Breathable backpacks?

Shotgun

Shotgun

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
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I've tried really hard to try and get away from backpacks for warm weather hiking but nothing seems to be working out. My main gripe is the sweaty back thing. Its fine when it's cool but in 90 degree weather it gets a little wet. Really the only reason I use a backpack in summer is for water. I tried the maxpedition nalgene holder and although I got all my gear in it, it just didn't work carry wise so instead of spending money on more carry "experiments," I thought I would try and find a backpack with better airflow between me and the pack. Right now I have a Pygmy Falcon and I'm lookimg for something about that size or a hair bigger. Any of you guys know about "airflow" packs.
 
Rig a short, tight strap at the bottom of the packstraps, which will hold the pack away from your back. I have a leather pack from Norway that was built like that.
 
Gregory Z packs :thumbup: I have the Z55 which is probably bigger then what you want, but they make smaller versions. The pack doesn't even touch your back except up high and right on your lumbar, makes a huge difference. I plan to get one of the smaller ones as well at some point. Osprey also makes packs with the same flow through design.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Rig a short, tight strap at the bottom of the packstraps, which will hold the pack away from your back. I have a leather pack from Norway that was built like that.
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Esav- Any chance you might have a pic or a link to show what you mean? I can't picture how that would work exactly.
 
My day pack and 3 day pack are both Osprey and both provide good ventilation.
 
Deuter and Lowe Alpine both make a mesh back trampoline thing to keep the pack off of your back and allow air circulation. Gregory, Arc'teryx and some of the other high end companies have thermoformed backs with channels in them to promote some air circulation too, but the trampoline things seem to work better.
 
I'm planning on getting an Osprey Manta as soon as I can drive up to REI and decide on which size they come in 20,25 and 30 liter, they have a new low pressure water bladder that is also built so you can put it in a full pack, has an included rain fly and good organization. Also looks like it has good air flow, they just came out this month, I think their are a couple youtube videos of them too if you want a closer look. http://www.rei.com/search?query=osprey+manta&button.x=0&button.y=0
 
Gregory Z35 all the way, I use one everyday for work. I hike more than 1000 miles a year, in all kinds of weather, from 0 to 110 degrees. I have had the Z35 for 2 years, and it is great.
 
+1 for Osprey. They make packs with stand off backs (Atmos series). They really let air circulate.
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+2 for the Osprey. Down here in the heat and humidity, I find them to be very breathable. I have the Talon 22 as my daypack. If it is mostly for hydration, they make smaller sizes.
 
Yes.... I`m gonna be that guy and offer up the ol`ALICE pack (w/frame) for your consideration. There is about a 2" gap between the pack and your back. Bye-Bye wet spot! you can get upgraded straps and hipbelts too. Worried about looking like a grunt?... spray paint it pink!

Rick
 
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Magnussen said:
Yes.... I`m gonna be that guy and offer up the ol`ALICE pack (w/frame) for your consideration. There is about a 2" gap between the pack and your back. Bye-Bye wet spot! you can get upgraded straps and hipbelts too. Worried about looking like a grunt?... spray paint it pink!

Rick
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You're ALWAYS that guy. ;)
 
ALICE is a dominatrix specializing in torture.;)
The army issues all of that utterly useless garbage to keep soldiers miserable and pissed off enough to kill !:mad:
 
Were/are you in the military Toucan?



I can't think of a single repected outdoors/survival/skills teacher who would argue the effectiveness and versitility of the ALICE pack as an extended trip ruck. It has its disadvantages like any other design and to not find it comfortable is one thing (though, there are SOOOO many mods out there, I can't see how it couldn't be made to suit) but to call it "utterly useless garbage" hints that you have little experience with one. If I'm wrong and you did hump one for a time, then perhaps you weren't familiar with the upgrades. Either way... like it or not... there is absolutely no denying that the ALICE is an excellent platform to work from.



Rick
 
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remmmm said:
Gregory Z packs :thumbup: I have the Z55 which is probably bigger then what you want, but they make smaller versions. The pack doesn't even touch your back except up high and right on your lumbar, makes a huge difference. I plan to get one of the smaller ones as well at some point. Osprey also makes packs with the same flow through design.
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ursusrubrum said:
Gregory Z35 all the way, I use one everyday for work. I hike more than 1000 miles a year, in all kinds of weather, from 0 to 110 degrees. I have had the Z35 for 2 years, and it is great.
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I have two Gregorys -- the Z22 for fast and light, and the Z55 for a mid-sized backpacking pack. I LOVE them -- and I've used them in pretty miserable Texas heat.

The "Z" Gregorys do have a "trampoline" style back, so there's a lot of airflow, even heavily loaded.

There are good packs from multiple manufacturers that work similarly (Gregory, Osprey, Deuter, etc.). The key is to get out and try a few, when loaded -- what's perfect for one person won't necessarily be ideal for another. The one that fits you right is the one to buy.
 
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