Bushwalk Australia

Hi again

So, thanks for all the responses to my BSI tent post - unfortunately this issue remains in limbo. But I was so impressed by the responses to that post that I decided to ask another question.

Does anybody have any experience with the Aarn Universal Balance Bags?
http://www.backpackinglight.com.au/stor ... 9/dp/12386

I recently tried one of the Aarn body packs on and, at least walking around in store, I was amazed at how much better 19kgs felt when distributed across front and back of my body. Thing is, I purchased a lovely Osprey pack last year, and it seems a waste to now spend $450-$580 on a whole new Aarn system. So, I was thinking about just purchasing the Universal Balance Bags, which apparently should be compatible with my existing pack. The person I spoke to at the retailer I went to was not very familiar with them, but was certainly enthusiastic about the Aarn approach.

Any comments/experiences anyone?

Many thanks
Julie

Having the load divided into 2 pouches so you can see your feet is a good idea
I use a small daypack when I need extra capacity and having stuff immediately at hand is useful, especially maps compass and other navigational tools
It's actually an old idea; the Aarn iteration looks well thought out.
Balance is improved
When I first started bushwalking I saw many older more experienced walkers with large army basic pouches attached to the shoulder straps of their packs and many detachable pack pockets are adaptable to this use with a little fiddling and a couple of buckles
Are there any detachable pockets for Osprey packs that may be cheaper than the Aarn?

I found 1 in a quick google search
2 of these may do the same job

http://www.ospreypacks.com/sg/en/produc ... T_514.html

JulieJ wrote: . . . Does anybody have any experience with the Aarn Universal Balance Bags?
http://www.backpackinglight.com.au/stor ... 9/dp/12386

I recently tried one of the Aarn body packs on and, at least walking around in store, I was amazed at how much better 19kgs felt when distributed across front and back of my body. Thing is, I purchased a lovely Osprey pack last year, and it seems a waste to now spend $450-$580 on a whole new Aarn system. So, I was thinking about just purchasing the Universal Balance Bags, which apparently should be compatible with my existing pack. The person I spoke to at the retailer I went to was not very familiar with them, but was certainly enthusiastic about the Aarn approach.

Any comments/experiences anyone?

Many thanks
Julie

I have an Aarn pack / pockets combination, so can't answer your question directly. But your comment about weight distribution gets to the central issue.

One thing that's not clear from the Aarn website is how the Universal Bags are attached. One of the benefits of the combination I have is that the pockets are supported by the hipbelt in a way that stabilises the total load. There are diagrams and explanations on the website. Whether the Universal Bags are able to perform as well as the integrated Aarn design is something you'd need to enquire about. You will receive great advice from Backpacking Light in Melbourne.

We have 2 Aarn packs with balance pockets to suit and like them. However, I have to say I'm reluctant on this 'universal' unit as the plate would block the last bit of ventilation for the chest. It'll get really sweaty in warmer weather.


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GPSGuided wrote:We have 2 Aarn packs with balance pockets to suit and like them. However, I have to say I'm reluctant on this 'universal' unit as the plate would block the last bit of ventilation for the chest. It'll get really sweaty in warmer weather.


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What doesn't get sweaty in warmer weather? But yes, it does look like there is a little less ventilation with the Universal.

peregrinator wrote:What doesn't get sweaty in warmer weather? But yes, it does look like there is a little less ventilation with the Universal.

Ok, I'll rephrase. It'll get the chest sweaty even in cooler weather...

Have you considered selling the Osprey and putting the funds towards an Aarn body pack?
The nice thing about the Aarn packs is not just the balance pockets, but the entire harness system, including shoulder straps and hip belt, is well engineered.
Personally, I went down a slightly similar route retrofitting my non-Aarn pack with Aarn balance pockets (not the universal balance bags which were not released when I did this), but then I eventually just got an Aarn body pack and havent looked back.
Just a thought

Moondog55 wrote:Having the load divided into 2 pouches so you can see your feet is a good idea
I use a small daypack when I need extra capacity and having stuff immediately at hand is useful, especially maps compass and other navigational tools
It's actually an old idea; the Aarn iteration looks well thought out.
Balance is improved
When I first started bushwalking I saw many older more experienced walkers with large army basic pouches attached to the shoulder straps of their packs and many detachable pack pockets are adaptable to this use with a little fiddling and a couple of buckles
Are there any detachable pockets for Osprey packs that may be cheaper than the Aarn?

