AARN packs

[J-Pugz]

Any curvy females out there using Aarns front pockets? Doesn't seem to me to be a comfortable solution as we have enough up front to lug around ...

I'd qualify as a Curvy Female... Maybe the thing to bear in mind is that we're usually balanced front to back in the bum, so it's not like a traditional pack counterbalances boobs

I have a Mountain Magic 44 - was interested to see how it would fit before I got it. So far I've only taken it on an overnight scramble to Pantoneys crown and an up and down Perry's lookdown (without the balance pockets).

Absolutely love it. My old pack was a one planet mungo.

For the Pantoney's hike I probably had about 5kg worth of gear, maybe not even, but then quite a few litres of water for what was a very dry hike. Was really happy with how the pack went, usually I'm the first to throw my pack off at a stop, with the Aarn didn't bother. For the scrambly stuff found it really easy to see where I was putting my feet, although when it got really steep (all fours steep), I did find myself having a hand over the pockets as they felt like they were falling forward. (although I was perpendicular at the hips. I'm usually pretty unsure on my feet and walk with poles, found my self far more balanced walking up and down 1:1 inclines than I have before.

But, for the boob thing, I found the clam buckle thing worked fantastically, with and without the balance pockets. With every other pack i have the sternum strap seems to always get in the way, and either needs to be super high up or not done up at all (otherwise it just squashes everything). The way the harness comes in on the Aarn looks a bit Madonna-esq, but sits really really well.

[axel]

I have a OP Mungo to which I have fitted the Aarn Sport balance pockets. I thus have the great advantage of being able to have had experience with a 'traditional pack' without the balance pockets and the same pack with them. I notice a considerable difference in my posture and now walk naturally a lot straighter which has the advantage of looking up at the scenery by default, rather than a more stooped forward posture (having to remember to look around). I have started a new thread with the setup.

[Stibb]

I have started a new thread with the setup.

Where?

[axel]

It's up now. Sorry for the delay.

[Nuts]

I just don't want you to take for granted that we may agree

P

I know they come across like opinions (perhaps occasionally 'facts') but they are probably more 'fumbled questions' or sometimes hopefully 'thoughts prompting discussion' . That being the case, it's not really a matter of agreeing (or not)

As I said, I came close to buying one, always on the lookout for reducing the weight for guide packs. The other 'thought' I had at the time though was more that they may be ok for tracks but a lot of places, those pockets are where the ground is.. ?

edit: or bellys or boobs

[north-north-west]

PS how waterproof are the Aarn packs. There advertising makes a bit of a feature of this.

P

I've been snow camping and rained on with it, and as long and you have rolled it down 3 times before locking it down, it's quite waterproof. Just as waterproof as any ultra-sil stuff sack, which is what they are (it's a custom fit stuff sack with velcro lining to attach to the pack at the roll point at the top).

I've been snowed on, rained on, and fallen into a river. Everything inside the packliners has stayed dry (including some very expensive camera gear). I've never had a problem with moisture getting in.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Every time I go out hiking since purchasing my Aarn Load Limo pack, it has not rained a drop. I'm actually at the stage I'm almost praying for rain, just so I can ramble on how great these packs are at keeping your gear dry.

I've even resorted to getting the hose and hosing my pack with gear inside to see how waterproof it is, and I can vouch everything was dry inside. I've done this twice so far.

What can I say, is this normal behavior? LOL. I've even purchased a gram scale and weigh everything to the gram. I never thought I would see this day, but my back is thanking me for it. Now I just gotta sort out my feet, than ill be laughing.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I just don't want you to take for granted that we may agree

P

I know they come across like opinions (perhaps occasionally 'facts') but they are probably more 'fumbled questions' or sometimes hopefully 'thoughts prompting discussion' . That being the case, it's not really a matter of agreeing (or not)

As I said, I came close to buying one, always on the lookout for reducing the weight for guide packs. The other 'thought' I had at the time though was more that they may be ok for tracks but a lot of places, those pockets are where the ground is.. ?

edit: or bellys or boobs

My mates think they look like big boobs. What can I say, I do have the larger expedition pockets. I just wish they would stop playing with them.

[north-north-west]

I know they come across like opinions (perhaps occasionally 'facts') but they are probably more 'fumbled questions' or sometimes hopefully 'thoughts prompting discussion' . That being the case, it's not really a matter of agreeing (or not)

As I said, I came close to buying one, always on the lookout for reducing the weight for guide packs. The other 'thought' I had at the time though was more that they may be ok for tracks but a lot of places, those pockets are where the ground is.. ?

The pockets are an issue for scrambling. I had to remove mine quite a few times going through the WArthurs. Scrub-bashing I don't notice any difference with them, but I've done very little real scrub-bashing with them in Tassie.

[nihil]

I know they come across like opinions (perhaps occasionally 'facts') but they are probably more 'fumbled questions' or sometimes hopefully 'thoughts prompting discussion' . That being the case, it's not really a matter of agreeing (or not)

As I said, I came close to buying one, always on the lookout for reducing the weight for guide packs. The other 'thought' I had at the time though was more that they may be ok for tracks but a lot of places, those pockets are where the ground is.. ?

