Bushwalk Australia

Hi everyone - my second only post here on bushwalk.com!

I'm about to introduce my kids (x2) to some multiday hikes/Xcountry skitrips which means I will be the packhorse and therefore will need to upgrade to a much larger backpack to lug the tent (NF VE25), stove/cookset, FA kit, extra water, occaisional climbing gear/rope etc. I currently have an ~80 litre pack but find it's just too small for the above task.

I'm a bit old school and want several external pockets, 'real' pockets that I can actually fit things in (ie. My whole cookset in 1 pocket) I'm thinking ~100litres would do the job (yes I know that's BIG!) I looked at Bergans from Norway that had the perfect pack that fitted my requirements (large, external pockets etc.) - perfect until I saw the price! I also found after some Googling a US branded pack called a Kelty 'Red Cloud' - never heard of them...

Alternatively does anyone make/sell external zip pockets that can strapped to the sides of my existing backpacks side compression straps?

Does anyone here have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance

theres a few here, but they either dont have side pockets or small side pockets but some have a large pocket on the back...

http://www.gearbuyer.com/site/search.html?group=hiking_camping&category=backpacks&subcategory=Expedition&search_result_type=grid&search_results_per_page=96&search_sort_type=popularity

I was in exactly the same situation with my kids
WE Alpine expedition with the removable back pocket and two removable side pockets and I added a ladder rack to the top pocket and lashed extra stuff there as well.
I can tell you I did not move very fast or very far when loaded up.
I did make sure my kids carried their own storm gear and sleeping bags and bivvy sacs and I also made sure they knew how to hunker down as a group just in case of a separation

Aarn Load Limo with Expedition Pockets.

75 litres in main pack and 18 litres in front pockets. Total 93 litres.

Also has the advantage of balancing the load.

Designed by an Australian, Aarn Tate (but he does live in NZ).

I use one and I'm very happy. It is quite capable of big loads 40kg plus.

Hows about something like the Berghaus Vulcan? The side pockets are removable so you could use it as a overnight pack too.
OR go the Atlas (Berghaus too) if you want a ludicrous 120 litre pack

I've got some old Aarn pockets and some of those WE side pockets which can be added on to a pack via side compression straps on a pack.

Osprey have a big pack.

I personally use a W.E. Lost World http://www.wildequipment.com.au/backpack_detail.php?Code=WELOST which is similar to the W.E. Mountain Expedition.

Additionally to that I have bought the Aarn expedition front pockets with the hope of sewing my own retrofit connections to my hip belt. I also own the standard W.E. side pockets and also the back pocket. Alas, the additional back pocket doesn't actually fit the Lost World.

Other advice I can suggest is that you should try to get the W.E "Long Side Pockets". They are an item that I doubt any retail asstistant would ever suggest as they are almost an enigma. There is only a small mention (and photo) of them on the WE page. http://www.wildequipment.com.au/backpack_detail.php?Code=WEWCS click "

"Long SIDE POCKETS

The WildChild can be fitted with long SIDE POCKETS, supplied in pairs. Make sure you order the size corresponding to your pack size: S/M or M/L. They mount on the side compression straps at the top and, at the bottom, on the webbing tabs provided. These long pockets are idea for carrying the clothing bulk needed for young children. They also provide extra side protection to your child's legs where they protrude normally from the seat compartment.

Canvas side pockets:

For OLDER MODEL WildChilds. For multi-day walks these full-length, L-zipped side pockets provide the extra capacity required for clothing and other gear. They also provide excellent side-protection for the child's legs. These black canvas ones are equipped with our original overlapping press-stud straps at the bottom end. These pockets suit WildChild packs equipped with short, vertical webbing pocket mounting tabs on the bottom edge of the lower compartment sides. A pair of M/L pockets 550mm high x 150 wide x 100 thick, adds almost 18 litres capacity to the pack. A pair of S/M pockets, 50mm shorter, adds about 16 litres.

Nylon side pockets:

For NEWER MODEL WildChilds. For multi-day walks these full-length, L-zipped side pockets provide the extra capacity required for clothing and other gear. They also provide excellent side-protection for the child's legs. These Oil Blue 1000d nylon ones are equipped with webbing barbs on the bottom edge. These pockets suit WildChild packs equipped with rectangular plastic loops in the base seam of the lower compartment sides. The pockets are 150mm wide and 100mm thick. A pair of M/L pockets adds almost 18 litres capacity to the pack. A pair of S/M adds about 16 litres."

For ski-touring trips the intelligent thing is not to carry a huge rucksack but to use a pulk to carry all the heavy and bulky gear.

does that mean he should tie is children up on a piece of rope and pull them along the trail? How about a billy cart?

I actually used a rope tied to the back of the pulk sometimes to give the tadpoles a help, but they were very young at the time, 5 7 and 10 YO; you can get a lot of gear in a pulk and that lets the tadpoles enjoy the skiing more. besides which you never travel far with youngsters, 5k would be a really good day/week-end when mine were little. 5ks on snow can be a long way when you are 5 or 6 YO

It might be worth have a look at the DG8 - SF:

http://crossfire.com.au/category/packs

At 110 - 130 litres depending on how you pack it could be for you. In theory you could attach more storage to the webbing This is also on their site.

22F posted an excellent review of the pack on this forum which is worth reading, it's also worth reading the review for the DG 3 which is linked in their post: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4152&p=47293&hilit=crossfire#p47293

Having not used this pack the only things I'll add here. Firstly, it looks cheaper than the dutch stuff you were looking at (that is given my google translation worked) and is reviewed well. And secondly, I have a pair of Crossfires Peacekeeper boots, and they're excellent value for money, I am seriously happy with these boots, so I would happily recommend them as a supplier with the expectation that their standards are pretty solid.

Let us know how you go.

Never used them but Kifaru packs get a lot of love by the big weight haulers.
https://kifaru.net/timberline.html

A 117 L pack should do the trick. At that volume you might fit your kids as well ?