I found 1 in a quick google search
2 of these may do the same job

http://www.ospreypacks.com/sg/en/produc ... T_514.html

Thanks Moondog55! To be honest, it had not even occurred to me to check the Osprey site! Definitely worth a look!

peregrinator wrote:

JulieJ wrote: . . . Does anybody have any experience with the Aarn Universal Balance Bags?
http://www.backpackinglight.com.au/stor ... 9/dp/12386

I recently tried one of the Aarn body packs on and, at least walking around in store, I was amazed at how much better 19kgs felt when distributed across front and back of my body. Thing is, I purchased a lovely Osprey pack last year, and it seems a waste to now spend $450-$580 on a whole new Aarn system. So, I was thinking about just purchasing the Universal Balance Bags, which apparently should be compatible with my existing pack. The person I spoke to at the retailer I went to was not very familiar with them, but was certainly enthusiastic about the Aarn approach.

Any comments/experiences anyone?

Many thanks
Julie

I have an Aarn pack / pockets combination, so can't answer your question directly. But your comment about weight distribution gets to the central issue.

One thing that's not clear from the Aarn website is how the Universal Bags are attached. One of the benefits of the combination I have is that the pockets are supported by the hipbelt in a way that stabilises the total load. There are diagrams and explanations on the website. Whether the Universal Bags are able to perform as well as the integrated Aarn design is something you'd need to enquire about. You will receive great advice from Backpacking Light in Melbourne.

Thanks Peregrinator
From what I can ascertain, the Universal Bags are attached to the sternum strap and hip belt, but, as you said, it is not clear exactly how this is achieved. One of the things I did like about the complete system is that the balance pockets can be disconnected from the sternum strap and 'pivot' out of the way. Great if you left something in a shirt pocket that you suddenly need!

I am interested to hear your experience with your Aarn system. Which pack/bags do you use? I found the hip belt dug into my hip-bone, and the shoulder straps very quickly rubbed near my neck. It is likely that the smaller hip-belt will help (retailer is trying to get one in for me to try), but not sure what I could do about the shoulder strap. I am used to much more padding!

J

GPSGuided wrote:We have 2 Aarn packs with balance pockets to suit and like them. However, I have to say I'm reluctant on this 'universal' unit as the plate would block the last bit of ventilation for the chest. It'll get really sweaty in warmer weather.


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Thanks GPSGuided. I also wondered about them having less air-flow than the regular Balance Pockets. Whilst warmer weather would not be an issue (I tend only to venture out when it's winter - although Perth winter is still warm-ish!), I suspect they would get pretty uncomfortable in any weather!

Can you tell me which Aarn packs you use? Do you have any discomfort with shoulder straps and/or hip-belt? I experienced rubbing at the neck/shoulder, and the hip-belt was digging in (possibly just the wrong size, though).

Thanks
J

kitty wrote:Have you considered selling the Osprey and putting the funds towards an Aarn body pack?
The nice thing about the Aarn packs is not just the balance pockets, but the entire harness system, including shoulder straps and hip belt, is well engineered.
Personally, I went down a slightly similar route retrofitting my non-Aarn pack with Aarn balance pockets (not the universal balance bags which were not released when I did this), but then I eventually just got an Aarn body pack and havent looked back.
Just a thought

Thanks Kitty
I am considering doing as you did - sell the Osprey and replace with the Aarn system. The Osprey is such a lovely pack, and, generally comfortable, but I definitely want to distribute the load.
I agree the whole Aarn system seems very well engineered. However, I found the shoulder straps rubbed (not enough padding?) and the hip-belt was digging into my hip-bone. I have a little padding over my hips, but I usually lose weight when hiking, and I am planning quite a long hike: I imagine the hip-belt is only going to become more uncomfortable as I lose weight. It may just be a size issue: the retailer thought the hip-belt was too large and is trying to bring in a small hip-belt for me to try. I'm not sure how I could overcome the shoulder rubbing.
Did you find any such issues? Can I ask which pack/bags you use?

Many thanks
J

I use a Guiding Light (older style)- it is very adjustable- you can change the angle of the hip belt etc. it takes a fair bit of fiddling to get it right and preferably someone who knows what they a re doing. Definitely the most comfortable pack wi a decent load I have used. Like everything it has its limitAtions but overall makes a huge difference in comfort for me

JulieJ wrote: . . . From what I can ascertain, the Universal Bags are attached to the sternum strap and hip belt, but, as you said, it is not clear exactly how this is achieved. One of the things I did like about the complete system is that the balance pockets can be disconnected from the sternum strap and 'pivot' out of the way. Great if you left something in a shirt pocket that you suddenly need!

I am interested to hear your experience with your Aarn system. Which pack/bags do you use? I found the hip belt dug into my hip-bone, and the shoulder straps very quickly rubbed near my neck. It is likely that the smaller hip-belt will help (retailer is trying to get one in for me to try), but not sure what I could do about the shoulder strap. I am used to much more padding!

J

1. You do not need to move the Aarn pockets to access a shirt pocket. That's no problem whatsoever.

2. Detaching and re-attaching pockets is extremely simple. As you may already know, you can add an included strap to the detached pockets and wear them on your back on their own for a day walk. Although I find that the pack/pockets combination is so comfortable, I always stick with that.

