~50L packs
Garth Coghlan
I'm in the market for a pack with about 50L capacity, preferably one
that is light (1kg is ideal, 1.5kg acceptable, 2kg is pushing it).
I currently have a 30L dayback and a ~70L Macpac Genesis. The former is
perfect for daywalks and a bit of a squeeze for canyoning but I'm quite
happy with it. I've been using the latter for my multi-day bushwalking
to date but it really is too large and heavy (2.8kg) for short & light
walks.
Strangely, finding a pack of this size is very difficult. None of the
outdoors shops have much to offer in this range.
The Macpac Pursuit 50
(http://www.macpac.co.nz/products/display/catalogue/do,menuitem-view/mid,69/miid,2840/)
is along the lines of what I want (it's 1.5kg) but is out of my price
range ($400). One expensive pack is enough for me.
I am happy to buy an el cheapo pack and deal with the risk that entails
(in terms of reliability and lifetime). Recently I used a friend's old
BlackWolf 40L pack on the Woila Circuit and it was excellent but just a
tad on the small size. Hoping for a similar pack, I ordered a BlackWolf
Cruiser 50
(http://www.blackwolf.com.au/engine/SID/1000096/AID/100151.htm) (for the
princely sum of $90) from my local outdoors shop but am dismayed to
discover it is closer to 35L than 50L! I simply cannot fit my gear for
an overnighter into this pack. It is noticeably smaller than any 50L
pack I've looked at. Very frustrating. Particularly because I am going
to Ettrema Gorge this weekend and was keen to try out my new pack ...
Oh, the pain of Cheap Chinese Crap (TM)!
So, does anyone have any recommendations? Pretty please?
Cheers,
Garth
Terry Collins
> Hi all,
>
> I'm in the market for a pack with about 50L capacity, preferably one
> that is light (1kg is ideal, 1.5kg acceptable, 2kg is pushing it).
Let me get this right.You want a pack with 50L capacity, but you are
complaining about and extra 1kg in the pack?
What exactly are you planning on carrying in it?
> So, does anyone have any recommendations? Pretty please?
A more compressible sleeping bag?
A more compressible tent?
Stephen Cox
>
> I'm in the market for a pack with about 50L capacity, preferably one that
> is light (1kg is ideal, 1.5kg acceptable, 2kg is pushing it).
>
What about one of the Summit range. They have at least a couple of 50l
packs that weigh around 1.8Kg.
Stephen
Roger Caffin
> outdoors shops have much to offer in this range.
to the local manufacturers. Everything has to be humungous and bomb-proof.
> The Macpac Pursuit 50
> is along the lines of what I want (it's 1.5kg) but is out of my price
> range ($400).
It is a climbing pack I think? So the weight is all at the bottom, and the
narrow tiop makes packing it difficult. I sold mine.
> Hoping for a similar pack, I ordered a BlackWolf Cruiser 50
> princely sum of $90) from my local outdoors shop but am dismayed to
> discover it is closer to 35L than 50L!
Man who believes volume specs in pack is doomed to confusion...
> Oh, the pain of Cheap Chinese Crap (TM)!
YEAH ! ! !
> So, does anyone have any recommendations? Pretty please?
Try scanning packs at www.backpackgeartest.org, then order over the web.
Justr avoid the ultralightweight silnylon ones: a bit TOO light for our
scrub.
Cheers
Roger Caffin
Garth Coghlan
> Garth Coghlan wrote:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm in the market for a pack with about 50L capacity, preferably one
>> that is light (1kg is ideal, 1.5kg acceptable, 2kg is pushing it).
>
> Let me get this right.You want a pack with 50L capacity, but you are
> complaining about and extra 1kg in the pack?
I'm not sure what your issue with my statement is. What's wrong with
trying to shave 1-1.5kg off the weight of my pack? If I'm carrying
10kgs of gear, then 1.5kgs is significant.
> What exactly are you planning on carrying in it?
Bushwalking gear. For one-three night trips, going fairly light.
>> So, does anyone have any recommendations? Pretty please?
