Multiple Summations, Mid-Term for the LuxuryLite Pak

[MedicineMan]

Vasque Breeze Boots: now over 120 AT miles and an overall impression of excellent boot for these reasons:
1. saved 1 pound total over the LL Bean Crestas
2. still have Goretex liner (if you believe in them)
3. good traction with the new sticky Vibrams
4. for me the best compromise so far in staying with a boot that is well
over the ankle but less than 1 lb 5oz per boot

Gossamer Gear Litrek Poles: now over 130 AT miles with this last section being the most demanding (mose loss and gain, most miles of rock gardens).
My rating is 15 on a 1-10 scale for these reasons:
1. 2.5oz per pole
2. no failures after inumerable rock gardens, near slips and on the way down
the Priest a full on lean that flexed the pole at least 20degrees from
vertical again with no visible signs of wear or tear

Kavu rice paddy hat: now a permanent feature on my pack for these reasons:
1. nicely took care of a cold spot (my fault in down shifting in the UQ) under
my arse
2. maybe the perfect rain/sun hat in the acreage it protects
3. used too many times as a sit pad, very comfo and big enough for that
big arse mentioned above
4. can haul a lot of water in it for you or the dog
5. doubles as a pillow

Mid-Term on the Luxurylite Pack: Simply a winner, I will glow on it for these reasons:
1. external frame pack for less than a pound and a half
2. easy compartmentalization
3. waterproof: proven in 4 monsoons, left out from under the tarp intentionally
in one, hiked in the other 3
4. easy umbrella attachment which will become even easier soon with the
addition of a special umbrella bar at 1.5 oz.
5. easy camera tripod attachment soon to be even easier with a forthcoming
articulating monopod attachment for either frame upright
6. pack stands on it one---see no. 5 above
7. front pocket is simply more convenient than hip pockets, Rib Packs, and
the like for accessibility, front pocket does counterbalance the frame
pack proven now at 70 AT miles
8. modular cylinders pop on and off in seconds, the LLP has now performed
perfectly as a day hauler and 3 day trip/2 day trip (see trip report
BuenaVista--->RockFish Gap)
9. OEM is 4000cubes but easily expanded or decreased with smaller or larger
cylinders,,,another advantage over an internal you want to use for winter
and summer hikes but find too much pack for the warmer weather
10. can dedicate one cylider for wet and nasty, in my case the smallest
cylinder gets the muddy camp shoes and the still wet tarp
11. price,,,,,thought about that one, but yes I've spent the same amount on
a kayak paddle, a camera, a sleeping bag, a pair of boots. When you look
at the adaptability of the pack and consider the advantages of an
external the the dollar/feature becomes relavant
12. VENTILATION VENTILATION VENTILATION
13. Hip Belt..after almost 70 miles I think I can reassess the hip belt and give
it an even higher rating, no hip brusing, no chaffing. It rotates on the bar
and it carries the entire load...not that I would want to carry 50 pounds
solely on my hips but I'm not going to carry 50 pounds
14. Can double as a freighter frame just as easily,,,,remove all cylinders, place
a thick plastic plate on the bottom then strap on the chainsaw or pick and
you are ready for trail maintanence, put a small cylinder on the very top
for your snacks,FA, and rain jacket
15. reclincer----well that is stretching it but it does work, the seat pad
does its job and you can lean into the cylinders without the pack going
over backwards, it cant go over unless you lift you but off the ground..
I did find myself using the rice paddy hat to sit on when getting stuff
out of the cylinders
16. cordura cylinders available for those wanting to play Briar Rabbit
17. ease of cleaning (like I've ever cleaned a pack). The X-Ply material
(notice I didnt say fabric) is so smooth it can easily be wiped off, I dont
think you can wipe cordura or other pack materia

Negatives:
1. if you are using the front pocket (crazy if you dont) and lean over all
the way it can and will come off the uprights (the straps from the pocket
simply loop over the uprights....I personally would like to see a clip
on just one upright to keep the front pocket from coming all the way off
(e.g. picture (no pun intended) your camera in the front pocket hitting
the ground). Put the clip on the side you are used to putting your first
arm through when putting on the pack, put the camara mount on the other
upright.
2. The seat pad is WHITE, the dirt on the AT is BROWN or BLACK, it needs
a cover that can be cleaned.
3. Stupid comments like 'I like your homemade pack', almost as bad as
comments on my rice paddy hat
4. not a negative but a feature some may want: a webbing loop on the
bottom frame member for attaching an ice axe, also an option for one
cylinder (top cylinder) to have a textured pad of lightweight material with
holes for straps to hold crampons (I used instep crampons in the winter
and dont want them inside my pack.
5. a cylinder hole option,,,thinking some may want to keep a water bladder
in the top cylinder...again best to keep the water load in the front pocket
to use the balancing feature of the pack system but on some sections
I've carried 200 oz of water (approaching Rice Field Shelter from the north)
and I dont want that much water in the front pocket, it can do it but no
room left over for writing pad,camara,M&Ms,etc.......maybe Bruce can
make a cylinder with an exit hole for a bladder tube that kinda seals
around the tube.

