Backpack Advice

[flyfisher]

I recently bought a Mont back country pack at a 25% off sale in Hobart and love it. The harness is very comfortable and the pack has all similar features to other popular packs.It does weigh in at 2.8kg but it's well padded andstrongly made.

FF

[corvus]

G'day FF, I will check it out next trip as I am not so happy with my new WE- STS Karingi pack it leaks .

[Joe]

How did you find the harness on the WE Corv? A lot of people don't like it. If it leaks they are really good with returns...just take it back to place of purchase and they should look after you

[corvus]

twf.c Harness is really good for me in fact better than my WE exp1 which I have been using for 18 years

[Nuts]

..

[corvus]

The WE folk will assess my pack this Month and I will post their decision,Nuts my 18 year old WE Exp 1 only ever leaked slightly through the seams over the back frame and I fixed this by sealing them.

[Nuts]

Iv'e never used a pack cover, i guess the new pack is leaking more than a little through the harness?

[corvus]

Its actually leaking through the double stitching at the bottom where the strap is attached,there is an area there that can trap water and I suspect is the problem.
I have no doubt that STS /WE will fix it one way or another just frustrating at the moment.

[corvus]

Nuts many thanks for you kind offer I still have two WE (made in Australia) Expedition packs to choose from so I wont be disadvantaged when they take the new one back to check it out.

[tasadam]

Not much talk of Macpac packs.
I have a Macpac Ravine - not the new ravine with 1 big area and not much in the way of pockets, but the Ravine of 18 years ago when it was
- Made in NZ
- Lots of extra areas eg back pocket, top pocket, little side zipper on top
And the compression straps on the side have been great at holding laminated and rolled maps, along with camera tripod.

That pack, being 18 years old and having served me flawlessly, I decided the time was right to put it into retirement and get a new pack myself.
I bought a Macpac Cascade 75 FL -
http://www.macpac.co.nz/public_catalogu ... de,CA75U08
http://www.moontrail.com/macpac-cascade75.php
http://www.shopwiki.com/detail/d=6452-C ... ToFirst=t/
http://www.paddypallin.com.au/default.a ... &Group=331 hey look at that - that's a great price, less than the Macpac shops.

Anyhow I haven't tried this pack on anything longer than a day walk yet, but so far I am impressed with its comfort.
It's 10 litres bigger than my old pack too so that space means I won't have such a forceful job packing my gear. It has always been a struggle to get everything in, though somehow I have managed.

[melmac]

I have just found this site and find it really useful! I am buying a walking pack for my husband and had come full circle to One Planet (so this forum makes me feel confident about making the purchase!).

I just wanted to ask about Osprey packs? We started looking at Osprey before looking at other brands (I have a WE but find it heavy since I only weigh 42kg myself). The harness on Osprey and face that it is light weight are two huge positives, however I am concerned about the material (looks less 'tough' to my canvas) and all the 'bells and whistles'. It seems like there is a lot that could potentially break and I'm not convinced how water tight it is as the lid seems not to come down as far as WE or Osprey. Does anyone have any experience or opinions. I think we are leaning more towards OP for my husband but perhaps in future I would look at Osprey as they are a kilo lighter without comprimising on the harness.

[Son of a Beach]

Make sure you try it out fully laden, for several minutes (at least) walking around - ask the shop to let you walk around town for a few minutes with it full of something heavy. That's the only way to judge if the harness is actually comfortable. Not all harnesses are what they seem at first glance, nor at first try. Anything that is slightly niggly after a few minutes, will become very painful after a few hours.

Sorry, I don't have any actual hands on experience with an Osprey, so can't comment specifically - hopefully somebody else will be able to give you a first hand report.

[Nuts]

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[Ent]

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[Taurë-rana]

Just wondering if anyone has seen or tried the WE Echo?

[lexharris]

... Im after something that can accommodate all my gear, so looking at 75 Litre and up at least. Im 6'4, and weight 95 KG's...

Coming in a bit late here... I use a 90L Macpac Cascade for longer walks. It's an older one (about 7 years old) with Quantum harness, made in NZ. No complaints, it carries big loads very well and has never failed me. I'm 6'5" and weigh about 87kg. I needed size 4 for my height, and the length adjustment on the pack allowed me to get a good fit for my height. For long walks I've had up to 37kg in it (I carry a lot of photo gear) and the pack handles it no problem. I have no experience with the newer Macpac models so can't say if their performance will be the same.

For solo trips I find 90L is not quite enough for a 10 day walk (including photo gear) so I use a couple of strap-on side pockets to give an extra 10L or so capacity. If you're not carrying extras like cameras/lenses/tripod etc then probably 80-90L would be enough. I'd say you have the height and weight to handle a big heavy pack, I think the rule of thumb is up to about 30% of body weight. I'm probably pushing it with my lower body weight but so far managing, even at well over 50. I just don't walk 12 hour days any more, maybe 5-6 hrs max

[woka]

I've got an Osprey Aether 60l (which is actually 63l, but who's counting!). I swapped the hipbelt for one off their larger packs, it was definitely worth the swap as it's much more comfortable. I've only carried it with about 10/11 kilo's so far, but it handled it easily and I found it very confortable. The pack itself is about 1.8kg. It doesn't feel as strong as a canvas backpack, and I suspect it'll suffer some damage long before a canvas one would (especially the strectch woven side and back pockets). I only bought it with the intention to use it for 1/2 night walks.

