Bushwalk Australia

Generally I don't do a lot of hiking these days. I usually get about on a bicycle but i'm going away for a year on my bike and want to do some hikes as i go, including the 2 month AAWT hike. Before i do that one, i'm going to New Zealand south island for a while with my bike and want to do some multiday hikes over there too.

I already have a bushwalking backpack but its an old style heavy thing and wondered if i could find something better - ie a lot lighter but strong enough. since if i have to carry my pack on my bike, that's probably about 2-3 kilos that i'd be better off without. I expect i'll be carrying the full 20kilos of gear on my AAWT hike, and possibly even a bit more so a strong pack is going to be good there.

Then there's the other factor. Cost. I'm not rich and I have so much other great that i still have to buy for my tour.

So could you please recommend some brands and models that might be suitable and or places to find a bargain and also maybe any traps to avoid.

Thanks!

I hate to crush yout dreams, but that's alot of hiking. You shouldn't scrimmp on a cheap pack.

Having said that there are plenty of good packs thats can be purchased second hand

If you are in Hobart then you could try visiting Recycled Recreation on Elizabeth st.

Otherwise the next best place to find second hand gear is on this forum or ebay.

What's your price bracket Stroller?


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Thanks for mentioning Recycled Recreation, Gusto. I never heard of them and love the concept.

Giddy_up wrote:What's your price bracket Stroller?


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I"m not too sure to be honest. I'm not in a hurry for this right now but the idea came up. I have a lot of other stuff that's probably more important that i buy first. I think i would definitely not be willing to pay more than $150 for a new one but for second hand, probably less than $100. This might be unrealistic but I can't help that.

I hadn't thought of second hand before this. I find the concept of buying second hand on line difficult. What sort of good packs should i be looking at?

Osprey Viva would be just above that price range if you shop around.

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Osprey Volt as Strider has suggested. If you're not in a hurry then you should keep a very close eye on the market section on here. I would also post a WTB on here as well and keep bumping it so anyone who has a light pack that they are thinking of selling will immediately think of you.


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By the sounds of it you are planning on hiking for several months. I wish you the best of luck. I'm very envious. Although my gut feeling is that you'd struggle to find a decent pack under $300. But then again I'm a bit of a Gear freak/snob.

Have you got an idea of size? Could you manage a 45l pack or would 60 be bettet?

Osprey volt is a reasonable option. It's pretty important that you try on a pack before you buy it.


Exped Lightning 60 should be around $250. If you get a sale then perhaps $200.

Wilderness Equipment and Macpac have a few packs around $250

Osprey Womens Kyte 46 is around $250

Berghaus Trailhead 50 is about $190 at Mountain Resigns

I've been using a Black Wolf B-lite for a number of years, the early model was under $100 and 1kg, the current model is about $140 and 1.2kg. Has a frame, padded waist belt, 55 litres, good features. However, it is not a really sturdy pack, and you need to be considerate with it. I got about 200+ days out of my first one, which i think is good going for the price. About same weight, but $100 more is the Osprey Exos 58, probably better quality than the B-lite.

Skibug

There was the M'Smith packs on massdrop: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=22652&p=295871&hilit=massdrop#p295871
they often come round again but I have seen them elsewhere for a similar price (not that i'll get my free socks ).

http://www.holiak.com.au/sales.html

Scroll down to the ex-hire section. In all seriousness the One Planet Industrial packs are very well built. The fixer harness on older models has rather limited adjustment. But it Holiak would have all sizes and you may it fits you well.
Given your budget, if you live in Vic then you should drop into Holiak

Also warm soapy water and a brush will clean a pack pretty well.

Also, you should ask Outsports in Moorabbin have a large gear hire business. Their equipment is usually of a higher standard than Holiak. So it will be more pricet.

Stroller wrote:Generally I don't do a lot of hiking these days. I usually get about on a bicycle but i'm going away for a year on my bike and want to do some hikes as i go, including the 2 month AAWT hike. Before i do that one, i'm going to New Zealand south island for a while with my bike and want to do some multiday hikes over there too.

Not impossible, but as you have already posted elsewhere, managing the logistics of combining hiking and cycle touring can be quite difficult. As both a trekker and cycle tourist I've tried this, but found it too much of a hassle and now only do day walks or at most overnighters when I'm touring.

In particular I think you will find setting up food drops for the AAWT difficult if a bike is your only means of transport, although there are some members here who may be able to assist with placing drops, but of course you'll still have to get the goods to them.

