Backpack

[gisborne612]

I am interested in purchasing a WE Mountain Expedition pack for extended hikes with the kids. I am after a large capacity pack that is durable and not overpriced. Anyone feedback welcome.

[Moondog55]

I have been using one of an older model for some time.
Big, huge even, wears well but make sure you have it fitted properly when you are trying on and buying

[22F]

I'm a big fan of WE packs. I like the design concepts and ergonomics of them.
Good quality design, good quality construction.

If the pack suits your body, go for it.

[Drifting]

I have a Karajini for the same reason- it's big enough, but just. I love my WE pack- it is a load-carrying monster. I'd think you're 100% right in your choice.

With your kids gear, and your for that matter, I'd try to err on the side of lightness where possible. I bought my daughter a full-sized downmat 9, in expectation of her adulthood, and now I have to carry it. That sucks! I wish I'd spent the extra $500 and gotten myself and my wife ultralight sleeping bags, and I might have even considered giving up my much loved downmat 9 for a Neoair if they'd been around when I wa buying stuff.

I've bought my daughter (she's a BIG 6yo) a North Face Blue Ridge sleeping bag- it's a big hit, and weighs around a kilo. The only other reasonable kids bag I could find was from Mountain Designs, but it's comfort temperature is woefully overrated and it's *&%$#! heavy. The Blue Ridge has been good. You'll have troubles ordering them from the US though- I'm not sure if they ship straight here. I sent it to a friend, who mailed it on to me.


If you need any other advice about gear for kids please feel free to ask- I've just fully kitted mine out.

Cheers!

[gisborne612]

My eldest is 10 and youngest 7. What type nof packs do you suggest for kids?

[Drifting]

Osprey makes a proper pack for the 10yo, but you can also get cheaper ones form the US. My 6 yo, who is the size of a 7yo, uses a Tatonka daypack with a frame, 12 litres all up, but this does not fit so well, so she usually just uses her school bag, which is a nicely-made kathmandu kid's school bag.

Sadly, this pack is outrageous from Paddy Pallin, and Osprey will not allow you to ship stuff from the US to here directly, but some members have used a mail forwarding service to get around this. I've had a play with it- I don't personallyl ike Osprey packs- too gimmicky for my taste, but this would be great for a kid. Miles too big for the 7yo, but probably about right for the 10yo.

http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/SprintSeriesYouth

Also, some of the Vango packs might fit the 10yo- my wife has an old Sherpa 55- it's fairly basic but would probably due for a kid, especially if he/she are not carrying any more than 7-8 kg.

[Drifting]

This one might be too big: http://www.rei.com/product/778470

This looks like a good size: http://www.rei.com/product/781283

This should fit the 7yo: http://www.rei.com/product/733276

Good sized one for extended trips for the biggun: http://www.rei.com/product/733275

[nickL]

hi

not sure if you noticed but i had an osprey argon (85L) for sale on the "market square forum" - great load carrying pack with a great harness and excellent external pockets for getting gear in and out of quickly. anyway look it up on the paddy site or more details if you are interested.

cheers nick

[Lake St Clair]

One Planet McMillian all the way! Brilliant Pack!

[ollster]

One Planet McMillian all the way! Brilliant Pack!

Plus one. The best pack I've ever tried. It's not "overpriced", either. It's just not cheap, and you get what you pay for.

[sthughes]

One Planet McMillian all the way! Brilliant Pack!

Plus 2!

But it's much smaller than a WE Mountain Expedition.

[ollster]

Plus 2!

But it's much smaller than a WE Mountain Expedition.

Mein Gott. That is a big pack!

[Andrew]

I reckon Aarn make the best packs. I have owned/borrowed 10 packs over my time and my Aarn Natural Balance is just fantastic. Completely waterproof with two dry bags - one for wet tent and coat at the bottom and then everything else in the top. No pack cover needed, no millions of plastic bags or dry bags. Has two balance pockets at the front so can stand upright and enjoy the scenery. All this in 2kgs it is simply sensational. My wife has an Aarn Featherlite Freedom. Smaller with only one dry bag and 1.7kgs. You are welcome to look/try mine if you wanted. We are 25km NE of L'ton but come down to Hobart a bit. It is hard to see them in AUS and I had to order them sight unseen.

Cheers,

Andrew

Last edited by Andrew on Fri 04 Jun, 2010 9:34 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Ent]

Hi

McMillian plus 3. Being tall I have the long which is 90 litres. Honestly, that is all you need unless you are a super lifter as it can easliy windup loaded to 30 kilograms which in Tassie hills is just too much weight for most. As for kids I noticed one parent had fitted junior (6 years old) out with a OP Traverse day back as the harness would adust to his six. This is a 38 litre pack and would serve well as a full pack up to say when a kid hits 40 kilograms and then becomes a handly day pack. The beefed up version of that harness is used in the 56 litre packs. I liked the idea so check out day packs with decent harness as I am sure what OP does pleanty others would do the same.

