Just after some opinions on Aarn packs

[wildernesswanderer]

After spending three weeks in NZ using the pro photo pockets on a Liquid Agility for day hikes with my camera gear I'm looking at a bigger Aarn pack for multi-day walks. I'm thinking the Effortless Rhythm or Load Limo and just after some user experience with either pack.

Going back to NZ to do a couple of tracks, Milford/Routeburn and also the OT track in Tassie.

Pack weight for most things is about 14kg with camera gear minus food and water.

[Franco]

Never used the Limo so I don't know but the ER feels comfortable for me with 20kg.
I have walked around with 25kg just to try it but never done that on the trail.
The ER is my winter pack.

[bernieq]

I have a 2009 model Natural Balance pack – very happy. I’ve comfortably carried up to 24kg pack weight (more usually 19kg for a 10-day trip) on multiple multi-day tramps in NZ SI, Western Arthurs, Larapinta, AAWT, etc – no complaints. However, be aware that the harness design is quite different between the Stronglites (ER and LL) and the Ultralites (NB). The Liquid Agility has a harness that is different again.

I know two people who have Load Limos – both initially not happy with the pack, one took the time to set up the pack to suit the body (now quite happy), the other didn’t bother with setup and is still not happy (to be honest, I don’t think he wanted a new pack).

recommendation : since your intended use is on-track (Milford, Routeburn, OT), have a good look at the Natural Balance.

That said, my NB has done a lot off-track too and it's taken the abuse quite well.

There are 2 outlets in Melbourne : Outsports in Moorabbin and BPL in the city. However, since you are going back to NZ, the prices were much cheaper there last time I looked (in 2011).

[Miyata610]

I'm very happy with the Load Limo. Mine gets quite a bit of use, and sometimes carries fairly heavy loads.

There's quite a bit of Aarn discussion in other threads.

[wildernesswanderer]

Yes have read the other thread, but as my question was basically on two packs only I thought it easier to start a new one to follow that

[vorpal]

I've been looking myself at the Peak Aspiration. Anyone had any experience with this one?

[matagi]

Miyata610 has both the Load Limo and the Peak Asp. He's had the Limo for longer and used it to carry some insane loads - this pack has been tested well beyond its design limits and has stood up to the abuse rather well. He routinely carries 30+ kg loads in the course of his work.

The Peak Asp is a more recent acquisition and hasn't had as much use, but he is pretty happy with it also. It is not a large pack, so he only uses it on short trips. Between us, we have five Aarn packs, to give you an indication of how happy we are with them.

The balance pockets can make the packs a bit unwieldy to move around when they are fully loaded and not on your back, but that is a minor inconvenience compared to the comfort of these packs. The trick is to set them up properly and I cannot emphasise enough that you need to make an effort to get the setup right because it makes a world of difference.

[GPSGuided]

The trick is to set them up properly and I cannot emphasise enough that you need to make an effort to get the setup right because it makes a world of difference.

I assume you mean a big part of that is the curvature of the metal back strip, right? The hip belt is relatively easy to get it right.

[Miyata610]

The trick is to set them up properly and I cannot emphasise enough that you need to make an effort to get the setup right because it makes a world of difference.

I assume you mean a big part of that is the curvature of the metal back strip, right? The hip belt is relatively easy to get it right.

Yeah, but also the position of the balance pockets, if used. And with the U system, it's important to keep the shoulder straps in balance etc. further, the load limo has a sort of torsion bar system that needs to be tensioned properly. And back length adjustments.

I've also been on trips with people who were using the wrong sized hip belt. No way it could get proper tension.

I think that's about it. Lol.

[cixelsyd]

I've got a load limo and I have nothing but praise for it. I love the front pockets. I use them for food (right) and gadgets etc (left). On my last trip I was out for 9 days and 8 nights and everything went great. As stated before the trick is spending a good 1/2 to full day tuning the pack to yourself. The aarn website has a pretty detailed video on how to do this.

[photohiker]

I've been looking myself at the Peak Aspiration. Anyone had any experience with this one?

Yes, I have one. It's not my only pack but I'm very happy with it, especially in bad weather. It's my goto pack when carrying photo gear on a hike (I have the photo pockets).

If you have used older Aarn Packs you will notice that the U-Flow straps are super smooth now.

Good size and great feature set. A bit heavy for LW but the extra kg is worth it when you need the features and strength of this pack.

[vorpal]

Thanks for your input. I've heard such good things about the AARN packs, but really not sure what pack to go for. I was originally looking at something like the Featherlite Freedom, but when I went into BPL for a quick look the guy working suggested the Peak Asp for my needs. I basically told him that I wanted a pack that was versatile - that would be okay for an overnighter, but also good for longer trips.

[matagi]

They are very good at BPL and they know Aarn packs inside out, so I would probably go with his suggestion.