I'm happy with the Osprey, but if I was going for a smaller capacity backpack again, I'd probably look at something canvas like a macpac or spend the extra money on a One Planet.

I also have a Mont Talus which is about 85l (don't quote me on that!), very tough and very comfortable with a big load.

[Andrew]

AARN

They are fantastic packs. I have a Natural Balance and my wife has ordered a Featherlite Freedom (as the large size we bought is too big for her). We have balance pockets on both. Weighs less than 2kg. Completely waterproof with built in dry sacks (which you can remove to make lighter). You can fill it full of water and it doesn't leak. Saves pack covers, pack liners, plastic bags (except when you put wet things in it but on Natural Balance can just put all wet things in the bottom dry bag). Balance pockets help you walk upright (balance pockets aren' waterproof so use for stove etc.) Best pack I have owned (karrimor, Mountain Designs, Macpac) or borrowed. Made in NZ but available at some stores vis AUS distributer. I bought ours at Allgoods in Launceston.

Cheers,

Andrew

[corvus]

G'day Andrew,
AArn packs interest me what sort of areas have you used it in and how much does it carry , you mention that it will not leak if filled with water which is interesting as my well known big Oz designed pack looked like a fairground fountain when I filled it with 90 lt water on a recent test .

[Andrew]

At 45yo we have been buying lighter gear. No more 15kg+ packs. Now 1.7kg tent (old 3.5kg), 850g bags (1.8kg), 1.8kg pack (3.2kg), stove, mats etc.

Planning 12 days flying into Melaleuka for our wedding anniversay and walking out to Cockle Creek and confident the AARN packs will carry 7 days of gear once we start walking out. Haven't packed yet but planning on spreadsheet and will be OK. Have been in the highlands etc. all no problems and walked in rain.

As mentioned the two things to remember are the balance pockets aren't waterproof so for map etc. needs to go in bag but is great to have access without taking pack off. Good to put heavy things in balance pockets like stove, part of tent etc. to make carrying a dream. Also if tent (or other gear) is wet it neds to go in a bag before going in main pack as will get other gear wet from the inside but I try and keep wet gear in bottom dry bag on Natural Balance pack (I just stuff tent straight in and put coat on top). It just makes so much sense and dry bags can come out if sure it will be fine and is very comfortable and adjustable.

Cheers,

Andrew

[corvus]

G'day Andrew,
As a 62 yo I looked at many ways to lighten my load and the last serious thing I can do this with is my pack so I will be pleased to get feedback on the performance of your AArn upon your return.
Happy anniversary BTW we have just celebrated our 40Th.

[pomysi]

Hi,

I splashed out last week and bought a One Planet McMillan 85l. I tried a few on but found this one to have the best fit around the shoulders etc, also i needed it at short notice so from what I saw in Launceston found it to be the best option.

Following a 4 day walk at the weekend reports are as follows:

The harness took a couple of days to settle in, by day three and much adjusting, pulling, cursing and tugging I found the harness to be supercomfy. I would agree that part of this was due to the pack getting lighter but certainly would recommend it if you are looking for comfy load. Exceptional around the hips and lower back.

One word of warning though on the first day I got rained on and it did leak. Some of the zips do look a bit vunerable to the elements. The website says that it is waterproof apart from around the zip areas, I think the motto here is that to be sure always use a good pack liner regardless of what the pack is. I had a 35l pack liner for clothes etc but my tent was just in the pack and did get wet at the bottom. Also if weather is bad then dont stuff the external pockets, try to keep the integrity of the zips entact. I am sure most of the water in the pack came in through the front pocket zip.

Ill be interested to hear if any others have had similar problems and comments.

Si

[Andrew]

Thought I had better copy my Aarn Natural Balance report to this thread as just had 8 days down SW and Aarn pack was brilliant.

Haven't had Aarn body-pack long and haven't done a week long trip with it. It was fantastic. The best pack of the 10 I have owned/borrowed by an absolute mile. The Natural Balance pack has 2 dry bags and I just stuffed my wet tent in the bottom one with my coat. All the rest in the top and not in plastic bags etc. No need for a pack cover. Heavy stuff in the balance pockets on the front. It is brilliant. Could access everything so easily. Water on front of balance pockets, stove in balance pockets and lunch food, coat in bottom. Balance pockets don't get in the road and make it so pleasant to walk upright with great centre of gravity. Just ordered a Featherlite Freedom for my wife. Happy to demo (we live 1/2 hour from Launceston) if you would like to inspect can bring to town or we do go other places around the state irregularly as Allgoods don't keep the stock that these bodypacks deserve.