>
> A more compressible sleeping bag?
I use a Mont Hot Wire - it's pretty small.
> A more compressible tent?
I use a tarp.
G
Garth Coghlan
>> The Macpac Pursuit 50
>> is along the lines of what I want (it's 1.5kg) but is out of my price
>> range ($400).
> It is a climbing pack I think? So the weight is all at the bottom, and the
> narrow tiop makes packing it difficult. I sold mine.
Interesting - I will consider this in the future.
>> Hoping for a similar pack, I ordered a BlackWolf Cruiser 50
>> princely sum of $90) from my local outdoors shop but am dismayed to
>> discover it is closer to 35L than 50L!
> Man who believes volume specs in pack is doomed to confusion...
I accept a certain amount of variation but this is a ridiculous amount!
Bordering on false advertising/misrepresentation, I think.
>> So, does anyone have any recommendations? Pretty please?
> Try scanning packs at www.backpackgeartest.org, then order over the web.
> Justr avoid the ultralightweight silnylon ones: a bit TOO light for our
> scrub.
Hmmm, I'm dubious about ordering something I haven't seen but if there
are reviews ... I'll go have look.
I've seen the GoLite bags and I agree, they are way too light.
Thanks,
Garth
Garth Coghlan
> What about one of the Summit range. They have at least a couple of 50l
> packs that weigh around 1.8Kg.
I can't find anything on the web. Do you have a link?
G
gaza
around $325
50L , 1.7kg, $325
http://aarnpacks.com/products/featherlite_freedom.html
Steve Robertson
Go-Lite Gust is $199 and weighs 560g. Its main compartment is 59 l.
But you'd have to be a bit careful of the lightweight material.
Steve
gareth
jamo
"Garth Coghlan" <iamg...@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:43d609f1$0$1049$61c6...@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm in the market for a pack with about 50L capacity, preferably one that
> is light (1kg is ideal, 1.5kg acceptable, 2kg is pushing it).
>
always go to a 70l Macpac Ravine, weighs 1.7l and cost me $199 a year ago.
Cheers
Roy
Terry Collins
> Terry Collins wrote:
>
>> Garth Coghlan wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I'm in the market for a pack with about 50L capacity, preferably one
>>> that is light (1kg is ideal, 1.5kg acceptable, 2kg is pushing it).
>>
>>
>> Let me get this right.You want a pack with 50L capacity, but you are
>> complaining about and extra 1kg in the pack?
>
>
> I'm not sure what your issue with my statement is. What's wrong with
> trying to shave 1-1.5kg off the weight of my pack? If I'm carrying
> 10kgs of gear, then 1.5kgs is significant.
Look, we might be just misunderstanding each other. I look at 50L of
water barrel and think "wtf is he carrying". Perhaps your 50L is just a
non-scalable pack sizing method (else the pack leaked heavily when they
were filling it {:-).
I had a ????? Alpiniste[1] that is 30L and that did me for a week of
snow skiing and people claimed that I took far too much.
It is the 50L that has me head scratching.
[1] it was a purple special at Paddy's back in the 70s {:-) and still an
expensive pack for me.
Gus
Summit Gear looks nice.
One Planet have a few mini packs that are 45L and weigh 1.5 kgs.
Their harness is pretty good.
David Springthorpe
<newsones...@woa.com.au> claimed the following :
>I had a ????? Alpiniste[1] that is 30L and that did me for a week of
>snow skiing and people claimed that I took far too much.
>
>It is the 50L that has me head scratching.
Dunno how you do it, but congratulations.....
Tamyka Bell
>
> Hi all,
>
> I'm in the market for a pack with about 50L capacity, preferably one
> that is light (1kg is ideal, 1.5kg acceptable, 2kg is pushing it).
<snip>
A few years ago I bought a NZ brand 50L pack, it may have been fairydown
or something like that? It's done plent of bush trips and been really
comfortable... but then the only thing I'm comparing it to is the
standard-issue POS.
