looking for a pack

S

seth

Joined
Apr 23, 2008
Messages
197
any help appreciated !! due to not being able to get any locally, i wont be able to try before i buy, and the amount available online is quite staggering to say the least, i'll list what my requirements are, and hopefully some members on here can help point me in the right direction

first is size.. im not the ultralight type by any means, but i dont pack heavy either, that being said, it will be used for overnighters and weekend trips, right up to a 2 week trek in the jungle in Guyana next january.

second i guess would be price, i got to add shipping + import duties (which can be past 50% on some items) so i have to be careful when buying items. a 200 dollar pack might end up costing me north of 350 :grumpy:

color.. well camo in any form is illegal, and im not a fan of bright colors, nice neutral greens and greys are always preffered.

i think above all, its got to be durable, especially for the jungle trip, internal vs external frame.. i honestly dont know, never had either so cant say which i preffer. any suggestions? :D
 
Any Maxpedition of course.
They come fully equiped... drainage holes, MOLLE attachments everywhere, buncha colors, TOUGH stitching, "piggy back" options, etc.
-Monsoon, Malaga, Kodiak, Typhoon, Falcon 2, Lunada etc.
 
I don't know that there is a maxpedition big enough for that long of a trip.

Maybe one of the Kelty tactical line in Coyote Brown? There are some pretty big packs in that line.

Or you could just go with an old school large ALICE. Some people still swear by them.
 
maxpeditions are awesome looking gear for sure, but i hear they are smaller? more suited for a day pack?
first time seeing the kelty tactical line, time to start finding reviews !
 
I've got a mystery Ranch Grizzly I use for expeditions and long hunting trips. It is an awesome pack if you can afford to drop $600 on a pack. Its well worth the cost IMO.
 
You'll want a nice belt that will allow your hips to take the weight. This is key for carrying 25% to 30% of your body weight. There sure are lots to choose from, but on the trail comfort is very important.
How to pack, where to put the weight, and where that weight rides on your body will be the difference between have a good time and possible misery.

Even an inexpensive internal frame pack, properly packed, that fits you will be better than an expensive pack that rubs you raw. Read up on the subject of fit, and sizing packs. Choose something with a nice waistbelt and plenty of adjustments, like ladder straps to adjust the height of the shoulder straps. And all this changes as you add weight to the pack. My pack cannot go above 45 pounds, it just gets saggy and rides lower on my butt. I end up lifting the weight with each cheek as I walk, and that really sucks.

My answer was to lighten my gear. Money aside, I'd be looking at a Kifaru, or maybe here for a good deal...www.sierratradingpost.com
 
seth said:
first is size.. im not the ultralight type by any means, but i dont pack heavy either, that being said, it will be used for overnighters and weekend trips, right up to a 2 week trek in the jungle in Guyana next january.
Click to expand...
That's a range of use, and has nothing to do with the size pack you will need, since that will depend on the rest of your gear, and the amount of volume it requires.
You need to know your torso size, too. To achieve anything close to a proper fit, you will have to have a pack either made to fit a range that includes that torso size, or with a fully adjustable suspension. That alone does not guarantee a proper fit, it's just a starting point.
You've set yourself up for very poor recommendations with an almost total lack of detail.
You might try a backpacking board, but regardless of where you ask, you will need to list your build/body type, torso size, gear volume and weight, and actual price range to get any worthwhile feedback. Even then, they're going to tell you that fit is everything, and to try a variety of packs, so with that not being an option, the more detail you can give about yourself and your gear the better.

It may seem like a lot of trouble, but the first time you hit the trail for a full day, and are suffering and miserable after 4 hours, with 4, 5...8 more hours to go, because you made a poor pack choice, it will all make perfect sense. It'll be a little late, then, though. Keep the fact that you might be wearing this pack for two weeks straight in mind when thinking about what the right pack is worth.
 
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I have a Kifaru Xray which has one of the best systems on the market with the omni belt. It really sucks the pack into the lumbar area. It is a smaller pack that can carry alot of weight just not alot of bulk.

A couple of gripes about the Kifaru though. One is it is heavy weighing in over 4 lbs. empty. This is do to the overbuilt construction and aluminum stays. I've only found a couple of incidents where a Kifaru pack received damage enough to cause it to give up the ghost. One being a broken zipper and the other a broken plastic piece. Both were fixed by Kifaru but were not fixable in the field.

My second complaint is the omni belt doesn't work with bulky clothing. I wear a Filson double mackinaw cruiser in the winter and the belt won't cinch down properly with the coat. It won't cinch down over a sturdy leather belt either. I imagine other pack belts suffer from this same problem though. In the winter I just switch packs to a traditional pack sans waistbelt. The Kifaru belt is removable but no need for me to carry the Kifaru when it loses out without the omnibelt.

For winter I use a Frost River pack. These are probably the most bombproof packs ever made with waxed canvas construction and nothing to break over time. The only drawback to a pack like this is there is no frame so it isn't as comfortable as the load bearing packs. I have found though if you pack one right the weight will pull itself into the lumbar area and rest there and on the shoulder straps.

I'm not sure which pack I would want if I could only have one do it all for the rest of my life.
 
The Maxpedition VultureII is plenty big for 3 day journeys. For a week, Id want a bigger pack. The large Alice pack is good and cheap.

