almostthere
Trail Wise!
putting on my hiking shoes....
Posts: 696
|
Post by almostthere on Dec 4, 2019 9:40:51 GMT -8
Well, I can tell you why I have the backpacks I have (four of them) and none of it has to do with other people's standards, just the utility of the backpack - I can go up to 9-10 days with two of them, including the large bear can, but what I can't do with the ULA is carry all the tools and trash for trail crew. I should probably sell the Aarn pack, since it only accommodates the smallest of the bear canisters.
I have two Gregory Jade packs - the smaller was my three day backpack for SAR. Gregory packs historically are heavier than they need to be, the Jade 45 weighs three pounds and the Jade 58 which I picked up a couple years ago weighs less... carries more gear, but both fit me ok.
Osprey hates me. Pain and suffering. Always has, and each time I try a new model on, I can tell it always will. The real criteria is for me whether I can carry it without unnecessary suffering, and that's why I have the backpacks I have. They don't. I used to have a Granite Gear and recently tried a newer model, and it failed utterly to be comfortable - back to Gregory. The frame changed. No bueno.
|
|
cweston
Trail Wise!
Posts: 4,240
Member is Online
|
Post by cweston on Dec 4, 2019 9:58:43 GMT -8
In the end, we find what works for us personally. What someone else thinks doesn't really matter. True, of course. That doesn't mean it isn't potentially interesting and informative to hear others describe what works for them (in articles/videos/etc as discussed in this thread). These kinds of articles should probably all begin with "This is what has worked FOR ME: YYMV." And then reiterate that several times. But, alas, that's not sensationalist and click-baity enough, apparently.
|
|
jazzmom
Trail Wise!
a.k.a. TigerFan
Posts: 3,054
|
Post by jazzmom on Dec 4, 2019 11:52:07 GMT -8
Even if articles emphasized "YMMV", I think people just want a quick answer about what's "best". We're pretty fixated on being best/fastest/lightest/everything-est, at least in this country. Of course, it's a fake short-cut to gained experience, but I'm sure we all know people who are gear "experts" who have never backpacked a single night.
That said, I disagree that whatever others think doesn't matter. While I tend to disregard "best" lists, I personally get quite a bit out of reading gear reviews. Sometimes reviewers point out aspects that I hadn't thought of. Like corner cases, unusual situations, that one doesn't encounter often but may be critical if and when it does.
And, also, while it's easy to say "what works for us personally", it's easy to forget that it's experience that gives us the criteria for judging what "works". Reviews and even "best" lists can be valuable in giving us somewhere to start.
|
|
|
Post by cheaptentguy on Dec 4, 2019 15:08:28 GMT -8
That said, I disagree that whatever others think doesn't matter. While I tend to disregard "best" lists, I personally get quite a bit out of reading gear reviews. Sometimes reviewers point out aspects that I hadn't thought of. Like corner cases, unusual situations, that one doesn't encounter often but may be critical if and when it does. And, also, while it's easy to say "what works for us personally", it's easy to forget that it's experience that gives us the criteria for judging what "works". Reviews and even "best" lists can be valuable in giving us somewhere to start. Yeah, I think list and articles are pretty vital for me. The biggest issue isn't so much an easy so much as it is good direction to spend limited dollars. With most of my gear, I've tried to seek the opinions of experienced people and then figure out what would work best for me based on my limited experiences. Obviously, you have to experience things for yourself to determine what works, but it sure helps the economy of time and money if you have some solid starting points. For for what it's worth, I'm primarily a weekend warrior and opted a couple of months ago for the Osprey Exos based on loads of reviews. While not ultralight, it's certainly close, and it's suiting me perfectly at the moment.
|
|
|
Post by High Sierra Fan on Dec 6, 2019 14:58:30 GMT -8
For me it’s not at all about the opinion, simply about the information, assuming there is some. I’ve collected a number of items I first read about somewhere Or other where the details matched up with my needs with items I’d not previously considered.
Of course a “which pack should I buy?” Responded to with just a name and multiple exclamation points is worthless on all counts imho.
|
|
bushmaster
Trail Wise!
The mountains are calling, and I must go.
Posts: 50
|
Post by bushmaster on Nov 24, 2021 8:55:11 GMT -8
The first pack I bought was an Osprey. Thanks to REI's return policy they took it back with full refund. I hated it, I don't do any long distance hikes. Just going into the mountains a short way, setting up camp, and enjoying nature for the day is my style, although I do want to expand to overnight trips. I realize I will have to get a larger pack for that, and learn more about this ultralight stuff, but my 30 liter Savotta Jaakari is a perfect fit for my day hikes, even though the weight of it is 3 plus lbs. The favorite feature for me, this pack is how narrow it is, as it was patterned after the Finnish border patrol packs. I do wander off trail a lot, so a narrow pack is less likely to hang up on brush etc, and everything is inside except for water.
