View Full Version : Pack Volume?
I'm sure this question has been much discussed, but save me the time of browsing through numerous pages, and lets go over it again. What is the neccesary volume of a pack to carry up to 7 or 8 days of lightweight gear and food? How does this compare to the size of a pack needed for a thru-hike? I currently have an Osprey Aether 45 for climbing and weekenders, and recently picked up an Aether 60 of eBay for a steal. I'm trying to figure out if a larger pack, such as the Aether 75 would be neccesary. Its a considerable amount more space (and weight) and I like the detachable top pocket and seperate sleeping bag compartment, enough to justify the purchase if it is neccesary. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Alligator
12-01-2005, 01:08
...Any suggestions? Thanks!
Yes, when and where are you going to be hiking for 7-8 days?
saimyoji
12-01-2005, 02:02
Check out the articles section before you solicit advice. You'll find that people are willing to give advice, but sometimes get tired of dishing out the same advice, over and over and over and.....hence the articles section.
Hope this helps.
thing is, yer not carrying 7-8 days o gear yer thinking 3-4...even if you actually would carry 7-8 days of food, you can always strap on a food bag outside yer pack.
4 day pack should carry 3500-4500 cubes. 4500 is over the top, but sometime i would carry 5 days of food. some folks would laugh at me for saying 3500 cubes. i met a sobo who hiked so far every day, he just dropped by a mini mart at meal times. he had a camelbak and the clothes he had on....i assume there was raingear hidden inside, after all it was winter in GA, raining and cold.
think less baby! a mid size pack with quality support is what-cher lookin for!
i have a kelty redcloud 5400....too big for me, now, for winter hikes, kelty moraine 3600 (maybe) for summer hikes, oh and if yer reading the AT institute tread, a 4x4 v8 tundra for carrying the heavy stuff. hehehe
since yer a backpacker already, you have whatcha need already. evalate what you like and don't like, go to the outfitter and try what works within yer hiking style. unless yer going to alaska, i bet you can resupply soon enough to use a strong yet lower cubed pack.
Whistler
12-01-2005, 08:01
I think the Aether 60 could be a good choice, something like 36-3700ci. That volume is right in the sweet spot.
-Mark
Kerosene
12-01-2005, 11:37
There aren't too many places (if any) on the AT where you need to carry a week's worth of supplies at a time. Certainly 3500 cubes should be sufficient for 3-season hiking on the AT. Some packs have extension collars that add another 500-1000 cubes where you can add in another food bag if you don't want to go to the trouble of lashing to your pack.
I found a Mountainsmith Chimera 3000cc pack worked, barely. In the Smokies I added a side cargo pocket and moved everything I could to the outside in order to make room for enough food to last from Fontana to Davenport.
But in the summer when I quit cooking I even mailed the removable top pocket ahead and still had room to spare. So my pack size worked perfectly.
The Solemates
12-01-2005, 12:58
my pack for my thru was 3900ci. i filled it up in the winter (we left feb 1), but towards the end of my hike i could have easily done with just a 2800-3000ci pack.
The Solemates
12-01-2005, 12:59
oh, and we frequently carried >5 days worth of food, despite the fact that many say they only carry 3-4 days. i guess we just didnt stop as much.
What is the neccesary volume of a pack to carry up to 7 or 8 days of lightweight gear and food? How does this compare to the size of a pack needed for a thru-hike? I currently have an Osprey Aether 45 for climbing and weekenders, and recently picked up an Aether 60 of eBay for a steal. I'm trying to figure out if a larger pack, such as the Aether 75 would be neccesary. Its a considerable amount more space (and weight) and I like the detachable top pocket and seperate sleeping bag compartment, enough to justify the purchase if it is neccesary. Any suggestions? Thanks!
The Aether 75/90 class packs are more than you need. The kind of weight they're designed to carry is for climbers, basecamping, expeditions and such. The seperate sleeping bag section is not needed. The extra zipper access is nice, but not enough to justify the extra weight.
