Mid-sized woman's rucksack recommendations

[the_camera_poser]

She shot the Aarn packs down too- didn't like the front balance pouch.

Silly thing is, of all the packs she's tried, and we tried more on today, she likes the DMH one the best. Go figure.......

[north-north-west]

Does anyone here not have spinal problems?

I didn't get into this topic originally, as I'm more in the small-sized woman department - and finding a large capacity pack that can be carried around on a 5'3", 8 stone frame is not fun - especially when you have to have complete freedom of movement in the neck due to a little RTA hangover . . .
. . . but that's why I decided the Ospreys are worth shelling out for - I use an 85L Osprey Luna with an XS women's harness. With the 57,000 straps and buckles properly adjusted I can carry everything I need without any pain - except the knees buckling occasionally on the steeper climbs, but that's old middle-age for you. And the left shoulder joint, but that'll be fine once I've finally gotten around to the shoulder reconstruction. And the . . . oh well, we aren't any of us as young and strong and fit as we used to be.

Good luck on finding the right gear, mate. It's a long and tiresome process.

[the_camera_poser]

Does anyone here not have spinal problems?

Any comment from me will arouse the wraith of Karma.

I may have to get to Paddy Pallin and have a lookat those Osprey packs- I was pretty unimpressed with the construction of the DMH.

[photohiker]

The only real downside is the use of artificial waterproof material that once pricked does not seal up like canvas. More a Tasmanian issue but scoparia's fine sharp leaves makes short work of most water proof material as a Gore-tex coat can look unscathed but have thousands of small holes that allow water in.

Just thought I'd better clarify. The Aarn waterproof claims do not come from the pack's outer construction which is generally cordura and ripstop nylon. The have an integral but removable dryliner made from the same sort of material as a drybag. I haven't seen all models, but mine has a velcro and roll closure somewhat like a canyoning pack. Mine's seen a bit of scoparia, and I haven't noticed it leaking, maybe I'll take out the liner and fill it with water to see how it's travelling.

[Taurë-rana]

Interesting conversation, I'm a small sized woman - 5' nothing so I like to carry not too much, but having a small pack means not being able to carry everything I need for overnight. I like the idea of the Aarn packs, but does anyone know where they can be tried out and bought in Tassie?

[photohiker]

Apparently, from Allgoods Bush Hut in Launceston, and Mountain Creek in Hobart.

More info and addresses on the Aarn website here

[Penguin]

Interesting conversation, I'm a small sized woman - 5' nothing so I like to carry not too much, but having a small pack means not being able to carry everything I need for overnight. I like the idea of the Aarn packs, but does anyone know where they can be tried out and bought in Tassie?

I think that there is a confusion between small and light. I recently went from a 70L pack to an 80L pack. Both wirhg the same, 2.7kgs.The reason I like the larger pack is because I can easily pack things in. bulk does nto concern me now when I pack - it is the weight. The last two nighter I got down to 14.5Kg's - but the pack was realtively full.

The 70L is better for off track work, as I am thin the narrower pack is less exposed and I fit thought narrower spaces more easily.

So if I were looking at a 55L CF a 65L pack for a smaller female - I would go for the 65L if it fitted and they weighted the same.

P

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[Taurë-rana]

I think that there is a confusion between small and light.

P

When I said a small pack I was thinking that the bigger packs wouldn't fit me because of the length of everything, but I really haven't tried any on so I don't know how much adjustment they have for different body sizes.

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[the_camera_poser]

Hi Michael

Thanks for the information. Looks quite a good idea especially with a camera stored in the front pack being a real boon. The only real downside is the use of artificial waterproof material that once pricked does not seal up like canvas. More a Tasmanian issue but scoparia's fine sharp leaves makes short work of most water proof material as a Gore-tex coat can look unscathed but have thousands of small holes that allow water in. Assuming you are not paying a premium in weight or cost then no problems as nylon is tough enough.

Though I have enough packs for a person looking at packs with a back issue this is a good looking option especially as it might hide the gut

Cheers Brett

Wow- thus reinforcement of my leaning towards a canvas WE Breakout pack for Helen.

[tasadam]

Macpac and Lowe- rejected as being too expensive. She's a worse Scrooge than me, I fear.... But we will look into them if she doesn't like the Wilderness Equipment Outbreak or Tatonka Yukon Light on second examination. REJECTED DUE TO SCROOGINESS

There are sales to be taken advantage of.
My wife is just over 5 feet tall and uses the Macpac Esprit, it suits her well. Don't know whether this info comes too late, but you might want to see what you really can get one for.
If you walked into a shop around here you probably saw an inflated price.

[the_camera_poser]

Macpac and Lowe- rejected as being too expensive. She's a worse Scrooge than me, I fear.... But we will look into them if she doesn't like the Wilderness Equipment Outbreak or Tatonka Yukon Light on second examination. REJECTED DUE TO SCROOGINESS

There are sales to be taken advantage of.
My wife is just over 5 feet tall and uses the Macpac Esprit, it suits her well. Don't know whether this info comes too late, but you might want to see what you really can get one for.
If you walked into a shop around here you probably saw an inflated price.

