New Backpack

[Jack o]

Hello,
I am considering purchasing a new back pack for multi-day treks in the Victorian and NZ Alps. I’m not on a budget and am prepared to pay for a quality unit. However most of the packs I have looked at so far are made in Asia and appear quite flimsy. Even a sales person from Macpac expressed concern recently, that the base of their hiking packs had over the years become lighter and much less abrasion resistant. He maintained that this trend was being driven by ongoing consumer demand for ever lighter packs.

Are their any manufacturers out there who still make a good robust hiking pack with an abrasion resistant base?

[blacksheep]

Hello,
I am considering purchasing a new back pack for multi-day treks in the Victorian and NZ Alps. I’m not on a budget and am prepared to pay for a quality unit. However most of the packs I have looked at so far are made in Asia and appear quite flimsy. Even a sales person from Macpac expressed concern recently, that the base of their hiking packs had over the years become lighter and much less abrasion resistant. He maintained that this trend was being driven by ongoing consumer demand for ever lighter packs.

Are their any manufacturers out there who still make a good robust hiking pack with an abrasion resistant base?

i would love to know which store, as someone isn't reading the notes...
The bases on large packs have been 1000 d & 500d cordura at various times. Current packs use eith a 1280d ballistic nylon or 630 HT nylon 6.6 base. the 630 has the better abrasion results than both the 500 and the 1000D cordura. All these aztec packs are also fully lined with aztec in the base also.
Yes, customers want light packs. No, Macpacs tramping packs are not flimsy. Feel free to ask any questions directly if you want any advise, further specs (and please advise the store so I can ask manager to do a training night)

cheers
Cam

[Ent]

Hi

One Planet "traditional" packs have largely remained unchanged with the McMillan and Stiletto being the front runners for toughness in their range. They then a couple of levels of toughness below that. I tend to be a. OP tragic so cover the range.

The lighter weight is in the material so more a matter of reduced abrasion resistance than things breaking. For off track walking or heavy duty rock scrambling my McMillan has survived undamaged. My Shadow from the lighter weight canvas is great but used as the McMillan it would have soon been wrecked.

Assuming you can get one of the large combinations of OP harnesses to fit plus select the appropriate level of toughness you would be hard pushed to find a better brand.

As for other brands the classic WE toughness has taken a hit by reading various reports. I have noticed that more than a few classic packs are returning from Mountain Design.

Basically it is a case of looking at pack design and protection. Canvas in the heavier grades is tough but still can be damaged so more than a few models reinforce it with other synthetic materials. Adds to the strength but also the weight. Ironically I have noticed that a heavier pack is more inclined to suffer damage compared to a lighter one as you tend to drag it along.

Cheers

[farefam]

I have used the same Macpac Cascade backpack for the last 24 years. No significant problems with wear resistance in spite of it having had several lifetimes of use (compared to a normal user), including many Tasmanian trips off track through thick scrub.

I am especially impressed that all these years later I can still readily get my backpack repaired (the last time was for a replacement harness when one of the straps broke after 20 years of use).

[nihil]

Consider Aarn Bodypacks. Unique design. Very well constructed. Designed by an NZ Alpinist. It places the center of gravity of the load of the pack over the center of gravity in the body, so you walk normally, upright, with almost all weight on the waist. I recently did 230km with one in the Vic Alps - great for climbing/descending.

[Overlandman]

+ 1 for Macpac, have had no issues with the Cascade 90 or the Torre 80
Also AMP Race 25 Daypack
Regards Overlandman

[TerraMer]

I'll recommend the two i have been using lately, both are very good.

Wilderness Equipment Mountain Expedition pack is heavy duty and great for extended treks in the mountains (Australian brand)

Aarn Natural Balance pack is light and makes walking upright easy with it's front pockets. Capacity is good for shorter multi day hikes in the mountains (NZ brand)

[wildernesswanderer]

+2 for Macpac, love ours, I have a Cascade 90 and Ascent 70 and my wife has the Espirit 65. I've had about 25kg in the Cascade and it was easy to carry. Still preferred walking out with about 17kg left in it lol. BUt I bought it for the Overland Track and Milford Sound hikes.

Tried Aarn packs and like the concept but didn't lie the harness, personal opinion of course and try as many harnesses as possible because we are all different

[Miyata610]

+2 for Macpac, love ours, I have a Cascade 90 and Ascent 70 and my wife has the Espirit 65. I've had about 25kg in the Cascade and it was easy to carry. Still preferred walking out with about 17kg left in it lol. BUt I bought it for the Overland Track and Milford Sound hikes.

Tried Aarn packs and like the concept but didn't lie the harness, personal opinion of course and try as many harnesses as possible because we are all different

Yeah I agree we are all different.

