Heavy load expidition pack

N

Noble Warrior

Joined
Aug 31, 2007
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I have a question which I'm sure has been asked a million times but I am struggling at the moment making a decision. I live in Australia and am preparing for a camping trip that could be for 3 months or more of survival camping. I know people will be critical of this but just imagine a fantasy scenario where you had to survive in the bush in Australia for an extended period of time. Anyway I am looking at backpacks that can carry big loads with the most ease. I am also interested in a versatile backpack with lots of easy access pockets though this isn't essential just a nice bonus.

The plan would be to get to different base camps and stay for several weeks at each or even months. So day packs can be used once you set up camp. This pack is intended mainly to carry heavy loads to the camp. Something along the lines of military use packs etc..

It does not have to be external or internal frame. I am still undecided on what the best would be and I know that trying them on is the best way but a lot of the best packs can't be purchased here in Australia so shipping is the only option (these can be returned if not satisfactory).

So far I have looked at: Cirrus access 7000 f2, Kelty tioga 5500, ARUC systems backpack, Kelty red cloud, Denali pro (Gregory), and the Norrona reconpack (among others).

I really like the look and rave on the Norrona recon pack. If anyone has had experience with this backpack please fill me in. If anyone knows of any other backpacks that rate better than the reconpack then please pretty please tell.

Any advice at all would be very much appreciated!

Kind regards,
Terry.
 
I've got myself a Berghaus cyclops II Vulcan rucksack. It's used be standard gear for the dutch special forces. It has 2 daypacks zipped on the sides.
Also another rucksack to be considerd is the Lowe Alpine Saracen. It's now in used by the dutch SF units.

Good luck with your search!
 
Check out the wilderness equpment 'lost world' mate - It's Aussie made (well made in Vietnam by an Aussie company anyway), very tough and WE packs often get top score in gear surveys in the outdoors magazines.

http://www.seatosummit.com.au/home.php

I did the Larapinta last year with a 75 Litre pack, but if you are going out for months then you may need to go to an 80l+ pack.

So where are you heading? Do tell us more.....
 
I don't have anything to add on specific packs, but as for the internal or external frame decision, in general I'd recommend an internal frame. They generally allow more range of motion for your arms and head and don't snag on brush as easily. You can lash all kinds of stuff to the frame on an external frame pack, effectively increasing it's size, but a lot of internal frame packs have various loops and daisy chains that you can attach gear to as well.
 
Another vote for the Berghaus Vulcan; Really tough, cavernous packs. I've carried mine for hundreds of miles, packed up so heavy I had to hoist it with both hands and sort of 'launch' it into the air, spinning around to get it on my back. Once on though, it's really easy to carry as the back system is well designed with a good hip belt to take the weight.

P.s. Three months in the Aussie bush? Critical??? Hell, I'm downright jealous!
 
Kifaru!

Their MMR or EMR bags can carry huge loads comfortably, and they have many options for pouches and add-ons. You can even piggy-back smaller packs onto larger ones. These two models can also be used as haulers with the frame only (for game, large water containers or even a wounded mate).

I have the EMR, Zulu, and E&E bags as well as several pouches and pockets. They are the top of the line bags and you will not be sorry.
 
Hey thanks guys. Great tips. I will be looking into these packs mentioned asap!

It's good to hear from customers rather than from the companies. So much more informative. You guys rock!

As for where I am heading... Haven't pinpointed it yet but likely within say 500 sq K's of my home here:

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Another vote for the Berghaus Vulcan. Big, comfortable, practical and a good belt. Widely used by special forces/rangers. Made to be carried far with heavy load.

Although, a Norrona is also a great choice, those Norwegians make good backpacks. You might want to check out Bergans as well, I believe that is what the brittish SAS are using.
 
Check out Mystery Ranch. I [own a] BDSB which is now called the Kodiak in their military line. They also make a pack frame that you can put a similar bag on, use a load sling or put a smaller pack bag on. Dana Gleason is the owner. Before this he started Dana Designs which made some of the best carrying packs available. They were eventually sold to a company who took production oversees.

Mystery Ranch packs are made in Montana and carry better than any pack I have ever tried on. I am also a big fan of Kifaru but Dana Gleason of Mystery Ranch is a genius in developing pack systems that can carry a ton of weight. I have 4 Mystery Ranch packs and 1 Kifaru (so far LOL...it's only a matter of money).
 
I live by the ruck, and honestly, Kifaru has beat out every ruck that I've owned in durability and comfort. They aren't the lightest but they are totally bombproof. Check out the EMR.
 
