Adding Strap Pouches

[smalls]

I'm pretty set on an ALPS pack at this point, but I noticed that the Denali is the only one of their three packs that has a belt/strap pouch, and I'm leaning away from that pack and toward the Cascade. Does anybody with one of these packs have any insight as to how easy it would be to add a couple small pouches for a cellphone, camera and/or GPS? Are there loops on the straps that would allow easy attachment?

-Smalls

[Fog Horn]

You could either take the pack (and your favorite material) to a seamstress and she can create a small pouch for you, or you can use MOLLE type gear with the interwoven straps on the back that allow you to adjust/ move your pouches. If you know where you want the pouches to go though, and you're pretty certain that its the best spot for them, you'll save a couple of ounces by just getting them sewn on.

[BigHodag]

I use a $30 Walmart pack (http://at-trail.blogspot.com/2010/03/hiking-backpack-outdoor-products.html) for my section hikes. I too wanted a belt pouch to carry chapstick, knife, etc.

I used a $6 Winchester choke tube pouch that I found in Walmart's sporting goods. The pouch is black and contains several plastic tubes which I discarded. I also cut out all the elastic loops inside except two on one end. Those hold my knife/multi-tool and spare lighter upright for easy location. The pouch has two belt loops that you can slide over most pack belts.

On the trail, the pouch slid too much for my taste, so I used the plastic clip to clip it to one of the zip tie loops I added to my packs shoulder straps. That worked fairly well except when donning as the pouch sometimes swung under the shoulder strap.

Photo of similar Bulldog brand pouch (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UOJHKY/ref=asc_df_B001UOJHKY1379422?smid=A2BGVD5CDNO1T8&tag=shopzilla_mp_1233-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B001UOJHKY)

[mister krabs]

The denali and cascade are really big. depending on your kit, they very well might be huge overkill. In fact, if you can fill either of them, you probably are carrying too much gear. Consider the orizaba which comes much smaller and several pounds lighter. A smaller pack forces you to be smarter with gear choices. I don't have any of these, so it's conjecture based on spec.

Accessory pouches are available, check REI's or campmor's website under backpack accessories.

[Dale Merkley]

Gossamer Gear sells pouches that fit on Hip belts.

[Powder River]

From the website for this pack: "When you're ready for your trip and your pack is full, but you still have a few things to take, don't worry! The top of the Cascade extends with a spindrift collar, so you can "over pack." "

http://www.alpsmountaineering.com/images/Cascade5200-Blue.jpg

Sweet Jesus, it expands! You sure you're going to be able to handle this thing? I would go down to a local outfitter, try on the biggest pack they sell, and then strap two smaller day packs to each side, and check to see if you really need this much space. I don't know too many people who could fill it.

[smalls]

I always hiked with a pack in the ~4800cu in range, and I tried my friend's Red Tail just the other day with a fairly standard 30lb load.

I'm staying well to the light side on my gear, it looks like I'll be around 28ish pounds for the trip, but my bag and hammock aren't going to compress especially well. The Cascade and Denali are both available in smaller sizes, the Cascade at 4200cu in and the Denali at 4500cu in. At 5lb 4oz, the largest Denali is still one of the lightest packs in my budget that I've found so far, even including packs as small as 65L.

I'm mostly interested here in whether the shoulder straps and waist belt have any convenient loops for attaching such pouches, or if I'll need to get creative. The setup on both look different in the photos from the Red Tail I have access to but I can't get a close enough look to see smaller details. Nobody else in our scout troop has the Cascade or Denali yet.

-Smalls

[mister krabs]

OK, A big synthetic bag and fleece clothing will help fill that up. Unless you're hooked on those side pockets, I still like the orizaba for the mesh pocket, the belt pocket and much lighter weight.

you should be able to put any accessory pocket on either. accessory pockets have two belt loops on them that you lace your pack straps through. You can get either horizontal pockets for your belt or vertical for shoulder straps.

Here's a video of the cascade that shows the straps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF7ViB3eb48

Here's the orizaba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN2h3CC-6TA

[mister krabs]

seeing that you like hammocks, that outside mesh pocket on the orizaba would be good for a wet tarp.

[Powder River]

At 5lb 4oz, the largest Denali is still one of the lightest packs in my budget that I've found so far, even including packs as small as 65L.

-Smalls


http://www.e-omc.com/catalog/products/2221/Osprey-Atmos-65-Backpack.html

Osprey 65L @ 3.5 pounds rated to carry over 40 pounds for $190 dollars, which already has the hip belt pockets. By the time you buy some third party side pockets you'll probably be spending the same amount of cash but 2 lbs heavier. Just sayin...

I have tried without too much luck to attach various things to my waist belt. Namely, I wanted my camera case to ride on my waist best but just couldn't find a great solution, so I ended up wearing it as a sling instead. If you end up going this route I think sewing something on is really the best solution.