new pack?

[highlander chris]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a new pack and am seeking advice on what everyone else uses / recommends?

would like it to have the following specs if possible:

+50 - 65ltr capacity
+hydration bladder insert / cavity (almost a must have as I like hydration)
+quality / well constructed
+Comfortable with good support / stable (moutainous walking / climbing)
+under 2 kg (around 1-1.5 kg would be nice)
+with lid / hood prefered

have seen a couple but seeking just assistance.

Thanks chris

Last edited by highlander chris on Fri 09 Mar, 2012 1:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Flyboy]

How much is it going to carry?

[highlander chris]

yeah sorry fly boy just edited. 55 - 60ltr pack carrying around 15 kg depending on seasons and distance

[Strider]

Golite quest fits the bill perfectly

Sent from my MB526 using Tapatalk

[sthughes]

I had the opportunity to carry a friends One Planet Shadow 56L (old model but same harness as new) a few weeks back. I was mighty impressed with it! Honestly it was the most comfortable thing I have ever carried, better than my McMillan, and I thought that was excellent.

But then because they are over $300 and the new ones are thin canvas (probably still tough enough) I ended up buying a Lowe Alpine Zepton 50 XL (Dyneema pack) cheap from Sierra Trading Post. It is yet to arrive - so stay tuned. I may yet sell it and lash out on a Shadow! Also looked at the Osprey Exos series, but quite thin fabric and sooo many buckles, bands, straps etc. to rip off. Still it was very tempting as I like the harness setup on them. Of course only the Shadow is truly adjustable, the others will either fit or not, and are lighter partly because of it.

I think those three all meet the specs, not sure on the Shadow for hydration though. It does have great bottle holders though which mean a bottle hydration system could be used instead of a bladder.

[buggeriamold]

Summit Gear Blue Gum, has blader pocket (55L).

I like mine, tough as nails & made Katoomba.

Mark

[icemancometh]

Iv'e got a BD Quantum 65 in a L for $150 that would fit the bill

[norts]

Macpac Ravine - 60 - 65 ltr - on special at the moment as they are discontinued, one big sac and a lid pocket, simple but tough.
Under 2 kgs. Pack wouldnt be for everyone as it is does not have an adjustable harness.
Just done 8 days doing the sw cape circuit with it. Started with 22 kgs ( 10 days food,fuel in that weight) I think this would be the upper limit of this pack but when I got a couple of days into the walk it was very comfortable.

Roger

[roysta]

Macpac Ravine (original) that's such a great pack.
I've just had the cordura bottom completely replaced on mine, which means I have years of work coming up.
It was ahead of its time, weighs 1.8kgs (the new version is well over 2kgs).

[highlander chris]

Thanks guys, been looking at the golite quest and the osprey exos both nice packs but liking these other suggestions of pack too?

chris

[John Sheridan]

Osprey - Exos 58 SuperLight Backpack, the only choice.

The large is 61 litres and it only weighs 1.19 kg and has a nice frame too.

Cheers.

[wayno]

black diamond infinite.. 60l, 1.7kg, great harness system for flexibility of motion.

[Nuts]

Summit Gear Blue Gum, has blader pocket (55L).

I like mine, tough as nails & made Katoomba.

Mark

It would be good to see more photos/hear more of these packs, harness etc.. they seem to have a good range of models?

Iv'e got an exos, nice comfortable pack, everything included and well placed but definitely for open country i'd say.

[rucksack]

wayno's right about some of the new Black Diamond packs. If you are mountain walking and climbing, the BD packs have a useful harness and I find them comfortable maneuvering on steep ground. I use a BD Mission 50 myself, and it has a hydration bladder pocket. It also has a useful pocket for crampons and a secure pocket for enclosing ice axe heads, so that the picks don't stick into you and anyone nearby as you swivel about on the way up to the white stuff. I use an OP McMillan and a Macpac Glissade for general bushwalking, but my BD Mission is a very handy pack, and it's a decent (and useable) 50 litres too. Might be worth a look.

rucksack