Naw- I haven't bought anything yet. I'm off to Hobart this weekend to go to the markets and too try on packs- his and hers. I think it's better that we go to a place where we can see the whole range that's available/suitable in a short space of time, rather than haring all over the countryside looking at this pack here and that pack there. I'm pretty much sold on the Karajini by WE for myself, but the WE Breakout leaves a bit to be desired for Helen. So I'll certainly look into the Macpac too. She had a second go with the Tatonka and knocked it back, but it was an older model, so it might have had a different harness system, though it did seem the same to me. I'm pretty sure she wants a canvas pack too. We're both pretty dedicated outdoorspeople, and Laura loves it, so we know we'll use it. At this point, it's Macpac, Mont or WE. What a pain in the BUM!

I do know well the benefit of spending that little bit extra on things- I had a pair of Asolo light hikers that laster for 10 years of unbelievable abuse- I mean I really worked those babies hard, resoled them two times and the still kept going. Pay $200 less for a boot, and it'll last me a year or two, tops. I suppose packs are the same.

[tasadam]

I suppose packs are the same.

To an extent. Like most things there is a point of diminishing return.
Having said that, my new Macpac Cascade is nowhere near the quality of my 20 year old Macpac Ravine. Partly due to the design. I'll elaborate some time.

[Taurë-rana]

I went into MacPac in Hobart last Sunday, and the sales assistant was very helpful. I'll be going back the weekend after next to buy something I'm sure. They have a sale on until the 5th of July as well. Some of the other bushwalking shops weren't open on Sunday so I couldn't have a look, I was disappointed especially about Mountain Creek where I wanted to try the Aarn packs.

[the_camera_poser]

I suppose packs are the same.

To an extent. Like most things there is a point of diminishing return.
Having said that, my new Macpac Cascade is nowhere near the quality of my 20 year old Macpac Ravine. Partly due to the design. I'll elaborate some time.

They're a bit dear for that, but on the other hand nothing is the quality it used to be.

[blacksheep]

If you have any quality concerns with a Macpac product PLEASE discuss with your local macpac store, or call the toll free number fo customer support. I am satisfied with the quality that I see in our range being equal to any- if you got a product with an issue I assure you Macpac tries to resolve it if we can.

and as for comments on pricing...I beieve where our pricing sits represent tremendous value. How many brands have products that stay in the field as long as a Macpac? (ps- and there is a sale on now )

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[the_camera_poser]

Blacksheep- I knew a lot of die-hard walkers in Victoria that would only buy Macpac products, so it's worth having a look. I'll have a look at a Cascade 90 for myself. For both of us, the deciding factor seems to come down to three things:

1) Length of the shoulder straps- I'm big chested, and if the padded part of the shoulder strap isn't long enough the buckle that links the strap to the webbing digs into my chest/lower armpit. The Mont's I've tried are no good for this reason. Helen has the same problem. Helen has the same problem. Or, the buckle turns and digs in. This is why One Planets have been knocked off the list.

2) Position/Design of the Back-length adjustment. On Tatonka packs, for example, the centre of the harness rubs against my spine, between my shoulder blades, and would drive me berserk.

3) Packs not adjustable enough- I speak only for myself, but I've got stumpy little legs and a long torso, and I'm of large frame, so a lot of packs just don't fit. Helen may or may not have this difficulty, but I value my health and welfare too greatly to say anything.

If I was made of money I'd have one custom-built for us. There's an outfit in the US, Dana Packs, that custom build every pack, and the people I know who use them swear up down, black and front that they are the best there is. But money don't grow on trees.......

Maybe I should just hire a sherpa.

[tasadam]

If you have any quality concerns with a Macpac product PLEASE discuss with your local macpac store, or call the toll free number fo customer support. I am satisfied with the quality that I see in our range being equal to any- if you got a product with an issue I assure you Macpac tries to resolve it if we can.

and as for comments on pricing...I beieve where our pricing sits represent tremendous value. How many brands have products that stay in the field as long as a Macpac? (ps- and there is a sale on now )

I did. They couldn't do anything as they saw the damage as wear, despite the age and despite the old pack put up with worse abuse for 20 years. They said it wasn't covered (fair enough) and recommended a local repairer. I took it there. They fixed up similar problems in the Esprit which was 4 years old, but this Cascade they could not fix.
However this is not the topic to discuss that so I might split this off to a new topic when I have time to elaborate on my problem.
Thanks for asking though - I had considered PM'ing you.

