Finally advice on a good rucksack

H

harrybobble

Joined
Oct 5, 2006
Messages
76
Thanks guys,

I want one large enough to pack enough equipment for 2 days and nights for me and my daughter. Which will include a lightweight tent and sleeping bags a small stove etc.

I guess a full size one then with waist straps and back support.
 
It sounds like the pack will need to be on the large side. I have a Gregory Palisade, it's an awesome pack. I have used it on trips both week and weekend long.
GregoryPalisade04.jpg
 
Depends a lot on what are you needs.

Depends on climate (=> own big your sleeping bags will be, how heavy, how much insulation...), how often you'll use it, how long will be your hike, how much durability you'll need, how much comfort you want...

Basic requirement would probably be at least a 60 liter bag (~3700 cubic inches), with tent and mats hung outside.
 
Yes I am thinking of one the size of the pic above. I will be hiking for 2 days 2 night generally. In and around BC which does rain alot. I want a really comfortable one as I have a bad back so that is really important. Thinking of buying a Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent and a couple of air matresses. Mainly alot of clothes, fishing tackle cooking equipment in weight.
 
I've got a Gregory UM21 army surplus pack that I'm very happy with. Check eBay, they sometimes pop up at decent prices/good condition. If it's good enough for special forces, it's good enough for me - If you can live with carrying a camo pack, that is :)
 
I have a Gregory Shasta that is still going strong after ten years and many trips into the field (as well as serving as luggage on many occasions). Not a single stitch has failed on that pack.
 
My Macpac Cascade has hauled some wicked loads over protracted periods with a good degree of comfort. It's a no-frills load carrier in a weatherproof fabric, that is better than that to which I was accustomed, with excellent lumbar support if you adjust it correctly.

[I can't attest to the latest revision of it, mine is about 10yrs old too, and the price has dropped a lot].
 
I noticed your comment "I have a bad back". Have you a blown disk? Have you been checked out by a qualified physician?

Carrying a pack could really mess you up if you are not physicially capable of doing so.
 
Fraser is very right about this and wise.

Having said that, for those with good to OK backs, actually carrying a not too heavy pack(dep on your own build of course)actually improves posture and does wonders for the back. Not too large mind...so get it on and hike for a bit:thumbup:
 
if you live in bc, possibly the lower mainland, go and check out the taiga store on west broadway across from mec.

they carry a line of backpacks made by a company called vaude which i find excellent in both quality and comfort. the packs have a carbon fiber frame which provides good support as well as making it light.

i've been using vaude packs for the past 3 years and i currently own 3 models, a 35L a 50L and a 70L. all these packs are great and worth atleast giving a shot.

cheers mate
 
where exactly do you plan on hiking anyways? what kind of terrain will it be?

if you have a bad back perhaps having a pair of hiking poles will assist you to distribute the weight of the pack a bit more.

heres an interesting link on the benefits of hiking with hiking poles.

http://www.backpacking.net/walkstik.html
 
Thanks for your advice guys ! Yep I have blown a disc and have two more bulging. I havent really planned any routes yet as I am relatively new to Canada, yes I do live in the lower mainland right now. I am just slowly getting a good inventory of gear together for when my daughter is a bit older, she is only three right now.

I am going to look into as light a gear as possible so the carbon fibre support sounds good. I am just wondering though the back pack I had in England had two mettal bars behind the padding that you shaped to your back, was this just a fad or a good idea ? I assume you cannot do this with carbon fibre ?

The terrain will be forrest and mountains as I say no idea of good routes yet and have a good few years to plan that out.

Just going through the whole back specialist, epidurals and cortisone to see if that helps right now.
 
the bag is fully adjustable to help fit comfortably to your back,

ya really wont be able to tell if its the right bag for you unless you try it out for yourself.


on a side note

if you need a list of stores or other information about hiking in bc give me a pm and i'll try my best to help you out.

welcome to bc i'm sure you'll love it here

p.s. theres a chiropractor named John Davis in Burnaby you should go and see if you can. he was able to help correct my back problems and it took less time then i thought. the first session is approximately 200 dollars and he takes x-rays of your spinal column. make sure to tell him your medical history. after that he will make adjustments to your back by correcting the position of your neck. you lie down on something like a table with a seperated head piece and you just have to lie there for about 20-40 minutes. as your progress the sessions are usually shorter untill your back is better.
 
if you need a list of stores or other information about hiking in bc give me a pm and i'll try my best to help you out.
Click to expand...

Thanks allot I will do that ! I will certainly look the chiropractor up. I live in Abbotsford right now so it might be a bit to far to travel but I will ask WCB when they finally open my case again.
 
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