Tam
Stephen Cox
Stephen
"gareth" <g...@example.org> wrote in message
news:43d6c09b$0$18620$5a62...@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
Terry Collins
Probably because we were only doing easy stuff and taking no chances.
Also because I could never ski properly and everytime I fell over, I
just knew it was such much more junk to haul out of the big hole I'd
just made.
I did share a tent and offered to carry the poles on the outside {:-),
along with the wooden handled shovel (&^$%^* if I was making any more
igloos and snow caves with tools with aluminium handles ever again).
Actually my tent (non snow trips) was a japara (small bundle), small
pouch of pegs and two collapsible poles (aluminium that slide inside
each other). My current tent I'd strap to the outside.
Basically, two sets of clothes (day and evening), okay, plus extra
singlets/t-shirts/grundies/socks and set in car for travelling home {:-).
Stove (2) and 2L and 1 litre of fuel, 4L billy,
Plates, mug, nfs, spondonicles
2L water.
sleeping bag,
Piles of food (fresh root veges, rice, noodles, meat frozen, then
salami. I hate dehyd food (never made my own), except milk and egg (let
sit over night).
Hard bread (german) packed well. 2 loaves.
then containers of marge/butter, honey, vege {;-), ???
Of course the day started with you crawling out of your sleeping bag,
stuff it away, then using both feet to cram in into the bottom of bag,
followed by clothes (seemed to account for bottom half)[1],then fuel,
billy (packed), food, water,, then another layerr of junk and cramm
rainjacket, over pants and coat (wool) on top.
[1]What was good was this pack had a double ended vertical zip that
started half way up, so you could pack coat and rain gear as top clothes
and still have quick access in the event of them being quickly needed.
"the frame" was your hip to shoulder sleeping mat. If you wanted a full
thermarest (not recommended on nylon floors), then it went on outside.
It did have two external strap on pockets (extra $$$) but they were an
infernal nuisace in any scrub, so I rarely took them anywhere. Anything
straped on external really needed to sit under the top, otherwise you
were asking fro it to catch on anything it could.
David Springthorpe
<newsones...@woa.com.au> claimed the following :
>..... My current tent I'd strap to the outside.
Alarm bells ! Alarm bells !
jagu...@gmail.com
trying hard to destroy for several years but without sucess. Mine's got
a simple harness and not too many bells and whistles, but there's word
that they've started to put more (weighty) gizmos and things on the
packs nowadays. But...they do make them in Katoomba and you can get
them customised...one person I know have had an ultralight pack made
up specially. Don't know if there's much/any extra cost involved.
Andrew
dcloj...@hotmail.com
Weighs 1.27kg- Medium size harness. $296 after disc.
took it to Nepal for a 6 day guided walk so wasn't carrying sleeping
bag nor food.
I found that there was plenty of space for extra bulky clothing items.
Compared to my Black Wolf day pack and Katmandu 75l it is very
comfortable. I was origionally looking at Berghaus and Deuter but when
I saw the Osprey I fell in love, or was it the lovely young lass that
showed me the pack ;P.
I really like the way you can hang a bladder between the mesh back and
the frame. I don't like packing around internal sleeved bladders.
Will it last in Australian conditions? time will tell.
Andrew Priest
<iamg...@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>I'm in the market for a pack with about 50L capacity, preferably one
>that is light (1kg is ideal, 1.5kg acceptable, 2kg is pushing it).
Hi
The latest issue of Outdoor Australia has an advert for a Fairydown
Vertex which is 55L at 1.55 kg claimed.
Regards
Andrew
freshwa...@yahoo.com
perfect weight - but a HECK of a lot better than the 3kg Glissade that
I own.
I could almost have got away with the 50L one, but the few extra litres
made the difference between food for 2-3 days or 4-5 days. Also, room
for extra thermals for winter trips.
Note: I did a really daggy thing in that I took my full kit into every
outdoor shop on the Kent St strip in Sydney and tried out all the packs
with my gear. Every shop obliged and even though it super geeky, meant
that I knew I was bringing home the right pack. Everything (including
my 1.5 man tent, well fly & frame) was INSIDE the pack!!
johns...@mbox.com.au
> Note: I did a really daggy thing in that I took my full kit into every
> outdoor shop on the Kent St strip in Sydney and tried out all the packs
> with my gear.
