Buying a good quality backpack in Bangkok?

[Harry05]

Anyone knows a shop (preferably with adress and maybe telephone number) to buy a good quality backpack in Bangkok? I am staying in Silom so in this area is preferred but also advice for other places i welcome.

Or maybe a place were they can replace a zipper?

But good quality is more important than the price as I will need it quite a time.

Thanks answerimg,

Harry

[wooloomooloo]

North face shop in paragon.

[craigt3365]

You can try the sporting goods stores in Paragon, Central World, and maybe Siam Discovery. Northface has some stores as well as others including Columbia.

I got a knockoff several years ago. Lasted 2 months. I ditched it in Indonesia.

[phetphet]

Also maybe Amarin Plaza 2nd Floor. There is a small store that stocks PacSafe stuff, a camping shop, and a shop that sells stuff for cycle touring.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Replace a zipper? Try this outfit, they seem to do really good work, altho not cheap:

http://www.mrbagfix.com/

Outlets: http://www.mrbagfix.com/

Google Translate helps out.

Mac

[JSixpack]

Super Sport store at most malls. There's one inside Central Chidlom.

It's well worth it for quality when it comes to a backpack.

[keemapoot]

Also maybe Amarin Plaza 2nd Floor. There is a small store that stocks PacSafe stuff, a camping shop, and a shop that sells stuff for cycle touring.

Yup, Amarin Plaza 2nd floor back of the mall has what he needs, several stores selling higher end backpacks. Get off at BTS Chidlom, and take the footbridge directly into the mall.

[draftvader]

Please can anybody show me where they bought a MacPac, Arc'teryx or Osprey then I will agree that a decent quality pack is available for sale. Until you have worn one of the mentioned rucsacs you really won't know.

Whilst I agree that NorthFace do make good equipment they really are overpriced because of the name. The same money spent with one of the mentioned names will get you a far superior piece of equipment. Here, in Thailand, TNF are even more overpriced. For the same money you could shop online over-seas and have it sent over as a 2nd hand item (all tags and packaging removed) for around the same money.

[craigt3365]

Please can anybody show me where they bought a MacPac, Arc'teryx or Osprey then I will agree that a decent quality pack is available for sale. Until you have worn one of the mentioned rucsacs you really won't know.

Whilst I agree that NorthFace do make good equipment they really are overpriced because of the name. The same money spent with one of the mentioned names will get you a far superior piece of equipment. Here, in Thailand, TNF are even more overpriced. For the same money you could shop online over-seas and have it sent over as a 2nd hand item (all tags and packaging removed) for around the same money.

There are many brands of bags that are quite good. And yes, TNF products are expensive. But very high quality. I've got a bunch of their gear and have never had a problem with it. Top notch stuff, if you're willing to shell out the bucks. Which I don't do all the time, but quite often.

Too funny that some of their items are actually made here in Thailand! But still expensive as heck.

[draftvader]

Please can anybody show me where they bought a MacPac, Arc'teryx or Osprey then I will agree that a decent quality pack is available for sale. Until you have worn one of the mentioned rucsacs you really won't know.

Whilst I agree that NorthFace do make good equipment they really are overpriced because of the name. The same money spent with one of the mentioned names will get you a far superior piece of equipment. Here, in Thailand, TNF are even more overpriced. For the same money you could shop online over-seas and have it sent over as a 2nd hand item (all tags and packaging removed) for around the same money.

There are many brands of bags that are quite good. And yes, TNF products are expensive. But very high quality. I've got a bunch of their gear and have never had a problem with it. Top notch stuff, if you're willing to shell out the bucks. Which I don't do all the time, but quite often.

Too funny that some of their items are actually made here in Thailand! But still expensive as heck.

My point was that, for the inflated price of TNF in Thailand, you could buy more specialised alternatives in the West and have them shipped. I am an Arc'Teryx man myself having used a Bora65 for 2.5 years all over the world and settled down with one of their 20l bags for riding my motorbike and doing the shopping. Very durable, very comfortable and reassuringly expensive For me TNF does produce excellent gear but you are always paying that extra 10% for the TNF label. The most important part of any of these bags in ensuring you wear it, loaded, in the shop. Most outdoors stores in the UK will load weight into a bag and let you wear it whilst you shop for other things. I think Osprey makes amazing bags but they just seem to long for my back. Arc'Teryx fit me like a glove. For some TNF will be the perfect fit and then that 10% is nothing compared to your ability to put the bag on your back for 10 hours a day and take a full load.

[craigt3365]

Excellent points. One reason I've got gear from many different companies. Some work, some don't. Nice to have options...oops...we're in Thailand. Forgot we've got limited options.

I miss the big stores back home packed with all sorts of outdoor goodies!!!! 555555 And clerks who actually know and use the gear!

[draftvader]

Excellent points. One reason I've got gear from many different companies. Some work, some don't. Nice to have options...oops...we're in Thailand. Forgot we've got limited options.

I miss the big stores back home packed with all sorts of outdoor goodies!!!! 555555 And clerks who actually know and use the gear!

No trip back to Blighty is complete, for me, without a visit to a LARGE Snow & Rock or Ellis Brigham.

For BKK I think the OP has been given the best I've seen here too. The bunch in Amarin actually seem enthused about their equipment and seem to use it for themselves too so have valuable opinions. Unfortunately they are let down by a lack of choice but if you find stuff you like in there then you will be a happy camper (pun TOTALLY intended).

[Harry05]

Thanks for all the response. Could not find anything in the Siam Discovery Center, saw a few in the Paragon Mall but the best choice I had a the third floor in Central Chidlom. There were a few shops which had backpacks from Deuters, Columbia and North Face and some more. Ended up buying a North Face and did not visit other places anymore.

But for me one of the most remarkable things was that they gave me a form with which I can get VAT back (5% of the cost) at the airport costums. Is this usual?, actually I never heard of this.

[draftvader]

Thanks for all the response. Could not find anything in the Siam Discovery Center, saw a few in the Paragon Mall but the best choice I had a the third floor in Central Chidlom. There were a few shops which had backpacks from Deuters, Columbia and North Face and some more. Ended up buying a North Face and did not visit other places anymore.

But for me one of the most remarkable things was that they gave me a form with which I can get VAT back (5% of the cost) at the airport costums. Is this usual?, actually I never heard of this.

Yep. I forget the amount of time you have to leave and be able to claim back but it does put most of my purchases outside of this as we leave every 1-2 years and it falls well within this.

[JSixpack]

Thanks for all the response. Could not find anything in the Siam Discovery Center, saw a few in the Paragon Mall but the best choice I had a the third floor in Central Chidlom. There were a few shops which had backpacks from Deuters, Columbia and North Face and some more. Ended up buying a North Face and did not visit other places anymore.

But for me one of the most remarkable things was that they gave me a form with which I can get VAT back (5% of the cost) at the airport costums. Is this usual?, actually I never heard of this.

Great. You chose well. Friend of mine has a North Face, commutes with it daily on a motorbike, and it's held up well for years. I once had a North Face sleeping bag and it did reflect the quality of the brand.

Deuters is also world-class, built like a tank, lots of features.