Aarn Guiding Light or Effortless Rhythem

[Benny]

Hi guys & gals, my first post though I've done a lot of searching & reading. Thanks for the great info so far, the problem is there is so much a lot of trawling has to be done.

I understand a few of you use the Aarn packs. I've read as much as I can & have come to the conclusion that either of the above mentioned packs with exped pockets would fit the bill. I'm not into ultra lite though I don't take the kitchen sink. I havn't tried these out yet but will be getting down to the local within the week to trial before I buy.
Any personal feedback on these packs would be great. I don't have a blown out back yet but don't intend on it happening either so I see these as a preventative not a cure. I've done enough pack marches with uncomfy overloaded packs to have lost interest in the go hard or go home philosophy......when enjoying the great outdoors anyway.

The appeal of the Guiding Light is that it's smaller but with the exped pockets actually has over 75L capacity but could still be used on it's own as a decent size pack. It also seems shorter giving less hight above/over head, a good thing I think. This pack also seems to have better external compression giving the ability to lower it's profile when not packed to the brim.

The Effortless Rhythem has 2 compartments which I'm a fan of but at 70L on it's own it blows out to nearly 90L with the exped pockets.

Anyway looking forward to any advice, tips, experiances, pro's & con's you can offer.

Thanks in advance

[Benny]

My mate & I got down to the adventure store corner of our patch this arvo. We tried on Mountain Designs (Main Peak?), One Planet (Strezleki), Lowe Alpine (X10 or something) & of course Aarn. Without letting him know I've been checking out the whole Aarn thing, my mate independantly gave the Aarn a big thumbs up. The others were good, but Aarn was gooder, that's right, I said gooder. He get's some occaisional lower back pain from getting rear ended in a car accident so he probably appreciates the load spread more than me.

Unfortunately the only Stronglite packs they had in stock were the Load Limo & Peak Aspiration, even then only had the PA in Long size.

We're leaning towards the Effortless Rhythem due to the extra 10L & 2 compartments. Before we commit to either we're wanting to get eyes on both, hopefully they can order one of each in for floor stock.

Again any 1st hand experience with either will be appreciated

[ismailfaruqi]

I have Effortless Rhythm. I carried 12kg in my last trip and I felt almost nothing.

[Lizzy]

I have guiding light & feel oh so much better with it. The longest I have packed for is 5 days. Without some compact gear this may be difficult. Last trip I packed all food & water gas tent pegs epirb camera in expedition pockets- try to get as weight there as possible. The profile is quiet low. Just rember you needs a little space for the roll top to waterproof. Last walk I dislocated my shoulder don't know if front packs made any difference for better or worse?? But I do. Not find visibility impaired. Also like how front packs. Become daypack- very handy! Good luck
Lizzy

[under10kg]

I have been carring 18 kg in training for a 14 day walk using the effertless rhythem.
After 8 hours of hard walking and 30ks yesterday on the nitecap track I take the pack off and have no sore spots, only tired legs!
Not having to bend forward to counterbalance a normal pack is a real benefit for heavier loads.
I load up the balance pockest with 2+ kg in each so you walk totally balanced.

[bernieq]

Since 2009, I’ve walked over 1000km with an Aarn Natural Balance pack – AAWT, Larapinta Trail, Western Arthurs, NZ etc – from overnight to 10 day trips – max weight I’ve started with is 24kg. I happily recommend the pack and the design/concept (previous pack was a Lowe Alpine - good robust pack of standard design that just wore out).

... I don't have a blown out back yet ...

You don’t need to have existing problems (back, knee, neck etc) to find these packs more comfortable – but you do need to devote some time to fitting it properly. I carry mine entirely on my hips – absolutely no weight on my shoulders - and it works for buxom ladies too.

...The Effortless Rhythem has 2 compartments which I'm a fan of but at 70L on it's own it blows out to nearly 90L with the exped pockets....

IMO, excess capacity isn’t a concern – give more attention to the pack weight. Although I have capacity for a 10-day hike, I still use the balance pockets on a 2 or 3-day walk – it provides good balance and all the bits you want are just there (water, camera, food, gas and billy for a midday cuppa …). It just makes sense.

[myrtlegirl]

I'd go for the extra capacity of the Effortless Rhythm. Unused capacity is rarely a downside, and can be dealt with by pulling in straps so that contents don't 'rattle'. Once you have an Aarn pack, you may find your trips can become quite long as you can now carry more!