A heavy pack system that won't fail and carries weight so that it feels lighter is more my taste. My BDSB weights 9 pounds but it will carry any amount of junk extremely well and it feels lighter than the weight it's carrying. Kifaru does make sweet rucks but I'm not sure about their expedition level gear so I would have to defer to those who have carried them full of stuff. The only pack I have from Kifaru is a Tailgunner. I have to say, that little pack exceeded all expectations in terms of materials and quality of construction. Very nicely built. Another point on pack weight... if you buy a 5 or 6 lb pack and put pouches all over it you are probably carrying a heavy pack.
 
I would recommend the Gregory Whitney. http://gregorypacks.com/prod.php?ID=6

It is pretty big, so you can carry whatever you need. It has access to the main compartment from 5 different spots, so you can get to whatever you need quickly. On top of that, it has tons of pockets, so you can organize your stuff really well.

The "lid" also doubles as a removable day pack in case you need smaller and lighter for a period. Just take it off and strap it on your waist.

I have had mine for about 8 years now, and it has never let me down. It was the second pack I bought, and I just never felt the need to replace it, as it is still as good as new and it meets all the needs I have ever encountered. I don't backpack nearly as much as I used to, but mine has still seen hundreds of miles of trails ranging from pretty light to ones that make you want to cry. I recommend it greatly.
 
I have a Granite Gear 5500 pack that I have had for 6 or 7 years and I am satisfied with the quality. Make sure you try on each of the packs before you buy. When I was shopping for packs there was a noticable difference in the way different manufacturers, with similar designed packs would fit. I went to buy the Gregory, but the Granite Gear felt more comfortable. I also liked the way the Granite Gear opened from the top and side, which made accessing the bottom items easier. I would also suggest looking for packs that are lined with any color but black. A lighter colored liner allows for better light reflection and visibility when digging into the pack.
 
I don´t know how much you want to carry... How much food do you take with you? When I carry more than 35 kg with an unflexible Hipbelt, I start to get backache because of the immobilisation of the spine. It doesn´t matter if i take a cheap pack or a Bergans - fixed hippelt + heavy loads don´t work good on my back.
I would recommend the Norrona Para Ranger (much lighter, cheaper and nearly as good for heavy weight as the Recon Pack, the only difference in the backsystem is the width of the shoulderstraps and internal frame). As far as i know Norrona produces the only big expedition / military pack with a flexible mounted hipbelt. On my last big tour I met a guy, that carried it loaded with around 40 kg at start for several weeks without problems. I tested it and it was by far the best backpack I ever carried. The only reason I don´t own one of them is the price.

Currently I use a pack by the german Brand tatonka, the previous model of this one
http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/tatonka_...tory&utm_content=GBP&currency=GBP&country=GBR
it works good (I carried up to 36kg with it) and is quite cheap for an expeditionpack.

They also have a subbrand called tasmanian tiger, that produce Army packs.
http://www.asmc.de/product_info.php/info/p31366_Rucksack-TT-Range-Pack-olivgreen.html
They got some good reviews (up to 45kg) in german military forums, but not as good as the norrona.

I also know the Berghaus Vulcan, I think it works good up to 30 kg, but not much more, ssince the backsystem is quite outdated. A nice feature is the simplicity, it´s nearly indestructible.

Always remember, that with most Expedition packs, the carrier ist the weak spot of the system. You should thoroughly check, how much weight YOU can carry...
The only time, that my backpack declined my fitnis was, when i carried 34 kg with an old Lowe Aline Cerro Torre.
 
My vote is for the Berghaus cyclops Vulcan rucksack. Mine is DPM, I used to carry it but am now over 60 and the pack is way to big and heavy when loaded. I have gone to one with half the cubes as that one. It is a great rugged, well designed pack. I had a rigger sew on three rows of extra staps across the front to clip on molle gear.
 
I've used a Gregory Shasta for over ten years now - it's been through a lot without a single point of failure. The Shasta may be too small for your needs, but I can attest to the brand - they build packs that last. I've overloaded it, used it as luggage regularly, and hiked more trails than I can remember. Not a single stitch has failed.

In general I don't go for military packs - they're very well built but they're designed to take a lot of abuse and thus are usually heavier than an equivalent civilian backpack with equal capacity. In other words, they're over-built with the assumption that they're going to be abused. It's like the difference between an AK-47 and a fine hunting rifle. You can abuse an AK-47 and it'll still shoot - do the same to a high quality hunting rifle and you may see a failure.

So if you aren't going to be abusing your pack, I'd recommend a civilian model. The weight you save can become more food you can carry. Just my opinion, you know your situation and needs better than anyone else.
 
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