Backpacks (added my packing list, post #19)

[bigjbear]

I'm in the market for a new backpack. I'm looking for something durable AND lightweight. It will need to be able to withstand long journeys without the suspension system failing or the pack tearing. Also, I want to be around the 3lb mark, with 3.5lbs being the upper limit. I pack small so I doubt I would want more than 50l, with 40l being closer to ideal.

I'd love to hear some suggestions, but won't be buying anything until I get a couple fitted. My main question is there a reason not to use a "Climbing" pack for general hiking? For the most part they are lighter and seem to have sturdy features.

 

[bigjbear]

Just so you guys know what I'm looking at: Gregory Z40, Osprey Kestrel 38, and The North Face Prophet 40 are packs I think would work.

 

[76k5grrl]

http://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/stores/kennesaw.html?un_jtt_redirect

So it's not a forum but one thing I have found about REI is that their salespeople are also enthusiasts and since it's a co-op they have never tried to oversell me.

It's where I go when I want information about gear...

 

[bigjbear]

I've had good luck with them too. Never had the same feeling about them since their push for more Federal Wilderness Areas, but they are so much better than trying to mail order for things like boots and packs.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

no personal experience. but all of my research says that ospreys make great stuff.

 

[TSGB]

I've got an Osprey Aether 60 and Osprey Manta 20. I'm sold, as they're strong in the durability and warantee departments: "Any product, any era, any reason.". I bought them from REI, and I'm one of the loyal customers as well, but I haven't heard about their land use issue.

 

[76k5grrl]

I've got an Osprey Aether 60 and Osprey Manta 20. I'm sold, as they're strong in the durability and warantee departments: "Any product, any era, any reason.". I bought them from REI, and I'm one of the loyal customers as well, but I haven't heard about their land use issue.

I hadn't heard about it either but I guess it doesn't really surprise me.

 

[imiceman44]

I've had good luck with them too. Never had the same feeling about them since their push for more Federal Wilderness Areas, but they are so much better than trying to mail order for things like boots and packs.

I am an REI member and I do buy a lot of stuff there but never bought backpacks from them.
I did the research and then bought at Walmart.
Same manufacturer different name.
I am not surprised when I hear a company that caters to outdoors is trying in their mind to protect more wilderness.
It's like Jek protecting the 2a.
I have been using my Walmart packs for 5 years loading them up 50-90 lbs and they are still like new

 

[bigjbear]

I bought them from REI, and I'm one of the loyal customers as well, but I haven't heard about their land use issue.

It was a pretty big deal a few years ago. Pissed off everyone from fourwheelers to mountain bikers. While I disagree with their stance, I do respect them for sticking to their guns.

I've got an Osprey Aether 60 and Osprey Manta 20. I'm sold, as they're strong in the durability and warantee departments: "Any product, any era, any reason."

I was pretty impressed with that as well.

Gregory Z40, Osprey Kestrel 38, and The North Face Prophet 40 are packs I think would work.

So I chose...

...none of the above
Here is why: The TNF Prophet 40 is a climbing pack. In answer to my original question, what I learned about climbing packs is they don't have good waist belts. You carry the weight on your shoulders, so it was out right away. The Z40 was too heavy, as was the REI Crestrail 48. They come in at 4lbs each. The Osprey K38 was very light, 2.5lbs, but at the expense of some comfort. If you want an ultra-lightweight pack it would be a great choice. But for what I'm planing it gives up too much.

So after an hour plus of adjusting and loading packs I found a winner, the Osprey Atmos 50. It was a little bigger than I planned, I was looking in the 40 liter range, but there were not a lot of choices in that size.

The details: 50 liters, just over 3lbs, great suspension system, and just enough pockets to not be gimmicky. Of course it has Osprey's great warrantee.

As far as buying elsewhere, I would not feel right taking up all that time and buying somewhere else. The sales guy adjusted each of the adjustable packs, two of the same model (one med, one lg) on two of them, loaded them with 20lbs (my self imposed max weight) and waited while I walked around the store. Yes, REI is a little more expensive, but I have said it more than once, I am willing to pay for good customer service.

So my current pack weight stands at 15lbs, plus 3.5lbs of stuff I'll be wearing. Still under 20 pound max I've set for my self. It's getting close, though. Not much room for luxuries, but that is the point, right?

 

[kgblazerfive]

Why the only 20lbs weight limit ?

 

[chevyfumes]

How old are you? I know I've dropped at least 20lbs from my carry while hunting simply because my arse is old and broken.
Survival is more about not having a heart attack now and more about light boots a knife, my guns and..... Well that's it.

 

[bigjbear]

Why the only 20lbs weight limit ?

The 20 pound limit is for my Camino trip. Couple reasons for that, the main one is this supposed to be a pilgrimage so I don't plan on luxuries. The next big reason is part of the experience is eating your evening meals in the local cafes and shopping in the markets. So I only need food and water for one day at a time (or 2 days over a Sunday). Last reason- this is a 470-500 mile walk, depending on my starting point, and if I walk the three days past SdC to "the end of the earth".


But mostly it's because this is a pilgrimage and in my mind it should not be full of luxuries. Admittedly, I'm not doing it in "the clothes on my back", but I do want to keep to the spirit.

 

[TSGB]

I forgot to mention my experience with bladders. Osprey and Big5 are the two I've owned with bite valves,and I hate them. The best I've seen is the 3L, $15 Cabela's bladder. It's like a big envelope, tough as hell, simple, easy to clean and fill, and has a cap so your mouthpiece isn't covered with dust, sweat, and DEET.