Cheers Brett

[ninjapuppet]

I formed my positive opinion on the One Planet McMillan based upon my own assessement of packs in shops, and chose that one to be my heavy duty pack to replace my well worn out MacPac. I was surpised to see how well it was regarded amongs this forum's members, despite a lack of reviews on the net.

I am only 70kg, and carried nearly 32-35kg on the overland track this year without feeling much strain on neck, back or shoulders. My hips did start feeling sore towards the end, but that obviously shows that the pack is super effective at transferring weight down into your hips.
I'd rather have a shore hip than a sore spine/shoulder any day. much easier to condition and strengthen up your hip muscles than your smaller spinal muscles.

You will likely baulk at the price tag if new to bushwalking when other packs are going for less than half the price. However, I would easily recommend this pack. Buy once and you wont need to buy again for a very long time! I did briefly read through your WE mountain expedition pack review years ago and they had good comments, but the local gear shop didnt have them in stock for me to try on.

[Lizzy]

I am only 70kg, and carried nearly 32-35kg on the overland track

the question is why???? Seriously that is ridiculous and just doesn't sound much fun at all...

[sthughes]

Anyway were off-topic again, first hijacked by us OP McMillan fan boys and now onto the all too familiar 'carrying more weight than I do is stupid' theme

As for the WE Mountain Expedition pack I suggest, if you haven't already, that a forum search might be a good idea as they have been discussed briefly in the past. I know forum members JohnW and the_camera_poser both have one and from memory are quite happy with them. Might be worth a PM to them even.

Personally while I love my OP McMillan I have never used a WE and have also never met an owner of a WE pack that isn't satisfied with it.

JohnW's comment from over a year ago:

I've had that pack for about 18 months and very happy with it. Not the lightest but well made with a good comfortable harness that carries well and can handle a big load. It's not waterproof though; the bivy idea is maybe chest high for a smaller person. You would need extra upper body protection and a waterproof liner to keep rain out. Bivy is mainly intended for snow use I think. I used mine last weekend on an overnight trip, including using the waist pack for a side trip largely off track, which worked well. The pack is also a bit cheaper than similar WE canvas models.

[ollster]

I am only 70kg, and carried nearly 32-35kg on the overland track

the question is why???? Seriously that is ridiculous and just doesn't sound much fun at all...

Because the OLT is an easy walk and you can carry all sorts of awesome food and drink. I've carried cheeseboards, wine bottles, watermelons (actually, that was Lake Rhona), boogie boards (in the snow) and other stuff. Why not!?

And I don't see where the "OP Fanbois" hijacked anything, just telling it like it is...

[Lizzy]

oh by all means if you boys are stupid enough... I mean STRONG enough carry as much as you want
and by the way I didn't mention anything about the weight that "I" carry- I was commenting on the weight he was carrying compared to his bodyweight...
and one more thing seeing as I am now a topic hijacker a person new to bushwalking could read that comment and think that is an ok weight to be carrying- so as a responsible walker I was merely highlighting that it might not be the wisest idea!

[ollster]

a person new to bushwalking could read that comment and think that is an ok weight to be carrying- so as a responsible walker I was merely highlighting that it might not be the wisest idea!

True, true. 30kg+ on a 70kg frame is a bit severe. It may be "OK" for a specific individual, it just may not be a very nice experience. I still say watermelon at the end of a day's long/hot walk is pretty awesome and "worth the weight" (pun intended).

[Lizzy]

I still say watermelon at the end of a day's long/hot walk is pretty awesome and "worth the weight" (pun intended).

remind me to come on your walks

[Ent]

Hi

On waterproof or resistant packs not sure if any canvas pack is truly water resistant. I have noticed though the more mine have been out in the rain the better they get which lends support to the canvas swelling to take up the gaps in the weave but still would recommend a pack liner or individual bags, assuming you do not mind carrying a bit more weight. Also any canvas based bag is going to be heavy with most starting around 2.7 kilograms and heading towards 4 kilograms.

I am with sthughes never met an unhappy WE owner nor for that matter a OP either. I have carried a WE pack and found that I preferred the OP harness system but in fairness to the WE pack it was over a decade old and done very hard work. Of the conventional pack harness systems it is hard to go past the OP Exact fit plus systems but please be aware that OP have an extensive range of strap lengths while shops only stock the standard ones. What this means is, as much as I rave about a OP harness, if it does not fit you then it is not going to be good, so checkout alternative strap lengths, and if that is too much hassle then for goodness sake get a harness that fits you. Buying mail order is asking for an uncomfortable experience unless you know what you want IMHO.

I looked at the super large 105 WE pack and boy it is big and I am not small. Be a great pack for high volume stuff that I am told that parents with kids wind up carrying, can not leave Elmo at home can we?

