WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 23
  1. #1
    Registered User BenOnAdventures's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-23-2015
    Location
    Defiance, Ohio
    Age
    30
    Posts
    345
    Images
    7

    Default What's the perfect pack size? Let's talk!!

    In your opinion, what is the perfect pack size for a big thru hike like the AT, CDT, PCT, etc.? Why? Let's talk!!
    Feel free to connect with me on Twitter @BenOnAdventures

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    07-09-2014
    Location
    Littleton, CO
    Age
    42
    Posts
    203

    Default

    The pack that is big enough for you.

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-06-2008
    Location
    Andrews, NC
    Age
    65
    Posts
    3,672

    Default

    Depends on so much. Too broad a question.

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    03-20-2013
    Location
    Pittsburgh
    Age
    70
    Posts
    963
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    2

    Default

    <Yoda voice>: "There is no perfect, only right for you."
    76 HawkMtn w/Rangers
    14 LHHT
    15 Girard/Quebec/LostTurkey/Saylor/Tuscarora/BlackForest
    16 Kennerdell/Cranberry-Otter/DollyS/WRim-NCT
    17 BearR
    18-19,22 AT NOBO 1562.2
    22 Hadrian's Wall
    23 Cotswold Way

  5. #5
    Registered User BenOnAdventures's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-23-2015
    Location
    Defiance, Ohio
    Age
    30
    Posts
    345
    Images
    7

    Default

    Thank you to all three of you!! I appreciate the responses! I should've been more specific, I'd say possibly an ultralight pack to do a thru hike with, any recommendations or would you still say do what's good for me?
    Feel free to connect with me on Twitter @BenOnAdventures

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    08-31-2013
    Location
    Asheville, NC
    Age
    62
    Posts
    585
    Images
    2

    Default

    You are doing it backwards. Buy all your gear first and then determine the pack size that will accommodate the size and weight of your gear plus your anticipated average number of days of food plus water. Some thru's have used as small as a 30L pack and many use 60L or larger Since you haven't provided your gear list no one can give you an accurate recommendation.
    Remote for detachment, narrow for chosen company, winding for leisure, lonely for contemplation, the Trail beckons not merely north and south, but upward to the body, mind, and soul of man.


  7. #7
    Registered User kayak karl's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-21-2007
    Location
    Swedesboro, NJ
    Age
    68
    Posts
    5,339
    Images
    25

    Default

    The time of year are you leaving will effect this also
    I'm so confused, I'm not sure if I lost my horse or found a rope.

  8. #8
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-20-2013
    Location
    Roaring Gap, NC
    Age
    78
    Posts
    8,529

    Default

    Adding the word "ultralight" also adds another criteria: Fits you. Fits the job at hand-intended maximum load. Fits your budget.

    Wayne




    Sent from somewhere around here.
    Eddie Valiant: "That lame-brain freeway idea could only be cooked up by a toon."
    https://wayne-ayearwithbigfootandbubba.blogspot.com
    FlickrMyBookTwitSpaceFace



  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-01-2014
    Location
    Anchorage, AK
    Age
    62
    Posts
    2,500

    Default

    There is so, so much more to the right pack other than size. Most people thru-hike with something between 40 and 60 L. I'm sure it's been done with packs ranging from 25 - 100 L. Heck, Gramma Gatewood did the AT several times with nothing more than a small laundry bag.

    By the way, it's the weekend. If you're not laying in bed sick, why aren't you out hiking and figuring this stuff out for yourself?
    I'm not lost. I'm exploring.

  10. #10

    Default

    GG Gorilla is perfect for me with 5 days food. As long as it doesn't get any colder than 24°F.

    But I doubt anyone has EXACTLY what I have in my pack.

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-16-2011
    Location
    On the trail
    Posts
    3,789
    Images
    3

    Default

    OK, I will bite. I used an MLD Burn. Go buy one and try to fits your gear in it. Or you can follow the suggestions above and get all your gear first then and only then measure the volume and go from there. One final thought, my food volume is well over 50% of my total volume, sometime even higher. That must be factored in for a thru hike where you will be carrying much larger volumes of food then you normally do on shorter hikes.

  12. #12
    Registered User BenOnAdventures's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-23-2015
    Location
    Defiance, Ohio
    Age
    30
    Posts
    345
    Images
    7

    Default

    Excellent advice from all of you, I really I appreciate it! I'll keep this in mind!!
    Feel free to connect with me on Twitter @BenOnAdventures

  13. #13

    Default

    65L, +/- 10L

    65L is a pretty typical, middle of the road size pack which is commonly found on the AT.

    If you need bigger then that you got too much stuff, or it's too big and heavy (like tent and/or sleeping bag). Going smaller then 65 and you start to enter the ream of the ultra lighter which generally takes some experience to pull off.
    Follow slogoen on Instagram.

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    07-09-2014
    Location
    Littleton, CO
    Age
    42
    Posts
    203

    Default

    A lot of thru hikers love ULA packs. They're made by and for long distance hikers. Check out their lineup----the Catalyst is their flagship model with plenty of space for an UL'er. I have the Ohm 2.0 and love it. It holds about 60 liters max and is such a "just right" pack.....for me.

  15. #15

    Default

    Start with your gear, then use the smallest/lightest pack that holds your gear and food and water and carries comfortably for you. For PCT/CDT, remember that there may be times that you have to carry a lot of water and/or food between water sources and resupply points and plan accordingly.
    Find the LIGHT STUFF at QiWiz.net

    The lightest cathole trowels, wood burning stoves, windscreens, spatulas,
    cooking options, titanium and aluminum pots, and buck saws on the planet



  16. #16
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-20-2013
    Location
    Roaring Gap, NC
    Age
    78
    Posts
    8,529

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by QiWiz View Post
    Start with your gear, then use the smallest/lightest pack that holds your gear and food and water and carries comfortably for you. For PCT/CDT, remember that there may be times that you have to carry a lot of water and/or food between water sources and resupply points and plan accordingly.
    PLUS a bear canister in certain places.

    Wayne
    Eddie Valiant: "That lame-brain freeway idea could only be cooked up by a toon."
    https://wayne-ayearwithbigfootandbubba.blogspot.com
    FlickrMyBookTwitSpaceFace



  17. #17
    -
    Join Date
    08-14-2005
    Location
    Fort Madison, IA
    Age
    60
    Posts
    1,672

    Default

    perfect pack is large, heavy, has all your stuff in it - and is on someone else's back

    everything else is a compromise

  18. #18
    Registered User
    Join Date
    08-12-2009
    Location
    Spring Lake, MI
    Age
    58
    Posts
    1,470

    Default

    I like my 45 Osprey! (Started with a 55 Deuter).

  19. #19
    Registered User BenOnAdventures's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-23-2015
    Location
    Defiance, Ohio
    Age
    30
    Posts
    345
    Images
    7

    Default

    Awesome answers!! Sorry for the late reply! I've had family in town this week, so haven't been on social media lately but thank you all so much!!
    Feel free to connect with me on Twitter @BenOnAdventures

  20. #20
    Registered User
    Join Date
    08-10-2015
    Location
    Ohio
    Age
    34
    Posts
    18

    Default

    I am a big fan of the ULA Circuit, once I had summer gear I switched to the Ohm 2.0 and went back to the circuit.

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •