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Post by Coolkat on Feb 17, 2021 8:57:06 GMT -8
I'm about ready to order a new pack and one of the addon options is a top lid. All my packs till now have had a top lid and I use it extensively. It's where all my quick access items go. Think... water filter, toilet paper, first aid kit, lueko tape for my feet etc..etc..
However, If can change my routine a little I can save a few ounces and dollars by not ordering it. I'm wondering how many here made the switch and if you have any thoughts about this?
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Feb 17, 2021 9:00:22 GMT -8
Not.
My quick access stuff goes in a mesh front pocket. The lid thing just gets in the way when I need to get in the main pack. YMMV.
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Feb 17, 2021 9:52:58 GMT -8
Similar. I got large hip belt pockets for quick access items and never looked back. With a lid you still have to take off your pack to access it, with pockets those items are always at your fingertips and you can leave your pack on.
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Post by Coolkat on Feb 17, 2021 10:07:56 GMT -8
Similar. I got large hip belt pockets for quick access items and never looked back. With a lid you still have to take off your pack to access it, with pockets those items are always at your fingertips and you can leave your pack on. Thanks I like this input. Especially since I have the option to purchase a hip belt pocket for each side. I've never used hip belt pockets before so I'll admit sheepishly this is new thought to me but a very good one.
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Post by cweston on Feb 17, 2021 10:43:38 GMT -8
Hip belt pockets are awesome--I would never want to use a pack that doesn't have them. Of course, they will almost surely hold less than what you're currently packing in your lid, so you can't really think of it as a one-for-one swap.
I use my lid for raingear: when you want it, you want it quick. But you have to remove your pack to put a rain shell jacket on anyway, so it's no extra inconvenience that you have to remove your pack to access the lid, to my mind.
There's actually not all that much that I find myself needing to access frequently enough on the trail that it really needs to be accessible without removing my pack: snacks, lip balm, P&S camera, map, compass. If the mosquitos are apocalyptic; bug spray. These are the things I carry in either my hip belt pockets or my shorts/pants pockets.
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Feb 17, 2021 10:51:11 GMT -8
Good timing for this thread. I've been contemplating buying the Line Loc Lid for my Granite Gear Blaze 60 but it adds 9 ounces, and I've already added front pockets for small items. However, the lid would be nice for stashing my water filter kit and clothing layers for quick access during the day. All the above plus the cost do not quite add up on the positive side, but the Line Loc lid would really come in handy for day hikes from a base camp because it converts into a lumbar pack. I'd probably only carry it when the base camp scenario is planned. Nice to have that option, sale price now at Amazon and Enwild.
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Post by cweston on Feb 17, 2021 11:01:04 GMT -8
FWIW, driftwoody , I carry an REI Flash 18 as my summit pack. It also weighs 9 ounces, but has double the Line Loc Lid's 9L volume. I've never resorted to packing it and attaching it to the outside of my pack, but of course that could be done. I usually just turn it inside out and use it as a stuff sack when I'm not using it as a summit pack. I usually put gnarly, muddy stuff in there, like gaiters and micro-spikes.
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Feb 17, 2021 11:11:50 GMT -8
All my packs till now have had a top lid and I use it extensively. I think you have your answer. Is it possible to order one later? BTW, hip belt pockets are indeed awesome.
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Feb 17, 2021 11:20:49 GMT -8
I'll me-too the hip belt pocket comments. The bigger the better.
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Post by hikerjer on Feb 17, 2021 11:21:48 GMT -8
I don’t think l’d like a pack without a top lid. Maybe too stuck in my ways.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Feb 17, 2021 12:12:38 GMT -8
cweston, I have an ultralight sling pack (cant remember the brand) that weighs just a couple ounces. It zips into an integral pocket that can be compressed to the size of a baseball. It wouldn't function as a top lid, and I carry it only if I plan to base camp hike. However, I prefer to use this only for rain gear & insulation, not small front pocket items or water, tools, & snacks. I'd rather use the top lid converting to a lumbar pack for that.
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Post by Coolkat on Feb 17, 2021 12:16:26 GMT -8
I think you have your answer. Is it possible to order one later? BTW, hip belt pockets are indeed awesome. Yes, I can order it later. So I think I'm going order hip belt pockets for both sides and do a short 3 day trip in April and see how things go. At that point I'll order one if I'm still not happy.
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Post by cweston on Feb 17, 2021 12:17:49 GMT -8
However, I prefer to use this only for rain gear & insulation, not small front pocket items or water, tools, & snacks. I'd rather use the top lid converting to a lumbar pack for that. Yeah, whatever works, of course. I find the Flash 18 a little on the small side for extended day trips from a base camp sometimes, especially if I'm carrying ice axe, etc. I'd definitely not be able to manage with just a lid/lumbar pack.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Feb 17, 2021 12:28:59 GMT -8
Not a top lid fan, but mainly because it has been so long since I had one. None of my last 3 packs had a top lid.
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daveg
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Post by daveg on Feb 17, 2021 12:42:14 GMT -8
One of my packs has a roll-top; all the others have top lids. I use the top lid when it's there but don't really miss it that much when using my roll-top pack. Stuff that would normally go in my top lid either goes in the front pocket or in a small stuff sack at the top of the pack. It doesn't take much additional time to open the roll-top and get what I want out of the stuff sack. I am neutral about hip-belt pockets. Two of my packs have them and I made a pouch that I can attach to the hip-belt of the packs that don't. But I've found that I prefer shoulder strap pouches/pockets like this one from Gossamer Gear. I made my own but there are several companies besides Gossamer Gear that make them. Some people find shoulder strap pouches to be somewhat awkward, but I don't and find them easier to access than hip-belt pockets.
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