Post by batch17 on Oct 4, 2016 10:19:33 GMT -8
Good afternoon everyone,
I was reading the review and some of the posts on distance hiking packs, and though I found them informative, I feel that they did not address my slightly more unique needs. So, I was hoping you all could help with a recommendation.
My main uses for a pack of this nature is rucking rather than hiking. I am a retired Soldier (21 years US Army), and for the past few years I have been rucking 5ks and 10ks to raise money for charities that support Veterans and their families as well as to raise awareness for the Veteran Suicide epidemic. Last year, I increased my distance significantly, and am now rucking marathons...this has lead to my problem.
I use the modern issue framed Army Rucksack. While it's extremely sturdy, it's also extremely heavy, even empty, and it's belt and straps are not the most comfortable. For a 5 or 10k it was fine, but 26.2 miles at 46 lbs. it left me with nearly unbearable hip pain and welts on my shoulders, all of the above lasting for days afterwards.
What I'm looking for is fairly specific, and I though I've had people mention different packs, I feel that with doing 10-20 of these a year in addition to weekly training rucks, I needed an expert opinion.
o First and foremost, it needs to be light and comfortable. I'm happy to sacrifice light for comfort as I am less concerned with gear than I am with total weight. (it need to weigh in between 35 and 45 lbs. loaded). Ideally I would like one that I can make it through 26.2 miles where it's the distance that hurts me, not the ruck itself.
o Durability/packability: It needs to be framed and able to handle 35-45 lbs. of weights, fuel bars, and hydration for multiple rucks over city streets, hard packed dirt roads, or wooden bridges (sadly no comfortable trails).
o Functionality: The greatest design flaw in the Army ruck...aside from the pain it causes...is it's surprising lack of functionality on the go. There were times where I would go 6, 8, even 14 miles without stopping, and with the Army ruck I was left unable to access anything in it while moving. I need a pack that is set up with belt or strap accessibility to water bottle(s) and small storage spaces for a handful of bars or fuel gels.
o Price: Here's where it gets difficult. I know quality and comfort don't always (if ever) come with low price tags, but as a retired Soldier doing this for charity, and paying the entry for so many of these events each year, my budget leaves me under $200, and honestly closer to the $100 side of the under $200 range...which I understand does not leave me with a lot of options.
I've been told that the Osprey Exos is probably the closest thing to what I need, but that is coming from mostly mid distance hikers I know. My fear is that I would sacrifice too much comfort just to stay in a (somewhat) affordable price range.
I thank you all for your time, hope I didn’t miss an old post with a similar situation, and truly look forward to your recommendations,
Mike Batchelder
I was reading the review and some of the posts on distance hiking packs, and though I found them informative, I feel that they did not address my slightly more unique needs. So, I was hoping you all could help with a recommendation.
My main uses for a pack of this nature is rucking rather than hiking. I am a retired Soldier (21 years US Army), and for the past few years I have been rucking 5ks and 10ks to raise money for charities that support Veterans and their families as well as to raise awareness for the Veteran Suicide epidemic. Last year, I increased my distance significantly, and am now rucking marathons...this has lead to my problem.
I use the modern issue framed Army Rucksack. While it's extremely sturdy, it's also extremely heavy, even empty, and it's belt and straps are not the most comfortable. For a 5 or 10k it was fine, but 26.2 miles at 46 lbs. it left me with nearly unbearable hip pain and welts on my shoulders, all of the above lasting for days afterwards.
What I'm looking for is fairly specific, and I though I've had people mention different packs, I feel that with doing 10-20 of these a year in addition to weekly training rucks, I needed an expert opinion.
o First and foremost, it needs to be light and comfortable. I'm happy to sacrifice light for comfort as I am less concerned with gear than I am with total weight. (it need to weigh in between 35 and 45 lbs. loaded). Ideally I would like one that I can make it through 26.2 miles where it's the distance that hurts me, not the ruck itself.
o Durability/packability: It needs to be framed and able to handle 35-45 lbs. of weights, fuel bars, and hydration for multiple rucks over city streets, hard packed dirt roads, or wooden bridges (sadly no comfortable trails).
o Functionality: The greatest design flaw in the Army ruck...aside from the pain it causes...is it's surprising lack of functionality on the go. There were times where I would go 6, 8, even 14 miles without stopping, and with the Army ruck I was left unable to access anything in it while moving. I need a pack that is set up with belt or strap accessibility to water bottle(s) and small storage spaces for a handful of bars or fuel gels.
o Price: Here's where it gets difficult. I know quality and comfort don't always (if ever) come with low price tags, but as a retired Soldier doing this for charity, and paying the entry for so many of these events each year, my budget leaves me under $200, and honestly closer to the $100 side of the under $200 range...which I understand does not leave me with a lot of options.
I've been told that the Osprey Exos is probably the closest thing to what I need, but that is coming from mostly mid distance hikers I know. My fear is that I would sacrifice too much comfort just to stay in a (somewhat) affordable price range.
I thank you all for your time, hope I didn’t miss an old post with a similar situation, and truly look forward to your recommendations,
Mike Batchelder