[blacksheep]

If you have any quality concerns with a Macpac product PLEASE discuss with your local macpac store, or call the toll free number fo customer support. I am satisfied with the quality that I see in our range being equal to any- if you got a product with an issue I assure you Macpac tries to resolve it if we can.

and as for comments on pricing...I beieve where our pricing sits represent tremendous value. How many brands have products that stay in the field as long as a Macpac? (ps- and there is a sale on now )

Um? Ok you opened the door. I have a MacPac Traverse 75 litre pack that has written on it Quantum Air Harness and a nice leaflet that says this (Quantum harness) is the premium MacPac harness capable of loads in excess of 20 kilograms. The leaflet also covers the Dynamic Harness that is rated for loads up to 20 kilograms. In a store on last weekend I found the the same pack with the label Dynamic Harness so what harness does my pack have. Yeap it has the Dynamic harness not the Quantum harness. Also first trip out the buckle failed going down Hanson's Peak almost launching me down the fast way.

Wrote to MacPac and after many emails later was told a few things. Yes the buckle was faulty (I had already replaced it with a Burgenhas one), and MacPac could put any label on their pack, and yes it was recognised as being confusing so was changed but that's my problem not MacPac's. Yes the pack is labelled MacPac and reflects on MacPac regardless on who and when this rather confusing labelling was adopted.

Is this enough concern over quality?

Cheers Brett

Brett your situation is well known to the customer service people here, and you have told me no less than 3 times in here so far also. While I am satisfied with the process that took place from the customer service team at that time, it is a shame they couldn't resolve things for you-I know they tried to help. I know one guy here spend a lot of time on your case- chasing up manufacturing records, tracing retailers, having the biggest buckle manufacturer in Korea check one of their best selling buckles moulds and QA tests. we didn't take it softly. Clearly you didn't either.

[blacksheep]

If you have any quality concerns with a Macpac product PLEASE discuss with your local macpac store, or call the toll free number fo customer support. I am satisfied with the quality that I see in our range being equal to any- if you got a product with an issue I assure you Macpac tries to resolve it if we can.

and as for comments on pricing...I beieve where our pricing sits represent tremendous value. How many brands have products that stay in the field as long as a Macpac? (ps- and there is a sale on now )

I did. They couldn't do anything as they saw the damage as wear, despite the age and despite the old pack put up with worse abuse for 20 years. They said it wasn't covered (fair enough) and recommended a local repairer. I took it there. They fixed up similar problems in the Esprit which was 4 years old, but this Cascade they could not fix.
However this is not the topic to discuss that so I might split this off to a new topic when I have time to elaborate on my problem.
Thanks for asking though - I had considered PM'ing you.

thanks- if you do feel you want to PM me sometime (or e-mail campbell@macpac.co.nz )I'm always interested to review the good, the bad and the ugly of the products we put out.

cheers.

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[photohiker]

Just a bit of a follow up regarding the Aarn dry pockets I mentioned earlier.

I had planned to be in the Flinders last week, but unfortunately got hit with 'flu so no chance to test the Scarp tent dammit.

Anyway, the Aarn dry pockets turned up and I had a bit of a play with them, they just might work for photo gear on the trail.

Basically, they are 9L balance pockets to go on the front of the Aarn pack with a custom fitted drybag inside:

aarn-dry_detail.jpg (59.97 KiB) Viewed 15631 times

Here it is with a 5D/17-40F4L (ruler for scale)

aarn-dry_size2.jpg (10.68 KiB) Viewed 15631 times

And with the above camera inside:

aarn-dry_size.jpg (33.07 KiB) Viewed 15631 times

This has got me thinking. Perhaps some camera armour on the body to absorb the odd knock, and some neoprene lens cases for the lenses...

I have carried the 5D with a small prime in a drybag inside the standard 'Sport' pockets without managing to trash it. As in any potentially wet situation the problem remains that when it's pouring I'm still not going to pull the camera out, but at other times it should be accessible and easily stowable.

[the_camera_poser]

Ahhh.....a REAL camera.

I'd worry about there being no padding in that, but then I worry too much, as my beloved wife likes to tell me. Camera Armor would be good.

[photohiker]

I'd worry about there being no padding in that,

I'm thinking there is room between the outer and the drybag interior to insert some wetsuit neoprene for padding. I wonder where I can buy that...

If I did both pockets, I could carry the camera as shown on one side and a lens or two on the other to balance the weight.

[the_camera_poser]

I'd love to be able to buy a neoprene sleeve that is fitted to a specific camera/lens combo- especially common ones.

[photohiker]

something like this? It's probably something you would want to see before buying though.

Optech also do a few different neoprene lens cases...

[Ent]

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[the_camera_poser]

Hi

I have been toying with the idea of using a stubby holder to protect the lenses but not yet tried the idea. It is surprising that nobody makes waterproof camera bags or probably more likely nobody locally stocks them. After the last walk on Sunday I brought a camera snout bag and found that the camera and a light weight waterproof bag would just fit in with a compact lenses and just fit on the pack belt. Time will see if it works or just annoy the living daylights out off me.

Back on packs, Allgoods Launceston did have one Aarn pack in stock but was a day pack with front balance pockets. Um? Yes it did only weight 750 grams and was 33 litres but looked a little tricky to set-up and flimsy but then again like anything new there will be buyer resistance.

Cheers Brett

I saw that pack, and reckon it was a bit flimsy, but that's a daypack, not a rucksack.