I am needing a new pack for a winter 2 night event. My 29L is just a bit small.
Should I just jump to a 35L, or is it not worth it to go just a bit bigger?
-20 dog bag, bivy, some clothes, stove, and food.
I would like to focus on keeping moving, will not have a whole lot of extras.
REI outlet has a 35L. $100. I do not envision myself needing a 65L pack at any point.
I know if I have extra room, I will fill it up.
Do you usually go as small as possible when getting a backpack?
I always go larger than what I need. I’d rather bring something I wont use than leave something I might need.
While it might seem odd to spend an extra $100 for 6L you’re going to need what you’re going to need. I’m sure if you cut out the sleeping bag your 29L would be fine but that wouldn’t be a smart choice. And no I would not go with the 65L either. Next thing you know you’ll have 20lbs of extra crap that you never use and had to carry all over.
Normally I would pull a pulk.
No snow here, so I am trying to figure something out. I’m going to order the 35L, try it out, and return it if I cannot fit all of my stuff.
Thx for responses.
What sort of extra stuff would you be bringing for this trip that you would have left out of previous trips? 6L doesn’t go all that far.
That being said, I have an absolutely bombproof 30L Deuter that is probably 14 or 15 years old and I find it to be a great size. Great for 1-2 nights, and I’ve done a ton of hiking, camping, travelling, etc with it. It also doubles as my triathlon bag (and you know how much shit you end up bringing to races…) and easily fits everything I need for that as well. Great, versatile bag.
I also have a 55L bag. When i use that, and don’t fill it up, I just pull the loose compartments tight with whatever straps the bag comes with and it doesn’t feel like big, bulky pack.
If you’re really cramming everything in, I would go a size up. Nothing is more annoying then busting a zipper.
I’m in a different ballpark than you. I typically go 65L and about 16lbs before water and food. But, a thought for you, if I ever need more (one time I brought my brother along with a smaller pack that needed more storage), you can use a carabiner and latch on an extra attachment for the extra few liters. Whats nice is once you eat your food, you can fold it up and you are back down to your original pack size.
Maybe Cilogear’s 30:30 would work for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxZIFJI2ydQ
No, I do not go as small as possible when getting a backpack.
0deg down bag, bivy, and small pad.
Some ready to eat food,
Emergency esbit stove and small pot.
Extra baselayers, socks, and hats/masks.
Ideally I will not be sleeping. I will hike straight through. The gear is required in case you get stuck outside.
Definite cram in the the 29L.
I am not a big backpacker. I was thinking the 35L would suffice and I would use it more often than a larger pack.
May be a moot point as the snow starts to fall.
I’ll order one today and if my gear does not fit I’ll take it back.
Good points on the 50ishL pack though.
Thanks for the thoughts.
I go as light as possible, not size based.
My present pack, that I made, weighs 390 grams.
Good point.
I’m new at this, did not think about that.
-Jason
What is this trip you are planning?
Don’t listen to the gram counting zealots if you’re newish, and doing a 2-night winter trip.
Start safe. With all the safety equipment and layers. Be comfortable.
Going ultralight is a process involving developing a lot of little skills necessary to survive comfortably with minimal equipment. That process shouldn’t be skipped, particularly if we’re talking a cold winter environment.
Then gradually pare down as you get more experienced.
Tuscobia
I’m doing the 75mile, on foot.
I’m hoping for snow.
I’m curious too. Since moving to AZ I’ve been doing a lot of hiking and want to take it to a whole weekend. The backpacks are an old external frame from when I was in boy scouts, a military pack and an assault pack that has support, but not a complete frame. Meant for 3 day assaults. So I’m in the market for something more normal that will get me through a 3 day to 7 day hike, and things have changed a lot.
http://www.deuter.com/US/us/alpine-118.html
Finally something on ST I actually know something about, that said I’ll go with Duffy’s suggestion but be a bit more specific
.
http://www.deuter.com/US/us/alpine/guide-35plus-33573-118.html
Nice size but it being a plus + pack means it will have an expandable collar and “floating top pocket”. This means it is a 35L normally but when you need a bit more room (8L in this case) it expands to accommodate your extra stuff. I used to have a Dana Designs Bighorn that is no longer made that was of this type but smaller. Best damn pack I have ever owned, it was unfortunately stolen, I would have rather lost a bicycle than that pack. deuters seems to have a similar design philosophy.
However, if at all possible go somewhere and buy a pack where they will fit the pack to you or find someone who can give you some fit advice. It’s not bike fitting, but a good fitting pack makes a hell of a difference. When I bought my Dana Design the young lady who fit me took 45 minutes getting to where she thought it needed to be and I made some small adjustments later. This included her swapping out the normal shoulder straps for a set of smalls, as I have a short torso (5’8 48 frame on a tri bike). Always always try on a pack with a load in it. Either take your gear to the shop or hope they have some sand bags. I used a smaller pack than you are getting but I had lots of experience, we loaded the pack with 35 lbs, which was about max for me on any given trip, my base gear weighed 10-14 lbs the rest being food, water and weather specific stuff. Lots of good packs out there, so lots of options, if you are normal to long torso most things can be adjusted to fit, if you are short torso look at womens specific packs, just like bikes the biggest difference is torso length.
I’m curious too. Since moving to AZ I’ve been doing a lot of hiking and want to take it to a whole weekend. The backpacks are an old external frame from when I was in boy scouts, a military pack and an assault pack that has support, but not a complete frame. Meant for 3 day assaults. So I’m in the market for something more normal that will get me through a 3 day to 7 day hike, and things have changed a lot.
You know, the external frame might be just fine. People write them off too quickly.
They can carry more weight comfortably, and, this is a good plus in AZ, they ventilate your back much, much better.
They are really heavy though. Some people, like me, don’t think they are comfortable either.
I was fit for that external frame. Here is my super pack, but I don’t know if it is appropriate for long trekking in for fun. Definitely an SHTF pack.
I was fit for that external frame. Here is my super pack, but I don’t know if it is appropriate for long trekking in for fun. Definitely an SHTF pack.
http://www.eberlestock.com/...ger%20M%20Series.htm
Nice design for carrying a long gun, gets the weight of the weapon close to you, where it should be. Probably not practical for actual troops since if would be hard to deploy from there, but for packing a weapon into a remote location it would be nice.
Don’t listen to the gram counting zealots if you’re newish, and doing a 2-night winter trip.
Start safe. With all the safety equipment and layers. Be comfortable.
Going ultralight is a process involving developing a lot of little skills necessary to survive comfortably with minimal equipment. That process shouldn’t be skipped, particularly if we’re talking a cold winter environment.
Then gradually pare down as you get more experienced.
This