Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2015 11:31:28 GMT -8
I'll be going backpacking for the first time this year, so I'm in the market for some gear. Being on a tight budget and a college student, I need to choose as wisely as I can price and quality wise. My question is however, how do you measure your gear? Is it something like this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=b27LF8BuKgM ? I'd rather not buy and return a pack since I've never really returned an item I bought online, so I want to make a near perfect/perfect choice. Do you measure it like in the video or do you do it differently? Thanks! |
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panatomicx
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Post by panatomicx on Jul 25, 2015 11:56:52 GMT -8
Actually, I would load up that box with all my crap, then bring it to the store and see which pack it would fit into.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2015 12:20:14 GMT -8
I won't be buying the pack at a store, there are none that are close to me, so I'm forced to do it online.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jul 25, 2015 12:51:16 GMT -8
If you are forced to purchase online, get comfortable with returning ill fitting packs. There is no way to know ahead of time which pack feels right, especially since you are new to the sport. As for how to know if all of your gear will fit inside the pack, put it all in a sack, or a pillow case. Measure the space it takes up in cubic inches. Convert that into Liters, and allow for some unused space in the pack. My early packs were 80-100 L. Now, I use a 65L pack, after reducing my gear significantly. This is how to measure your torso if you have no one to help.ULA torso measurement (I have been dying to put this back in the Forums)
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franco
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Post by franco on Jul 25, 2015 15:10:36 GMT -8
A couple of points to keep in mind.
1)A 65L pack from one brand may not be the same size as a 65L from another.
Some manufacturers include the possible storage space of the outside mesh pockets, others don't and most measurements are rounded of .
(Backpackinglight measured differences of over 30% in stated vs actual volume in one survey)
2) Don't for get to add food and water to your volume.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Jul 26, 2015 7:10:25 GMT -8
To be blunt - It's simply foolish to buy a pack without trying it on. Take a road trip with all your gear as mentioned and go to a store although it is not your preferred method. If you were to buy a pair of shoes for the very first time, would you buy them online? No. A pack is like a pair of shoes - Each one fits completely different and holds the weight different. Being a new backpacker and on a budget, you're going to have significantly heavier gear from the start which makes it all the more important to go try them on in person.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 26, 2015 8:30:03 GMT -8
I fear Tigger is right. Also, in the store (a good store, REI or similar that specializes) someone will be able to help you get a proper fit, and adjust everything right. Just as an example, my husband recently took his pack (bought from REI many years ago) in to REI because he just couldn't get the comfort right. They adjusted all the straps and made it fit much better. They will do all that when you buy new, too.
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Post by ashepabst on Jul 27, 2015 18:41:17 GMT -8
are bear cans required at places you might frequent? cans add volume and can be awkward or unworkable for certain packs.
does your college have a rec center, with gear rentals perhaps? we got some great use out of Vanderbilt's gear rentals while my buddy was in grad school.
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amaruq
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Post by amaruq on Aug 8, 2015 16:33:20 GMT -8
If you want to enjoy backpacking and look forward to each and every trip, take the time and spend the money on a quality pack that fits you comfortably. Your backpack is the interface between all your camping gear and your body, you don't want it working against you otherwise all of your gear will be working against you.
Buying A or B quality used packs as mentioned above is a great way to get a high end pack for mid-end cash. Or mid-end for Walmart-brand cash. And if you take care of it, you can pass it along to the next person for a net loss of nearly nada.
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swmtnbackpacker
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Aug 9, 2015 7:48:40 GMT -8
Could put it in a known cardboard box to get a "guess-timation" (dimensions of box usually printed on side). Ask if you like to compress insulation or not? A detachable lid feature helps
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