OP Strezlecki or McMillan?

[Wingnut]

I'm new to this site & have seen there are more than a few who have OP gear, so I need some advice...

I love One Planet gear and already have a OP Tasman (80L) which I've previously used for backpacking & travel. I have received a healthy tax return & I'm thinking of getting either a Strezlecki or McMillan as a hiking specific bag, and also the fact it's a kilo lighter too.

The main difference I have noticed is the bottom compartment for easier removal of a sleeping bag etc, does this opening make the bag less water resistant or does a liner solve this?

As there are few owners on here with these bags can you please help me decide?

[shazcol]

I have never used the bottom opening on a trip even though I thought it was a good idea when I purchased. I found it all a bit too awkward to use experimenting at home, so it stays zipped up all the time now. Not sure if that helps or not?

[phan_TOM]

I can't compare the two as I've only owned the McMillan, but it replaces my old pack which had a bottom opening that was, I don't think, ever used. Highly recommend the McMillan but I'd go and try one on before you buy as some people don't like the fit.

[Mountain Rocket]

I have never used the bottom opening on a trip even though I thought it was a good idea when I purchased. [...]

I had the exact same experience. I am of the opinion that less is more so it is a tough call between the two packs. On one hand you have the McMillan with one simple compartment but it is also 5L larger than the Strezlecki. You could flick One Planet an email and see if they can outline any other differences, but as it stands I think you could flip a coin and be happy with either.

Personally I like the Mungo but that is another story!

[Son of a Beach]

They're both excellent packs. I've had the Strezlecki for several years now and love it. However, I would definitely go for the McMillan next time. I have no use for the bottom opening zip, especially as I always use a full pack liner, meaning that I couldn't get anything out of the bottom opening anyhow.

[Macca81]

I have the strezlecki, because my old pack had a bottom opening zip where i would keep my sleeping bag (old sleeping bag had no stuff sack, so stuffed in to the bottom compartment)

I now occasionally use the bottom compartment of the strezlecki if i have a very wet tent... but i find that the zip is quite dificult to use unless the pack is empty, so it is getting less and less use now.

If i had my time over, i would go the McMillan. The bottom zip is just no use to me anymore.
If i bought a new pack now, i would go a smaller OP pack. The 3kg of canvas is just no use to me anymore.

[Penguin]

I have the strezlecki, because my old pack had a bottom opening zip where i would keep my sleeping bag (old sleeping bag had no stuff sack, so stuffed in to the bottom compartment)

I now occasionally use the bottom compartment of the strezlecki if i have a very wet tent... but i find that the zip is quite dificult to use unless the pack is empty, so it is getting less and less use now.

If i had my time over, i would go the McMillan. The bottom zip is just no use to me anymore.
If i bought a new pack now, i would go a smaller OP pack. The 3kg of canvas is just no use to me anymore.

I made a similar decision with my Macpac packs a few years back. I had a glissade with a zip and replaced it with a torre without a zip - never used the access to the bottom of the pack. The Torre was more waterproof.

BUT like macca I am now looking at packs that are 1.5kg and under. I have a OP Shadow that I am very happy with. I have been off track with it and been in heavy rain. The OP are well made packs.

P

[kyle]

I have never used the bottom opening on a trip even though I thought it was a good idea when I purchased. I found it all a bit too awkward to use experimenting at home, so it stays zipped up all the time now. Not sure if that helps or not?

As with most others, had the Strezlecki for a few years now and have probably opened the bottom zip once in that time. Awesome pack though, great fit, super comfy, love the water bottle holders - they fit Nalgenes perfectly, big pocket on the front fits a waterproofed Equip Pro 2 first aid kit plus a few extra items for throughout the day nicely.

In terms of waterproofing I've found with a dead-dog bag as a liner and most things put straight inside that everything inside stays dry after walking all day in rain (top pocket does get quite saturated but makes a good water-resistant layer, I just don't keep anything that can get wet up there). I have all items that I really don't want to get wet inside smaller dry bags inside the dead-dog bag and have always had dry gear. Also spent numerous trips in the canoe with me and always ended up with dry gear, all though I haven't gotten it all the way in the water yet. If I'm paddling ill put the harness down on the bottom of the boat and it does tend to absorb water but never holds enough to notice a difference in terms of weight.

Never tried the McMillan.

[Wingnut]

Pretty sure I'm leaning towards the McMillan for simplicity with a good pack liner.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I own a Mcmillan, Nice pack, robust, well made and some great features, just a little on the heavy side.
I personally don't like the thick padding on the hip belt, it caused me problems with chaffing. Never again suffered with chaffing since changing to a pack with very little if any padding on the hip belt. It don't make sense, but the hip belt on the OP pack was not for me.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Im another for the Mungo. Smaller, lighter and just as strong!

[Nuts]

I'm a fan of the vertex smaler lighter pretty tough (not rat proof tough though..) .. managed to get 8 days of food and winter gear in (well... mostly... after i'd eaten a few things) the fabric seems to soak up water, the harness takes 15kg easily ~~

[ninjapuppet]

Wingnut, I did PM you a photo of me rafting with the McMillan. I got dunked upside down a few times in that river, and with a packliner, nothing inside got wet.
No amount of rain can replicate those sort of conditions - so you can rest assured your stuff inside will stay dry with a pack liner.

[axel]

I also have a Tasman, albeit a very old model. Great pack, but WAAAY too massive, complex and heavy for walking.

In my opinion, nothing beats the Mungo. Simple, great harness and tough as nails. If you are worried about the lesser volume, grab yourself a couple of the 12L balance pockets from Aarn which work really well in conjunction with this pack. I'm going to write a new thread on this setup with pictures shortly if you are interested.