The Aether 60 is favored by lots of people, and you'll probably find it works well for you. Because the top pocket is "floating" (adjustable 4-point attachments) you can raise it up to stow even more gear. And there's plenty of attachment points elsewhere. I use it year-round, except during the hottest months when I go ultralight with a daypack.
Doug Frost
peter_pan
12-02-2005, 15:41
My home-made packs have 2000-2200 single compartments and 3 mesh pockets that hold everthing for three season hike gear and up to 4-5 days of food....can get in a winter load and a two day food plug in these same packs....summer gear fits in a gossemer gear G6 pack with room to spare ( 1800-2000) with only one external pocket....but then i am talking all compressable down quilts, hammock, no pads and the lightest of clothes and kitchen.
Best advice is check the articles section... and then take your pile of gear to an out fitters and try out various packs.:-?
Pan
Footslogger
12-02-2005, 16:37
Seems like starting with pack volume might be a little "cart before the horse" ...no ?? Sure, there's a general volume "range" that typcially works for a lot of hikers but to be totally honest I'd suggest going at it a different way.
Rather than estimating the required pack volume, why not assemble everything you plan to carry, take it to an outfitter and actually pack a few packs to see which one carries your load the best.
Guess my reasoning is that not all packs rated at 3600 cu. in. are created equal.
Anyway ...just another thought.
'Slogger
clayrfarris
01-06-2006, 11:15
Take a look at this site. http://www.mybackpackinggear.com/ Pack your virtual backpack!! You pick the pack, and the gear and get an idea of how it works together.
I used the Aether 60 for my thru-hike and was fine... I even sent the lid home after I got rid of all the other things I didnt need. Which made the pack about 3300 cu.in. And I was able to fit 5 to 6 days of food in it and still had some space to cram in some beer. So, you should be fine... Best advice, pack your bag and see if it fits or not... Since you already picked up an Aether 60, dont bother getting another pack, until you have the rest of your gear in order. Then see how it works out for you.
Kerosene
01-11-2006, 19:59
Take a look at this site. http://www.mybackpackinggear.com/ Pack your virtual backpack!! You pick the pack, and the gear and get an idea of how it works together.I love it when I can point my wife to someone who spends more time than me on backpacking stuff. :D Neat site!
Seems like starting with pack volume might be a little "cart before the horse" ...no ?? Sure, there's a general volume "range" that typcially works for a lot of hikers but to be totally honest I'd suggest going at it a different way.
Rather than estimating the required pack volume, why not assemble everything you plan to carry, take it to an outfitter and actually pack a few packs to see which one carries your load the best.
Guess my reasoning is that not all packs rated at 3600 cu. in. are created equal.
Anyway ...just another thought.
'Slogger
My now ex wife bought me a Gregory Palisade back in Dec. '96 as a present to replace my old but trusty ex military gear. I promptly visited the local outfitter ASAP and had it filled up !! What a horrible mistake. I departed Springer Feb. '97 with over 55 lbs total pack weight, my back still hurts when I think about it, of all this gear i filled her up with I only have the FF sleeping bag that I still use.
I would very much agree with slogger. Get your gear sorted out then get the pack. I am thinking that something in the 2900 ci to 3500 ci should be more than enough for most AT thru-hikes.
I have used a Dana Designs Bridger ( site says 4000 ci's, but I think my '02 model is smaller ?, 3600 ci's maybe ? ) that is a tad heavy but real comfortable, a version of the ULA P-2 ( 3500 ci's ?) that you can talk to these folks about: www.mountaincrossings.com/store.html and I now use the Go-lite Breeze(2900 ci's). On this one you must get not much more than 20 lbs total to stay comfortable. I think the Go-lite Breeze is now called the Dawn ?
Shelter, sleeping bag and pad( if any), change of clothes, diddy bag with personal goodies( flashlight, compass,tp. P-38, knife,sewing kit, & matches), rain jacket or poncho, food bag, then the pack ...
:o