 

[natemc]

I buy a lot from REI. Customer service is great. Recently though I've been shopping at "backcountry gear.com". They're local to me so the prices are low being Internet based and service is awesome being able to go into the showroom.

As far as the packs I use. Blacks creek lil bone collector, 2200cubic inch. Great day pack for up to 20lbs. I retired it last year to being a fishing pack now.
I use a Tenzing 6000 for everything from my gym bag/ day trips to multi day wilderness hunts. 65lbs is the most I've had it so far. It's 4400ci with a expandable meat compartment that's 1600ci. That's a total of 6000ci possible. It's a very versatile pack so far.
I just ordered a Timberline 1 from Kifaru International today. It's 7200ci and custom made to fit you.
I also have a Dakine mountain bike pack that I use for my trail runs and cycling stuff. It's just big enough for some tools, water and food.

I'm kind of a pack snob in the last few years. It started when I received an Oregon ranger pack when I was fire fighting. On e you put a heavy load on your back, you'll spend some time researching and fitting different ones.
Good luck with your osprey. My wife's next pack will probably be a larger Osprey.

 

[runamok151]

I use an alice pack I picked up at a local army/navy store for $25. It's very light, comfortable and holds enough for a few days if needed.

 

[bigjbear]

I use an alice pack I picked up at a local army/navy store for $25. It's very light, comfortable and holds enough for a few days if needed.

I've done my share of humping around with an ALICE pack. Unless you use it with the external frame all the weight it supported by your shoulders.

 

[runamok151]

Mine has the frame. I think it rides on my hip more than shoulders. Even w/ my bad back, I don't find it too uncomfortable.

 

[bigjbear]

Actually had time to give my pack a good little test today. For weight I wrapped a 15 lb dumbbell in a sweatshirt. I also had a small lunch, a full 3 liter water bladder, a little dog food, and water bowl. My bathroom scale put it at 25.5 lbs.

Went for a hike in the NP near my house, with my daughter and our two dogs. There is a 5.5mi loop trail that passes near my house at the half way point. I drove up to the parking lot and we hiked back toward the turn off for our neighborhood. When we got there my daughter took our little dog and headed home. The big dog and I headed back toward the truck on the other half of the loop. Usually I just start walking (or running) from the house, but I knew the little dog wouldn't be able to make the full loop, that is why I drove to the "normal" start point. When we got to the side trail for the neighborhood the big dog was confused as to why we were not taking it

On to the pack review, with the loop trail and one side branch we walked a little over 6 miles, and as I mentioned the loaded pack weighed in at 25.5 lbs. When I picked it up by the carry handle it felt heavy, but once I got it on and adjusted if felt much better. The waist belt is well padded and has two adjustment points. The adjusters on the belt and shoulder straps are easy to work on the fly, a great fatigue fighting feature. I really didn't start to feel the weight until the long uphill at the end of our hike.

Cooling features- The way the internal frame is built on this Osprey it keeps the pack off your back, for the most part. This is the reason I stuck with my external framed pack for so long. Last time I looked at internal framed packs most sat on your back and made sure you were good and sweaty. The best they could do was a "chimney" up the middle. This one does as well as an external at keeping the pack off your back.

Compartments- This is really going to have to wait until I have time to do an overnight hiking trip, or at least go camping, for a real review. But as far as today there are pockets on the waist belt I used for my keys and wallet, but they were too small for my cellphone. The water bottle and bladder pockets were appropriately sized.

Over all it is light years ahead of either my old external framed Jansport or my unframed ALICE pack. I'm pretty happy with my purchase so far.

 

[bigjbear]

So now that I've a camping trip, an overnight, and a whole lot of day hikes with this thing on my back I decided to pack it exactly how I plan to have it outfitted for my Long Walk. Below is the list of what I'll be wearing/carrying, plus some water and food. I've actually had more weight in it before, but this is the first time I've had it packed exactly how I plan to have it this fall.

Camino weights oz

Backpack
-Osprey Atmos 50 52

Shirts
-polly SS 4.5 (3ea 13.5)
-polly LS 7(2ea 14)
-cotton SS 6

Shorts
-polly cargo 12
(Running 5)

Pants
-zip off, 60c/40p 12
-? 12

Skivvies
-cotton/polly 3 (3ea 9)
-cotton boxer 3

Coat
-fleece pullover Galyans 11
-rain REI. 21
-heavy Mt Hard 24

Socks
-wool, crew 2.5 (2ea 5)
-polly REI, ankle 1.5
-Wright Sock, ankle. 1

Toiletries
-toothbrush 0
-toothpaste 1
-soap 4

Tools
-leatherman & pouch, CS4. 6.5
-Hk knife 2.5
-AAA light w/ 2 batt 2.5
-4 pack AAA batt 2

Towels
-bandana 1
-towel REI XL. 3

Shoes
-boots 32
(Current 56)
-sandals 17

Extras
-watch. 1.5
-shell. 1
-ring 0
-bracelet 1
-phone. 4
-cup 1
-charger. 1.5

Totals. Final. First **2nd** est. 3rd
-carry 14.15/226.5
-wear 3.6/57.5
-dry 17.75/284. 17.4/278.5

 

[Jeepbstrd]

Not exactly what you are looking for but I have the Osprey Aether 70 which I used for a winter ascent of Mt Fuji with a 42 lb load out. It was very comfortable for the hike/climb and survived two international and two domestic flights which I believe speaks volumes for durability. My buddy has the Deuter 50+15 which was pack of the year last year I believe and he loves his pack. Both brands are great regardless of The model or size you like.