AARN packs

[Strider]

Add a zero to the pricing of the standard models I reckon.

[GPSGuided]

Thinking packs again and always desire that n+1 Aarn. Peak Aspiration is way too big for day walks and thinking of one compact unit for long day walks. Does anyone remember whether there are sales with Aarn packs? Where to get the best pricing? Recent Easter sales saw storewide discounts but for Aarn packs. No urgency and can wait.

[matagi]

Backpacking Light in Melbourne have them on sale sometimes.

Which one are you looking at? The Liquid Agility at 30 litres is a nice little pack. It also has an option to add balance pockets if you wanted to increase the capacity in the future.

[Strider]

I've always had my eye on the Marathon Magic 33 to fit that bill.

http://www.aarnpacks.com/#!marathon-magics/cav0

[matagi]

Yep that would also be an option. I tend to forget about the Marathon Magic because I have a now discontinued Mountain Magic 44, which also works well as a day pack without balance pockets.

[GPSGuided]

Yes, I am eyeing their current line Marathon Magic, both the 22 and 33L models. Have not held a 22L in my hands and don't have a good sense of its functionalities but sure liked the 33L model. Will keep an eye on Backpacking Light and their sales in the coming months. Thanks.

[GPSGuided]

Mucking around with the balance pockets that I have with my Peak Aspiration and remembered how it can be converted to a daypack. The straps are narrow and I wondered how people find this conversion? Is it practical or just a nice to have when there's no choice?

[Pongo]

Mucking around with the balance pockets that I have with my Peak Aspiration and remembered how it can be converted to a daypack. The straps are narrow and I wondered how people find this conversion? Is it practical or just a nice to have when there's no choice?

Yeah I'm not a fan. You're right, the straps are pretty horrible. I would rather leave the day pack straps at home and get one of those superlight sea to summit day packs. It would probably be similar in weight.

[Gusto]

Alternatively, The lasso lock compression straps can be used instead. If you're already carrying them, then it's not an additional thing to carry

[GPSGuided]

Alternatively, The lasso lock compression straps can be used instead.

Lasso lock compression strap? How would they help?

[Gusto]

It won't help in level of comfort of the day pack as the straps are the same thickness

You need to have 4 Lasso straps. Connect two straps together, then attach to top and bottom of front pocket. Repeat process to the other pocket.

[GPSGuided]

I see, to use the lasso loc straps to replace the supplied body straps. Guess there are also some potential MYOG solutions to improve the padding over the shoulders.

[Strider]

The older models didn't come with supplied day pack straps AFAIK

[Oldroan]

I'm going to buy an Aarn soon and will need a large hip belt. Just wondering if retailers exchange hipbelt sizes for free or if they are considered an optional extra (will I have to pay)?

[magichat]

I'm going to buy an Aarn soon and will need a large hip belt. Just wondering if retailers exchange hipbelt sizes for free or if they are considered an optional extra (will I have to pay)?

Backpacking Light changed my hipbelt on my Featherlight Freedom without any hassle (Cant remember the exact reason but Id probably picked the wrong one).

[Oldroan]

Thanks magic

[north-north-west]

You should specify the belt size you want when you buy it, but if it needs to be changed Bpl will do so free of charge, provided the original belt doesn't show major signs of wear.
In fact, if you go in to the shop to buy the pack - and Tim's there - a proper fit and adjustment is part of the service.

[Oldroan]

Thanks NNW.

AARN'S ON SALE!!! I just picked up a Peak Aspiration and Exp Balance pockets for $327. They're on sale online at Main Peak in WA. But it might be worth checking other retailers to see if they will match the price.... It worked for me

[Bayside Bloke]

Hi All. A little nervous about my first post. Have seen (read) heaps of people get smashed for not providing enough information when asking questions - so here goes...[GRINNING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]

I live in Brisbane and have recently decided to begin overnight hiking. The first of my Big 4 which I am in the market for is my pack - and the Aarn is at the top of my list. K2 in Brisbane is down on the Aarn website as being their Brisbane stockist. I looked on the K2 website and was not able to find any Aarn reference.

Can anyone advise of there are other stockists in Brisbane or should I look to Back Packing Light in Victoria for my purchase?

Thank you for our assistance in advance.

[Picaro]

Welcome to the forum !
I haven't been into the Valley for maybe a year, but when I was, K2 did have a few Aarn packs. Trouble was that most of the staff didn't have any working knowledge of them.
Probably worth a call to see what stock they have.
Backpacking Light know the product, if thats going to help you.
Do you have an idea of what models you are looking at getting ?

[Bayside Bloke]

Thanks Picaro - featherlight freedom seems to be a popular choice. I guess that's part of the reason why I want to talk to a knowledgeable retailer. Talk through the choices and get a correct fitting.

I am looking to walk the OLT this NYE solo so something that can get me through week long walk.

[Bayside Bloke]

Just had a follow up from K2 in the Valley. They limit their Aarn range to Peak Aspiration and Featherlite Freedom. I'll pop in and have a chat with them and see how I go. Both the duty managers are experienced at fitting them I'm told.

[sim1oz]

Good luck with your shopping and fitting! I love my featherlight freedom and took it on the OLT. I've been moving more lightweight with gear but will keep going back to my Aarn pack whenever I need to carry a bit of weight for longer trips, winter, or carrying my kids' gear as well. It is still the most comfortable pack I have.

[drakkar]

So after analysis paralysis and lots of Google I stumbled on this thread.

I'm 95% sure I'm going with a peak aspiration over the featherlight because I prefer hydration bladder over bottles (I don't drink enough from a bottle) any reasons I should reconsider?

I've seen a few posts with concerns on how fragile Aarn packs can be... Is this warranted? Or does it just mean don't throw it on the ground and drag it across rocks and it'll be fine.

I'll be back into backpacking light with my gear for a final test in the next couple of weeks.

[Strider]

Just keep in mind that Aarn packs are designed to carry water in the balance pockets, as it is usually the heaviest item carried.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[north-north-west]

Or does it just mean don't throw it on the ground and drag it across rocks and it'll be fine.

This.

[philm]

The AARN packs are pretty tough for most uses. They last a long time. The only places I would probably take a traditional canvas pack would be in the Arthurs where there is a lot of scambling, crawling under trees and through narrow rocks.
In these cases it is not so much the toughness of the pack I am concerned with but the balance pockets that will get in the way. Other than this I have taken the packs through quick thick Tassie scrub and you don't have to treat them with kid gloves. I have the Load Limo.

[bernieq]

Agree with what you say, philm, except your hesitation re the Arthurs.

My Natural Balance Aarn pack went through the Western Arthurs without any problem at all. It's also been through the Southern Range and Precipitous Bluff, Traveller and Du Cane ranges and a good few NZ trips as well.

Only once, on a narrow ledge, did I feel the pockets were a little in the way - uncliping them fixed it.

[kitty]

Like Strider says...I put my water bladder in my featherlite freedom front pockets (along with lots of other handy things).

[drakkar]

Excellent, how do they fair as a standalone pack without the balance bags?