The pockets are an issue for scrambling. I had to remove mine quite a few times going through the WArthurs. Scrub-bashing I don't notice any difference with them, but I've done very little real scrub-bashing with them in Tassie.

Where do you fix the pockets when you take them off for scrambling?

[north-north-west]

So far I've either lowered them down with a bit of spare webbing (it's lighter and easier on the hands than rope), or lifted them up onto ledges. I'm looking at setting a system for clipping them onto the waist belt, but I'm not sure how well that would work.

[ULWalkingPhil]

On my pack, I can attach them onto the sides of my pack.

[north-north-west]

Yeah, I could rig up something like that, but then the camera wouldn't be accessible.

*sigh* It's always a trade-off.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Was looking at purchasing a Aarn featherlite freedom today at the supplier in Brisbane, called to see if any was in stock before making the trip to Brisbane from where I'm staying at the Gold Coast and was pretty much told to avoid them as the material is weak and advices me to purchase the load limo, which I already own.

They don't have any stock of the featherlite freedom.
I tried going back to conventional packs, because my pack weight is much lighter now, My upper back has been killing me for the last few days after completing a hike through the Gold Coast Hinterland. I never had this problem with a Aarn pack.

Looking at replacing my load limo with a smaller lighter pack in the Aarn range. But from what the supplier here told me, I'm now not so sure. I just wish I had packed my Aarn Load Limo instead of the conventional pack I have here.

[tasadam]

Would be interested to see what Aarn in NZ say about that, my bet is they would be curious as to who that supplier was. Didn't they reply to this topic early on? Why not contact them directly & see what they suggest. Do share if you learn anything new.

[ULWalkingPhil]

In my opinion problem is, they have no idea how the Aarn system works and how to set them up. Few times I've been to this supplier now and was shocked to see the way they had fitted a pack to me, as a few months ago I was trying one of the Aarn packs, I had to show them how to connect the pockets and how to adjust the pack, they had no idea.

As far I know there's only one Aarn stockist in Brisbane. Unfortunately there not doing Aarn justice.

[photohiker]

If you know what you want, just talk to Backpacking Light in Melbourne. they know what they are talking about.

Oh, and "the material is weak" ?

Load of crap. Aarn might not be super ultra light, but weak? Never.

[Miyata610]

Yep, call Tim Campbell at the Melbourne store. He's also the oz distributor. He knows the product very well and they have the featherlite freedom in stock.

[Dale]

Phillip I have the Featherlite Freedom and have used it on one long hike and some shorter ones. Had around 15kg for the long hike ? No issues with the fabric, I'd be calling boll**cks on that advice My friend has a Natural Balance and his wife also has the Featherlite Freedom and they have reported no issues either.

[Bluegum Mic]

Yes unfortunately Phillip it sounds a bit like they were trying to sell you what they had in stock and talk you out of what they didn't. As previously posted Tim Campbell is the distributor and would probably be able to express post it. I know your in the midst of several walks so if you haven't got a fixed address PM me and your most welcome to have it posted here. Im not far from the city.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Thanks for the offer, I returned back home yesterday from my little adventure, Was away 2 days short of one month. Had a bull of a time and met some great hikers, one joined me on an overnight hike with 12 creek crossings also owned a Warbonnet Hammock, it was great to be hanging with a fellow hammock hiker on the banks of a creek.

I called into the Aarn pack sellers in Brisbane last week to take a look at what they had in stock. I've got the impression there not interested in selling the Aarn packs. The salesman again told me that there weak, will full apart and he claimed that they have had a lot of them returning because there falling apart and tried to sell me another brand pack. I walked out somewhat disappointed. They also told me the Aarn Featherlite pack is a weak pack and will not last. Maybe I should inform Aarn on my experiences with his QLD reseller.

I bumped into a hiker using a Aarn Featherlite pack last week and asked him how he found the pack. He informed me that he was very happy with the pack. I told him what I was told at the local reseller and he informed me it's all a load of $$%%# what I was told. He used the pack hiking in New Zealand including off-track with no issues.

I wish I had taken my Aarn Load Limo with me. The Jansport pack I had with me was just not comfortable even though it weighed a kilo less than my Aarn Load Limo, I would have preferred to carried the extra kilo than wear that pack again. From now on I'm sticking with aarn packs, I've tried the lighter conventional packs but there causing upper back pain and sore stiff shoulders which I never had with my Load Limo pack.

[nickthetasmaniac]

I called into the Aarn pack sellers in Brisbane last week to take a look at what they had in stock. I've got the impression there not interested in selling the Aarn packs. The salesman again told me that there weak, will full apart and he claimed that they have had a lot of them returning because there falling apart and tried to sell me another brand pack.

To be blunt this is my exact experience with Aarn. I owned a Load Limo for a little while at the start of the year and used it for three trips (Easters Arthurs and two Overlands). Without going into the fit of the pack (a personal thing - enough people seem to love it), the quality of workmanship was, quite frankly, *&%$#!. On the first trip I had stitching coming undone and quite a lot of chafe and wear throughout the pack (from the harness itself, not the pack rubbing on rocks and so on...). I was told in an email that they were having some QC issues with their off-shore factory - not my problem when you're talking about a $550AUD pack.

