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Post by tkrick27 on Nov 19, 2015 6:16:09 GMT -8
Someone posted in my original post that bringing up questions that have already been asked can help everyone revisit the basics, so I'm sure this has been asked before, but I'm hoping to bring it back up for the benefit of everyone. I'm very new to this, so you are going to see some very basic questions from me.
In the next week I'm going to be purchasing my first Daypack. If you've had the chance to read my introductory post in the trailhead, then that may give you a little background. I've done quite a bit of research into the Daypack's and everything kept leading me back to Osprey. Their products just seem to be well thought out, and the quality is there. I don't need anything expensive, but I definitely don't like buying things cheap. I work in retail and "you get what you pay for" seems to be true in most cases. After quite a bit of research I've landed on the Osprey Stratos 24. Not too big, not too small. The question I have is whether a 24L pack would be large enough for a single overnight? It doesn't necessarily have to be, but it would be a bonus so I don't have to buy another pack once I take that first overnight trip. I'm still new to all of this, so I figure i should buy equipment that is flexible to start to keep costs down early.
As for the Reservoir, my research lead me to a Platypus Big Zip 3L. I originally had planned on the Osprey Reservoir, but read quite a bit about it leaking badly(but the comments also said it is one of the few reservoirs that don't give the water a bad taste). Any thoughts? Again, my thought is to start out with a one day hike(loop), and work my way into a single overnight, and eventually a multi-night trip. What about accessories for the reservoir? I've seen people talking about in-line filters. For an overnight trip, do I need to get some kind of filtration system to refill the reservoir? I considered smaller reservoirs, so am I wrong in going straight to 3L?
Thanks for all your help.
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amaruq
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Post by amaruq on Nov 19, 2015 6:41:07 GMT -8
When I go on shorter overnight trips, I simply use my big backpack cinched down with fewer consumables in it.
My day packs depend on what I need them for. I have one carry-on sized 30L day pack that operates as a standalone. It's heavy and rugged; mainly used for urban backpacking or day-only excursions into the bush. I've another light-weight, pack-able day pack (about 25L) that I can pack into my big backpack for daily excursions when operating in a basecamp method.
I can't offer any help on the water reservoirs though, I'm strictly a bottle man. For filters, the Sawyer Mini seems like a popular and flexible choice. It can be run inline with your reservoir tube (mind you, your reservoir will contain dirty water), set up like a LifeStraw, or used in a makeshift gravity filter. Both the MSR and Platypus filters can be used in the same capacity as far as I know, as they are also just hollow-fiber filters with barbed tube connections. I've used my own GravityWorks filter and tubing similarly to a Lifestraw with decent results.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Nov 20, 2015 21:56:56 GMT -8
24L is awfully small for even a light overnight, IMHO. I used a 44L pack for a trip a few years ago, not backpacking, but camping. I was able to fit in my tent and sleeping gear, just adequate clothing, but almost no food and no cooking gear. I guess with the tent outside I could do it--my son managed his share for a couple of years, but he's small so his clothes aren't too bulky. (back from running down and looking in the gear closet) I used the Stratos 26 as my daypack when we trekked in Peru in 2014. Definitely not adequate for overnights. I maxed it out with 2.5 liters of water, my insulation and rain gear, and a small bag of snacks. Here it is; you can see it looks pretty maxed out, and I'm wearing my rain gear:  |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Nov 20, 2015 22:00:00 GMT -8
So I guess what I'm saying is that if you want to get only one pack, get one that's sized for overnights or even multiple nights (55-60 L minimum, for me). But you can also look for deals on last year's model daypacks, and get one that is really right for dayhikes and one that's right for overnights.
By the way, as I found (had to return the first daypack I got on a screamingly good deal), fit is just as important for a 24L pack as for a 60.
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Post by tkrick27 on Nov 21, 2015 16:12:58 GMT -8
I'm already abandoning my initial plan of not buying multiple packs. I'm going to start with a 24L and after I get some miles and get more comfortable in day hikes, then I can move on to a larger pack(60L or similar). I know myself, and if I get a 60L to start, I'll fill it .............. and regret it. I'm probably better off forcing myself to conserve space in a smaller pack to start. With that said, If I'm going to do a day hike, does 3L make sense? I read somewhere that in the Summer, if you're going to hike for a good portion of the day, then 3L is what you should have. Is that reasonable, or should I go smaller?
