AARN packs

[ULWalkingPhil]

I usually remove the balance pockets if there isn't a suitable tree/rock to rest the pack on while donning it. They're easy to clip on once you're used to the set-up. But even with my Load Limo packed to the gunwhales with enough gear and food for two weeks, the straps are plenty strong enough to sling it around.

The only drawback is that if you're into scrambling the balance pockets get in the way.

Is your pack one of the new ones? I notice looking at images that my shoulder straps are different to the current models.

[north-north-west]

I think it's the same vintage as yours. 2010 model.

I bought mine from BPL, so got a professional adjustment from Tim in the shop. Makes a big difference when there's someone there to show you how everything works.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Mines 2008 vintage, so I been told, but I have not confirmed this. I notice the new models shoulder straps height are adjustable by various attachment points, my pack does not have those adjustments, instead I use adjustment straps on the side of the hip belts to adjust the shoulder strap height.

[north-north-west]

Mmmmm, yeah, there are a few adjustment points for my shoulder straps, including one set of clips that I think are unnecessary.

Whatever. It's still a great pack. Except for the scrambling issue. I have to work out a better way to deal with that before I get back into the WArthurs.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I think the shoulder straps on my pack are brilliant, it's so easy to adjust. Have not had a chance to test the pack out on a long hike, been busy with work. I've loaded about 6kg into the pack and tried it around the house, I really need to get some weight in it and go for a long walk. Plan to do that this Saturday. Sunday I'm going off track for the day, I don't think I'll take my Aarn pack with me on Sunday.

I been in contact with Aarn, the designer for the Aarn packs in the last few days via emails, his been a great help in helping adjust the pack.

Anyone want to purchase a Oneplanet McMillan? Lol

[Stibb]

I should have put in a higher bid earlier on.

No, you should wait and put your only bid in the last few seconds. You just hike up the price otherwise It worked for the guy who won, didn't it?. Gotta stay cool

[ULWalkingPhil]

I should have put in a higher bid earlier on.

No, you should wait and put your only bid in the last few seconds. You just hike up the price otherwise It worked for the guy who won, didn't it?. Gotta stay cool

Lesson learnt. Next time I will wait till last moment before putting a bid in. However bidding early It worked for me with the Aarn pack, I was the sole bidder, got it for 100.00, seller taken almost two weeks to get the pack to me, even though he was only 4 hours away. That was very frustrating.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I can't believe it's already been two weeks since I've received my Aarn Load Limo Pack. Have not tried any hiking with the pack, the most I've done so far apart from today is put in about 6kg and walked around the house.

Later today I'm going on a short day hike, thought I should get used to the pack, as I have a one week hike coming up in the next few weeks and better start sorting out any issues. This morning I loaded my pack with 16.5kg, apx weight I'll be carting on my one week hike.

The front pockets I've placed my water filter, gps, half litre stove fuel and 3.7 litres of water. Apx weight in front pockets 4.5kg. With 12kg in the back. I know this is not ideal. As the goal according to the Aarn website is to even the weight carried in the front and back of pack. I still have plenty of room in the front pockets, so I could load more weight there. But for today's test, this is how I will carry the weight.

Walked around the block, and already notice the front pockets where not set to my liking. The front pockets are to far apart, I cannot freely swing my arms without hitting the front pockets, the connection method for the from top of pack is not working for me. So I've done some quick modifications and the front pockets are a lot better now, I can freely swing my arms and I can easily see my front feet as I walk. What I done is used a small caribiner to attach the top of the front pockets to each other and done away with the front x-flow attachment points. I can see why Aarn has redesigned this feature on the newer models.

Even with having 4.5kg in front of pocket with the 12kg in back, I can feel how much more upright I am with this load. I was easily able to bend down and pick up my car keys after I dropped them by accident. This was a nightmare to do with my Oneplanet pack.
I also found the pack not to difficult at all to put on with the front pockets attached and all the items in the front pocket. Don't know why but it was actually easier to put on than my Oneplanet pack.

About to leave for a longer hike with the pack, will report back on how I find the hike and some photos,

[ULWalkingPhil]

Just got back home from a days hike testing my Aarn Load Limo Pack. All went well, couldn't be any better. All weight on my hips. My modification to the front straps worked great. Pack was easy to put on and take off. In no time I had the pack on after taking a coffee break using my Trangia. Love those front pockets, everything I need for the day within easy reach. Did get some strange looks from passing cyclists and other walkers.

Attachments

Aarn Load Limo Backpack

[ULWalkingPhil]

I'm really liking my Aarn Load Limo pack with the front pockets. Have not put it to the real test so far, that's coming up in a couple of weeks, when I'll be heading of for a one week hike on my lonesome, will be the longest solo hike for me.

I have been wearing it a lot in the past week while exercising for my upcoming hike, so it's getting a good workout, Aarn sent me in the mail a replacement front clip for the front X-flow straps, which appears to solve the problem I had with the front pockets getting in the way of my swinging arms.

I've not had to use my hiking poles since using the Aarn Bodypack, balance is perfect with this pack on.

And another thing I've noticed with this pack on, at the end of a 3 hour hike, I don't have any discomfort or pain in my neck and shoulders. 3 hours is the longest I have hiked with this pack on so far, and to be honest the longer I walked the more comfy I'm feeling, I could never say the same with my Oneplanet pack.

[Stibb]

The front pockets looks very saggy. Are they saggy or is it just a matter of filling/packing them properly?

I'm thinking an Aarn pack could be good for my hubby (yes, I do all the research/planning here) but worried that it would be too warm as he wants good air flow around the body. He looooves mesh paneled backs but there aren't too many options.

[ULWalkingPhil]

The front pockets looks very saggy. Are they saggy or is it just a matter of filling/packing them properly?

