View Full Version : intro and pack ideas?
Thought I'd pop in and say "Hi".
I haven't spent much time on the AT in a while, but my kids are getting old enough that they are asking to hike more... and they need gear.
I made my son a pack last month based on the G4 Scout plans. Turned out better than expected, but is too big for him.
I need to make him a smaller one (he is 8), and I want a light pack in the 3-4k ci range for myself.
Ideas on what to make?
I'm diggin' this design
http://gear-report.com/deals-on-outdoor-gear/
We are weekender warriors. No extended trail use at this point.
Short-ish section hikes.
What I've made before:
G4 Scout
a few hammocks (here is my latest: http://gear-report.com/homemade-diy-camping-hammock-system/)
silnylon tarp
various alcohol stoves
Just getting my feet wet with DIY gear.
StorminMormon
11-30-2010, 09:17
http://thru-hiker.com/projects/lab_pack.php
I'm working on the G4 design as well, and I found this pack design which may help give some insight. I haven't had a chance to apply this technique to the G4 (I like the G4 design more than the LAB project), but I think it should work. It gives you a way to basically "size" the pack down depending on the carrier. Here's a preview of the section that I'm referring to: (see attached)
Once you have resized the main compartment, I think it should be easy to see what kind of resizing you'll have to do for everything else involved (lower compartment, shoulder straps, waist belt, etc.) The only limitation I see is in the Z-fold sleeping pad. The main compartment will have to be large enough to hold the pad - otherwise you'll have to start cutting the pad and I don't know if that's really worth it. Of course, if you find a different pad like a 1/2 length, maybe it'll work.
Sorry I don't have any clear-cut answers - just trying to offer some ideas. I'm a big fan of making your own gear. Only after exhausting all DIY possibilities will I ever buy something for backpacking again!
Well this is embarrassing! I had a big typo in the earlier post.
I wasn't trying to send folks to my deal site, rather, I just pasted in the wrong link.
When I said
"I'm diggin' this design
http://gear-report.com/deals-on-outdoor-gear/"...
I meant to paste the LAB link that you posted in reply. Small world, I guess.
Rodney also has a site on 14Lb packs (can't find it now... its on my home PC... i'm at work), and I read an interview where a guy spent a few days with him watching how he worked. Pretty interesting.
I've also seen some variants of the G4 design that are intriguing.
I like simplicity and light weight. With most, I'm finding it challenging to scale the designs up for my 6'4" frame, or down to my 8 year old son at a bit over 4'. I had not read the full LAB plan close enough to see that there were instructions for resizing. That really makes it an attractive option for me.
I use a full length z-lite pad, but my son is short enough that I can cut it down to fit a thinner pad pocket, although either the pack width will need to accommodate the folded pad, or I'll have to move the pad to the inside of the pack.
Hmm. Also need to consider how to support the pack when i'm hammock camping and not carrying my z-lite pad.
Ideas?
I'm home today and found the other site I mentioned in the last post:
http://www.freewebs.com/litepacks/index.htm