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Nov 21, 2015 16:29:26 GMT -8
After many years of doing this, I can go out for 2 nights with a 28L day pack. However, all of my gear choices have been changed over the years, always lighter and most times smaller volume.
slide show
As you can see here, I stuff my quilt in loose. I use a hammock with skins to keep it organized. The orange stuff sack is my neo air. The white bag is my food sack. The green one is my personal hygiene/first aid. The blue one is my stove, pot, and fuel. For a simple overnighter, I take no extra clothing. My stove is a White Box. My pot is a tea pot. My fuel for 2 nights would be 3 oz of alcohol.
So, yes it is possible, but I don't think a person just getting into the hobby will have a good time utilizing such a small pack. It takes a while to figure out you own comfort zone. As you may have noticed, I do use a bladder for water, as it takes up too much room in the pack. I carry a qt bottle, and refill it as needed. For that, I carry tablets, like Micro-pur tablets. They weigh little, and will treat the water I need in about 45 minutes. That does require some planning on my part to not run out and need water desperately so I can wait the time allotted.
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Nov 22, 2015 2:16:31 GMT -8
The gear you need for a single overnight vs. multi-night should be pretty much the same (for the same type of destination and time of year). So unless you have your gear down to an ultralight, minimalist kit, 24L won't be enough for an overnighter.
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markskor
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Post by markskor on Nov 22, 2015 10:15:47 GMT -8
Agree with above, the gear needed for an overnight trip only differs from an extended 2-week Sierra odyssey by the amount of food brought along...all else remains constant.
You may get by with a 24 liter pack - doubtful though - will probably go unused most of the time unless day hiking - sleeping bag, tent/tarp, pad, kitchen, plus add a fleece, plus rain gear...food?...unless spending mega-bucks for the best minimalist gear (and then knowing what you are doing?)... all will never fit inside 24 liters.
Suggest getting a good 50 - 60 liter pack, (something that carries well, and fits), and not filling it up for shorter hikes and overnighters.
BTW, will you be required to carry a bear can too?
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Nov 22, 2015 10:47:25 GMT -8
As for the Reservoir, my research lead me to a Platypus Big Zip 3L. I originally had planned on the Osprey Reservoir
I'm a contrarian regarding bladders and reservoirs. Very concerned about leaks and catastrophic failures, particularly based on my pack and smash backpacking loading habits. Actually have purchased (2) bladders, the first time for my wife, it leaked and dripped so it went to file 13 (trash can). I purchased another to try it out and could not change my consumption habits from a pause and refresh style to sucking on a tube.
Our current kits, use (1) 20 oz. serrated Gatorade Bottle in custom made holster with Velcro that is attached low on the pack shoulder strap, supplemented by Nalgene Canteen(s) carried in the backpack side pockets. This keeps water on the exterior of your pack system. Maximum outside the pack water capacity would be 84 oz. (2.625 Qts. or 2.48 Lt.) The oval like shape of the canteen fits well to the hips.
32 Oz. Oasis Naglene Canteen
The minor sacrifice in weight is offset but a robust, exterior capacity. An additional sacrifice is that you may be replenishing your water supply more often, which might be a weight savings in itself as you can adjust and carry less capacity. It's dependent on daily water source opportunities available on your hike.
Sometimes additional capacity is required to mitigate lack of water replenishment sources in your hike.
To increase capacity will carry soft water bottles which we pack internally in our backpacks.
Platypus 34 oz. Soft Water Bottles
We reduce the risk of a spill by managing our soft water bottles using a LIFO (Last In, First Out) process. In other words, when an exterior canteen or water bottle is empty, it's filled with the soft water bottle or more often, the soft water bottles are used for breakfast and dinner meal preparation.
An additional factor in reducing internal spill risks is the product. The soft water bottle has two components, the soft bottle and closure cap. They are also very light weight and take up very little pack space when empty.
Now back to our anti-reservoir approach. Each reservoir has 6 to 8 components in the design. More components, more opportunity for failure. More manufacturing processes to control.... essentially more variables especially when used as a single water system. By bringing more water containers, you have back-up for failures and more versatility in loading your backpack for comfort and affectivity.
As backpackers gain field experience, each will develop their own unique systems and preferences which generally change and get upgraded on a continuous basis. This simply represents a slant on what works for our family.
