Help choosing a pack

[grrickar]

I am looking to section hike beginning either later this summer or spring of next year, and I am gearing up for some week to two week trips. I weigh 239lbs now, and according to my last assessment 176lbs of that is lean. I have some weight to lose before the hikes (and likely will lose some on the hikes as well). I'm 6'1" and I'm looking for a pack to support weeklong trips. I have seen all kinds, some ultralight that did not appear too sturdy (or maybe I'm just looking at this all wrong), some heavy, some in-between.

Here is what I am considering:
The North Face Badlands 75
Osprey Aether 60 or 75
Gregory Z Pack

Any advice guys? My budget is about $200, give or take a bit. What volume packs should I be considering? What is the generally accepted weight for the pack alone? Since my other gear isn't the lightest I thought I to save myself some aches I should get a lighter pack. I really like the Ospreys so far.

[charlottebronte]

See next post. I messed something up.

[charlottebronte]

My size and general state of wimpiness generally goes in the opposite direction, but I have selected the Gregory Z, after trying, perhaps 10 other packs (including the Osprey for my size frame).
The reason I picked it? It fits. That was the most important thing. It is in my weight bracket (under 3 lbs somewhere), but that only helped me choose it over another Gregory that also fit. These were the only 2 packs that fit.

Load each of the packs up and walk around, even if they only let you walk around in the store. Pack it different ways (this makes a huge difference). Gregory's web site has a graphic on optimal packing arrangements.

Look in the mirror with the pack on! Doublecheck the way it's supposed to look against the instructions on the web site. The Osprey, while technically my size, towered over my head, like by a whole foot! No thank you... nice reality check that I should have thought up way earlier in the process.

[verber]

As Charlotte observed... most important is if the pack fits YOU well. As to what pack fits ME the best. I found that the Osprey Aether 60 and the Granite Gear Vapor Trail are really great. If I am carrying <30lbs / 2900 cu/in I typically use the Vapor Trail. More than >30lbs / 2900 cu/in I used the Aether. For additional details see my pack page http://www.verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/pack.html#light

Also, I would recommend that you get the rest of your gear lighter and then go after the pack. Nothing is worst than carrying a load which is too heavy for a pack's suspension.

[SGT Rock]

I guess you need to decide what you need and what you plan to actually carry (including stuff you don't need but want) before picking a pack. Get a gear weigh calculator and make some ideal packs, then pick the most comfortable, lightest pack that will support the weight. Don't get caught in the theory a pac has to weigh 8 pounds to carry weight well.

[Alligator]

My experience is with the Aether 60. If you are out for a week with no resupply and are not a strict ultralighter, you will be pushing the limits of this pack. If you are regularly going a week at a time, you might wish to consider the Aether 75. There's a whole thread on the Aether 60 somewhere on site which might be worth checking out. I believe Baltimore Jack uses the Aether 75, he might be able to give you an opinion as he has considerable experience in planning different resupply time periods.

[grrickar]

So far my other gear (at least the bulk of the weight) consists of:
Brunton Optimus Nova Stove 15oz
Wiggy's UltraLight Bag 3lbs 8oz (winter, summer will likely be a fleece bag/quilt)
MSR Hubba Tent 3lbs 7oz
Snow Peak Ti pot (largest piece from a SP Multi set) ? oz

definitely not ultra-light gear. My estimate is about 9.5 lbs for those.

I may use an alcohol stove to lighten the weight up some, and a much lighter bag for the summer. The gear above would be cold weather and would be worst-case scenario I suppose.

[Alligator]

I switched from hiking heavy to hiking light, but I 'm not an ultralight hiker. My pack still weighs in between 25-35 lbs w/food and water, depending on season and days. I think I could push a week with my pack, depending on season. I have no need to switch to my expedition size pack except for in the winter.

I use a tarp no tent.
A synthetic 3 lb. bag, not down.
Have a thermarest, ultralight long. Not a foam pad, nor a 3/4.
Carry Polar Pure, not a filter.
Simmerlite stove not alcohol, I cook a lot and the fuel savings add up. Everything I carry fits inside my pack and I have some room to spare. If you have a tent and a thermarest, the volume starts to add up quickly. The Aether 60 has loops on the bottom for a sleeping pad, and you could put a tent up top. I wouldn't put a thermarest on the bottom loops though because it would drag.

Rock's suggestion to calculate the ideal pack weight is good. And if you can take all that stuff down to your local outfitter and throw it in a pack to make sure it all fits and carries nice. This may, however be impractical because those four packs may not be showroomed close.

[kythruhiker]

As your budget allows, you can definately shave a bunch of weight off your bag and your tent. I'd recommend Western Mountaineering ultralight bags for both winter and summer...I use the Highlite for summer, weighing in at 1 pound even, and the Ultralite for my winter bag, at 1 lb 10oz. Am currently using a Eureka Zeus EXO 2 at way over 3lbs, but just ordered a TarpTent Cloudburst (6 weeks to go!) with the sewn in floor, to get me under 2 and a half pounds.

I'm in the pack market myself, as it my final "heavy" piece of gear that I need to trim. Currently carrying an Osprey Silhouette, at 7lbs+. I've looked at the two Osprey's you've mentioned, and haven't decided yet which one will carry the load the best - my plans are to find a local outfitter that has both packs and take my stuff down and load 'er up....so far I've yet to find an outfitter with both packs in stock at the same time.

Good luck,
Ky Thru

[grrickar]

I know down is better suited for weight and compactness, but I have also heard that when wet it becomes a problem in low temps. What is everyone's opinion on that?

