Pack size for short trips (1-4 nights)

[Just Bill]

Que Sera- Oddmanout has it down and it looks like you agree. The rental suggestion is a good one too. I've helped set a lot of folks up over the years, the pack should actually be your last piece of gear. You need to nail down what fits in the container, before you buy it. Frameless packs from the cottage guys are awesome, but you need to carry under 30 pounds- or they suck. You won't find items like that at REI. Your sleeping pad and sleeping bag choices could easily fill up 20L of pack space alone. Seasonal conditions are a huge deal too. I usually let folks borrow my packs to get started- I suggest you "borrow" from your buddy's at REI until you nail down more details. If you have access to backpacking light, check out where they are heading. They are pretty much arriving at the same conclusion that Oddman has- you can have one basic kit that you can tune a bit, and a slightly bigger pack than your typical SUL pack makes sense for that reason. I plan my packs on a worst case of 7 days food by taking advantage of simple expansion collars, but if you are AT specific- 5 days or less is fine. I use a Neo-air and a summer quilt to keep pack volume down- I have a roughly 30L pack with everything blown out that holds seven days food- but that took a lot of tinkering. As Oddman implied; on a weekend trip, you have less food- so you can haul a few creature comforts in the extra space. (A good plan too to keep you in shape!) A basic pack like a GoLite Jam for $100 bucks in 36L size can do the job without breaking the bank. I have started a lot of folks off on that pack, depending on rental rates it may be cheaper to buy that pack to start out. Two or three weekends of rental fees may cover the cost. It sounds like even if you won't be a gram weenie- you still want to keep things tight- as others mentioned, a smaller pack forces you to think. If you are a member check out this article- http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...et_part_2.html If not a member- it's only $25 a year, and well worth it to help you along as long as you don't get too turned off by the engineers over there.

[hobbs]

I have been giving ULA packs a hard look.

Never a bad thing to look at what most people come to relize is a good packmaker..I would rent from REI and make your other purchases first and then buy your pack.You can also rent different packs to see what you want out of your gear..

[Que Sera]

Thanks Bill! I will be re-reading your post several times .

[Old Boots]

It also depends on time of year. I use a 4 season tent late Fall to early Spring and 0 degree bag during that time. They are heavier and bulkier than my 3 season tent and 30 degree bag which I use the rest if the year. Also I wear heavier and carry more clothing than in the summer.

[Just Bill]

Thanks Bill! I will be re-reading your post several times .

Anytime! Feel free to PM me with any questions- I'd be happy to e-mail you an excel sheet to help you build your kit if you're interested.

[Another Kevin]

Everyone is right that the pack should be the last piece of gear you choose for a trip, and the correct answer to "how big" is "big enough to hold your stuff and carry well."

For me, clueless weekender that I am, that means that my 65 litre pack is about right. For a summer overnighter, it's way too much pack - if I carried a tarp instead of a tent and a quilt instead of my usual sleeping bag, I could make do with 25-30 litres. But I can collapse the collar, cinch the side ties in tight, and still have it carry OK. For a winter multi-day trip, it has very little room to spare, and carries just adequately because it doesn't balance all that well with whatever traction gear I'm not using lashed to the outside. (I don't think any pack carries all that well when you lash on a pair of snowshoes!)

If I were shorter, I'd be happier with the 55 litre version of the same pack. But that smaller model just doesn't fit my back.

[Firefighter503]

yep, approximately 500

By that math, a thru hike is a 4-5 year endeavor.

[Drybones]

The input we all give is based only on what we've used, there may be a better mouse trap out there but we dont know about it. The size pack you need depends on the size gear you have, I can put the tent I now have in my back pocket, the one I started with would fill a gallon bucket. The following is the progression of packs I've used:

1. Gregory Z-Pack - 3lb,7oz - 60L...first trip out I was carrying 38 lbs in this pack, it killed me, the pack cut into my lower back, had an odd shape that didn't agree with me. It might have been okay for under 20 lbs but probably would still hurt my back.

2. Deuter 65 + 10 ACT Lite - 3lb,15oz - 65L...used it on a week hike in the Rockies carrying 42 lbs and it did well. I would continue using this pack if I had to carry over 38 lbs for days. The torso being adjustable is a big plus, well padded.

3. REI Flash 65 - 3lb, 3oz - 65L...good pack but was larger than I needed for the gear I had. I still use it for < week hikes to save wear and tear on my best pack but have taken the lid off.

4. REI Flash 50 - 2lb, 12oz - 50L...this pack is about the right volume for me for a 4-5 day trip. I would have used this on my thru hike attemp if the torso was the right size, I need a large and it was a medium.

5. Granite Gear Crown 60 - 2lb, 20z - 60L...I can't imagine finding a pack that would work better for me, hardly notice I have it on . The best thing about this pack is how close it fits to your back, which makes a big difference in how heavy the load feels. It also can be cinched up when carrying small loads to make it wear well. Under 35lbs this is the pack I use. This probably wont make sense to you but my organization is much better with pack and it has only the two side and one back stretch pockets.

[rocketsocks]

By that math, a thru hike is a 4-5 year endeavor.

Or in my case...a whole lifetime.