Best regards on your future backcountry journeys and hope that you stay connected on the forum.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2015 11:48:49 GMT -8
My wife and I have been using the same Camelback bladders for about 6 years now, without issue. With using the Sawyer, the squeeze bags serve as a spare in case the bladders ever leak. We also carry a 16 ounce water bottle for mixing our Coco water powder and coffee in as well as a spare water, carrier if needed. We also carry a spare squeeze bag for a just in case. Our total water carrying capacity is 6 liters and 16 ounces. We rarely need to carry more than the 2 liters in the bladder. At camp we fill up the bladders and 2 2L squeeze bags. Normally, the water gathered the night before will, in the morning, refill the bladders, be used for coffee, and cook breakfast. The Sawyer fast fill adapter allows us to gravity fill our bladders. The gravity fill allows us to do other things whiles the bladders fill. We added the pre-filter mod which allows us to go quite a while without needing to back flush the Sawyers in the field. Typically, to clean the prefilter, I remove it from the Sawyer and rub my thumb over the dirt collected on the pre-filter. I used to boil the pre-filter to clean it but the rub it with the thumb method works just as well. With the pre-filter, I typically do not back flush the Sawyers for 4 months. After each trip, I remove the used squeeze bag caps and hang the squeeze bags, outside, upside down to drain and dry. I will check the prefilters and clean as needed. At home at the end of the season, I run a water and bleach solutoin through the water filters and blow out any remaining water. I soak the pre-filters in bleach for a day or so, then I rinse and let dry to be used for the next year. Not an attempt to sell product(s). Frankly, I have used a number of other water filters; like First Need, MSR, PUR, Aquamira, SweetWater, Steripen, and a few others. The Sawyer Squeeze is rated to filter 1 million gallons of water. I was told that they really do not know how many gallons the Sawyer Squeeze will filter. Anyways, all the other water filters have failed in the field at some point. Oi! and the cost of a replacement cartridge can be close to what a new filter costs. The Sawyer Squeeze filters, just plain do the job I put the Squeeze filter in a sock at night and stuff it in the bottom of my sleeping bag to prevent it from freezing. a quart plastic bag helps to keep it from leaking into the sleeping bag. HYOH |
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Post by k9education on Nov 22, 2015 21:37:40 GMT -8
Osprey's reservoirs are crap. I've had 2 fail within a couple months. To their credit, Osprey's customer service has been excellent. They replaced the reservoirs without complaint and I even got a personal phone call/apology from someone other than a 3rd party customer. Nonetheless, I would never purchase another Osprey reservoir. My Camelbak reservoir, on the other hand, went for about 4 years before inner lining in the tube came undone. Camelbak sent me a new tube and that's been going for another 3 years or so. My wife's Camelbak, which sees far less use than mine, has been going for 7 years.
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talus
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Post by talus on Nov 23, 2015 11:18:00 GMT -8
I say buy a cheap daypack and save your money for a nice larger 60 literish pack. You can always upgrade to a better daypack later. One the lightest and cheapest water solutions is Smartwater bottles-their longish shape makes them easier to get in those bottle pockets.
if your set on bladders the Platty 2 liter hoser is light and fairly cheap.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Nov 23, 2015 13:57:47 GMT -8
But a lot of times "not cheap" also means "not lightweight" and hauling some brick around, a brick before it's even filled, is no fun at all. I'd say look at some thing simple, one large compartment, couple of bottle holding side pockets. It does depend on what weight you plan on needing to carry... something other than a sack with shoulder straps starts to become nice as the weight goes up. Oh and on water? That stuff weighs two pounds per quart! Carrying a lightweight filter like one of the Swayers would be nicer depending on how the water sources are distributed where you'll be hiking. just to throw it out there? On many of my wanderings around Tuolumne Meadows etc. I don't bother with a daypack at all but just use a bike messenger bag. Easier to get to while standing and has the volume I need for a nice day in the Sierra. www.timbuk2.com/shop?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand%20-%20Category%20-%20US&utm_term=timbuk2%20bagsWhile at other times I use a Mystery Ranch SnapDragon. NOT the lightweight option... Sort of like their current Sweetpea: www.mysteryranch.com/sweet-pea-pack-exNice as my camera gear load increases. |
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markskor
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Post by markskor on Nov 23, 2015 15:02:04 GMT -8
Would still rather carry a size 60 backpack and, when at camp somewhere, tent erected, just use the regular pack as a day-pack - partially filled - the same pack with only what's needed for the day - fishing pole, reel, lures, lunch, water, water-proof shell, and a fleece...easy, than carry another day-pack stuffed.
However, when out backpacking, and not fishing (thus less gear needed), still always carry a UL day-pack - (part of my kit), a Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack (20-Liter) - 2.4 oz., (folds up tiny!), and then have a choice what pack to then carry depending on what volume needed that particular day.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Nov 23, 2015 17:20:21 GMT -8
Bottom line though is: What. Will. YOU. Do. With. It?
Why do you want to get a daypack at all?
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