backpacking anyone?

[Ming65]

I've never found durability an issue with any pack I've owned - In fact my Brother still uses a second hand Lowe that I bought in Nepal 17 years ago. I'll go for a slightly lighter, more delicate pack any day - as long as the harness is good.

I love the art of refining the gear down to the lightest weight combo. This is even more essential is Australia because we often have to carry lots of water (up to 14litres)

My current rig is a Lowe Alpine Cerro Torre

Here's my new pack and my old one on Western Australia's Cape to Cape trail (my brothers with the old pack in the distance).

 

[EmsRescueGuy]

The only advise I can Really give IS dont Cheap Out spend as much as you can possibly afford. the fit and comfort of you pack plus its durability is one of the most important factors between and enjoyable experience and a miserable one. (that and boots of course)

 

[DaleW]

You need to estimate the weight and volume of the load. I'm an ultralight freak, so I have strong preferences.

Weigh all your gear and try to estimate how much space you need. You can estimate space by putting it all in a box, jammed nice and tight, and then measure the space taken in the box and get the cubic inches. You will need room for food and water too, so you can add space for that and give yourself a little fudge factor.

Then you can go to REI or your favorite supplier and try on some packs with added weights to see how it feels. The staff should be able to fit you properly too-- modern packs come small/medium/large to fit your torso size.

 

[kevshin21]

beautiful pic ming!! and dale I am still gathering all my gear together, my recent purchase were some merrells. So far I still have to rebuy better stuff (compass, etc) should I buy the backpack last?

 

[Ming65]

Did someone say nice pic?

Ok I've posted these here in backpacking threads before - I'm just a photo attention whore

I was thinkng today how my walking packs have lasted decades when I can barely get a travel bag to last more than a year. Baggage handlers are rougher than any wilderness on your equipment. I have however, solved that problem recently with the purchase of a German army pilots bag - the thing is built like a tank. Thick canvas and surrounded by a latticework of heavy duty webbing. It looks like a piece if junk too - which is a bonus in third world travel I have found.

Don't hurry with the backpack purchase Kev - be a PITA at all your local outdoors shops, trying out all and sundry. You'll eventually know which one is right.

Ming

ps: I haven't tried them but those Ospreys do impress me.

The thing I like about the Lowe's is that they are mountain packs - built close and high to keep the weight close to your C.O.G. for scrambling/climbing. Much of the walking here in oz is of that nature as the pics attest.

 

[DaleW]

Any general preferences for internal or external frames?

Personally, my back sweats A LOT, and it seems like an external frame would be more along my route.

The trend is to internal frame packs. Used external frame packs are becoming quite a bargain. External frame packs are great if you need to haul bulky stuff llike photo or video gear or are carriying extra gear while camping with kids, etc. When you get to larger packs, say 5000 cubic inches, the externals can be lighter. They certainly ventilate better. The suspension on the internal frame packs has improved to the point that it is probably a toss-up as to which type can haul heavy loads more comfortably.

If you are only going on short overnight hikes, it probably doesn't make a lot of difference. Any idea what kind of weight you will be hauling? How compact is your sleeping bag? What kind of tent are you using? What temperature range and season will you be hiking in? How many days will you be out?

Everyone, please tell me if this is acceptable here: if anyone is interested in used external frame packs, I can post some in the trade forums-- I have a bunch; if not, I'll edit this ASAP.

 

[bcornelis]

Arc' teryx Bora 80 pack is on sale at www.backcountry.com for about 40% off. You might want to check them out.

I was looking at some of the different sites for backpack prices and I can't believe the difference there is. For example a Gregory Whitney backback is $289 Canadian ($247 US) at the Mountain Equipment Co-op and $339 US at REI. The ironic thing is that Gregory is manufactured in the USA. A person really has to compare prices before they buy.

 

[DaleW]

I was looking at some of the different sites for backpack prices and I can't believe the difference there is. For example a Gregory Whitney backback is $289 Canadian ($247 US) at the Mountain Equipment Co-op and $339 US at REI. The ironic thing is that Gregory is manufactured in the USA. A person really has to compare prices before they buy.

You really need to watch for model/year shifts too, especially on-line, where old stock is liquidated. It makes me crazy when manufacturers will ride a new model on an old model name, with changes that aren't always for the better, or they are now made offshore, etc, etc. It happens throughout the outdoor industry-- I've seen it with clothing, shoes, tents, sleeping bags, and packs. You've probably seen it with knives where steel stock was changed on a model, or the liner construction was changed, and so on. Some manufacturers will amend the model name-- GoLite just changed a bunch of their packs around and the Jam is now the Jam2. I can work with that.

Campmor is one vendor that is good about it. You will see their descriptions being right up front, saying "old style" or "2004 model." IMHO, REI is a wonderful organization and they really back up their stuff, but you pay a premium for it.

 

[Maqua]

I was looking at some of the different sites for backpack prices and I can't believe the difference there is. For example a Gregory Whitney backback is $289 Canadian ($247 US) at the Mountain Equipment Co-op and $339 US at REI. The ironic thing is that Gregory is manufactured in the USA. A person really has to compare prices before they buy.

Backcountry.com wised up and corrected the price on that Bora 80. I shoulda snatched one up at the old price.