Cheers,

Andrew

[jules78]

I have an Aarn Effortless Rhythm + balance pockets, and absolutely love this pack. I have always had a hard time getting a pack to fit me well / feel comfortable as I am a tall (5'10) and slim female, and therefore do not fit the 'typical' profile of most 'female-sized' packs, yet many other 'male-sized' harnesses do not fit my hips well either. On top of that, I have had long-standing back problems, so finding a comfy pack was critical. I was initially sceptical of the Aarn designs, and doubted that carrying front pockets could possibly be comfortable (particularly for a female). I was also concerned that the pockets would impair vision/mobility. Despite all this, I was eventually won over, and have found my new pack to be incredibly comfortable. The hip belt has very little padding on it, yet because it molds so well to my hip shape, is far more comfy than any thicker designs I have used, and seems to better keep the weight on my hips and off my shoulders. The front balance pockets are a brilliant idea - I tend to carry small heavy items like food & water in these and find my posture much improved, as Andrew mentioned. The ease of access while walking is great too. The balance pockets can also be clipped together to form a basic daypack, which is useful for side trips/ peak bagging etc when you don't want to carry your full pack.

The harness system on these packs was designed by a physiotherapist. Though they are a little different conceptually to traditional packs and take some getting used to, I highly recommend them, particularly to anyone with back problems. Weight wise, my 70L pack weighs in at 2.2kg (with dry bag), and the balance pockets add another 450g. So it isn't ultra-lightweight by any means, but neither is it excessively heavy. The fabric is lighter than canvas, but seems durable enough and able to withstand a fair bit of abuse.

[walkinTas]

Heavy stuff in the balance pockets on the front. It is brilliant.

I have an Aarn Effortless Rhythm + balance pockets, and absolutely love this pack. The front balance pockets are a brilliant idea - I tend to carry small heavy items like food & water in these and find my posture much improved, as Andrew mentioned.

How big are the front balance pockets? Would there be room for a DSLR Camera and a spare lens?

[Andrew]

Hi Jules,

Good to hear that AARN has at least 2 customers over the ditch. We have received my wifes Featherlite Freedom in the mail. It looks brilliant. She is smaller than you and the bodypack only weighs 1711g which includs dry bags and balance pockets.

My Natural Balance is 2050g inc. balance pockets and dry bags and I reckon it would do me on a 12 days trip with light but sensible gear. I still had plenty of room with 8 dyas of food on my recent trip and would maybe add overpants, gloves, long johns and a couple of things for winter but woul still fit heaps more.

Like you I am so pleased with this bodypack - hardly know it is on my back and no sore spots in shoulders or back like other packs over a week. Brilliant.

Cheers,

andrew

[Andrew]

Hi WalkingTas,

On my Natural Balance the balance pockets easily take my Jetboil cooking system with a 380ml cup sitting on top of that with 3 inches spare on top of that were I stuff today's lunch etc. in my cup. Also I fit tent pegs, cutlery, 2 rolled up platapus water bottles down the side of the Jetboil and would probably fit another packet of tent pegs or two if made it fit tight.

So that might give you an idea.

Remember this is the only part of the bodypack that isn't waterproof although the new Featherlite Freedom for my wife has new covers over the zips so might be better but isn't really a problem as long as aware it leaks in heavy rain.

Cheers,

Andrew

[jules78]

Hi WalkingTas

There are different size balance pockets available for different packs. I have the Expedition pockets which are bigger than what I need most of the time (I think they have ~6L capacity each), afterall I need to keep some weight on my back to balance things out. I generally keep them cinched down with the compression straps for short trips.

I have a Canon Eos 300 with 28-80mm lens. I just tried putting it in the balance pockets. The camera (with lens attached) fits no probs. However I tried to fit the snoot bag in and it was a bit too wide. The pockets are more long and narrow rather than wide. So basically I'd say yes, you could get your camera gear in, but would need to figure out a suitable packing solution for protection. It would probably fit best if you kept both lenses detached from the camera. You would also need to ensure you use dry bags or similar for waterproofing, as Andrew mentioned. I imagine you probably do this already rather than assuming your pack will keep things dry.

[Darren]

G'Day
I'll tell you what I use it may help.
Overnight to 2 nights depending on conditions Golite ion, Jus started using this and very happy
Up to about 6 days Macpac amp 35. It’s the older one and I think its now called amp race. I love this pack..
For longer walks or if I’m carrying gear for the kids/missus Osprey Aether 60 once again , very happy
Another way of collecting you gear is to decide what pack size and weight you would like to carry and adjust your gear to suit.
Do you really want your pack to last 20 years? That’s a lot of time to be carrying an extra 2 kg for a canvas pack. Also I don’t worry too much about waterproof packs. Everything inside is in its own little silnylon stuff bags that I made myself. Much better when the lid comes off your water container. The amp even has holes to drain the water out which I like.
This is just some info on what works for me. Disregard it totally if you like..
Darren

[woka]

I'm happy with the Osprey, but if I was going for a smaller capacity backpack again, I'd probably look at something canvas like a macpac or spend the extra money on a One Planet.

After a bit more time spent walking with this pack, I'm going to change my mind on this. The Osprey is really good, especially for 1-2 nights out.