Get the hip belt and torso length fitted correctly, and you should end up with no weight on your shoulders (thus no tender collarbones). Even though all the weight is on your hips, if it's fitted correctly you will never have tender spots on your hips, or anywhere that the pack sits. I may get tired carrying my pack, but I NEVER get any soreness from the Aarn pack itself, it's an absolute delight.

I note you say about the Guiding Light that "It also seems shorter giving less hight above/over head, a good thing I think." I'm not sure that is a good thing in a biomechanical sense. I find that a tall skinny pack shape, as opposed to a pack that is wide or extends out from your back, is much more biomechanically sound. Weight that is held outwards requires more effort to hold up. To demonstrate this, try this test: get a broom, hold it horizontally halfway down the handle and see how heavy it feels, then hold the end of the handle and hold it horizontally; the latter feels much heavier.

I've got a Natural Balance Aarn pack. Speaking as one who does not have youth, fitness or testosterone on my side, I'd say my Aarn pack is the best thing in my gear kit, and has allowed me to do walks where a lesser pack would have stopped/and or injured me.

[icemancometh]

The Guiding Light is a tapered climbing profile, ie the base is a bit smaller than most packs if I recall. Easier access to harness and so weight doesn't sit too low in the pack. Also has extras like top rope access and think the new ones have tool quivers which all add extra weight if you don't use it. That said it's a decent pack and one I prefer to the ER, probably just it being smaller and fitting nicer for me.

My favourites were always the ULs in the Aarn range

[Benny]

Thanks for the input all. I did get some feedback from the local mob that sells them & he recon'd that he'd seen quite a few come back with issues after only 2-3 yrs. As mentioned on another thread the same sellers wern't that good at setting them up either.

Anyway I was in Ballerat over the weekend & popped into the Macpac store & picked up a Cascade 75 for a pretty damn good price & it did fit a whole lot better than all the other traditional packs I'd tried. So while I havn't given up on the idea of an Aarn I'll stick with the Macpac until it gives me to much grief or falls apart....hopefully the latter.

Thanks again

[ULWalkingPhil]

Thanks for the input all. I did get some feedback from the local mob that sells them & he recon'd that he'd seen quite a few come back with issues after only 2-3 yrs. As mentioned on another thread the same sellers wern't that good at setting them up either.

Anyway I was in Ballerat over the weekend & popped into the Macpac store & picked up a Cascade 75 for a pretty damn good price & it did fit a whole lot better than all the other traditional packs I'd tried. So while I havn't given up on the idea of an Aarn I'll stick with the Macpac until it gives me to much grief or falls apart....hopefully the latter.

Thanks again

That's probably my post you read about them having no idea how to set them up. I was there recently trying on a new Aarn pack and I couldn't believe how clueless these guys are. I'm not surprised if they don't sell any, because there just not fitting them correctly. There not all that hard to setup. Once you do have them setup to your back and attach the straps as they should, there awesome.

My advice is to watch the Aarn videos on his website before going to try any the Aarn packs.

[Strider]

Ok so I'm up for a new pack. Looking at the GL or EF, but the capacities have me miffed.

Aarn website states 77L (Small - 55L pack only) or 84L (Large - 60L pack only) with the Expedition balance pockets. But if the Exped pockets are 15L for the pair, how do they arrive at this calculation?

[GPSGuided]

Where are you reading that?
http://www.aarnpacks.com/products/guiding_light.html
http://www.aarnpacks.com/products/effor ... hythm.html

[photohiker]

Where are you reading that?
http://www.aarnpacks.com/products/guiding_light.html
http://www.aarnpacks.com/products/effor ... hythm.html

Try:
http://www.aarnpacks.com/use/index.html

It's a bit of a mystery

[GPSGuided]

Within margin of error along with a bit of hard shove.

[Strider]

Where are you reading that?
http://www.aarnpacks.com/products/guiding_light.html
http://www.aarnpacks.com/products/effor ... hythm.html

Try:
http://www.aarnpacks.com/use/index.html

It's a bit of a mystery

55 + 15 = 77

60 + 15 = 84

What?

[Strider]

I'm beginning to think the figures given might have become outdated by the latest 2012 models.