[Mountain Rocket]

[...] I'm going to write a new thread on this setup with pictures shortly if you are interested.

I for one would be interested in having a read of that.

[Wingnut]

I also have a Tasman, albeit a very old model. Great pack, but WAAAY too massive, complex and heavy for walking.

In my opinion, nothing beats the Mungo. Simple, great harness and tough as nails. If you are worried about the lesser volume, grab yourself a couple of the 12L balance pockets from Aarn which work really well in conjunction with this pack. I'm going to write a new thread on this setup with pictures shortly if you are interested.

I think the Tasman is more suitable to backpacking rather than hiking, the extra zips, handle and harness cover obviously do add some extra weight. The option to hang some packs on the front is a good idea & don't see why this should be specific to Aarn only, interested to see how it goes...

[gayet]

What about the WBA? Same capacity as the Mungo but lighter. OK doesn't have as many attachment points but can certainly take an additional daypack attached to the main pack.

[wander]

If in doubt choose the simplest answer.

I have owned a McMillan and it was a fine pack. But replaced it with a 2nd hand Torre that matched the model Torre that got stolen leading to the purchase of the McMillan because I preferred the harness on that Torrre.

For shorter trips I have bought the current model WBA and used it anger for a 3 dayer in the Nothern Gammons. A very good pack but I would hesitate to use it in a full scrub bash trip. The lighter weight canvas is exactly that.

Many years ago I swapped from a full pack liner to putting each package of kit into it's own dry bag. Easier packing, easier un-packing, the stuff does not get wet when removed from the pack, if a bag fails (which has not yet happened) only a small quantity of kit get wet. The system has been tested packing rafting and pack swimming (Horseshoe Inlet was the most recent) with no failures yet.

I have see packs on the track with the lower section zipper failed (they do not like too much mud) and the pack strapped up to stop kit leaking out.

[Mountain Rocket]

What about the WBA? Same capacity as the Mungo but lighter.[...]

My only thing I have against the WBA is the 200gsm canvas. It is certainly appropriate for some people, but for someone looking for something a bit more durable (in theory) the Mungo should tick that additional box.

[blacksheep]

neither!
(but you knew I'd say that )

[ILUVSWTAS]

What about the WBA? Same capacity as the Mungo but lighter.[...]

My only thing I have against the WBA is the 200gsm canvas. It is certainly appropriate for some people, but for someone looking for something a bit more durable (in theory) the Mungo should tick that additional box.

Yes saw a WBA get destroyed on it's first trip last summer. It's too Thin!!

[ILUVSWTAS]

neither!
(but you knew I'd say that )

Proud owner of 2 OP packs,
Ex proud owner of 2 Macpac Cascades,

Sorry blacksheep but the OP's are just soooooo much more comfy!!!

[shazcol]

Yes saw a WBA get destroyed on it's first trip last summer. It's too Thin!!

My wife uses a WBA, perfect for her back and the walking she does but as you say not suited to a full on scrub bash.

[Penguin]

Yes saw a WBA get destroyed on it's first trip last summer. It's too Thin!!

My wife uses a WBA, perfect for her back and the walking she does but as you say not suited to a full on scrub bash.

I have taken the OP Shadow on two extended off track walks - one with head high scparia. On one trip, the Mungo that another walker was carrying got a hole in it. The canvass of the Shadow is lighter but as the pack is narrow, which meant that it did not get as much rubbing on tree branches etc and my shoulders copped the worst. All this is partly luck and partly how you approach the scrub. The only major tear I have put in a pack was the bottom of a Macpac Torre while coming into Precipitous Bluff. I piece of quartz went straight through the heavy bottom canvass.

I now am trialling a Golite Jam, which is dymeena. That material is light but supposedly very resistant to tearing. Time will tell.

P

[Nuts]

Sure yours isn't the earlier model Pengie, looked well used.. They changed to the lighter Canvas a yr or two back. I had the umbra and it seemed thin.. I'd agree though, dyneema reinforced nylon is a better material than light Canvas.

[Wingnut]

I went and had a look at some Aarn bags today out of curiosity, not impressed. The construction appeared cheap and padding a bit scarce too when compared to One Planet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk...

[blacksheep]

neither!
(but you knew I'd say that )

Proud owner of 2 OP packs,
Ex proud owner of 2 Macpac Cascades,

Sorry blacksheep but the OP's are just soooooo much more comfy!!!

Neither suit everybody, but both are excellent choices, both built to last.

[Snowzone]

I've used the strezleki for a lot of years now and the only thing I've had go wrong was a broken plastic buckle which one planet replaced straight away and at no charge. I thought i would use the zip for the bottom compartment to store wet tent if needed but in reality you get so used to packing things a certain way and my sleeping bag is always at the base that the bottom zip never really gets used.
I've just purchased the WBA pack because it is 1 kg lighter than the strezleki, but I have also lost 10 litres of space so I think I'll still use my strezleki on the longer walks.
Both packs are comfortable to carry and I really like the fact that they are an Aussie company and One Planet have no problems giving you the time of day to answer any questions or discuss any issues with their gear.

[Wingnut]

I've just purchased the WBA pack because it is 1 kg lighter than the strezleki, but I have also lost 10 litres of space so I think I'll still use my strezleki on the longer walks.

Maybe copy the Aarn way and attach a daypack to the front? You can get a 15ltr & 20ltr from OP...

[ILUVSWTAS]

I've just purchased the WBA pack because it is 1 kg lighter than the strezleki, but I have also lost 10 litres of space so I think I'll still use my strezleki on the longer walks.

Maybe copy the Aarn way and attach a daypack to the front? You can get a 15ltr & 20ltr from OP...

Except Aarn gear tends to fall apart when it's growled at by scrub