My guess is that with a down bag you just need to take greater pains to ensure it stays dry (not that you would want to dunk either type). The local shop recommended a La Fuma bag, which I had never heard of.

A local hiker recommended Wiggy's due to his unconditional warranty and his claims on the benefits of lamilite insulation. I have a heavy Kelty Solar-Silk synthetic bag that is about to be handed down to my daughter. It is a mummy bag and I am about 5 inches taller than when I bought it in my youth so it doesn't fit me anymore.

The nearest REI (my best bet for looking at packs) is in Nashville, TN - so about a two hour drive. Why there is not an REI in Bama I have no idea. In the Huntsville area alone there are quite a few biking/hiking/canoeing/kayaking clubs, not to mention hunters an casual campers. I have been buying everything off the internet, but a pack and bag is something I really want to see before buying.

[Lilred]

The nearest REI (my best bet for looking at packs) is in Nashville, TN - so about a two hour drive.

If you come to Nashville, check out the Bass Outfitters at the Opry Mills Mall. They sometimes carry the same things only cheaper.

Another good outfitters in Nashville is called Cumberland Transit.

http://www.cumberlandtransit.com/

Don't come to me for advice on packs. I got a 5 lb Kelty external pack and love it. Call me old-fashioned....

[Hydromagnt]

I think you'll find the Osprey Aether 60 a bit too small for a long trip. I have an Osprey Crecent 60, and I've got to get a 75 or 90. I'm not ultra light, and don't want to be.I love the fit of my Osprey, but I'm 5'10' and weigh 230.

Hydromagnt

[verber]

I know down is better suited for weight and compactness, but I have also heard that when wet it becomes a problem in low temps. What is everyone's opinion on that?.Getting down wet is a problem at any temp since it will lose a significant amount of it's insulation ability. So you make sure it doesn't get wet. You do this by carrying it in something that is waterproof, making sure you camp such that your bag doesn't get wet from the environment, and make sure that if you are in conditions which will result in your persperation condensing in the bag (serious cold) than you use a vapor barrier. There are lots of good bags out there. La Fuma seems OK. When it comes to traditional down sleeping bags, I think Western Mountaineering is tops, though Marmot (like the Helium), and Feather Friends make nice bags as well. These days I use a down quilt except when facing winter conditions.

When you got to check out packs I would strongly recommend bring all the gear (including sample food) to the store. Load the pack up with your stuff. Find the pack which handles the volume and weight you are going to be taking with comfort, without being too big or heavy.

Based on what you have listed so far... I am pretty sure an Aether 60 would be large enough for what you are taking, especially if you place one of the more bulky items like a tent or sleeping pad on the outside.

[grrickar]

A Kelty Haiku 4250 Regular. Not even a pack I had been considering, but it was more a matter of economics than wanting.

I probably shouldn't admit this, but I do a lot of 'window shopping' at the local gear shops, and then buy from the internet. I find that even after shipping I get things much cheaper. The local shops cater mostly to hunters and fishermen. I do buy small items from the local shops from time to time.

I happened to go by a local shop to check out different pieces of gear, and I tried on both the Kelty Haiku 4250 and The North Face Badlands 60. I liked the external pockets and the fact that the TNF pack had a separate compartment for the sleeping bag, but it was pretty heavy (almost 6lbs if I remember correctly).

The Haiku weighs in at 3lbs 13oz, which is 1lb 1oz lighter than the Osprey Aether 75, which is what I had my heart set on.

None of the local shops carry Osprey packs, and ever place on the web seemed to have the Aether for $240 with the hipbelt. I ended up getting the Kelty Haiku for $117 due to the fact this place had all their Kelty packs 40% off. Their North Face packs were 20% off, but the Badlands was the only one I really liked that fell in my price range (the Prophet 45 is nice, but the price wasn't).

Anyone hiking with a Haiku? Comments/suggestions? How would you compare it to an Osprey Aether 75 pack (which I someday plan to own anyway)...

[Footslogger]

Take a look at the new ULA Fusion. Just got mine a few weeks ago and I'm quite impressed. Carried a Granite Gear Vapor Trail for the majority of my thru last year and like it but the Fusion has really won me over. Carries up to 30 - 32 lbs very comfortably.

'Slogger

[Jack Tarlin]

Good comments so far; for what it's worth, I've used an Osprey on my last 7 thrus and wouldn't use anything else. Either the 60 or the 75 are fine packs; try for the 60 if you can get your weight down. For more information on specs, or dealers near you, see www.ospreypacks.com

[Bear Magnet]

I believe Baltimore Jack uses the Aether 75, he might be able to give you an opinion as he has considerable experience in planning different resupply time periods.
Hmm, when I met Baltimore Jack for the first time on the trail last year, (I had run into him in Hanover sans pack when he was en route to Bruce Springsteen in Boston) it was in the Wilderness, a days hike from Katadhin.

Finally, I would get a chance to see the longtime thru-hiker in his natural element!

Well, there was Jack, with his Osprey Crescent 110, which was _two_ sizes larger than my Crescent 75, which I had decided was much too big (I sent home the daypack from NOC and the fanny pack from Pearisburg).

"How did this guy do the trail 8 times which such a huge pack?" I thought to myself. I thought people went lighter the more they hiked.

Now, I don't know if Jack just carried the 110 during the Wilderness, and I realize that he brings along a few more "luxury" items than many of us, but using a 110 on the AT just is amazing to me.

Bear Magnet
Jonathan Amato