View Full Version : First Moderate Size Pack
sclittlefield
01-03-2009, 11:36
Hey all, first off, thanks so much for all of your advice and expertise re: camping and hiking. I am so glad I stumbled upon this site.
I'm looking at getting into some more lengthy hikes, but still not able to do a thru-hike (more time off issues than anything else). I would like to get a fairly good pack to hold my gear for week long hikes. I'm not an ultra-light'er or gram-pansy ;) but I am trying to drop my weight down as much as is comfortable (alcohol stove, very light cookset, HH Expedition... that sort of thing).
I really need a good idea on pack size. I want something that will carry what I need for a moderate length hike, and if possible large enough for if I ever do get to thru-hike, but that's not absolutely necessary.
Oh, and money is very tight, so $100.00 to $150.00 at the outset is my range, so very large or very high-end is out, unfortunately. I've found a few for good prices, but I really just don't know the size I'll be needing. I don't want to have to buy pack after pack after pack.
I'll toss in a couple links on what I've been looking at. Let me know what you think on size and ideas for where to look. Thanks.
http://www.rei.com/product/747528
http://www.rei.com/product/747515 (actually I'd like the UL 60 pack, but they're out of it right now, so no link on that)
http://www.rei.com/product/763964
IMO, the packs you linked to are probably pretty small unless you're the UL "gram weenie" type. If you want a good pack that will work for you and your gear, first get all the gear that will go into your yet-to-be-purchesed pack. Then drop all preconceived notions of North Face this and Granite Gear that, don't worry about brand names, you're going to hike, not carry a status symbol.
After you do all that, take your gear to a reputable, knowledgeable outfitter with a staff that hikes. Avoid places like Dick's Sporting Goods, Bass Pro Shops, etc. like the plague. Once you're there, explain what you're going to do, how long you're going to be out for and then listen to their sugestions. Load your goodies into a few packs, walk around some and see how they work out for you. Let the staff fit you with the right size pack for your body and torso length and then make a purchase.
If price is a concern, then save a few extra bucks before you go to make your pack purchase. Either way you go, make sure you get a pack that works for you and carries all your gear in relative comfort, regardless of name brand. My best advice is not to listen to the gear geeks who like to push name brands. Whatever you decide, good luck.
FYI- I have found Epic Sports to be expensive.
http://www.spadout.com/
This is a good site to check prices. It is possible to find cheaper prices, but this is a start.
If you get to Augusta, swing by EMS. They have some functional house packs, and their web site outlet/sale prices can be wicked.
What's the most weight you might want to carry?
A good pack, even an ultralight pack of 4500ci, should be capable of carrying 20 times its own weight. You shouldn't need a pack weighing more that 2 pounds.
If you are carrying stuff for the wife and kids, or want to carry 60 pounds just for the heck of it, then you might need something bigger, but in the long run you will get alot more use out of 3000-4500ci pack weighing under 2 pounds, than any 3000-6000ci pack weighing over 4 pounds. My biggest regret was the heavy pack I bought. That money could have gone towards a really decent winter sleeping bag.
I would suggest the Go-Lite Pinnacle. At 4500ci, there is alot of flexibility. It's only supposed to be for 30 pounds, so you can't fill it with bricks, but there is enough room to carry lots of stuff without having to compress it too much, which saves time and money and weight. I use a Go-Lite Jam2 at 3100ci, and its great for 3-5 days even in winter, but for winter or if I wanted to bring a family tent in summer, more volume would be better. If you pack it right you can push the 30 pound limit to 40 pounds, if its a good fit. Use a blue foam pad like a tube, and toss everything into it. That makes the pack stronger, easier to pack, and easier to carry.
A thru hike is nothing more than a bunch of week long hikes strung together. You should be able to find a pack that will work for a thru-hike as well as your week long jaunts. I would get the pack that I intended to thru-hike with. Does it have to be an internal pack? Kelty sells a great external, called the Trekker, for about 100 bucks. I have one and will use it when I'm carrying winter gear. If I remember right, this pack is 3900 ci., so right around 4000 would be a good place to aim for as far as size goes. BTW, I got my Trekker at Bass Pro Shops for $20 cheaper than the outfitters.
Something like 3000ci is doable on long hikes and useful even on dayhikes, but something like 4000ci is more flexible with long hikes in mind. It allows you to do stuff like 2 blue foam pads rather than a self-inflator, and a tarp or tent and sleeping bag and extra fleece layers without having to fold and pack too tightly. Also, for something like a thru-hike, which I've never done, it would be nice to have some crazy room for leaving town with stuff like french bread and wine and cheese or potato chips or something like that now and then. Also, in rain its nice to be able to break camp quickly by just tossing stuff in, sleeping bag in a garbage bag, but otherwise just tossing stuff in and going.
Personally, I'm thrilled with my Granite Gear Vapor Trail ~$100 http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/GRG0011/Granite-Gear-Vapor-Trail-Backpack-3600-cu-in.html?CMP_ID=SH_FRO002&CMP_SKU=GRG0011&mv_pc=r126
I use it for 4 season camping here in the south. It's big for my summer loads, and tight for a winter load at elevation - but that's with my gear.
That being said, it would not have been big enough for the first iteration of my backpacking gear. If you haven't already bought gear: big 3 or 4, clothing, etc., I'd suggest you do the research on those items first, get them, THEN get the backpack you need for your gear.... (and yes, the $350 Gregory Whitney is still hanging in my closet.....).