I think you would be better off hiring a backpack when you need it, rather than try to carry one around on a bike. Otherwise your cycle touring kit will be pretty much the same as your walking kit. However you do need to realise that the lightweight gear you'll want for walking doesn't come cheap.

If you want to do the Great Walks in NZ you'll be at the mercy of the booking systems, however you could use bus services if you need to get to a particular location in time for a booking. But as Wayno has pointed out, there are many fine routes to tramp for which you don't need to book.

You haven't mentioned what bike you plan to use or how you are going to carry your gear. My suggestion would be to stick mostly to cycling - a good approach is to set your bike up for bikepacking and take to the backroads. You will still enjoy some fantastic and challenging landscapes even on a bike. You may find useful information in this thread Bikepacking - an alternative way of touring... and lots more information and ideas from bikepacking.net and bikepacking.com. If you are handy with a sewing machine you'll even find information about making your own bags.

The Kennett brothers are the doyens of NZ mountain biking and their book Classic New Zealand Cycle Trails is the definitive guide. The latest edition includes the NZ Great Rides and also the Tour Aotearoa route from Cape Reinga to Bluff. This 3000km route was recently ridden in 10 days as an off-road brevet. The NZ Great Rides The Old Ghost Road for example has only recently been completed and would be stunning and challenging journey by bike or on foot.

I have already ridden some gravel routes on the South Island will definitely be going back for more.

In Australia you might want to try the Mawson Trail in SA and the Munda Biddi in WA.

I have used the Exped Lightning 60 on my thru hike of the AT. A very comfortable pack for loads up to 19-20kg after that it starts to get out of its weight range.
I used it on the first 400 miles of the PCT also. I was carrying up to 8litres of water at times dso the pack was straining with that sort of weight.
I have purchased another for when I go back this year to complete the PCT as the first one is looking a bit tired, broken buckles holes( I have also used it a bit here in Tassie.
The old saying about "would you buy another one" applies.
I purchased it from UK because I couldnt find a supplier in Aust. AUD $260 that was including delivery.

Roger

Thanks all. I seem to have forgotten about this thread. Don't know why.

My current pack weighs 1.8kg btw which is quite a bit less than i had expected. But i'll consider all these other ideas.

Gusto wrote:http://www.holiak.com.au/sales.html

Scroll down to the ex-hire section. In all seriousness the One Planet Industrial packs are very well built. The fixer harness on older models has rather limited adjustment. But it Holiak would have all sizes and you may it fits you well.
Given your budget, if you live in Vic then you should drop into Holiak

Also warm soapy water and a brush will clean a pack pretty well.

Also, you should ask Outsports in Moorabbin have a large gear hire business. Their equipment is usually of a higher standard than Holiak. So it will be more pricet.

I might just do that - drop in there. Do you know how much those backpacks would weigh?

And do you also happen to know anythign about those waterproof overpants they've got listed secondhand for $11 would they be suitable for heavy rain? And do you think they are likely to have holes in them or any significant damage?

If your current pack is 1.8kg the you may be best to stick with that.

A holiak pack would usually be around 2kg and is often this http://www.oneplanet.com.au/outdoor-ed- ... -pack.html

Over mitts for $11 may work well. I think brand new ones start at about $30 from Mountain Laurel Designs.

skibug wrote:I've been using a Black Wolf B-lite for a number of years, the early model was under $100 and 1kg, the current model is about $140 and 1.2kg. Has a frame, padded waist belt, 55 litres, good features. However, it is not a really sturdy pack, and you need to be considerate with it. I got about 200+ days out of my first one, which i think is good going for the price. About same weight, but $100 more is the Osprey Exos 58, probably better quality than the B-lite.

Skibug

Yep Osprey Exos 58 - I used it for my AAWT last year and it was always comfortable - 1.1kg and with 6 days food up to 15kg pack weight. Great pack.

I'm not confident i could make do with only 15kg. I'm figuring on 20kg.

Good to know you think 1.8kg is ok. Its a beat up old thing but good and strong. Someone gave it to me long ago. But i'll keep it in mind if i decide to go for a new thing.

Have you actually used your current pack much?

Imo the most important thing is that the pack is comfortable and fits you well. The difference in weight between 1kg and 1.8kg is irrelevant if the heavier pack is comfortable.

From what you've said, I'm not convinced you are experienced enough to do the Aawt.

The aawt is not an ideal place for a solo beginner.