I will give a long term report in Jan/Feb after some winter hikes, and intend to use this pack for all forthcoming hikes and will report any failures between now and then. I commend Bruce Warren for his efforts in bring back the external with all its advantages and look forward to the tweeks mentioned above. Readers of my reviews know that I'm always looking for a better mousetrap so rest assured I will keep scrouring the world for something even better than the LLP, might be a long search.

Soon: a comprehensive review of the Speer System compared to the Hennessey Winter Solution (it is ordered and should be here in a week or two) and comparing them with the WM Ponderosa/CCC system.

[Uncle Wayne]

Thanks for the reviews, they are always helpful to me.

[luxlite]

MedicineMan,

The 'hole in the cylinder' you seek for a water bladder tube is already there! How did you miss it? Just slide the tube to either end of the velcro closure and seal the Velcro. The end has a little gap just for your hose. And it is still rainproof! Why, you could even put one bladder with Gatorade and one with water in the top cylinder and have two tubes snaking down, one to each shoulder strap for stereo trail nursing.

[luxlite]

Some folks are a bit worried about too many straps near the windpipe and strangling if they tumble into a ditch, so I make the Front Pack straps slip off easily if your body assumes an extreme non-hiking pose. (gotta keep the lawyers away)

But, to keep the Front Pack straps from slipping off when you bend way over or fall flat on your face (at which time the Front Pack becomes your personal 'air bag' cushion), just slip the strap under the crossbar before hooking it over the top post. This is good for very rough country, crawling under downed trees, etc.

Another simple solution is to wrap the top posts on the backpack frame with fishing pole tape, or slip a piece of snug fitting surgical tubing over the aluminum tube (you should have lots of that stuff at the office!) The extra friction is enought to stop slippage

[txulrich]

MedicineMan, are you still using the LuxuryLite Pack? If yes, how about a longterm update? If not, why?

[MedicineMan]

The LLP (luxurylite pack) is still the pack of choice for all hikes....there existed an exception for Jan/Feb hikes when I would carry a bulky parka and a thicker top quilt and/or add an additional quilt or use the Ponderosa system with the CrazyCreek Hammock.
I have since added a series of green cordura cylinders that are large,large,large and extra large...compared to the x-ply series that are large,medium,medium, and small. Use of the larger cordura gives room for the bulky gear.
Soon to be off to Florida for a trip with many unknowns as far as the hikes. The LLP will allow a 10 second change from overnight-multiday possibilities to simple day hikes....in day hike mode with only one cylinder it is almost a pound lighter than the CamelBak Peak Bagger and almost the same weight as a CamelBak Mule.
The LLP has only 200 AT miles on it which is a poor estimate of its longevity, i'd look to the PCT thru-hikers who have completed that trail for that info.
After almost 2 years of ownership I can tell you I'm impressed with LL Gear, they've already updated the pack once on their accord, and the hip belt is the most comfortable i've experience in 14 packs. The concept of the LLP has been thoroughly covered here at WB along with the packs merits. I'm keeping mine :)

[txulrich]

Thanks for the update. While an unconventional piece of gear (unconventional doesn't worry me), I've always preferred an external frame. The LLP seems like a pretty good application of function over fashion. I really like the flexability of being able to tailor the pack size by changing the tubes. I was interested/concerned with the long term survivability.


Now, I just gotta come up with the bucks!

[MedicineMan]

if you like to throw down packs then get the cordura cylinders and then relax, if you are like me and respect the gear even a wee bit i dont think it will be a problem, of coure by design failure is eliminated by having no zippers, waterproofed from within, etc....

[txulrich]

I'm reasonable with my gear. Afterall, I work too hard to pay for it. I want it to work for me and to last under normal usage. The LLP is unconventional enough in it's design that I wondered about its longterm survivability. I feel that you've answered my concerns and when I can pull together the monies, I'll be placing my order.

[MedicineMan]

Valcour will give you 30 days to play with it, if you dont like it send it back....