Bushwalk Australia

Hi All

Wondering what works for other and what options are around with pack-able packs for peak bagging and other side trip walks.

I have been using the Kathmandu packable pack at around 200 grams for 15 litres and found it not too bad though managed to put a small hole in it but it has not torn from that hole. The waist strap makes for a steady carrying and can take some of the load off the shoulders but I sorely missed the chest strap as when briskly coming back from Pelion Gap to the hut poling along the straps would work their way down my arms demanding constantly tugging them back. Not so much a problem without poles.

My friend brought a Sea to Summit silicon one and super impressed by its packed size and weight but it only has shoulder straps and she found they would scrunch up like a plastic shopping bag handle into the bra strap indentations and become rather uncomfortable plus took extremely careful packing to avoid being poked in the back by what she was carrying plus found it unstable on the back in scrambling.

I visited Kathmandu and yes the half price sale meant about normal pricing so I brought the next level up on my packable pack that uses the same rip-stop nylon. It claims to be 18 litres and weight 370 grams. It has a chest strap and piece of rubber foam to protect the back but can be removed at 35 grams and can handle a drink bladder. In all very promising but as yet unused. It sale price was above forty dollars so it normal price is a rip-off at near ninety dollars. I am not sure but at this stage it looks about the best weight to feature trade-off.

Just wondering what other options are out there in case this does not work out.

Cheers

Brett wrote:Hi All
Wondering what works for other and what options are around with pack-able packs for peak bagging and other side trip walks.

My pick is the Go-Lite Ion (reviews at: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... ad_id=7620).

It is a simple single compartment pack - 25L volume, lightweight [my long size Ion weighs 248g after some modifications - I removed the waist belt as the sternum strap is more than sufficient and shortened the harness straps (they were longer than necessary)], very durable material (much stronger than the lightweight nylon) and comfortable harness. Only downside is a lack of pockets if you use water bottles (there is an opening for a hydration tube at the top of the pack if you use a hydration bag but no hydration sleeve inside (I secure mine with some cord attached to the haul loop if the pack is not full enough to keep the hydration bag in place). Alternatively, you just stick your water bottle inside the pack. (The lack of pockets keeps the weight of the pack down).

I bought it from Backcountry gear last year for $50USD plus postage (2 friends also bought one at the same time so we shared the postage). Love it!

Brett wrote:<snip>Wondering what works for other and what options are around with pack-able packs for peak bagging and other side trip walks.

I have been using the Kathmandu packable pack at around 200 grams for 15 litres and found it not too bad though managed to put a small hole in it but it has not torn from that hole. The waist strap makes for a steady carrying and can take some of the load off the shoulders but I sorely missed the chest strap as when briskly coming back from Pelion Gap to the hut poling along the straps would work their way down my arms demanding constantly tugging them back. Not so much a problem without poles.

Just wondering what other options are out there in case this does not work out.</snip>

Brett, As much as I've also criticised their pricing ethics, I've been using a Kathmandu Pocket Pack for about 5 years. Probably a previous incarnation to yours; mine is 20L and takes heap of gear. It was $10 at an outdoor adventure expo and would rank as one of the most useful things I've ever bought. Weighs almost nothing, packs down to a tiny size and seems to be indestructible. Waist strap yes, no sternum strap but I've taken it up Ossa, Barn Bluff and on other side trips with no problems. Goes everywhere from side trips to fast and light day trips to shopping trips in the city. As another option could you buy a sternum strap for the pocket pack to solve the slippage issue when using poles?

Hi John

I did toy with fitting a chest strap but found with the Dash 18 my issues resolved, admittedly at a higher cost in mass and money. Yes as much as I rant against Kathmandu and their quality versus recommended price they have nailed the pocket pack market very well though the Go-lite mentioned might be an option for some. I find nowadays the a pocket pack is standard issue in my pack but I also use it as a bag so I can easily find my wet weather gear and first aid kit.

Cheers Brett