AARN packs

[Marwood]

I bought my Aarn Mountain Magic 55 from Camp Hike Climb in Hornsby. That's a really good shop generally, with knowledgeable and helpful staff - and much easier for me to access than the stores in the city. They got me set up initially with the pack, but I found that it took me repeated tweaks to get it to fit the way I that works for me. This seems to be pretty typical from what other Aarn owners say.

[Onestepmore]

There is currently an Aarn pack on E-bay at the moment - Aarn Rapport 70 L with the two front pockets. Says has been used only 3 times. Apparently this is the same model as the Load Limo. Starting price is $99 - no bids as yet, auction finishes in 4 days. Pickup from Brunswick Vic (but I am sure you could arrange postage. I showed it to my husband but he says he's happy with his current pack. I'd go for it except I am short (165 cm) and would need to have one fitted etc before I bought. After researching these types of pack and reading your comments I'm pretty keen to get one!

[Wolfix]

The main stockist in Sydney is what used to be Adventure Megastore. They now only sell shoes and Aarn packs. In my experience, they don't know or aren't willing to explain the details of the packs but maybe you could take one of us Aarn enthusiasts with you to help you shop.

[Wolfix]

As far as fitting it goes, I can tell you that an Aarn pack user will be more help than almost any sales assistant. High turnover in the industry, understaffing and overworking means few are really across the products, especially the high tech ones. It takes a personally interested salesperson to give you really good advice.

[ULWalkingPhil]

As far as fitting it goes, I can tell you that an Aarn pack user will be more help than almost any sales assistant. High turnover in the industry, understaffing and overworking means few are really across the products, especially the high tech ones. It takes a personally interested salesperson to give you really good advice.

Have to agree, I can't imagine how many sales Aarn must be missing out on, because of staff that are not knowledgeable and giving wrong advice. Stockists in QLD are particularly bad. I've heard them advising customers not to purchase the aarn packs and lead them to other packs sold in store. Some of these So called specialist outdoor stores, don't know &**^%

[Wolfix]

You should really give Wildside a call and tell them which retailers they are. Tim (I think it is) is very interested to know when his products are being misrepresented, especially when he's supplying them and they're being trashed by the salespeople!

[matagi]

There is currently an Aarn pack on E-bay at the moment - Aarn Rapport 70 L with the two front pockets. Says has been used only 3 times. Apparently this is the same model as the Load Limo. Starting price is $99 - no bids as yet, auction finishes in 4 days. Pickup from Brunswick Vic (but I am sure you could arrange postage. I showed it to my husband but he says he's happy with his current pack. I'd go for it except I am short (165 cm) and would need to have one fitted etc before I bought. After researching these types of pack and reading your comments I'm pretty keen to get one!

Whilst I can't help with recommendations for a Sydney stockist, if you happen to find yourself in Melbourne in the near future go and check out Backpacking Light - they are Aarn experts and offer excellent service.

FWIW, I am 165 cm and take an S in the Aarn range.

[Wolfix]

I believe BPL Australia is the storefront for the importer so they certainly do know their Aarn packs!

[Onestepmore]

OK, I am in the market shortly for an Aarn pack. From what I have gathered from reading here there is no-one here in Sydney who can advise/fit a pack for me.
Am I better off booking a (dirty) weekend in Melbourne (with hubby) - mmmm foodie heaven - and visiting Backpacking Light to get fitted properly?

[wayno]

well, your husband might be out of luck on this occasion, hate to be the bearer of bad tidings for him.... be quick before he hides the car keys....

http://www.kellysbasecamp.com.au/l/Cate ... Id/2263376

824 Pittwater Rd, Dee Why

[wayno]

even worse news for hubby, if you can't make it to the above theres also

Camp Hike Climb
20 George Street
Hornsby
P : 02 9476 5767
E : info@camphikeclimb.com.au
www.camphikeclimb.com.au

[Miyata610]

As pointed out there are two dealers in Sydney. But if you want to get fitted properly and choose from the entire range, then it's off to Melbourne.

[matagi]

OK, I am in the market shortly for an Aarn pack. From what I have gathered from reading here there is no-one here in Sydney who can advise/fit a pack for me.
Am I better off booking a (dirty) weekend in Melbourne (with hubby) - mmmm foodie heaven - and visiting Backpacking Light to get fitted properly?

Go the dirty weekend in Melbs with hubby and visit BPL.

I can offer some restaurant recommendations if you want them.

[Onestepmore]

Thanks for info guys, I might take you up on that offer Matagi when i can organise a trip

[wayno]

another option to aarn packs is ribz just buy the pockets for the front rather than change packs http://www.ribzwear.com/store/

[Miyata610]

another option to aarn packs is ribz just buy the pockets for the front rather than change packs http://www.ribzwear.com/store/

There's a lot more to an aarn pack than just the front pockets, they have fantastic harness systems and make a great conventional pack, sans pockets.

[wayno]

ribz is a cheapr option for those not wanting to spend up and take the plunge on a totally different design...
i wonder about loading weight on the front if it just adds more weight onto the shoulders if its not supported directly by the hip belt...

[Miyata610]

ribz is a cheapr option for those not wanting to spend up and take the plunge on a totally different design...
i wonder about loading weight on the front if it just adds more weight onto the shoulders if its not supported directly by the hip belt...

Yeah the ribz design isn't clear. Aarn, of course, put all the front pocket load on to the hip belt. The connection to the shoulder straps is just sliding and so can't add weight to the shoulders. The pockets have an alloy frame that attaches to the hip belt, directing all the load that way.

