New Pack

[Nuts]

Got a new pack today to test out. It is 100% recycled Just thougfht it may spark some interest.

http://www.ccoutdoorstore.com/mountains ... cled-.html

The material is more like a heavy canvas than plastic, looks tough.

I have used Mountainsmith gear for a couple of years- forget familiar brands, these guys only make packs and are many years ahead of the more familiar Oz known companies.

Better gear, cheaper! Just needs a small leap of faith!

[tas-man]

I look forward to your feedback on its performance - the price looks good even at the current exchange rate plus freight.

[Nuts]

Will do. I have given their ultra-light packs a good workout and they are well built. They have really practical features such as extra length straps with little keepers, detachable day-packs, lined interiors, waist pockets, big load extender's etc and still save a kg or so on the 'norm'.

This new one has a few less features but includes a proper day-pack and the recycled material looks suprisingly tough. Let's see if they are up to some Tassie style abuse? Looks for now that the WE pack may spend more time hanging on the wall...

The price is OK, they can also be found on sale, cheaper still.

Testing the Hilleberg tents Atko, Nallo 2&3. Will also report on there performance (they should have at least 14 weeks 'in the bush' by Winter..)

PS- That link to C&C- They are a good company with reasonable postage. I buy Zamberlan boots from them... though many things can be found a few greenbacks cheaper.

[freemandale]

I'm planning another walking trip to Tas in March and hoping to fit in at least one multi day walk. On my lasy visit I used my daughter's Macpac - not a good fit for me! My sister has a Tatonka that she swears by. At only 5ft 2in and 56kg I don't want to be too weighed down but having carried 16kg+ on our last trip, weight is not so much the issue as comfort. I'm pretty fit but need a pack that fits comfortably. Any suggestions much appreciated!

[Ciaran]

Had a look at the site, looks the goods. I like the detachable day pack doesn't seem to be many packs with this feature nowadays. I'm not a fan of the detachable lumber packs (or bumbags whatever you might call them). Just can't seem to get enough in them for full day hikes for my liking. At 168cm( 5'6") and 68kg the 70lt is ample size for me.

I'm guessing that you can only purchase this O/S, so the "touchy feelly" test would be out of the question? As a matter of interest what was the postage time on the pack?

I'm in the market for a new backpack myself and have looked at the Osprey Argon (70lt) and the One PLanet Stezlecki, hoping to purchase by the end of january, so any feedback in the near future Nuts would be great.

[Ent]

Got a new pack today to test out. It is 100% recycled Just thougfht it may spark some interest.

http://www.ccoutdoorstore.com/mountains ... cled-.html

The material is more like a heavy canvas than plastic, looks tough.

I have used Mountainsmith gear for a couple of years- forget familiar brands, these guys only make packs and are many years ahead of the more familiar Oz known companies.

Better gear, cheaper! Just needs a small leap of faith!

Hi I thought a thread bump might be in order. Nuts any follow up reports on that pack and brand?

Cheers Brett

[Nuts]

O, I forgot about this. I actually did start to write a review, besides the specs though I found its not easy. If I mention the Pros and Con I find (reading reviews) that they are hard to keep in perspective. This 'Cross Country 3.0' has been used (stuffed full) for perhaps 30-35 weeks now. Maybe I'll take a few photos... It has a bit of stitching missing here and there, a couple of wear spots. The recycled material is as tough as any any heavy nylon. The pack is well designed. I especially like the day pack system. If perhaps a bit small, the area behind it means that you can pretty much keep loading it with gear thats still out of the way (tarp, snowshoes etc) I would buy it again if I wanted a large pack for up to high 20kilo mark. Id buy canvas for 30kg+ and a smaller lighter pack for (say) 18kg or less. I would buy the cross country again, the new model looks nice!

The AT55, PCT45 and CDT45 (Womens) have been reliable and similar design. They have a big stretch pocket on the back (rather than separate day pack) that is very useful (If a little fragile though there dont seem to be too many with rips). These we will be selling on soon and they will be a good cheap bargain for weekenders/light-weighters and those on a budget/starting out...

[eddie the eagle]

The recycled material is as tough as any any heavy nylon.

Hi Nuts,

When the PET bottles are made into thread instead, it's a polyester, usually Dacron.

THis is a tough polymer. Not surprised that it works well.

Cheers,

eddie

[Drifting]

The link didn't work for me, but I presume you are referring to the Mountainsmith pack. Mountainsmith has been a well-known brand in America since at least the mid-1980's, when they were quite common on the AT bits I was doing. I have a mountainsmith camera pack which probably isn't the best example of their craftmanship, but it certainly has stood up.

I knew a couple of thru-hikers who used Mountainsmith stuff.

[Nuts]

This is their website: http://www.mountainsmith.com/products.a ... egory2Id=0

I did mean to say that the daypack was a little on the small side, the area behind it makes for a Huge load... They have long straps with these neat little velcro tabs sewn to the ends. The tabs allow you to fold the excess strap out of the way.

They have changed a few little things in the last 3 years. The pack now uses 'Redura' among a few other nylon materials. No longer the 'Cross Country' in their range. (though i do see them on ebay now and then: http://shop.ebay.com.au/?_from=R40&_trk ... Categories )

I do like Mountainsmith, they make tough, no nonsense gear with a few nifty innovations. Not like other companies, i'd probably compare them as the 'One Planet' of US gear.

The AT/PCT/CDT are an older model. Hard to find retail but there are still a few archives around: (eg) http://www.trailspace.com/gear/mountainsmith/pct-45/