Packs

[j williams]

Hey MT, what Osprey you packin?

 

[coolhand68]

I've been doing overnighters for a while now. I was wondering if anyone could point my in the right direction on pack size etc.

How much volume would be required for a 3 day hike verses a 5 day trek?

I've been looking at Kifaru Mystery Ranch and Eberlestock and have been having a hard time deciding which pack is for me.

I'm currently using a Snugpak rocket pack which is 70litres (40 litres central ruck plus two 15litre pods on each side). It's great for what it is but the waist belt is not load bearing so all the weight is on the shoulders.

IMHO the Eberlestock is ideal for hunters or military personnel. Regardless it's a great pack. If you aren't packing a rifle I would go with a Mystery Ranch or anything from the major pack brands like Osprey, Gregory, Arc'teryx, Mountainsmith, Kelty etc. The Kelty MAP is a great pack for three days trips and won't break the bank.

 

[mtwarden]

Hey MT, what Osprey you packin?

Jake- it's a Osprey Exos 46- pretty nice blend of full features and light weight

Mike

 

[HornyToad]

I consider my Camelbak HAWG and Pygmy Falcon as daypacks. Enough to carry fun gear and some things to get you through the night healthy if not happy. For a several day pack you need a pack with a real load carrying waist belt. That means the pack has to be tall if not big, so the belt is on you hips and the shoulder straps are high enough to keep the bag from leaning backwards. I managed to get 20 pounds of tarp, bivy, water filter, kit and some food into the HAWK and it was stuffed full. No way the Falcon could hold the volume.

I have a Jansport Syncline 38 (38 liter) pack that is barely tall enough to have a real hip belt. It held what I would consider a warm weather three to five day amount of gear including sleeping pad on the outside. I would use a thin travel blanket and warm clothes to sleep in as no way to carry a sleeping bag. I got this bag for $50 on closeout and is not presently made. Here is a picture:

http://www.amazon.com/JanSport-Syncline-38-Technical-Freedom/dp/B0007NT3L2

It has several vertical partitions and small zippered areas that were big enough to hold larger items like the tarp and food bags, and also allowed you to organize your small things. I just wish it had patches on the bottom to strap a sleeping bag.