Have a camp backpack/tent question

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kirko

Joined
Dec 4, 2004
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I have a question regarding what you guys use for gear for an overnighter. I am looking into purchasing a new backpack, and a new tent.

Im not sure what direction I should be looking. Im not certain if I should buy a frame pack or a non-frame. Another concern is how do you guys carry your tents AND your sleeping bag on your pack. Can you carry a tent and sleeping bag on a non-frame pack? My tent is probably going to have to sleep 2, because the girlfriend will probably come too. If there is a way to lash/carry a sleeping bag and tent on a non-frame pack, it would be ideal because I would be able to use the pack for other things if need be. Im 6'2" 250lbs, fit, so a little extra weight without a frame PROBABLY wont hurt me.

Hiking to the place of stay probably wont be any more than 3-5 miles, if that makes any difference. Any help would be, uhh, helpful :)

-Kirk
 
Most quality packs will have adjustable straps on the underside to haul a tent or bedroll.
Many non-frame packs have stays or a frame sheet giving the pack some good backbone. Some also may have a cargo tail to hold bulky light items externally.

Whatever you end up buying, it should fit right for your torso length and should have a good waist belt. Internally, pack a light bulky item in the bottom of the pack, followed by the heaviest items and again light on top.

Many choices out there. How much your planning on spending on a pack would help with suggestions.
 
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i'd suggest a decent hybrid-opening travelpack with interior struts/frame.

the hybrid bit means you can open it up from the top, like a rucksack, or open it from the front like a suitcase.

check out some good outdoor stores, try on a bunch of loaded-up packs (a decent shop will have some ballast onhand for this) and the pick which one is most comfortable for YOU.

i've had my Kathmandu Killimanjaro for over 10 years now and it's still going strong.
 
Are you talking external frame vs internal frame? Any decent size\quality pack is at least going to have some sort of internal frame. Carrying a tent and bag is no big deal with an internal frame pack assuming it's a decent pack and you aren't trying to carry a cabin tent. There are so many choices out there and of course it's all about the $$. Don't skimp on your pack though, even 8lbs of extra tent and bag won't kill you with a pack that works really well for you.

My personal opinion on packs is that you can always cinch down a larger pack easier then you can stretch a small pack beyond it's limits. However many people argue that big packs are a great way to end up carrying a bunch of crap you don't really need. I do agree with that to some extent, but you just need to use your head as far as what you do and don't really need.

Checkout backpacker.com, lots of good info, although some of their reviews and editor choices do surprise me occasionally.
 
I mainly backpack not in winter and I can get my tent and my sleeping bags in my 2000 and 3000 cu in packs.

I have 3 difft tents I use a North Face Tadpole 23, A REI Gimme Shelter tarp tent and a Golite Hex 3.

I have 2 main sleeping bage a Lafuma 40 degree bag and a Campmor 20 degree, both down. Both will fit in the packs.

THEN for really cold I have an old Coleman synthetic 0 degree that is Huge. I have an external frame pack I can use with it a 4300 cu in but I seldom go in cold enough weather to justfiy using either.
 
IMO this is one of those times you should really get what you're going to bring, and then buy the pack that it will fit in.

Any good pack, internal or external frame, will carry the weight fine.
 
What is your budget for each piece?

You can get a decent but heavy (8+) tent for under $100, but a lightweight one (3-5) will get you in the $200-400 range.

Internal vs External - Internal keeps the pack generally tighter to your body, which gives a little bit better control. External I believe carries really heavy loads (50+) with better support. Kelty makes decent packs that are moderately priced in the $100 range, or you can step up to the Gregory, REI, or Osprey brands.

As my gear has increased in price/quality, I've moved to internal frame packs. My old gear was huge - 6lb sleeping bag the size of a pony key, 10lb tent the size of a shrink wrap roll. My newer gear is much smaller and fits in a smaller pack. With your size and strength you probably wouldn't have any problem carrying heavier, bulkier gear, but lighter and smaller is really nice.
 
A lesser expensive pack with no frame. Quality seems fine nonetheless.

Tarp (tent in your case) goes on bottom straps, bag goes inside.

I tend to travel pretty light, but I can't see you having a problem with this or a similar bag on a 3day or less trip.

Carl-
 
Cpl Punishment said:
IMO this is one of those times you should really get what you're going to bring, and then buy the pack that it will fit in.

Any good pack, internal or external frame, will carry the weight fine.
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Yes! This is the way to do it.

A few additional thoughts from an old campaigner: in hot weather, an external frame pack is cooler, because it allows air flow over your back. In winter, you will need more and bulkier gear (more stove fuel, heavier clothing, etc.) and many internal frame packs can handle "stuffing" better (but that depends on which pack you are looking at, of course). Because they ride closer to your body's center of gravity, internal frame packes are a little easier to carry over rough ground off trail or climbing (which may or may not be relevant to your needs).

