Took the new ZXR out for a first trip- a day trip

Cool shots!

need to get in better shape, this 45lb pack kicked my rear today.
Click to expand...
This is why I'm going "lite" from now on. On a recent trip, I was forced to bring half as much stuff as I normally do and ended up having twice the fun. In my opinion, less is more outdoors.
 
What pockets do you have on the sides of the Molle Express? What is your estimate of how long of a trip would it be adequate for? Three days or just an overnighter? Thanks.
 
Those are the standard long pocket, top zip... top zips are nice because you can literally CRAM stuff into them. I have fitted them with a golite shangri-la 3, a poncho, and some OR expedition gaiters and still had room left. I have also packet all food for 5 days into 1 (using freezer bag cooking and similar recipes to dine with) during the hunt... however it was a bit heavy and I felt it to one side. I anticipate I will be able to fit the new supertarp annex and woobie into one, give me till about mid May (if still stateside) to find out since that's the anticipated ship date for the supertarp, annex and small stove.. CANT wait for this little combo.

The molle ex would be a great good/ decent weather weekend pack "IF" you either have a small shelter and sleeping bag or you add a pod for the sleeping bag. Being I have 2 medium pods, its great for my Wiggys bag. Add the bear canister to the rear in a med pod, then toss the bag in the pod in the bottom and still have room for the longs... or just place one to each side, the options are endless.... I want to try and squeeze a few extra hundred out of my paychecks and purchase a molle ex and mod pod to replace my Max Condor II GHB that I keep in my car. Yeah the condor works, but on the last experiment trek of @16 miles (partially paved, or improvised roads) after work on a Friday to a family members house in Grantsville Utah.... it was not much joy. Besides the condor feeling like I was carrying a bowling ball in my back, I felt every step. I would gladly double the mileage to carry the load in the molle ex its that comfortable. the photo I hosted that shows it on the hill that day weighed a little over 35lbs and it was without the waist belt, @8 miles, and I felt GREAT... even a few jogs across the intersections on yellows and my body did not complain. Really have to experience it to enjoy how these packs can feel. If I could have had one, AND used one, in my days as a Marine I would have been a great deal happier, alas that was mid to late 90's and no joy was to be had...

Of course if you need to pack cold weather gear or you have a metric shit ton of equipment, your results will vary but I can see many living out of a molle ex and a pod for a weekend easy. Only down fall to the molle ex is the lack of belt that cost about $50 extra.... just a little extra you need to concider... or you can do the 2008 G1 gear at discounted rates and add the belt and be WELL under a new G2 gear MEx just click... https://www.kifaru.net/2008MG.html you will have to compare if the G1 vx G2 features are worth the extra dough for you, but at 30% off its hard to beat!

As for the med pod thing... https://www.kifaru.net/images/melEXP7.jpg here is the famous model from Kifaru showing off possibilities for the express.
 
kwilliams i was thinking the exact same thing cats imprints don't normally have the claws showing. was a big dog though for sure lol.

man you live in a beautiful place. lots of wild life. can you hunt that area for the deer? obviously they aren't in season but just curious.

and wow you got a very nice collection of packs
 
No, hunting off limits... its the watershed area, but LOTs of great hunting not far from here. And Yeah after I posted that and williams pointed it out to me I recognized my error... its part of learning. Thanks for the great words.
 
Great photos Spoolup! I actually loaned my EMR out to a fellow WSS forum member for some backpacking around the area while he's in school. It's a monster of a pack and now that the kids are older and carrying most of their own stuff, I keep it just from my main bug-out-bag especially for the winter months. I like the size of the ZXR and it has a great design. I've been using both my Gregory Z65 and my Kifaru Pointman for my shorter trips, trying to keep weight down to 40-45 pounds...it makes life on the trail or bushwhacking much more manageable; of course humping 45 pounds up hills like yours is a butt-kicker!

If you have to carry substantial weight over rough terrain, Kifaru's suspension is by far one of the best systems out there!

ROCK6
 
Never said favorite... think its funny that every shot they get from him he has this look of.... get it over or Ill take thee camera and stick it up your... look on his face. The Zulu is the original popular pack from Kifaru.. they have been jumped (Dan did it) beat and abused, but keep asking for more... the belt situation still applies to the Zulu as well, and a bit bigger than the MEx, about the space of a back pouch bigger (1000cuin), in the photo of packs, add the E&E up front to the MEx.
 
Beautiful country! I've been eyeballing an Express for a while. Thanks for the info on it.
 
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