New pack for an 18yo

[Miyata610]

OT How does the BD pivot system compare to Aarn?

Doesn't BD just license it from Aarn? I'd assume then that it's the same.

[Ent]

His height at 180cm might put him on the cusp of a medium to large in One Plant and likely 3 to 4 in Macpac depending where his height is, back or legs. Not sure how Osprey do back lengths. While a longer back length can be shortened (sorry made more average) on many packs, a medium back length can not be made longer. Also being a male and eighteen a reasonable chance of further growth in back length and height. At eighteen to twenty one I crept up another 50 plus millimetres.

Nothing can compare with trying on a pack and seeing if it fits and also comparing it to others. Regardless the best way is with weight that you will carry. Some shops have sand bags for this. What I might like in a pack he might hate. Open Planet Shadows were on special at $199 in a Hobart store. They were the older model. The Shadow uses a lighter load carrying harness and universal back length. Still it has a large range of movement. I have the cut down version of it on my day pack and it is very good but I would keep to the maximum comfort load that is recommended for it as I would for any brand.

Check out Osprey website and you might find that the critical measurement is from the top of the hip bone to the shoulder. Match that to a manufacturer recommendation and see what is out there.

Aarn packs interesting looking things and have only seen three in the wilds of Tassie. One was damaged in a scrub bash. The other the owner liked on flat tracks but not so fond on rugged climbs. The third was so new that the owner had it rather poorly adjusted but seemed happy enough. If he is adventurous then the Aarn front pockets might be more annoyance but if he is more a flat track walker then might love the system. For me I can not hug the rocks hard enough but I have an extreme respect for heights.

Cheers

[Nuts]

My Osprey is medium, At 179 it feels a smidge long if anything.
I thought the OP lightweight packs 'rip when you put them down'??

[icemancometh]

OT How does the BD pivot system compare to Aarn?

Doesn't BD just license it from Aarn? I'd assume then that it's the same.

Is this the case? BD lists the features on it's website with their own names and says it's all patent pending. I can't see Aarn letting BD use it.


RE user height and pack size, there probably is some correlation but it's the back length, normally top of hip bones to prominent bone marking at base of neck, that matters.

[Miyata610]

Is this the case? BD lists the features on it's website with their own names and says it's all patent pending. I can't see Aarn letting BD use it.

I just checked Aarn's site... they boast that they license the technology to BD

[Webguy]

He's at work until midnight so can't measure that til tomorrow. Thanks again all.

Horsnby is quite a run from St Marys, but I will look into it and give em a call.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

I'm also 181cm, but 10kg lighter than your son (and you thought HE was thin and wiry )

I have a 55L Deuter and have found it to be excellent. Might be out of the price range, but on sale you should be able to get it for <$250. Fits my back/body shape perfectly, carries enough for 7-8 days, and manages loads up to 22-24kg without fuss (which is well over 1/3 of my body weight).

Comes in a bit weighty at 2.4kg, but has it's own integrated rain cover and harness system is super comfy.

Lots of good options out there - you really need to get him to a few shops to start trying them on (with weight in them). Different body shapes mean that trial and error is still the only way of finding what will work.

[Drifting]

Wilderness Equipment Breakout with a drink holder. Simple, tough-as-nails, and comfortable.

http://www.wildequipment.com.au/backpac ... Code=WEBO2

Can be had online for $287.

[Moondog55]

Well I am parting with the WE "Breakout" when I get back from the USA, it now has the large thin hip harness option and male shoulder straps
Still in "As new" condition and while a little on the weighty side it will last almost forever $185 including postage??
Too small for my style of winter walking

[blacksheep]

Macpac packs come in 4 back lengths and each one is adjustable* in length. You'll find a macpac to fit, and then he'll be able to hand it over to his son one day

*obviously our fixed length alpine packs are not size adjustable...

[Webguy]

I have a camping store near my office that I had forgotten about so I just dropped in then. Primarily Black Wolf gear, I had a quick look at the Mountain Ash which is a very thin tall pack and the Bugaboo 60+10. Just read a few reviews and the Mountain Ash does not really get great reviews but have not really found any reviews on the Bugaboo.

Anyone tried either of those?

Just trying what is close to me to see as many packs as possible, I may duck up to Glenbrook as well and have a look there, because with Kangaroo tent City at Penrith still in ashes, I would have to go to Paramatta, The City or Hornsby next.

Cheers

[ILUVSWTAS]

Do people still actually buy big items from camping stores??

Amazing!!

[Miyata610]

Well there have been two recommendations for Hornsby.

Do it.

[icemancometh]

Do people still actually buy big items from camping stores??

Amazing!!

Yes, footwear!

