View Full Version : Front pocket? Necessary or not?
tlbj6142
08-24-2005, 17:12
Is a front pocket really needed on a pack? Or can you get buy with a simple lashing system?
I'm about to build my own pack and sometimes I think they are not all that usefull. What are your thoughts?
Footslogger
08-24-2005, 17:29
Kinda depends on what you're trying to store there. On the GG Vapor Trail there are two adjustable straps and no actual pocket. Great for storing your ground cloth and thermareset but not much else.
Years ago I hiked with a Gregory pack that had a front mesh pocket they called a "stash and dash". It was handy and I sometimes wish I had something similar now but I'm doing OK without it so I'd have to say that it's not really necessary.
'Slogger
chowhound
08-24-2005, 17:30
I love having a sizeable front pocket. That is where my tarp or fly goes with a rain jacket or poncho bungied on top of the pocket.
tlbj6142
08-24-2005, 17:55
Kinda depends on what you're trying to store there. On the GG Vapor Trail there are two adjustable straps and no actual pocket. Great for storing your ground cloth and thermareset but not much else.That's what I was getting at. When I have used my front pocket, I just put my tarp and/or rain jacket in it. But those two items could just as easily be held in place with a lashing system.
Footslogger
08-24-2005, 18:03
That's what I was getting at. When I have used my front pocket, I just put my tarp and/or rain jacket in it. But those two items could just as easily be held in place with a lashing system.=========================================== =
The advantage there is quick access. If those items are buried in your pack and you need them in a hurry you gotta dig. I like having the straps. If I have to pack up and run on a rainy morning I can stash all the wet stuff there instead of getting everything else in my pack all wet.
'Slogger
tlbj6142
08-24-2005, 22:18
I think we are both saying the same thing. "Lashing system" == "straps".
I think of a lashing system as a thin (2mm accessory, or 1/8" shock) cord criss-crossing the front of the pack with a single cordlock used to adjust tension in the entire system.
Just Jeff
08-24-2005, 23:53
Necessary? No. Useful and worth the weight? Yes.
jackiebolen
08-24-2005, 23:58
I kind of liked the front pouch on my Go-Lite Gust. I used it to put my water bottles, bug spray and some snack items that I was using for the day. Way easier than digging around in my pack for that kind of stuff.
Phooey I voted wrong...I meant to vote *No*.
I keep little items in my front pocket, but for those *must have* other small items I also wear a bum bag (fanny pack) so it's all there without having to take my pack off. Like fingernail clippers, lip balm, sunscreen, glasses wipe, mini disc player, camera, etc.
I got the idea from Dorothy (currently hiking) and I wouldn't hike without one now (bum bag that is). In the front pocket of my backpack, I stash my daily snacks, etc.
tlbj6142
08-25-2005, 10:11
Most of the items folks mentioned they put in their front pocket, I put in my hipbelt pockets (snacks, AM, map, journal/pen, compass[if needed], camera, etc.).
I remembered this morning that most (all?) front pockets, are "covered" by some sort of strap/lashing system to help keep the contents from bouncing around or falling out. Seems sort of redundant if you ask me.
The one thing a front pocket would let me do that lashing doesn't, is store small items. Like what?
Say the front pocket mesh weighs 2oz/yd (which I'm sure it doesn't) and say you have a pocket that's 2ft X 3ft (which is way bigger than mine). That's just over an ounce and a half of extra material, which means an ounce heavier than a lashing system, tops.
For that worst-case ounce you get to not have to lash things. You can just put them in the pocket. Also, you can store multiple things there easily, you don't have to worry about anything falling off or getting pulled off by an evil branch, etc.
For me, that's more than worth it. I don't generally like stuff on the outside of my pack, but coming out of town with full supplies, sometimes it's nice to be able to move stuff to the pocket to make room. Also, if it's raining off and on, I'll keep my rain jacket back there. When I get my last water for the day, I fill up my Platypus 2-liter for camp and stick it in there. Maybe I'll have my tarp, my camp slippers, and my rain jacket in there in the morning. I'd much rather be able to just jam that all in a big pocket than have to worry about lashing it down.