3. In the illustration on the Osprey website, their pockets do not appear to me to have the advantages of the Aarn pockets in terms of attachment to hipbelt and sternum strap.

4. It seems to me that the sizing of what you tried on was probably unsuitable. Getting the best fit can be a bit tricky, especially if you are trying Aarn for the first time and don't quite know what to expect. Perhaps you may have a problem getting expert attention in WA. That's why I suggested Backpacking Light in Melbourne. Wrong side of the continent, I know but maybe worth a phone call to Tim to get you started, especially if you can give him your body measurements. I ended up with a Large backpack and a Small hipbelt being the optimum combination. Shoulder strap padding will not be an issue if you get the sizing right and you have someone to help you learn how to wear the thing. Perhaps the videos on the Aarn website can help do that. Getting the hipbelt tight (but obviously not uncomfortably so) is fairly crucial.

Out of interest has anyone tried the osprey pockets ? I can't find an example of them in use anywhere online !

JulieJ wrote:

kitty wrote:Have you considered selling the Osprey and putting the funds towards an Aarn body pack?
The nice thing about the Aarn packs is not just the balance pockets, but the entire harness system, including shoulder straps and hip belt, is well engineered.
Personally, I went down a slightly similar route retrofitting my non-Aarn pack with Aarn balance pockets (not the universal balance bags which were not released when I did this), but then I eventually just got an Aarn body pack and havent looked back.
Just a thought

Thanks Kitty
I am considering doing as you did - sell the Osprey and replace with the Aarn system. The Osprey is such a lovely pack, and, generally comfortable, but I definitely want to distribute the load.
I agree the whole Aarn system seems very well engineered. However, I found the shoulder straps rubbed (not enough padding?) and the hip-belt was digging into my hip-bone. I have a little padding over my hips, but I usually lose weight when hiking, and I am planning quite a long hike: I imagine the hip-belt is only going to become more uncomfortable as I lose weight. It may just be a size issue: the retailer thought the hip-belt was too large and is trying to bring in a small hip-belt for me to try. I'm not sure how I could overcome the shoulder rubbing.
Did you find any such issues? Can I ask which pack/bags you use?

Many thanks
J

Hi Julie,
I have 2 Aarn packs.
I use a Small Featherlite Freedom with the Small Sports Balance Pockets - I got it from Main Peak Cottesloe. There was a lady there (Shannon?) who worked for Aarn Packs in NZ for 4 years and she was very good with fitting it - so if she's still there then its worth a visit for fitting. They swapped out the Regular Sports Balance Pockets for the small pockets free of charge - I found the regular pockets went up a bit high on my shoulders but the small were perfect. I really like this pack.
I also have a Small Effortless Rhythm older model which I got on sale that I use with the Sports Balance pockets when I want to take more gear.
Shoulder straps rubbing - I think I know what you mean - when I first put the pack on the webbing scratched the skin on my shoulders and I was very worried about that. But since using the pack I dont notice any rubbing or scratching from the shoulder straps, maybe it softened?
Hip Belt - It has 4 straps and buckles, two on each side and I adjust it until it is comfortable. You can also change the angle of the hipbelt underneath the mesh panel at the back as it is just stuck on with velcro. Shannon showed me all this at Main Peak. I did all that and I like the hipbelt - its very comfy for me.
I also bent the stays in the packs to fit my spine curvature.
Cheers, Kitty

Shoulder rubbing sounds strange as there should be little to no load carried by your shoulders. I have a Guiding Light and can slip an open palm between shoulder and strap when carrying fully loaded at 23kg.

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Try watching Aarn's fitting videos on his website.

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Need to raise the shoulder strap anchor and loosen the webbing.

Thanks everybody for your very helpful input. I am thrilled to say that I took possession of an Aarn pack today. I was especially happy with the service from Lee at Mainpeak Perth who spent ages fitting and tweaking the pack and answered my bizillion questions! They had just received a new delivery, and I was able to try a different size from the one I previously mentioned. MUCH better fit, no rubbing, very comfortable loaded with about 19kg!
I am looking forward to testing it out in the not-too-distant-future.

Which one did you end up choosing?

kitty wrote:Which one did you end up choosing?

Hi Kitty
I have the Peak Aspiration with Sports Pockets. I have the large size pack and no rubbing! The one I tried on previously was a small and I suspect it was jus a tiny bit too short for me, hence the shoulder rubbing. I tried three different styles - incl Featherlite Freedom and Load Limo, but the Peak Aspiration was the Goldilocks pack for me
Looking forward to using it!

So many to choose from, that looks like a really nice pack you picked and its got good reviews on the mainpeak website.