In any case, the most important feature of a pack is good fit and sufficient adjustment options to adapt the load to the hike. I definitely suggest a brick and morter store where you can try on different styles and brands. Just like shoes, diferent brands of packs fit differently, and the only way to find the best one for you is to try them on. When trying them on in the store, be sure to load them up with weights before assessing fit, and ask the sales paerson to adjust the pack to your body. If the store does not have weights available for this purpose, or the sales person gives you a blank, dear-in-the-headlights look when you ask him or her to help with adjustments, leave, and find another store that does.

Final word. You mentioned weight, and that you did not think a few pounds one way or the other would matter much. Just trust me on this one: it does matter. Go as light as you can, and shave off every possible ounce of weight. I promise, it will make a difference.
 
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kirko said:
Im not certain if I should buy a frame pack or a non-frame.
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I would advise some type of frame (either internal or external) unless you are trying to go ultralight (which I don't think is necessarily the best place for a newbie to start). Framless packs are really limited to <20# or so comfortably and that involves a lot of trade-offs and/or expensive gear to achieve.

Another concern is how do you guys carry your tents AND your sleeping bag on your pack. Can you carry a tent and sleeping bag on a non-frame pack?
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Typically, with a external frame pack, the tent would go on top and the sleeping bag on the bottom. Internal frame packs are often designed to carry one or both inside, and the same with frameless ultralight packs. Now, a normal frameless pack may have strap down points sewn onto it, to allow you to strap extra gear (like tent and bag) on the outiside but that adds to the bulk and discomfort.

Im 6'2" 250lbs, fit, so a little extra weight without a frame PROBABLY wont hurt me.
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Believe us, yes it will. Its not so much a strength thing, its a comfort thing. A frame shifts the load from your shoulders to your hips. Without a frame of some kind, all the weight is hanging from your shoulders and those straps will be digging into you after a while. On longer hikes it will also start to bother your back, as it is not designed to carry heavy loads on hanging from your shoulders. You can probably get away with it for a short overnighter once or twice, but you will enjoy it much more with a pack that supports the load properly.
 
I kind of skipped what most of what others have said so may be duplicating but...
I have tried several tents over the years, you want a double walled model, minimal poles but ones that interconnect with bungy, aloos for an almost freestanding system one ereccted, minimal pegs and ties, double entry, double zips, should be able to get one around 3-4 kgs (7-9 pounds i guess).

Sleeping bag i always say down, hard to beat.

Pack, internal frame is better imo, most you can compress or expand with zips and ties.

However double plastic bag anything and if on oputside of pack put into a dry bag...
 
One exception.

Just because a pack does not have a frame does not mean your shoulders will take all the weight. My pack has no frame, just a cushioned back and wide cushioned belt. The belt definitely takes most of the weight.

My pack weighs about 35 lbs and I can cruise for days in pretty good comfort.

Many of the 3 day tactical packs do not have a frame.

Carl-
 
If you haven't trained yourself to frames yet, and can roll light, a frameless may be the way. I used to backpack with a russian who used a duffel bag thing he got out there. He was able to work that thing. That being said, there have been marvelous changes to the normal pack design to get away with a semi-stiff pack frame. Any one of the backpack makers such as kelty, camelbak, arc'teryx, and go light are a good place to start sniffing.

P2230480.jpg

I was able to pack a two person tent and my bag inside this pack.

On this one, I had the sleeping pad on the bottom.
P2145862.jpg
 
Thanks for all your answers, ive read through this whole post intently. I think internal frame is probably the way to go then. Im looking to spend around 100 bucks, but if I can get a lot more for say an extra 40 bucks, then I dont have a problem spending it. I will be shopping for a tent and sleeping bag as well. My tent I have now is heavy and faded from years of use, and my sleeping bag is down, but is huge as well. The Dick's Sporting Goods next to where I live is amazingly huge, 2 stories. I know they have a lot of bags, tents, and sleeping bags. Anyone want to point me in the right direction of what brands? http://www.dickssportinggoods.com I probably will not buy a bag that I cant try on and look at in person, so it will probably be from Dicks.


-Kirk
 
It's like shoes. Packs from different manufacturers (regardless of price) will have different fits.

Find those that meet your *must have* requirements, and pick the one that fits you best.

When you try it on, have the salesperson put a tent and sleeping bag on it.

Throw at least 25 pounds in it in the main compartment (maybe more since you're going with your woman). Then see what you think.
 
Yeah, I think they have weights they can put in the bag to simulate gear. The woman will be in charge of her own stuff :)
 
If at all possible, I would try to find a place that has more brands. But if not, I would probably go with Kelty at Dick's. I was actually checking out the Coyote 4750 the other day in there. It's got a cool sliding suspension system, but you pay for it in weight. Also, you can usually beat Dick's prices online, including shipping. I try to not undercut my local backpacking shop if I'm in there taking up their time and trying out gear, but Dicks isn't local, they're a big chain. I have no problem checking out more expensive items in their store, then buying for cheaper online. I still manage to spend a ton of money in there on other things.

Also, just a random backpacking tip for you - you want to pack everything into smaller sacks or bags or containers, then pack those into your backpack. You never put small loose items into a big top loading pack.
 
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