What AARN pack for me?

[David M]

I am after a backpack and have decided on AARN but am not sure which one. I expect to mainly do overnight walks but would want sufficient capacity to do up to four nights (occassionally). I want light weight - I won't be walking every weekend so do not need a super rugged pack. I would like to have as many compartments as possible. I nornally carry a two man tent,. I really don't know how many litres of capacity I should be carrying. Note also, I am not a minimalist - I like lightweight of course, but I also carry luxuries or may carry things like a hand-held weather station or other non-essentials. I am 172 cm tall and weight 72 kg. Thanks for your help.

[GPSGuided]

I was in a similar position a few weeks ago looking at AARN. I ended up picking their Peak Aspiration in L. It's rated for 45L alone. Add on the chest packs of 15L and there'll be a decent combined volume of 60L for longer time out. I would suggest that you should start from it and then look at packs either side of it in the range to cater for your exact need.

[bailz66]

My wife got the Peak Aspiration and its been pretty good.

If you are carrying tent, sleeping bag ect then you may need slightly more depending on where you go walking.

[Picaro]

Peak Aspiration sounds about right. Another may be the Mountain Magic 50...its 37+12.

Thing is, you will have to wait until October. As far as I know, theres no stock on the shelves.

[David M]

I was thinking of a 70 litre pack as this was what I have used in the past. From the comments above I really only need maybe 60 litres for up to 4 days. Is that now considered a good size for such a walk? (Bearing in mind most of my walks will be overnight or perhaps two nights but I want the capacity for longer.)

[David M]

What do you think about the Featherlite Freedom which in the large size is 55 litres for the pack and 12 litres for the pockets?

[GPSGuided]

Gear volume can vary so much these days with all the UL gears and varying personal preferences. So I suspect you'll just have to bring a set of your typical gears and try them out. If it doesn't fit a particular pack, then you'll have the option of 1) Go for a pack of larger volume, or 2) Downsize some of your gears to UL models.

[Franco]

David,
I am of your size except currently 2 kg heavier..
My M sized FF 9old version) has the Sport pockets attached , with that I have done 6 days in mild weather (nights down to 5c)
I usually carry a solo tent outside the pack across the top.
I have used a double tent too but it is on a small pack size compared to most.
With the standard pockets I can do 4 days (those pockets are in use on a different pack...)
Not into UL but what I call "Comfortably Light" , that is stuff that works, is easy to use and light enough.
Hence my use of the Aarn although I do posses lighter packs.

[GPSGuided]

My M sized FF 9old version) has the Sport pockets attached...

The photo is so telling! One guy crouched forward with his pack on his back, the other has his pack resting on the railing and only you, standing freely upright.

[Franco]

Yair , in the center, had just set the camera on self timer after the first failed attempt. he can carry 25kg the way I carry 15...
I am slouching a bit but don't normally do particularly with the 9kg or so I would have had inside the pack at the end of the walk.
This shot using the Effortless Rhythm with about 15kg inside, gives a better idea of how the Aarn center of gravity works :

[David M]

Thanks for your comments. Yeseterday I purchased a Featherlite Freedom (L size). I look forward to taking it on a walk.

[slparker]

Hi david,
I'm considering the same pack - let us know what you think, please. BTW, did you get it in melbourne? I'm heading to melb this weekend - thought I might score a nice new pack.....

[David M]

Yes I got it in Melbourne from Backpacking Light in the city. The only other place in Melbourne that has AARN is Outgear, also a good shop, in Moorabbin. Will be using it Wednesday.

[slparker]

I tried out the ff + a larger one today. The ff felt really good. I'm going to go back, leave a deposit and walk up and down some hills to see howit feels with some weight in it. Salesman tried to sell me the peak aspiration. It looked tougher but not sure that its big enough.

[bernieq]

The only other place in Melbourne that has AARN is Outgear

In the interests of accuracy, the other source of Aarn packs in Melbourne is Outsports in Moorabbin