Ive had my eys on one of the Karimor Sabre 75s for quite some time now. I got to see one up close awhile back and they are top notch. Since your out of US anyways, the shipping from England shouldnt be an issue. As soon as I have a longer trip planned this fall, I will be getting one.

http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/292-Karrimor-Sabre-75-litre-Rucksack/
 
I don't think that I can be of much help, since most of the brands here in Europe are not that common in the Caribbeans and vice versa.
As others wrote before, it would help alot to know more about ur body size, torso, height, weight and so on, and try to have an idea of how much weight and space u will need. Even if u don't have the opportunity to buy a pack where u live, u should be able to see a few and make urself an idea about the sizes. Also, putting on ur bed everything u are going to bring, and filling a bag with everything, will help u understand ur own needs.
Anyway, there is one thing that I can tell from now...my guess is that u will need 2 packs, not one.
Cause a 2 day hike is way different from a 2 week trip, and carrying a big empty pack for one night is not comfy at all, nor is finding out that u have no room for what u need to carry for 2 weeks.
I have 3 packs myself, one for day hikes, one for 1 or 2 nights out, one for longer trips, I'm far from having all bases covered but I can't spend that much on gear and I chose to have a few but good quality options that cover the range of my needs.
:cool:
 
you need two packs :) something in the 25-35-ish liters for overnights/weekends (this is premised on packing light/low volume) and something in the 45-60-ish liter range for a week trip (again light/low volume- which a jungle trip should be)
 
Loving my Tasmanian Tiger 'TT Patrol Pack' so far. It has yet to experience a full on camping trip (just got it a few weeks ago,) but it's been great for hiking. Mine is a 32 litre ruck, which is too small for a two-week trip, even with the copious MOLLE expansion points, imo. But there are larger packs available from this company.
 
Well my first advise would be to try before you buy, but since that can't be done, let me offer my suggestion.

Deuter ACT Lite 65+10
http://www.rei.com/product/795605/deuter-act-lite-65-10-pack

* It's not a super light pack, but isn't unreasonably heavy at 3lbs.
* It has an adjustable harness, so it is one size fits all, which I think is an important factor since you can't try packs on to get the right fit. With this pack you can customize the size to fit you.
* It has a fantastic harness system that is very comfortable for larger loads
* It's size is perfect for the weekend to week+ trips
* It is VERY reasonably priced for what you get. Similar packs from other brands go for twice as much if not more.

My wife and I both have this pack. (She has the women's version) I went through 2 packs before settling on this one. The first two I owned(which were more expensive) just didn't cut it when it came to comfort on the trail. This is the most comfortable pack I have ever used, and is perfect for how we use it for weekend to weeklong trips. So, anyways, given your situation, I think this is going to be your best bet, especially for the price. But, of course, I'm biased...

P.S. I have no affiliation with the manufacturer, I'm just a very satisfied customer.
 
sorry for the late replys, work keeps me going at weird hours and when im home, computer isnt my first priority :( but thanks for the advice so far !

im 6'4, weigh 235 lbs, 38 inch waist, however in january i was 265 lbs with a 41 inch waist, and im still on track to being 220 lbs in december.. i assume this will affect pack fitment?

2 packs would be a last resort, id rather lug around some extra gear on a shorter trip to fill empty space than buy a smaller pack, however, thinking about it.. i have no problem with owning several dozen knives, and lugging 4-6 of them on a overnight camping trip..

the help so far has been appreciated !
 
I carry an Osprey Pack. You'll pay for it, but it's well worth it. I've taken it on overnighters, and on 3-5 day trips in the Grand Canyon fully loaded. It's very comfortable. Best pack I've owned. Definitely worth the money. I've used it for a lot of hiking out here in Arizona and it breaths well, so you won't be a completely sweaty animal when you are done (unless you just are already a sweaty animal!). Just my two cents on this topic.
 
For a day pack, I carry a Deuter ACT Trail 32. If you have a sleeping bag that packs down well (goose down), you will have plenty of room for that, gear, and food for an overnighter or a Bug Out Bag style.
Very comfortable and will not break the bank. I bought mine used on ebay for $65.
 
How long between re-supply on your planned trek in Guyana? There is a world of difference between a pack that can handle a two night jaunt and one that needs to handle a 5+ day expedition. Personally I'd strongly advise against trying to find one pack that can do both very well.

Also, is your Guyana trip going to be on-trail, or will there be significant bushwhacking?

If your Guyana trip is going to involve frequent re-supply or way points then I'd lean towards a smaller pack - something in the 45-50 liter range. A true expedition pack will be upwards of 80-100 liters.

If you will not be doing any off-trail stuff then an external frame pack might be an option. Particularly because they often have better ventilation - a real concern in a hot, humid climate. Two weeks of a wet nylon bag pressed against your back is a recipe for a nasty fungal rash.

A previous poster mentioned Mystery Ranch - their stuff is top notch, but expensive and heavy. Kelty is a good mid-price option. Gregory and Arc'teyx are other top names in the backpacking world.

I'm not sure what countries offer you the most advantageous purchasing arrangements, but if possible do check out Mountain Equipment Co-op. It is a Canadian outfit, a true co-op so you will need to purchase a membership, and they offer a wide line of packs, some their own some by others, and their prices are about as good as you will get.
 
Maxpedition is ok but in my opinion they don't make anything large enough for 2 weeks and their waist belts are lacking.

look at an Eberlestock half track.
 
I agree with the above, get a Mystery Ranch. I have one of their 3 day packs and it is unreal! Doesn't hurt my feelings either that they are 100% made in USA (Bozeman, MT). My advice is buy one and never look back!!
 
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