I had exactly the opposite result. The Aarn harness system works exceptionally well for me, unlike my Cascade 75 which is just too uncomfortable for heavy loads. I can never get the hip belt tight enough to stop it slipping. It's just too flat and hard. The Aarn Load Limo suspension system really works for distributing load. Macpac had something similar many years ago, but never perfected it, and it was just abandoned. I'd love to see it resurrected.

[norts]

I have a problem with the Macpac webbing slipping, I have a Ravine, love the concept of the pack but the webbing lets it down.
On flat out walking ie Huon Plains I would be adjusting the harness every 3/4 hour. Belt and shoulders slip. I have tried putting some small cuts in the buckles to make it more abrasive, that helped slightly, went from 1/2hr to 3/4 hr before adjusting again.
I have persisted with the pack because when it is adjusted properly it is very comfortable. Also it is a bomb proof fairly light pack.

Roger

[nq111]

I have a problem with the Macpac webbing slipping, I have a Ravine, love the concept of the pack but the webbing lets it down.
On flat out walking ie Huon Plains I would be adjusting the harness every 3/4 hour. Belt and shoulders slip. I have tried putting some small cuts in the buckles to make it more abrasive, that helped slightly, went from 1/2hr to 3/4 hr before adjusting again.
I have persisted with the pack because when it is adjusted properly it is very comfortable. Also it is a bomb proof fairly light pack.

Roger

Hmmm - that can because of penny-pinching on the quality of buckle. Doesn't sound like something macpac would skimp on though - packs are their flagship product.

I have this problem on a Deuter pack - but there are definitely poorer quality buckles (the hip one pops undone on occasion too).

Try this site for fixes from the ever helpful Roger Caffin http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/FAQ_Buckles.htm

[nihil]

Just a tip for people trying Aarn, they come in small, medium and large belts/backs, and have several points of adjustment - a few more than usual actually.

[wayno]

A lot of the best outdoor gear in the world is made in asia. Some of it pretty tough. Not entirely to do with where its made but what its made of

[blacksheep]

I have a problem with the Macpac webbing slipping, I have a Ravine, love the concept of the pack but the webbing lets it down.
On flat out walking ie Huon Plains I would be adjusting the harness every 3/4 hour. Belt and shoulders slip. I have tried putting some small cuts in the buckles to make it more abrasive, that helped slightly, went from 1/2hr to 3/4 hr before adjusting again.
I have persisted with the pack because when it is adjusted properly it is very comfortable. Also it is a bomb proof fairly light pack.

Roger

Hello Roger,
That is not good to read, I would like to know a bit more so as to help solve this issue for you. Can you send me a pic of the pack, the buckle (or check it says woojin, or duraflex on it ) and approximately when you bought it.
my e-mail is campbell@macpac.co.nz
Cam

[wayno]

My current pack was made in asia. Balistic nylon. Pretty tough fabric by the feel of it. Strikes me as pretty abrasion resistant. No problems with it yet.

[brissifirey]

Got both one planet and Wilderness Equipment packs, both are over 5 yrs old and had a tough life ! Both brands are very good and would buy again, OP harness is a work of art lol. Seriously for Tassi and New Zealand walking you need tough packs, I have seen fancy light weight packs get torn apart and spat out.

[roysta]

I have a problem with the Macpac webbing slipping, I have a Ravine, love the concept of the pack but the webbing lets it down.

Roger, do you have the original Ravine or the newer, changed model ?
I have the original and don't have a slipping problem.
It's a simple but damn good pack, my 'go to'.
I've had the Cordura bottom replaced which added 100g to the weight, but still comes in at 1800g.

[norts]

Yes its the new one.
Cam has been in contact with me and he is getting a pack with heavier duty webbing on it for me.
Thanks Cam, once again excellent service from Macpac. I just hope you bring the Ravine back into your product line. Should be more packs like this, simply with out all the fancy straps and pockets everywhere.
Roger

[icemancometh]

+2 for Macpac, love ours, I have a Cascade 90 and Ascent 70 and my wife has the Espirit 65. I've had about 25kg in the Cascade and it was easy to carry. Still preferred walking out with about 17kg left in it lol. BUt I bought it for the Overland Track and Milford Sound hikes.

Tried Aarn packs and like the concept but didn't lie the harness, personal opinion of course and try as many harnesses as possible because we are all different

Yeah I agree we are all different.

I had exactly the opposite result. The Aarn harness system works exceptionally well for me, unlike my Cascade 75 which is just too uncomfortable for heavy loads. I can never get the hip belt tight enough to stop it slipping. It's just too flat and hard. The Aarn Load Limo suspension system really works for distributing load. Macpac had something similar many years ago, but never perfected it, and it was just abandoned. I'd love to see it resurrected.

+2 Aarn but not Macpac