For what it's worth, I ordered the outside bungee on my P-1, but came to the same conclusion you did about the redundancy. It was the first thing to go (the second was the top lid).
Whatever you do, be sure to post pictures of the finished product. I tried my hand at one once. Only a mother could have loved that pack.
Footslogger
08-25-2005, 12:07
I probably should qualify my earlier post by stating that I hike with a fanny pack. That's the main reason I don't need much of a pouch or pocket on the front of my pack. Started that years ago and it's pretty much part of my basic set up at this point. It's not very big but holds my wallet, camera, snacks and anything else I figure I'll need quick access to during the day. It rides over the buckle on my hip belt so it's not resting directly on my lower abdomen as I hike.
Nice thing about that set-up is that I can drop my pack but never have to worry about digging out my wallet. May not be such a big deal on shorter hikes out here but during my thru in 2003 I found that to be a big advantage. I never went anywhere without it and (knock on wood here) so there was no concern about the security of my camera or valuables.
'Slogger
tlbj6142
08-25-2005, 12:26
I probably should qualify my earlier post by stating that I hike with a fanny pack. That's the main reason I don't need much of a pouch or pocket on the front of my pack.Doesn't bounce around a bit?
Patrick,
Good points about the front pocket.
Maybe I'll do both, as I think the compression system on the P-1 is a bit overkill as well. So, front pocket with lashing loops (long the back edge as well as the front edge). The pocket let's me not worry about stuff falling out. The lashing is used for both pack compression and to "secure" the front pocket.
I'm still trying to work out how I'm going to secure the top of the pack. I'm currently leaning toward a simple draw-string clousre with a 3/4" webbing/buckle (I have plenty of these around the house) strap across the top. Sometimes, I like the idea of a Y-strap (connected on the back edge just above the load-lifters and the center of the front edge) across the top as it would allow me to secure something (not sure what) across the top of the pack if necessary. Whereas a single strap is about useless for holding items across the top of the pack except maybe socks.:D
Footslogger
08-25-2005, 12:32
[QUOTE=tlbj6142]Doesn't bounce around a bit?
==================================
Actually no, and if it did I'd drop it like a bad habit. Guess if I ran in stead of hiked it might though ...
'Slogger
Buckingham
09-01-2005, 18:16
You can never have too many pockets.:banana
I added a bungee to my Gearskin. Works great, and I also tie a light mesh bag to the bungee for small things. Best of both worlds! Who says you have to choose?
wacocelt
09-02-2005, 11:49
I despise the support of my GoLite Breeze, but absolutely love the 3 mesh pockets it provides. Thus the reason the next pack I buy will more than likely be a ULA.
I despise the support of my GoLite Breeze, but absolutely love the 3 mesh pockets it provides. Thus the reason the next pack I buy will more than likely be a ULA.
I switched from a Breeze to a ULA P-1. The Breeze was just too small and I missed having a waist belt. I can carry 20-25 lbs in the Breeze well, but just missed being able to shift the weight from shoulders to hips and back during the day as I get a little sore or something.
The P-1 is really, really nice. One thing I loathed about the Breeze were how freaking tight the water bottle pockets got when the bag was packed. I literally had to take it off to put them back in. good. The P-1's pockets are plenty room and have a drawcord elastic to adjust.
The big giant pocket on the back of my Gearskin works so well at holding *everything*! Holds stoves, water bottles, umbrellas, dry tarps, wet tarps, hammocks, shoes, stakes, headlamps, first aid kits, raincoats, spoons, forks, knives, pocketknifes, duct tape, duck tape, cameras, Aqua Mira, filters, lighters, pots, pans, and anything else you want it to! (catch my drift).
Brian