There are dozens of gear lists posted by many on this site to give you ideas. I'd also suggest trying bgt: www.backpackgeartest.org (http://www.backpackgeartest.org) to research gear by category.....
There seems to be alot more packs in the under 2 pounds but still reasonable volume category, like 3000ci up. This is a good thing. Still can't get them at the scout shop here in town, or most mainstream places, but some mainstream places are starting to carry them. Mountain Equipment Co-op in Canada, for example, still doesn't have full sized packs under 2 pounds, but they are getting there. It's getting better.
I finally got rid of the > 5 pound > $200 pack from my closet.
I gave it to a good friend of mine to get him out hiking with me.
He works out. I'm hoping it will slow him down a little. :)
I finally got rid of the > 5 pound > $200 pack from my closet.
I gave it to a good friend of mine to get him out hiking with me.
He works out. I'm hoping it will slow him down a little. :)
I bought mine at REI 4 years ago. I was in the local store before Christmas, chatting with one of the guys who works there. I told him about the pack, and that it had been hanging in my closet unused for the last 4 years. He said, "Bring it back in - we'll be happy to take it back!"
Gotta love their return policy - and philosophy! It is still hanging in my closet tho - I'm a little sentimental about it!
skinewmexico
01-03-2009, 20:21
REI has redesigned all of the UL packs, so they'll be on closeout for a while. It's really hard to beat a GoLite Jam2 or Pinnacle. They are being redesigned too, so they'll be on closeout too. The new ones are heavier. Sunnysports has the Pinnacle on sale for $75 bucks right now.
sclittlefield
01-03-2009, 20:29
Thanks so much everyone for the input. I'm thinking somewhere around 60-65L is going to be the right size. I've done some more looking around and am fairly interested in these (though, I'll still be looking around for a while before purchasing).
http://www.backcountryedge.com/deuter-zero-60-08.aspx
http://www.rei.com/product/762485
bigcranky
01-03-2009, 22:15
A pack for week long hikes, or thru-hikes, or even just nice weekend hikes:
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=34
under 2 pounds, easily handles 35 pounds. Get the optional aluminum stays, they are useful. I've been using mine for 4 seasons, and for me it's been the best combination of weight and capacity.
A pack for week long hikes, or thru-hikes, or even just nice weekend hikes:
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=34
under 2 pounds, easily handles 35 pounds. Get the optional aluminum stays, they are useful. I've been using mine for 4 seasons, and for me it's been the best combination of weight and capacity.
You can order this one with hipbelt pockets, which I strongly recommend trying to find. This is an excellent feature to have on a pack to keep snacks, map, camera handy. I have a ULA pack I got in '05 and I would never buy a pack without them.
http://www.ula-equipment.com/circuit.htm
Here is a link to the smaller version of my bag. 3800 cu.in. But look at that weight 2lbs, 4oz!!! I love this bag and the customer service is by far the best you'll ever get. The ULA and Six Moon Designs are both very popular on the trail and for good reason. Both are designed by hikers. Both are small cottage industries and the packs hold up for a very long time.
A thru hike is nothing more than a bunch of week long hikes strung together. You should be able to find a pack that will work for a thru-hike as well as your week long jaunts. I would get the pack that I intended to thru-hike with. Does it have to be an internal pack? Kelty sells a great external, called the Trekker, for about 100 bucks. I have one and will use it when I'm carrying winter gear. If I remember right, this pack is 3900 ci., so right around 4000 would be a good place to aim for as far as size goes. BTW, I got my Trekker at Bass Pro Shops for $20 cheaper than the outfitters.
I love my Trekker for SHORT trips with the family, where I don't mind carrying the kitchen sink to a nearby campsite. It carries well and has a very comfortable hip belt. I grew up with external frames, and I still love the ability to strap all of my belonging to the outside of the pack. That makes it easier if one of my sons gets tuckered out and I need to carry his load.
That said, this is a 5-lb pack. I'd strongly recommend something lighter for week-long trips and/or long miles.
A pack for week long hikes, or thru-hikes, or even just nice weekend hikes:
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=34
under 2 pounds, easily handles 35 pounds. Get the optional aluminum stays, they are useful. I've been using mine for 4 seasons, and for me it's been the best combination of weight and capacity.
Big Cranky, That hipbelt looks awful skinny. Don't you find it digging into your gut? I really like my SixMoon Wild Oasis, but personally I'm sold on ULA packs.
OP, Have you considered the ULA Conduit? A bit smaller than your last post indicates, but it is only $100 and comes with ULA's superb reputation. This is probably going to be my next pack, soon too. Will still use my P2 for winter, but this should be more than adequate for three season. 3200 cu in/50 liter, 17 oz.
I would definitly get the hip pockets, so that will add a bit to the cost and weight, but well worth it for the convenience.
http://www.ula-equipment.com/conduit.htm
Good luck, I'm pretty sure you will enjoy any decent pack you get. Going lighter makes a HUGE difference.
bigcranky
01-04-2009, 19:06
Big Cranky, That hipbelt looks awful skinny. Don't you find it digging into your gut? I really like my SixMoon Wild Oasis, but personally I'm sold on ULA packs.
Lyle,
I got the SMD pack long before they offered the hip belt with the pockets, so I actually bought a ULA hip belt and put it on my Starlite. Works pretty well.
LIhikers
01-08-2009, 23:19
I like my Mountainsmith Boundary pack