What Size?

D

Dr. Thor

Joined
Mar 30, 2004
Messages
1,151
What size bag would you fellows recommend for use as a day pack, an over-night travel bag, and possibly even a several day hike bag? Is that even possible? Or do I need two bags? Thanks.
 
Hi Dr. Thor,

I recommend the smallest bag you can possibly get by with. This requires a bit of thinking and planning so that you can include all the items you likely need. The bag I'm currently using is by LLBean (You folks can laugh here) and it is approximately 1650 cubic inches. Most of my treks, however, are day hikes. I do think I could go for several days with the pack if I really planned well...of course 2000 cubic inches might allow for more goodies for the multiple day hike.

I travel in cities with a 2000 cubic inch bag for 6 - 8 days at a time and don't go lacking anything.

It seems that in most things I prefer small to large. That even goes in knives. Even my woods knives never go over 4" in blade length (SwampRat Howling Rat LM and Chris Reeves Mountaineer 1).

I hope that the other folks here, most all of whom are more knowledgeable than me, will shed more light on your question.

Best of luck.
:)
 
For multi-day pack I like between 60 to 70L packs. I'm admittedly not the most efficient go-light hiker but this size serves me well. After all, you don't have to fill a bag to capacity! The larger bags tend to have better internal frames (at a weight sacrifice), really good padding, wicking mesh around the back and extra thick waist straps.

For a single day/weekend I like a 40 L pack with an internal frame (lighter than the heavy bag). I find that I end up taking the same amount of equipment for a two day stay as a multiday one - except for less food. If I'm at the top end of capacity of the 40L bag - I switch to my 60 for comfort as above.

For day hikes it all depends on what I'm doing for food and if I'm bringing equipment along. e.g. cooking a meal requires more gear than just going with sandwiches and water. Often a typical school bag is good enough for these purposes - unless I want to bring an axe and other tools along. In that case I would go with the 40 L pack and internal frame for comfort.

Dr. Thor - you might find the 40L a good all around bag for over-nighter/multi-day if you go ultra-light on the multi-day. I still think that you will find it a bit annoying for a light day pack. Maybe a good quality 40 L and a $8 wallmart special book bag would be good.
 
Thanks for your help guys. Right now it is a toss-up between the Mountainsmith Fusion 35 and the Mountainsmith Sting 45. I just can decide whether I need the extra 10 liters or not.
 
The bigger the bag, the more tempted you will be to load it with everything including the kitchen sink. (I know I am) I like to stick with a sub-2000 cubic inch pack. 1800 ci seems about perfect for anything from day hikes to weekenders for me.
 
Dr. Thor said:
Thanks for your help guys. Right now it is a toss-up between the Mountainsmith Fusion 35 and the Mountainsmith Sting 45. I just can decide whether I need the extra 10 liters or not.
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I have the opposite theory. My primary SAR bag and go bags are 40-45ltrs. If I dont fill them I cinch them down and they carry well. An overstuffed smaller bag does not ride the way the bag was designed.

Better to go a bit bigger for when you need the extra space as you will at some point, sooner than later is my experience.

Pack your kit 100% full with the most gear you would need on the longest trip then add 10% and get that size. You will always need more space for optional items or stuff you pick up along the way unplanned. You may only need a 35 ltr bag. Anything more than 35ltrs trumps daypack IMHO thus I have 3 packs at least depending on need.

Mountainsmith makes great packs nice choice.

Skam
 
If it were me, I would be looking at the 45L or a bit larger. It just depends on the gear you will be taking with you. Then as was mentioned, grab one of the cheapo WallyWorld book bags, or like I did, borrowed the daughters Jansport bookbag and used it till she forgot about it. :D
 
Well, I just pulled the trigger on a Mountainsmith Sting 45. I feel that I might buy a small hydration pack for the winter when I'm skiing, something to hold some water and a few chocolate bars, and I need a new sleeping bag, maybe a Snugpak, and a nice stove, maybe a water filter, definitely need one of those and... The list goes on and on. :)
 
tknife said:
The bigger the bag, the more tempted you will be to load it with everything including the kitchen sink. (I know I am) I like to stick with a sub-2000 cubic inch pack. 1800 ci seems about perfect for anything from day hikes to weekenders for me.
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Agreed 100%. Mine is a Kelty Redwing 1650 cu " pack. Just right for day hikes IMHO.
 
For the weekend around 2000 - 2500ci is typical for me. A week around 4500ci. In the winter around 6500ci for a weekend.

KR
 
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