|
|
|
Post by 1holegrouper on Dec 13, 2021 10:01:45 GMT -8
Packs from the big box stores are a mixed bag. (Gregory, Mystery Ranch, Osprey, REI, Kelty, Jansport, Deuter, Mountainsmith) etc.Of those Osprey is good but not to my liking at all. Sometimes the big box companies will spit out a good one like the Mountainsmith Zerk 40. However their market counts on big box stores and I would bet the largest percentage of clientele are those who either do not do much research or are beginners. That said there are very high quality packs being made by them BUT there is a whole other world out there of backpacks:
I like to look at the cottage industry makers because usually their whole business is to fill a specific or unmet niche in backpacks. You've got companies the are focusing on ultra-lightweight like: Zpacks, Hilltop Gear, ULA (my personal fav for lightweight), Hyperlike Mountain Gear, Yar Gear, Nashville Packs, Allmansright, Gossamer Gear, Vargo, etc. Sort of geared towards throughhikers.
But, there are other pack makers that are still somewhat cottage gear industry that most backpackers miss. This is because they are catering towards a niche of function over weight and a very specific market. These include; Kifaru (my lifetime favorite), Hill People Gear, Sitka, Kuiu, Stone Glacier, McHale, Eberlestock, Badlands, Exo, Seek Outside, etc. These manufacturers are off most radar because they focus on specific clientele; hunters, alpine climbers, military, custom made orders, EU market, etc. However, for someone looking to find a unique pack that carries a load well and is ultra durable and hand made they are worth checking out.
|
|
ErnieW
Trail Wise!
I want to backpack
Posts: 9,732
|
Post by ErnieW on Dec 14, 2021 5:45:26 GMT -8
I currently have budget for only one backpack. Part of the budget is money but also limits on time to backpack and storage space for gear. So I currently have an Aether 70. So to take my family of four, with two being 9 year old twins, I need to be able haul a lot of stuff. Most of my trips are solo though. I am not able to do long trips right now so a little extra weight isn't the end of the world. I am a gear head so taking along stuff to play with on the trail is common for me. You could say the Aether does everything but none of it well. But since I need just one pack to do everything the Aether is my pack. Throw in that it is very comfy for me with heavy loads and I love my Aether. It meets my design needs. Also the OP article questions why would you need a removable head/day pack. I haven't used this pack in this mode but you can haul a bunch of stuff to a nice base camp then day hike from there with the daypack. But the thing people may not know about the Aether and the removable head is that there is also a waterproof flap for the top bag that covers the main bag clinch so if you do not need the space you can leave the head home. This saves about 12oz.
Another thing that I got from this thread is the emergency aspect of your pack. You might be able to comfortably carry all your stuff but if a situation comes up that you have to take some injured hiker's gear it may put you over the ultralight pack's limit. I don't know if this will happen for me in the future but it definitely has in my more hardcore past.
|
|
|
Post by Coolkat on Dec 14, 2021 9:29:39 GMT -8
However, for someone looking to find a unique pack that carries a load well and is ultra durable and hand made they are worth checking out. This is exactly why I bought the Divide from Seek Outside. "Lighter"-weight, volume and can carry the extra camera gear that I've started to do since getting a better camera. It took me a couple of hikes to get this pack adjusted for me but I think I've finally got it dialed in.
|
|
|
Post by tipiwalter on Dec 15, 2021 10:01:24 GMT -8
I can go 27 days w/o resupply with my 8,000 cubic inch McHale pack---around 100 lbs with winter gear. It carries comfortably tho my daily mileage is down to around 4 to 7.
|
|
|
Post by trinity on Dec 16, 2021 15:21:45 GMT -8
Here's an entertaining piece on ultralight from Cam Honan: link
|
|
|
Post by Coolkat on Dec 17, 2021 6:00:17 GMT -8
Here's an entertaining piece... From the article... "16. You’re considering replacing your regular shoelaces with dental floss." Years ago I read a book about someone's solo trip of the full AZ trail and met a guy who had cut the tongues out of his shoes. There is a point where you go too far
|
|
|
Post by Coolkat on Dec 17, 2021 6:05:34 GMT -8
McHale pack---around 100 lbs More power to you , but I just can't imagine finding that enjoyable but I will say I'm somewhat jealous of your extended stays in the woods. I use to work with someone who purposely worked out at the gym so he could carry a 80lb pack because he liked cooking good food.
|
|
ErnieW
Trail Wise!
I want to backpack
Posts: 9,732
|
Post by ErnieW on Dec 17, 2021 6:22:33 GMT -8
Sometimes I feel like I need to tell some UL'ers that at no point of weight reduction will your pack become an empowering anti-gravity unit.
|
|
texasbb
Trail Wise!
Hates chicken
Posts: 1,217
|
Post by texasbb on Dec 17, 2021 9:29:31 GMT -8
Sometimes I feel like I need to tell some UL'ers that at no point of weight reduction will your pack become an empowering anti-gravity unit. Tie on a few Helium baloons?
|
|