Cheers Brett

[buggeriamold]

Oh well, I may as well go with the One Planet hijack for a first post.

Having just gone through the pack purchase process, I finished up with the One Planet Strezleci to replace my old Cascade.

I was fortunate enough to find the WE & OP range in the same shop, with a tolerant sales man so I spent over an hour loading one pack, then the other and walking around.
In the finish, even though I could get the WE cheaper (about $100) I went with the OP, as even though I was swapping the same weight, the OP just felt lighter.

I guess time will tell if I made the right decision.

Mark.

[pazzar]

I was just looking at a WE Lost World pack. Has anyone got any thoughts on whether it is worth the money? Or would I be better off buying an Aarn pack?

[Liamy77]

i think someone is selling a 95L Macpac cascades on this forum too if that is of interest to anyone...

[sthughes]

I was just looking at a WE Lost World pack. Has anyone got any thoughts on whether it is worth the money? Or would I be better off buying an Aarn pack?

From what I have heard both are good at what they aim to be good at. But they are totally different concepts from one another. Nissan 350Z or Nissan Patrol?

[Drifting]

For walking with multiple kids I'd choose the Lost World or the Mountain Expedition. You always have to bear in mind that on the last day the Daddy pack mule may have to carry other people's stuff. WE often have to load my Karajini with all the bulky stuff as well, since my daughter's 12litre pack wont carry anything much bigger than her air mattress. The Karijini is only just big enough for us, with one kid.

[Moondog55]

I have to agree with the post a bout the "Daddy Pack-mule" on the last day of any walk with my kids I always seemed to pick-up my 8YO's load, what you need for your self should NEVER be confused with the "NEEDS" of a group of kids which include toddlers plus, you carry a much bigger pack and walk much shorter distances.
A long week-end bushwalk may only be 8 kilometers in distance but that is plenty for young kids.
You need lights; books favourite toy or two, books again a favourite game or two. for young kids you always need to carry spare hats and gloves too.

My son and youngest daughter would no go anywhere without their favourite "blankie"

Bushwalking with young kids is different ball game, different rules apply, I always took a really big tarp as well as the tents, to give an area out of the direct sun in summer and the falling rain in winter

Kids ( Young children under 12YO ) should only carry about 10/15% of their body weight and that includes the clothes they are wearing, and remember this has to be fun for the kids, if it isn't they will never go on a second trip

[pazzar]

I was just looking at a WE Lost World pack. Has anyone got any thoughts on whether it is worth the money? Or would I be better off buying an Aarn pack?

From what I have heard both are good at what they aim to be good at. But they are totally different concepts from one another. Nissan 350Z or Nissan Patrol?

I understand that, I was just wondering about the quality of the WE Lost World. I currently have the WE Breakout, which I find is a great pack, but I find it is just not big enough for trips longer than 5 days or so, I like to carry a little more for those extended trips. I like the idea of the balance packs in the Aarns, but I am yet to try one on, so I'm not sure if I want just a big pack, or the Aarn style. Is the lost World as waterproof as the Aarn packs??

[johnw]

I was just looking at a WE Lost World pack. Has anyone got any thoughts on whether it is worth the money? Or would I be better off buying an Aarn pack?

From what I have heard both are good at what they aim to be good at. But they are totally different concepts from one another. Nissan 350Z or Nissan Patrol?

I understand that, I was just wondering about the quality of the WE Lost World. I currently have the WE Breakout, which I find is a great pack, but I find it is just not big enough for trips longer than 5 days or so, I like to carry a little more for those extended trips. I like the idea of the balance packs in the Aarns, but I am yet to try one on, so I'm not sure if I want just a big pack, or the Aarn style. Is the lost World as waterproof as the Aarn packs??

I doubt the WE woud be as waterproof, as most (probably all?) AARN packs have a WP seam sealed drysack liner. I own an AARN Natural Exhilaration daypack (no balance pockets) and a WE Mountain Expedition rucksack. Different purposes obviously, but I haven't had any problems with either of them and the quality of both is outstanding. The robust build of the WE pack is terrific. It's similar to the Lost World, which is more or less a canvas equivalent of the same pack. I've admired the LW up close in the shop a couple of times and would have no hesitation in recommending it, based on visual assessment and my own experience of WE quality with a pack of similar design. But boy that thing is a monster! You would really have to need and want something that size as I doubt there is a bigger pack in existence. One important difference between WE and AARN is the harness. The AARN harnesses are much thinner than most conventional types and mine feels much less robust. There are many straps to adjust, which can be fiddly and mildly annoying at times. I think a few others have also mentioned this. However based on usage to date I have no concerns about the strength. The bigger AARN packs may be different, dont know. I've found both the WE and AARN harnesses the most comfortable of any packs I'ved used or tried on, with possible exception of One Planet. Bottom line - It's a significant investment, is there anywhere you can try them all out?