[Wolfix]

Worth the money buying Aarn. Have a look online too as their old demo stock is usually half price or at least greatly reduced.

[Wolfix]

http://www.aarnpacks.com

[wonderingspirit]

has anyone got effortless rhythm tramping pack? If so, I was wondering how did you find it when you used it and how did you pack it? I bought one myself, i wasnt sure on the correct way on how to organise my gear in the pack n front packs ( sleepin bag,food,clothing )..can anyone please advise me on the best way to do so.

[Wolfix]

I have an old ER pack. Aarn has good packing advice on their website but I pack my sleeping bag in the bottom in its mesh sack so it can fill gaps, put sleeping mat on top and tent next to it, clothes and some bulkier heavier things in the middle like cooking and eating kit with the heft in towards my middle back then layers I need during the day on the top. Tent poles on the outside with lasso lock straps.In the balance pockets I keep water and snacks and first aid, lighting and tech. I use Source collapsible bottles with the bottle converter kit so they work like bladders.

[cixelsyd]

Just wanted to add that I am the proud owner of an Aarn Load Limo. I used to use a Deuter 75 +15. I guess the issues I was trying to overcome by purchasin the Aarn are

1. I like to do 8 to 9 day hikes and so often need to carry a good bit of food.
2. I have a 35 degree curvature of my spine (scoliosis)
3. I am bow legged
4. I am pidgeon toed
5. I have one leg longer than the other.
6. I have an odd body shape, my torso is long relative to my legs.
Other than than I'm all good.

anyway, I purchased the load limo and spent a full day, and I literally mean a full day configuring the pack per the aarn instructions. The difference in my situation was quite dramatic. normally on the first night of a hike I have trouble sleeping because of back pain. Not since I got the Aarn. On my last trek through the walls when I got to trappers I sat down with my pack still on and had a snack out of the front pockets.

I can't say enough good things about this pack. Also the pack seems to 'remain' straight if you go off balance. I don't know how many times I have face planted with my deuter because the pack weight toppled me over while off balance. Not with the aarn. I started walking because of the problems I listed above and found that I actually love walking. Thanks to Aarn I can walk in settings where I'd rather be. The only negative comment I can make is that the front pockets are sometimes tricky to get in right but this isn't really even worth mentioning. I chalked that up to the pack being new at the time and now its pretty easy the front pocket ends slip in and snap pretty easily. This is a really clever pack

(I'm not affiliated in any way with the warn company nor do I even know anyone who works there.) I purchased my pack at K2 Basecamp in Fortitude Valley in Brisbane where again I got great service.
I hope this helps

[Wolfix]

Love love love Aarn. Can't get enough of stories like yours. Looking forward to buying a new Aarn soon!!

[Onestepmore]

A few weeks ago I purchased a Natural Balance pack from Camp Hike Climb in Hornsby (just north of Sydney).
The service and knowledge of the assistant was great, except there is some odd rule they have that they can't actually touch you.....I had to get him to point at things to me in a mirror and then I'd adjust them, if it was something near a body part!

I had done some reading beforehand, and had guessed that this would be the one that suited me, but it took a couple of hours of trying various models and sizes on and adjusting them before I decided.
The trick seems to be really getting the position of the hipbelt right, then the rest just seems to fall into place. At one stage I must have had the hip belt up too high, and when we loaded up the front pockets they started to dig onto my stomach. One of the models that has a single bar up the back was very annoying as the bar touched the back of my head even when upright, let alone walking up a hill. The model I have has two diverging bars, and my ponytail sits nicely in between, so if I pack it right it may not even touch it (I note that one of the Arcteryx women's models has a curved indent at the back where your head would go, so maybe other ponytail gals have the same problem!)
As someone noted abve, one pack I tried seemed to have a problem getting the bars of the front pockets to slot into the keepers on the belt properly - they were really tight and just would not fit.

I have yet to take it out on a proper trip yet - can't wait to see how it goes. All I've done so far is walk around the block (getting some strange looks).

[wildernesswanderer]

HA I can relate to that, I shoot weddings and portraits and pretty much rule of thumb is don't touch a female to get them to pose the way you want so I have learnt to teach subjects to mirror me, really funny sometimes but maybe the sales guy needs to do some posing classes and learn how to get you the customer to mirror them.

[John Sheridan]

Why buy an AARN pack when you can just buy a ribs pack and get an AARn for your old pack without having to buy a totally new pack or am I just being stupid.

[Marwood]

You could do what you suggest, but I doubt it'd be anywhere near as comfortable as an Aarn pack, where the harness is specifically designed for the purpose. For example, the straps that connect the shoulder straps on the Aarn are designed to move independently, so your shoulders - which take very little weight - can rock up and down slightly as you walk, as they do when walking normally. This also allows you more freedom of movement when ducking under and around obstacles. My 25-year old Hallmark Phoenix Pack has shoulder straps that work in a similar way but with a different design. There may be other packs out there that have this feature, but I don't know of them.

There are a bunch of other features about the harness of a Aarn that make it subtly but significantly different to the harness on a regular pack.

[southbank]

Aarn packs = too heavy

[matagi]

Too heavy for what?

I don't find my Aarn pack- a (Mountain Magic 44 - too heavy but that is a purely subjective judgement based on my age, gender and level of fitness (middle-aged, female, moderate fitness).