You may as well go up to the Blueys and get in a walk before or after checking out the shops. That or Kent St in the city. I wouldn't bother driving to Parramatta or Hornsby or anywhere else from where you are especially.

[Rob A]

Do people still actually buy big items from camping stores?

Absolutely. If I am wasting someones time helping to fit or size for me then I buy there.

[icemancometh]

Do people still actually buy big items from camping stores?

Absolutely. If I am wasting someones time helping to fit or size for me then I buy there.

Yep you are paying for the service as well as the product, if not buy online.

Sometimes you do buy online because the item is not available or the size or whatever, but if everybody went into a store to get their size and then just bought online how would the shops survive so that you could keep doing this?

[ILUVSWTAS]

I know your argument has merit, but maybe they just need to be more competitive in todays world??

Personally, my $$ is too important to me.

[wayno]

some shops will charge a fee to try on expensive items because they have so many people who don't buy they know are going online to buy....
at the end of the trend of behaviour of the majority of bushwalkers will determine if the bricks and mortar shops remain...
perhaps the wheel will turn full circle and people will start to drift back to the service of smaller owner operated shops.
the likes of kathmandu certainly arent one stop shops. i've seen tramping shops thrive next to a kathmandu shop.
the smaller shops are getting together to increase their buying power and get the prices down but the sole trader will never get the same buying power or cheaper prices...

[Miyata610]

...... but the sole trader will never get the same buying power or cheaper prices...

They might if they didn't have to deal with the local distributors.

[Ent]

Hi

Unless you know your size and what to expect for a young lad the extra dollars spent "buying" advice makes sense. Pack length is a critical difference between a happy walker and a very uncomfortable one. Even if the harness is alright, a proper set of chest straps can make it into a brilliant pack. Sometimes you are lucky that a pack off the shelf with limited or no adjustment is just great, But given the potential for growth I would be cautious and err on the longer back length. Only trouble is one of my friends parents brought her a great quality rain jacket a size or two bigger to grow into. She did not, so you can be caught.

One thing to watch for is stitching quality. A design that adjust back length by looping around sown in bars is very reliant on good stitching. Sadly a few brands are not good at that, Snow gum being particularly bad but they are impressive in their warranty replacement but not much help a few days in al long walk though.

Cheers

[icemancometh]

Hi

Unless you know your size and what to expect for a young lad the extra dollars spent "buying" advice makes sense. Pack length is a critical difference between a happy walker and a very uncomfortable one. Even if the harness is alright, a proper set of chest straps can make it into a brilliant pack. Sometimes you are lucky that a pack off the shelf with limited or no adjustment is just great, But given the potential for growth I would be cautious and err on the longer back length. Only trouble is one of my friends parents brought her a great quality rain jacket a size or two bigger to grow into. She did not, so you can be caught.

One thing to watch for is stitching quality. A design that adjust back length by looping around sown in bars is very reliant on good stitching. Sadly a few brands are not good at that, Snow gum being particularly bad but they are impressive in their warranty replacement but not much help a few days in al long walk though.

Cheers

Well written and I agree.

Your son is growing and you have no idea what fits or doesn't at this stage.
Think of it as an investment and pay for the advice and get something that fits. I wouldn't buy big to grow into though. I always got taught to buy for what size I am now as why would you want to get something that doesn't fit to start with? You can always resell and get a new one later on.

[Webguy]

Thanks again for the info and advice. I just measured from the top of his hips to the base of his neck and it is 52cm's.

I guess I'll be doing some driving around this weekend looking, trying etc.

[wayno]

ANY SHOP SELLING BLACK DIAMOND PACKS SHOULD HAVE a sliding device for measuring the length of their packs against a persons back to see where you fit into the sizing., i'm 5 11 with a long back but still fitted the medium length.
having pack straps that attach to the pack too high up your back can be more of a problem than it's worth its hard trying to get the straps not to sag and the pack is more likely to fall away from your back , pushing things off balance, and you can end up over tightening straps to copensate and end up sore. , you can always get a bit more lee way out of a snorter pack with adjusting length and straps

[Webguy]

Thanks all, made the journey up to Hornsby on Sat arvo to check the store out up there. They measured, poked and prodded, adjusted, re-adjusted, replaced and generally fiddled around until we had a perfectly fitting Osprey Aether 70 pack. They went to a lot of trouble to make sure the pack had the correct size harness and waist band and then of course moulded the band for him as well. For that sort of service it was worth the drive. He also grabbed the 3ltr internal water bladder.

Thanks for all the ideas and advice. Now we need to find a weekend we can get out and try it.

[Moondog55]

Just letting you know i have the WE Breakout just posted t ebay after being here for a month, it is on the heavier side but very sturdy and very very comforatble
($185- plius postage )