I'm thinking an Aarn pack could be good for my hubby (yes, I do all the research/planning here) but worried that it would be too warm as he wants good air flow around the body. He looooves mesh paneled backs but there aren't too many options.

The front pockets are not full enough, I need to pack more in them. In the photos, I had 4 litres of water, 3 one litre bottles and my water filter with almost a litre of water in it. Also a fuel container with 500 mills of fuel in it for my trangia stove and my large sunglasses case, a camera and two handheld GPS units, and as you can see, there's still heaps of room in those pockets for more gear. I've even managed to fit my trangia stove kit in one of the pockets, in this photo the trangia stove is in the backpack

[ULWalkingPhil]

The front pockets looks very saggy. Are they saggy or is it just a matter of filling/packing them properly?

I'm thinking an Aarn pack could be good for my hubby (yes, I do all the research/planning here) but worried that it would be too warm as he wants good air flow around the body. He looooves mesh paneled backs but there aren't too many options.

In regards to the overheating problem. I actually find the Aarn pack cooler to wear than my Oneplanet McMillan pack, although I have not tested it so far on our hot summer days. I still think in summer it will be cooler to wear than the Oneplanet pack. Particularly on the back. The mesh on the backpack is very cool and comfy to wear.

The front pockets are designed so that there is a gap when you wear it.

[Stibb]

Thanks. What about the bag being too "warm" (=no air flow)? Do the pockets (when fully packed) cover/touch your front or are they off the body ie only on the harness?

EDIT oh, I missed your last reply. thanks. looks promising.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Thanks. What about the bag being too "warm" (=no air flow)? Do the pockets (when fully packed) cover/touch your front or are they off the body ie only on the harness?

EDIT oh, I missed your last reply. thanks. looks promising.

The front pockets are off the body, the way I have the front pockets set up now, there's at least a one inch gap between my body and pack.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I'll load the front pockets with more gear in them, when a return back home shortly and post a image here.

[photohiker]

Hey phillipsart, what happened with the photos?

I note that Aarn has now got the photo pockets on the market in two versions: 'Standard' and 'Pro' - this interests me greatly.



I can't find a photo of the 'Pro' pockets, but I'm told they are massive. Probably overkill for my needs as I'm not much of a long lens fan...

Also, there are some new updated models out, the Peak Aspiration in particular looks to have had a bit of a workover:



Useful detail improvements with compression straps on the side and the back, walking pole loops etc. Usual Aarn features of load support and waterproofness. Comes without balance pockets but will take any of the current model pockets. Looks good. Green Colour!

There is a Youtube review of the photo pockets with last year's Peak Aspiration. The combination looks to be a ripper option for a 45L pack with photo carrying capabilities.

Tempting, even.

I wonder if there's room to hide another pack in the wardrobe...

[photohiker]

Found a photo of the Pro photo pockets on the Aarnusa website:



Yep, they're BIG

[gayet]

Will you have it all by October?

[photohiker]

Will you have it all by October?

No, I think I will have spent some of it on a new pack

[John Sheridan]

I was thinking of getting the 'Featherlite Freedom', but is that light for a 65 pack as I want to get a light 60 pack.

Are their lighter 60 packs out there, though maybe a little comfort is good

Thanks.

[photohiker]

Featherlite Freedom is ~1.7kg depending on options chosen and size.

Not lightweight for a lightweight pack, but possibly lightweight compared to a 'normal' weight pack.

One Planet/Macpac standard packs are about 2.5-3.0 Kg. Packs considered Lightweight in this size would mostly be under one Kg. Gossamer Gear G4 for example is 480g in large size. Tradeoffs abound: Material weight and abrasion resistance, harness design and comfort, pack frame and load carrying capability, number of pockets and pack features.

It all depends on you, what you will be carrying and when and where and for how long you will be doing it.

[Taurë-rana]

I wouldn't worry about a bit of extra weight for an Aarn pack, the comfort of the front pockets more than offset that.

[ULWalkingPhil]

It's not only just the front pockets, there's the harness system and the adjustability of the pack, that's also supreme. Yes, I totally agree, do not worry about the weight of the pack.

[north-north-west]

Found a photo of the Pro photo pockets on the Aarnusa website:



Yep, they're BIG

I just wish they were available here.
I'd even settle for the standard photo pockets. But every time I ask Tim, he says the delivery has been backdated again . . .

[photohiker]

Found a photo of the Pro photo pockets on the Aarnusa website:



Yep, they're BIG

I just wish they were available here.
I'd even settle for the standard photo pockets. But every time I ask Tim, he says the delivery has been backdated again . . .

Well, you should talk to Nick, because he just sent me some standard photo pockets wrapped in a new 2011 Peak Aspiration.

I bought them on the basis that I could swap for the Pro pockets if I needed to, but my gear fits fine in the standard pockets. I think you would need to be carrying a 1D/1Ds/D3 or have a battery grip on your smaller DSLR to need the larger pockets.

Haven't done much fitting of the pack yet, but I can already tell its going to be great.

[north-north-west]

Well, you should talk to Nick, because he just sent me some standard photo pockets wrapped in a new 2011 Peak Aspiration. .

Who, what and where is Nick?

[photohiker]

Well, you should talk to Nick, because he just sent me some standard photo pockets wrapped in a new 2011 Peak Aspiration. .

Who, what and where is Nick?

Backpacking Light in Melbourne. I think he's a human, answers the phone.

[north-north-west]

If BPL carry them, why aren't they on the website?
I may just have to go in there soon. Phones are not an option.

tThanks.

[photohiker]

Phones are not an option.

If it helps, drop me a PM if you want me to ring and put something on hold for you. I don't think they keep an awful lot of stock, and I know from experience the lead times are long on this gear.