Bushwalk Australia

So I dragged out my old OP Strezleki Pack for a jaunt to Mt. Difficult last weekend and all I could seem to hear was squeaky noises coming from my harness and the frame of my pack. Even with gusts of wind that were close to knocking me off my feet, I could still hear these annoying squeaks.
In the past I have used a candle to rub wax over the frame with some success but I was wondering what if anything others have done to alleviate such annoyances?
Couldn't help but wish I had a can of WD40 but then wondered if that would eventually damage the pack canvas? Does anyone know?

Im no help but I actually sold my OP pack because I couldnt stand the squeaky harness. Interesting that someone else has it.

I wonder if LANOX grease would help. Made purely of lanolin and no hydrocarbons. Good for treating leather, wood etc. I think WD40 contains fish oils and kerosene which I wouldn't like to put on canvas.

Stuck my nose in on this topic to see what it was about, surprised the possibility of trapped rodent / wildlife hadn't been considered.
Sorry, no help,
I have a can of Lanolin spray, it's a natural product so could work with little or no risk to the fabric.
Do the manufacturers suggest anything?

Bluegum Mic wrote:Im no help but I actually sold my OP pack because I couldnt stand the squeaky harness. Interesting that someone else has it.

Lol. So they sent it to me instead! Perhaps some of us have more sensitivity to annoying sounds but it seems so loud at times.
Thanks oldpiscator I think I might stay clear of the WD40 then if it contains Kero but the Lanolin spray sounds like it might be worth a try tasadam, any idea where you purchased it from?

Both the Lanox spray and grease are available from Pro Angler in East Geelong for about $15 from memory. You could call them on 52488338. They do mail order although I am not sure if AustPost accept pressure cans.

oldpiscator wrote:Both the Lanox spray and grease are available from Pro Angler in East Geelong for about $15 from memory. You could call them on 52488338. They do mail order although I am not sure if AustPost accept pressure cans.

Thanks oldpiscator. A fishing store would of been somewhere I wouldn't of thought to go. My daughter lives in Geelong so that will work out well.
I will let you know if it solves the problem.

In my experience, all of my packs have squeaked to some degree or another! Have an old Kathmandu Cane Toad which squeaks quite a bit, but seems to diminish as the day goes on. Not sure if this is actually the case, or I simply learn to tune it out, but I have also found that once the packs get wet, the squeak tends to go away. Carry an extra bottle of "squeak remover"?

Snowzone wrote:So I dragged out my old OP Strezleki Pack for a jaunt to Mt. Difficult last weekend and all I could seem to hear was squeaky noises coming from my harness and the frame of my pack. Even with gusts of wind that were close to knocking me off my feet, I could still hear these annoying squeaks.
In the past I have used a candle to rub wax over the frame with some success but I was wondering what if anything others have done to alleviate such annoyances?
Couldn't help but wish I had a can of WD40 but then wondered if that would eventually damage the pack canvas? Does anyone know?

Hey Snowzone
I had a very annoying squeak in my Lowe Camera backpack that sounded like it was at my shoulder. Pi#$%$ed me off for months before I found a plastic clip-on hook thingy at the very base of my pack that was flexing as I walked and the opening gate was rubbing against the frame of the clip thing and the squeak was running right up the strap so it sounded almost at ear level. Once I wrapped some elastoplast around the opening gate(i.e. the flexy bit) it was fine. I'm about to add some heat-shrink tube to the end of the gate.

So case in point - look for ANY plastic on plastic movement - even within a single component and don't expect it to be where it sounds. Avoid petrochemical lubricants which could cause worse problems and instead look to use covers and buffers like heat-shrink tubing or even sticky platster on any plastic on plastic areas.
Hope that helps - let me know if you need more specific info
Steve

Snowzone wrote:.....but the Lanolin spray sounds like it might be worth a try tasadam, any idea where you purchased it from?

No but a quick google found this -
http://www.gotstock.com.au/heavy-duty-p ... nolin.html
Looks similar, new design label.

Lanotec- sold at supercheap auto.. I'd probably try a silcone spray instead. Annoying things- squeaks, not a couple of straps at odd lengths (shoulder straps/ load lifters can be bad for this on canvas packs).

I purchased a can of Lanox spray and have spent the morning cleaning and spraying all movable straps and parts on the harness of my pack. Now it smells horrible!
But it will hopefully be a much more peaceful walk from now on. Testing it out tomorrow on the Beeripmo walk with another forum member. Looking like we might get a bit of snow the next couple of days.

Thanks to those who suggested trying the Lanolin spray(Lanox) I no longer have a squeaky pack. Tried it out on a walk yesterday and it was good. So much more peaceful listening to nature, although the canvas still 'groans' under weight or was that me.