF6Q

Mudder Universal International Adapter: http://www.amazon.com/Mudder%C2%AE-Universal-International-Adapter-Charger/dp/B00IY9K72K/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Z34QRCJGN398K2MRF6Q

Some of the best rated travel adapters on Amazon.co.uk are the following:

FosPower Travel Adapter with one USB charger port: http://www.amazon.co.uk/FosPower%C2%AE-All-In-One-Universal-International-Converter/dp/B00KSLCU72/ref=zg_bs_1345745031_79

FosPower Adapter with two USB charger ports: http://www.amazon.co.uk/FosPower%C2%AE-All-In-One-Universal-International-Converter/dp/B00MY9F7U8/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1410611815&sr=1-4&keywords=FosPower

HAPTIC Universal Travel Adapter: http://www.amazon.co.uk/HAPTIC%C2%AE-Universal-charger-Convertor-Countries-White/dp/B00L6F1OTY/ref=zg_bs_1345745031_40

branché High Power Universal Travel Adapter and Dual USB Charger: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FBG2L5K?psc=1

Some of the above listed adapters provide one or two USB ports for charging phones or other equipment directly from the travel adapter. While these should work with any type of Android phone, it is important to note that iPads and iPhones require special types of chargers. So one must pay attention that the charger is certified to work with Apple devices.

It is also worth noting that even though most of the above are labelled as “universal” or “worldwide” travel adapters, I still have to come across an adapter that works in every type of power socket. As a matter of fact, when I travelled to Switzerland a few years ago, my travel adapter did not work in the power sockets at the hotel room where I was staying. Luckily the hotel receptionist did provide me with an adapter so that I could charge my mobile phone and camera batteries.

So next time I travel to Switzerland, I would make sure to take one of the below with me:

Generic Plug to 3 Round Prong Switzerland Plug International Travel Adapter: http://www.amazon.com/Generic-Switz-International-Grounded-Adapter/dp/B001ISSFIW/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1410609024&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=swiss+travel+adapter

Same generic travel adapter model for Switzerland from Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/niceeshop-110V-240V-Generic-Switzerland-International-White/dp/B00GTAL0YA/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1410609078&sr=1-3&keywords=switzerland+travel+adapter

On eBay one can find many China manufactured items at incredibly cheap prices. These items include, amongst other, travel accessories, clothes, shoes, tents, GPS receivers and many other items. Also impressive is the fact that many items are sold at zero shipping cost.

Having said this, while I am a regular eBay buyer, I have to admit that buying from eBay is not without disadvantages. For a start, it is sometimes not easy to determine if you are buying something that does not work as advertised or that will break down after a short period of time.

The eBay user comments rarely help, as users are only allowed to write one comment, usually as soon as they receive the item that has been ordered. There is also a limited time period, usually two months, after which it is not possible to rate the seller and write a comment. In any case it is not possible to change a review and comment after it is posted.

Most users pass negative comments only if they did not receive the item or if the item they received is not the one they ordered. For this reason it comes to no surprise why most eBay sellers have positive user ratings of 98% or more. After all, the eBay rating system is only for sellers and buyers so it is only fair that a seller receives a positive rating for sending the item order. Theoretically speaking, if one buys a junk item, it is not the fault of the seller. In any case, if the item breaks down in the meantime, it is not possible for the user to change his or her comment, as already mentioned previously.

Having said this, I do not mind taking such risks, so I will probably continue buying from eBay for years to come, especially where it comes to buying cheap items. After all, I have bought dozens of cheap items from eBay and it was only rarely that I ended up disappointed with my purchase. After all, when a cheap item eventually breaks I wouldn’t bother that much knowing that I had bought the item for just a couple of bucks.

Having said this, when buying more expensive items, I sometimes avoid forking out the money for unbranded items or items that are made by some Chinese brand that I have never heard of. Still if I eventually decide to buy an unbranded item, I usually prefer to buy from Amazon. Amazon sells millions of items, many of which are sold by third parties, and it comes to no wonder why it boasts in being the world’s largest Internet company.

The advantage of buying from Amazon is that items sold on Amazon usually come accompanied with user reviews for the items being sold. If I see a lot of negative reviews for some particular item or if I see too many few reviews, if at all, I usually skip the item and go for another one that has a lot of positive user reviews. Amazon also makes it easier to return items, so in that case, I know that I am covered. Having said this, I know that on Amazon it is not easy to find the same cheap items as those sold on eBay, but that is the price to pay for a greater piece of mind.