I won't be making that mistake again.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I called into the Aarn pack sellers in Brisbane last week to take a look at what they had in stock. I've got the impression there not interested in selling the Aarn packs. The salesman again told me that there weak, will full apart and he claimed that they have had a lot of them returning because there falling apart and tried to sell me another brand pack.

To be blunt this is my exact experience with Aarn. I owned a Load Limo for a little while at the start of the year and used it for three trips (Easters Arthurs and two Overlands). Without going into the fit of the pack (a personal thing - enough people seem to love it), the quality of workmanship was, quite frankly, *&%$#!. On the first trip I had stitching coming undone and quite a lot of chafe and wear throughout the pack (from the harness itself, not the pack rubbing on rocks and so on...). I was told in an email that they were having some QC issues with their off-shore factory - not my problem when you're talking about a $550AUD pack.

I won't be making that mistake again.

Interesting. Maybe the newer models have some issues. I think I'll stick with what I own, it appears to be well built.
Owner before me, got the knife to the strapping and cut them short. I've replaced the worst of the straps but need to do the rest. I did find all the cut straps inside the pack when it arrived in the post. I wouldn't be surprised if the eBay seller did this on purpose, those who have followed this topic for some time now, would have read the drama I had with getting the seller to send the pack to me. It was two weeks after I paid for pack before seller delivered and he was only 4 hours drive away. I did pick it up cheap at only 100.00 for a Aarn load limo. It's a older model, the newer packs are slightly different. I think mine is apx 3 or 4 years old.

But than there's the hiker I met last week with a relatively new Aarn featherlite pack and he swears by it. He told me he had only just returned from hiking in new Zealand and done some of track hiking and never had any issues with the pack.

[Miyata610]

My wife and I have five Aarn packs between us, all different. No problems with quality. In fact I wouldn't want to use anything else now.

Is there such a thing as a monday pack (like monday cars)?

I think the oldest might be a 2008 model. The newest is a 2011, my Load Limo.... what a fantastic pack.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I've gone over every stitch on my pack and there's not one stitch out of place. I think my pack has had very little use. I'm heading of again tomorrow for a 3 nights, it's not a overnight hike, I'll be car base camping and day hikes. I'm going to take my Aarn pack with me, I can't bear leaving it at home again. Even though I'll be using a day pack. I'll throw all my gear in the aarn pack in the car, just as an excuse to take the pack with me.

[photohiker]

As far as I know, Aarn Packs are currently made under contract in Vietnam. I don't know when this started, but I too have Aarn packs from around 2008 and 2011. Can't fault the manufacturing on either of them, and both have been very durable.

[Miyata610]

The three I have handy...

2008 Peak Aspiration - made in Korea by BNM Inc.
2010 Liquid Agility - made in Vietnam by Soul Gear
2011 Load Limo - made in Vietnam by Soul Gear

[north-north-west]

I called into the Aarn pack sellers in Brisbane last week to take a look at what they had in stock. I've got the impression there not interested in selling the Aarn packs. The salesman again told me that there weak, will full apart and he claimed that they have had a lot of them returning because there falling apart and tried to sell me another brand pack.

To be blunt this is my exact experience with Aarn. I owned a Load Limo for a little while at the start of the year and used it for three trips (Easters Arthurs and two Overlands). Without going into the fit of the pack (a personal thing - enough people seem to love it), the quality of workmanship was, quite frankly, *&%$#!. On the first trip I had stitching coming undone and quite a lot of chafe and wear throughout the pack (from the harness itself, not the pack rubbing on rocks and so on...). I was told in an email that they were having some QC issues with their off-shore factory - not my problem when you're talking about a $550AUD pack.

I won't be making that mistake again.

Mine's about 2 1/2 years old, done a couple of thousand km, a fair bit of that off-track, both in Tassie and throughout the Australian Alps, Grampians, etc, and still looks almost brand new. It's meant to be a lightweight pack, but it's stood up very well to the usual mistreatment my gear gets.

[Wolfix]

My ER2004 has had one repair. I used it for a while to carry washing to the laundromat and when shoving some in the U lumbar pole broke. I sent it back to Aarn and he fixed it for me for free. That was in 2009, 4 years after I bought the pack. He was mostly interested in where the break happened so it was a courtesy repair. Since then I've only had to deal with straps working free from the shoulder straps beyond the anchor stitching and I've just melted the frayed end as needed. No big deal. Tenacious tape is still holding up well. I've also washed every part of the pack with no issues. Washing machine and line dry.

[jobell]

Why is it I've never heard of one of these packs before reading this thread tonight? On my last walk I blew out not one but both archilles tendons and had to pull the pin after 200kms with a fair few kilometres outstanding, and my physio identified that I needed to be walking more upright and that I had overstretched pretty much everything down the back of my legs. These packs seem like they might offer a solution! What I want to know is, has anyone dealt with any of the stockists in Sydney? Given it's all new to me, I'd be pretty keen to find a stockist I can access that can explain it and fit it for me.