[Gusto]

The dimensions on all the packs have changed slightly. Also I think the expedition pockects 18L.

I think this is the most up to date record http://www.outdoordesigncoalition.com/app/download/5793274485/Aarn+Design+Catalogue+2013.pdf

I think backpackinglight.com.au is also upto date too.

[Picaro]

The L expedition pockets are 18+2, so its 60+ 20= 80
likewise the S are 15+2, ….55+17= 72

Looks like as improvements are made, some pages are not updated. I notice theres a 3litre discrepancy on the Natural Exhilaration, so I guess sizing has changed over time.

Edit…..but now I've looked at Gusto's link, they list the GuidingLight L at 65ltr. I think thats the first time I've seen that size given.


Anyhow…damn fine packs, whatever size they are….or were……or will be...

[Strider]

I'm beginning to think the figures given might have become outdated by the latest 2012 models.

I was right. Emailed Aarn and they have updated the weights just now

http://aarnpacks.com/use/index.html

[Picaro]

Back to your OP….I'm liking my Guiding Light. The side quivers are handy, I use one side for easy access/stowage of walking poles, with the other side available for hammock spreader bars, tent poles, egg tube, tripod etc.
If you use Aarns packing plan, the bottom compartment may not be so necessary on the ER. since all the light items like quilts etc are up near the top.
When you try on the GL realise that the lid folds back away from your head when its loaded.

I used the GL for a week in Sept up Kilimanjaro, and couldnt have been happier.

A little tip for handling your pack with pockets, in and out of tents etc. I take a shoulder strap with my thumb, and the other with my ring and little finger , then the carry strap with the two middle fingers. Keeps it together and easier to manage.

Oh, and looking at the price difference of$80, that will cover your pockets.

I now have the Guiding Light and the Natural Exhilaration, with Expedition pockets and Compact pockets which can al be used in combinations……yeah, I've become an Aarn fanboy.

[Picaro]

Should have looked a little closer….I thought I was answering Strider's original question, but I was answering someone from 2 years ago.

Ah, well, I hope its helpful to someone.

[Strider]

Ordered a Guiding Light with Expedition pockets yesterday

[Picaro]

Ordered a Guiding Light with Expedition pockets yesterday

And a Revelation quilt on the way……so we know who's been good boy this Christmas !

[Strider]

Actually I've come into some money under most unfortunate circumstances. Its either buy stuff while I can afford it or wait another 5 years!

[simonm]

Ordered a Guiding Light with Expedition pockets yesterday

And a Revelation quilt on the way……so we know who's been good boy this Christmas !

Indeed. Now knowing you have been struggling to get out on a decent walk due to family, I know all about that one, you either have some trips planned or are compensating for a lack of walking by buying gear - I know all about that one too .

[Picaro]

In any case, you've chosen well.

[Strider]

Haha definitely a lack of walking! I've stacked on a few kg

Close to $900 of new gear seems like a good excuse to get out and use it!

[simonm]

Haha definitely a lack of walking! I've stacked on a few kg

Close to $900 of new gear seems like a good excuse to get out and use it!

I will be interested to hear your thoughts on the new pack when you get it.

[Strider]

My trouble is have narrow hips (although not small around the middle..) so I have to really crank down on hipbelts to get them to work properly for me. Most of the time they slip down off my hips and I therefore spend all day lifting the pack back up and retightening the belt. I have found Osprey hipbelts work reasonably well for me with the double-pull system, but heard from some members here that Aarn hipbelts were their only real solution to my same issue. That combined with the increased adjustability and I was already 90% sold, the claimed biomechanical advantages just helped push things over the line - I went through their site and product catalogue nodding to myself "yep...that's me!". Have an overnighter coming up so will see how it goes with a light load to start off with

[Strider]

Well my Guiding Light arrived today. First impressions, its bigger than I thought it would be! Always nice to have extra capacity though. Build quality from Vietnam is excellent. A fair few unnecessary features that add weight yet very little benefit, e.g. the trekking pole stow-on-the-go type arrangement which appears to be a bit of a joke and has some heavy material associated with it that is stitched in strange places. Tool quivers look useful, but a bit overkill for non-alpine usage (e.g. hypalon reinforcing to proteft from skis). Went through a fit up with Tim via Skype tonight and I think I have it all under control but will rake it out for an overnighter in a couple of weeks and have a good play with it.