jazzmom
Trail Wise!
a.k.a. TigerFan
Posts: 3,064
|
Post by jazzmom on Apr 20, 2019 5:42:34 GMT -8
On a recent hike, 3 out of 5 of us were carrying ULA Circuits. The two on the left belong to me and zeke and are, I think, pretty much from the same generation of Circuits, about 10 years old. The one on the right was brand new; notable differences were the pocket fabric and pick axe/pole attachment loops (and color choices we didn't have.)
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,939
|
Post by BigLoad on Apr 20, 2019 10:21:45 GMT -8
I thought the Circuit was comfortable with the amount of weight people were carrying, at least for a couple minutes. I'd consider using one for that kind of trip (not carrying too much water).
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,688
|
Post by rebeccad on Apr 20, 2019 12:21:48 GMT -8
I thought the Circuit was comfortable with the amount of weight people were carrying, at least for a couple minutes. I'd consider using one for that kind of trip (not carrying too much water). We both got Circuits last spring, and have used them a lot since. We usually carry loads around 30 lbs, which is very comfortable. Last July when we started our long explore in the Sierra, we had a brief period of carrying the full amount of stuff, which pushed our packs well over 40 lbs. That was both too much to fit in the packs, and too heavy to carry comfortably. But it’s a little hard for me to say if it was uncomfortable because the pack wasn’t up to it, or because I wasn’t. Some of both, I think. The minimalist design has taken some getting used to, but the reality is that aside from lunch, which has always gone inside the pack, and sunscreen, which goes in a belt pocket, I don’t access my stuff until we get to camp, so it doesn’t matter if I need to take everything out.
We haven’t been weighing our packs here in NZ, but with trips of 2-4 nights and no tent, sometimes no stove needed, I have to assume that our packs are well under 30 lbs, and are often hardly noticed. Well, slight exaggeration, but you know what I mean.
|
|
zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,886
|
Post by zeke on Apr 20, 2019 12:24:48 GMT -8
Day 1 of that trip, I was carrying food for 8 days, and 4L of water. The pack did better than I. I had 34# in the pack, all inclusive.
|
|
|
Post by cheaptentguy on Apr 21, 2019 16:02:24 GMT -8
Which backpacks do you use? Deuter ActLite 50+10
Why? Which features does your pack have? Mainly fit at the time, though the straps and outside pockets are all very sensible.
How much was your pack? About $180, but I was happy to pay full retail at the locally owned hiking shop.
Is cost a factor in your choice?
Yes, I really needed to stay under $200. Next pack I'll probably be more liberal with the investment as I try to go to something about half the weight. For now, it's a pretty solid all around pack though.
What should someone look for in a good pack?
What should someone avoid? Beyond wrong fit and wrong need, I think it boils down to philosophy. I like the idea of buying reputable gear from reputable sellers, particularly if they're locally owned. However, I'm not really judging folks buying from REI (return policy is phenomenal) or the big online websites (some great deals to be had). I think it's worth it when you can to throw coin towards your locally owned shops, where the workers hike the same trails as you and put the money back in the community. But, I also know what it's like to try and put together an entire kit quickly on a shoestring budget.
How did you choose what size was best for you? Tried a bunch on in the shop with weights.
Where did you buy your pack?
Local shop.
Plan for now is to use this pack until I get the rest of my gear in UL territory and then find a pack that's lighter and will hold it all.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2019 18:08:56 GMT -8
I use a ZPacks ArcBlast, which I paid $420.00 and the cost did not matter. I think time and experiences will be the factors to what one looks for in a 'good' pack as well as what to avoid. I had reduced my gear weight down to a bit under 11 pounds and it was time to get a lowered weight pack. I bought the pack from ZPacks.
|
|
amaruq
Trail Wise!
Call me Little Spoon
Posts: 1,264
|
Post by amaruq on Apr 22, 2019 6:55:15 GMT -8
Which backpacks do you use? For backcountry backpacking, an MEC Brio 75. For urban backpacking and/or other travel, an MEC Forge 40. I have an assortment of other packs for specific outings (climbing pack, day-trail pack, etc).
Why? Which features does your pack have? The 75L is a simple single-compartment top loader with two lid compartments (innie and outie). So there are no real superfluous compartments and associated material. It's a bit weighty for what it is, but that is attributed to the heavier-duty (and cheaper) fabrics. The hip belt is well padded, it has quality water-bottle pockets, and ice axe/walking stick loops. It has a divider in the bottom of the pack to section off a sleeping bag area, but I don't usually use it. The bottom access zipper is nice though. It's a subdued green colour which I prefer over some of the day-glo options on other backpacks.
The 40L is carry-on sized and more compartmentalized than the 75L with two additional compartments on the front. These are great for quick-access items (like passports, itinerary, headphones) or for quickly stuffing things into (like belts and phones and jewelry at security checkpoints). I can fit about 2-weeks of clothing, books, toiletries, etc into the main compartment as well as my camera and a smaller lens or two, but if the big lens is coming the camera gear goes into my 'personal item'. Most importantly, it has a proper padded, rigid hip belt; something that was at the top of my list when buying a new misc. travel backpack after gallivanting about Japan for a week with an el cheapo 30L school bag. It also has quality water bottle pockets and ice axe/walking stick loops, though I don't know if I'd bring it on the sort of trek where I'd need the loops. Similar to the 75L, it was available in colour options besides an array of neon (my choice being charcoal grey).
