Backpack for longer treks

[Ent]

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Last edited by Ent on Mon 29 Nov, 2010 7:47 am, edited 1 time in total.

[johnw]

Some of the WE packs are designed to do that (well the Karinji at least).

Definitely the WE Mountain Expedition lid converts to a bumbag very easily. Quite handy for side trips and I've found it takes a reasonable load. Don't know about other brands but one clue to look for is that the lid detaches at 4 points. I think the Lost World also has the same feature. I saw that pack again on the weekend. It's monstrous, and that was only the medium size. I shudder to think how big the large one must be .

[corvus]

WE Karijini top seperates,bit big and bulky as a bum bag but good to sling across one shoulder and has heaps of room.
corvus

[jcr_au]

Note that when selecting a pack, trying it on in the shop is not enough to make a decision. You really need to load it up with the kind of weight your likely to carry when walking, otherwise you'll have no idea how it is going to suit you when in actual use. In fact, even this is not really enough.

You really need to walk around with it loaded up with a realistic weight for at least 10 minutes, to get a feel of where the weight is going to settle. However, this is not terribly practical, and some shops might not like you doing this.

A good store should be able to accommodate such a request much the same as boots. With a big store like Paddy Pallin it is worth getting the loaded pack on your back and then rubber neck at all the "lovely" gear you can put in it for ten or more minutes.
Cheers Brett

I've only 1 "heavy" pack, i.e. over 20kg capable and that is a Mont, but Ican't remember the model. I'm very happy with the harness and have had around 30kg in it a few times. But what suits me may not suit you as we are, obviously, all built differently.

HOWEVER, I wouldn't dream of buying a pack without trying it with close to the intended weight. I live in rural Victoria so its a bit more of an excursion to get to the big smoke to check things out, so I rang Paddy's MD and Bogong's to arrange an approx time to turn up and try out a selection. I'd have to say Paddy's and MD hadn't made any effort but still had a selection, whilst Bogongs were excellent. All of them put 15-20kg of weight bags in and let me wander off up and down Little Bourke St for 15-20minutes at a time without any reluctance at all. I got a pack I'm happy with and haven't regretted it at all.

If the store isn't going to go out of their way to make a sale, there's little chance of after sales service