Hike Packs and Tents

[Rorku]

I've been looking at buying a new hike tent and hike pack.
I'm looking to buy a 2 man tent so that I have plenty of space to myself but I can share if need be, I was looking at a black wolf mantis 2 as it is around 2.2kg though I'm a bit unsure about it because I'd like to be able to sit upright in it and I'm not sure how well I will be able to do that, it's 0.85m tall. Does anyone have suggestions for other tents I can look at, while be at a decent price and around 2.5kg or lighter?
As for pack, I was looking at Anaconda and saw a russian pack for a very reasonable price, fairly light too, it's an 80L pack (maybe overkill in size i know but i like to carry plenty of stuff), problem is, I can't find any reviews or anything on it, it is called Ckayk Scout Highlander 80, if anyone has had experience with it or has checked it out in a store can you tell me what you think of it? Otherwise what pack would recommend, 80L please
Thanks in advance for your help.

[Tintin]

What's your budget?

How big are you?

I recently bought a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 tent and it's great. I'm 6' 3" and can sit up right in it. It's ~1.3kg and can fit 2 people comfortably. It is relatively expensive though.

[Gadgetgeek]

Budget is going to make a lot of difference. There are some really good tents for what you are looking for, but budget and hiking conditions are going to be big factors.

As far as packs, the best way to find out if that pack is worth your while is to try it on in store with as much ballast as you can get. Since Anaconda don't really do that, you might have to get creative with some water jugs, or something similar. If you can wear it for even a few minutes with 25kg in it, you'll have an idea of how adjustable it is, or if it doesn't do what you need. i would hesitate to recommend any pack without you being able to try it on with weight, but if you stick to more well known brands you will lower that risk, or at the very least be able to sell it for most of what you paid. From the looks of that Scout, its a knock off of a bunch of other packs, the yoke adjustment is a fairly common one, but it relies on that velcro holding well. I'm seeing what look like pretty cheap hardware and webbing, which to me suggests a lot of energy spent constantly tightening and adjusting.

80L is a monster pack, so unless you are hauling bulky but light gear (lots of thermal layers) you'll need something with a very robust suspension.

What is your current set up? what do you like and dislike about it. More info means better advice.

[neilmny]

Someone has this for $80.00 in the buy and sell section.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=22385

[Moondog55]

The Macpac Drew is selling is a good pack and good value and an excellent first real rucksack

[Rorku]

What's your budget?

How big are you?

I recently bought a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 tent and it's great. I'm 6' 3" and can sit up right in it. It's ~1.3kg and can fit 2 people comfortably. It is relatively expensive though.

I'm around 6'1" and my budget is fairly low, I don't really want to be spending more than $200 on the pack and around $250 on the tent.

Budget is going to make a lot of difference. There are some really good tents for what you are looking for, but budget and hiking conditions are going to be big factors.

As far as packs, the best way to find out if that pack is worth your while is to try it on in store with as much ballast as you can get. Since Anaconda don't really do that, you might have to get creative with some water jugs, or something similar. If you can wear it for even a few minutes with 25kg in it, you'll have an idea of how adjustable it is, or if it doesn't do what you need. i would hesitate to recommend any pack without you being able to try it on with weight, but if you stick to more well known brands you will lower that risk, or at the very least be able to sell it for most of what you paid. From the looks of that Scout, its a knock off of a bunch of other packs, the yoke adjustment is a fairly common one, but it relies on that velcro holding well. I'm seeing what look like pretty cheap hardware and webbing, which to me suggests a lot of energy spent constantly tightening and adjusting.

80L is a monster pack, so unless you are hauling bulky but light gear (lots of thermal layers) you'll need something with a very robust suspension.

What is your current set up? what do you like and dislike about it. More info means better advice.

When I went into Anaconda I stuff the Ckayk with 4 days worth of hike gear and had a wonder around the store, it felt pretty good, though I have since talked to a friend and might be able to get a BlackWolf McKinley for a good price (hopefully under $150) so that has gone onto the table.
My current set up is pretty basic, 65L Denali pack (got it for less than $50 so i wasn't too fussed), some cheap bivy tent which is nice and light (1.5kg) but barely any room at all and easily gets condensation, Mont down sleeping bag and I'm about to put in a big order for a bunch of Sea2Summit gear including mat, pillow, jetboil, dillybag, alloy cutlery, towel etc.

As for the size of the pack being monstrous, I like to carry all sorts of things and don't mind having to haul around the extra bit of weight but I guess I should just learn how to pack a bag better

[Gadgetgeek]

Not to harsh your vibe on the Ckayk, but unless you pushed the load to the 20kg range it wouldn't tell you much. 10-15 kg of gear will be fine in a lot of bags, but then when you add water, life changes.
I'd grab the macpac if its still there, the blackwolf wouldn't be the best, but not terrible. And nothing wrong with a big pack as such, but it would suck to do yourself an injury because your pack wasn't up to it.

I'm not too sure what you will be able to hit as far as tents in your price range, but I'd be considering a solo if you mostly are going to be using that way, you'll get a better tent for your funds.

[neilmny]

Hi Rorku,
I have a Blackwolf McKinley 85L and it is OK but by that I mean OK. I had a Mountain Ash before it and the McKinley is a much better pack.
I have a Macpack Tekapo 35L day pack and although I don't carry as much as I would in the McKinley I can recognise in use that the Macpack is a superior of design and quality.
I set it up I put it on and only cinch up the waist belt occasionally......I have to spend alot of time along the way fiddling with the Mckinley to keep it right and comfortable.
One thing with the McKinley that is a pain is the straps all over the place, very adjustable but.........

Good luck with it all.

Last edited by neilmny on Wed 24 Feb, 2016 4:22 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Strider]

What about an Osprey Volt?

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[johnk1]

Good call Strider. The Osprey Volt is a good pack and very well priced. I am happy with mine. Carries 20kg plus without a problem.

[Rorku]

What about an Osprey Volt?

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Actually looks really good and a local store sells it too, ill have to check it out tomorrow, thanks
I found out today that I may be able to get a wilderness equipment pack for a decent price, sorry that I keep putting more brands out there but what are peoples thoughts on that?

Thanks for all the help so far though

[Strider]

Wilderness Equipment make very good gear but I'd prefer an Osprey any day.

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[neilmny]

Wildearth have the Volt for $219.50 - http://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/osprey- ... 0318-green
Paddy pallins $181.96 - http://www.paddypallin.com.au/osprey-vo ... -pack.html

[Gadgetgeek]

Nothing wrong with Wilderness equipment either, take a look and see how it feels. See which one speaks to you, you won't go wrong with either I think.

[Rorku]

I've decided what I'll do, Outsports is really close to me and do a deal where you can rent a pack and then if you like it, pay the left over amount (so the selling price - what you paid to rent it) and you get a brand new version of the pack you rented, so I will rent an Osprey pack, see how I go, if I like it, buy it or else I will rent a wilderness equipment pack and see how I go from there.
I will still head over to Paddy Pallins and have a look at some more packs just to see what else there is in the meantime.

Thank you so much everyone for all of your help, greatly appreciated.

[neilmny]

That's a perfect plan Rorku. Try them both before you make your decision.

[Gadgetgeek]

With an option like that, you won't get stuck with something you hate. Pack fit is a very personal thing.

[drakkar]

As for tents. Have you considered a tarp ?

Basic, easy to pitch, light, versatile, useable down the track if you decide a tent is a must.