How much was your pack? Both were around $140 CAD each.
Is cost a factor in your choice? Yes, absolutely.
What should someone look for in a good pack? Fit and quality. A comfortable pack is one you can carry a long time. A quality pack is one that will carry your stuff a long time. Fit should be pretty straightforward. Quality comes down to design, materials, and construction. Find a design that works for the intended purpose, then find an example of that built from quality materials that are stitched together to be strong and abuse resistant.
What should someone avoid? Cheaply made, poorly fitting backpacks. Even with quality materials, if the stitching/construction isn't great you'll get holes and blowouts, and in ten years time you'll spend as much in cheap packs as you would have on a quality one. Cheaper packs tend to overdo it with the compartments as well, in my experience.
How did you choose what size was best for you? The 75L is a bit too much these days, I could probably get away with 60/65L, but they didn't make 'em in that size when I purchased it. I chose X-Long due to my long torso after trying a couple different sizes on. The 40L is the biggest I could get and still be carry-on sized, it is also X-Long.
Where did you buy your pack? Both were bought in an MEC store (like REI, but Canadian). I like to personally inspect the backpack I'm buying.
|
|
crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
|
Post by crawford on Apr 22, 2019 11:20:42 GMT -8
Which backpacks do you use? For backpacking, I take a Gregory Stout 75. Looking at something lighter and slightly smaller (Granite Gear or ULA)
Why? Which features does your pack have? The 75L is a simple 60 liter compartment top loader with a removable 10 liter brain. It also has a 5 liter "kangaroo pouch" that has a wet pouch. It isn't the lightest but it isn't too bad. Most importantly, the suspension is pure comfort for me. It is size medium and fits my body perfectly. The hip belt is perfectly well padded and the straps draw forward to tighten. It does have a nice side zipper pocket that runs most of its length, but I rarely use it. One limitation is the bottom side pockets. I can't reach them to get my water. That said, it has a built in summit bag that holds a 3L water bladder, so typically use that.
How much was your pack? MSRP at the time was $279USD but I got it on clearance for $179USD.
Is cost a factor in your choice? At the time I had 3 kids at home, with one about to start college. Price definitely played a part. I wanted this pack so I took my time finding one at a good deal.
What should someone look for in a good pack? Fit is first. Durability of materials is a very close second. Simplicity is a close third--the more complex the design, the more points of failure are often possible. Fourth should be any special design features that a person might want. Last would be price. For me it has to be a consideration, but I can mitigate this last by looking at clearance items or used gear.
What should someone avoid? Avoid a poor fitting pack just because it has some features you might want. Also, watch out for those cheaply made packs with weak stitching. Even if the materials are good, bad stitching ruins your pack quickly. Also, be careful of weight. I'm no ultra-light guy by any means, but unnecessary weight is something everyone should consider. I want a pack to last me for years so I don't want it too heavy and I want it to be well built, but it must fit me like a glove.
How did you choose what size was best for you? I looked at the gear I needed to pack in winter or for extended hikes in less than perfect conditions (for example 17 days on the trail with the ability to carry 5 days food and extra water to a dry camp) and this pack fit the bill. It also has nice compression straps so it works for a weekend.
Where did you buy your pack? It was meant to be. I wanted the pack and just happened to stop by Cabelas in Hamburg, PA to pick up some reflective cord and Mountain House meals and there it was in the bargain cave. The last one of the previous year's model. Got it for $100 less than original price. The funny part was the face of the employee as I told him I was going to stuff it full of gear like I had at home and walk around for a bit to ensure it fit as I wanted. He got over it, but was very confused.
|
|
jazzmom
Trail Wise!
a.k.a. TigerFan
Posts: 3,064
|
Post by jazzmom on Apr 23, 2019 7:01:02 GMT -8
I thought the Circuit was comfortable with the amount of weight people were carrying, at least for a couple minutes. And I can attest to the indestructibility of BigLoad's full-Spectra McHale, having watched him roll his pack end-over-end down the Papago slide. (I don't know how we could possibly not have a video of this, or at least pictures!)
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,939
|
Post by BigLoad on Apr 23, 2019 7:58:47 GMT -8
And I can attest to the indestructibility of BigLoad's full-Spectra McHale, having watched him roll his pack end-over-end down the Papago slide. (I don't know how we could possibly not have a video of this, or at least pictures!) I thought there would at least be a scuff or two, but I couldn't find any. Perhaps that was because it really did roll, half a revolution at a time, with little noticeable slip, but even then I would expect a rock edge to have an effect. The stays didn't bend and the contents were undisturbed. I would have put it back on before continuing down the slide, but the footing didn't feel stable enough for such a maneuver. In retrospect, the best place would have been immediately after the big step-down where I took it off. One could probably fall down in that little bowl without disaster.
|
|