Not daggy at all. I reckon it's brilliant idea.
Kind regards,
John W
(to reply change mbox to bigpond and remove .au)
Tamyka Bell
>
> freshwa...@yahoo.com wrote:
> > Note: I did a really daggy thing in that I took my full kit into every
> > outdoor shop on the Kent St strip in Sydney and tried out all the packs
> > with my gear.
>
> Not daggy at all. I reckon it's brilliant idea.
>
> Kind regards,
> John W
It's brilliant. And brave :)
Tam
Dzung Nguyen
"Tamyka Bell" <t.b...@uq.edu.au> wrote in message
news:43E1501F...@uq.edu.au...
Do the same thing as before buying boots. Try them on with own socks. Dz
Garth Coghlan
research and final decision. Here are the packs I considered:
* BlackWolf Cruiser (50L, 1.5kg?) $90 -- more like 35L == too small!
* BlackWolf Canyon (75L, 2.3kg) $120 -- better volume but too heavy
* Kathmandu Conquest Rucksack (45L, 1.75kg) $290
* Kathmandu Extrados Rucksack (52L, 1.85kg) $360
-- didn't actually look at these. Might be worthwhile at a 50% sale
but still heavy.
* Macpac Pursuit Classic (50L, 1.75kg) $300
* Macpac Pursuit 50 (48L, 1.55kg) $400
-- about right but out of my price range
* Mountain Designs Pillar 45 (45L?, ?kg) $200
-- on their website but they didn't have one in their store.
* One Planet Mad Dog (47L, 1.5kg) $220
* One Planet Traverse (45L, 1.4kg) $?
-- 12 ounce canvas so nice and tough. Simple design. If I hadn't
found something else, I'd have ordered a Mad Dog in.
* One Planet Vertex (45L, 1.5kg) $220
-- a mate of mine has one of these and swears by it. 8 ounce canvas so
not as tough as the Mad Dog. Lots of extra mountaineering stuff I don't
need.
* One Planet WBA (60L, 2.0kg) $300
-- Heavy for something made from 6 ounce canvas. I suspect the weight
is in the harness. Too heavy, a bit big and pricey.
* Osprey Atmos 50 (50L, 1.38kg) $330
-- too expensive
* Summit Gear Cockatoo (45L, 1.6kg) $190
* Summit Gear Canyon (50,55L, 1.8kg) $220
* Summit Gear Rivergum (50,55L, 1.8kg) $220
-- these packs look like just the thing, except they are a bit on the
heavy side and I'd have to get to Katoomba to check them out.
* Snowgum Scout Pack (50L, ?kg) $130
-- didn't look at one but I suspect this is a nice and simple basic
pack. Might be a bit heavy?
* Snowgum Neo55 (55L, 1.68kg) $80 (down from $130)
-- I purchased one of these - the price was simply too good. Material
is just nylon. A big selling point is the removable waist belt, which
drops the weight to 1.42kg. At the weights I expect to be carrying in
this pack (10-12kg), I don't find a waist harness to be all that useful.
It also has a "pocket" on the back that provides convenient access to
the main compartment - hopefully it won't leak. Has two water bottle
holders on the sides that can be zipped away - they look like just the
thing I've been looking for! I haven't used it yet - we'll see how it
goes over the next couple of months.
Garth
figjam62
> After getting lots of useful advice, I thought I'd get back with my research and
> final decision. Here are the packs I considered:
>
snip
Garth,
Good feedback and product list there, glad you found one you like.
I am getting interested in going much lighter in carry weight.
Recently rediscovered this site . . .
http://www.gossamergear.com
Click on packing and take a look at the four packs there.
I'm seriously thinking about the G4.
At 453gms and 50lt to 75lt capacity, I reckon I could manage any of my walks with
this.
At US$85, it seems good value too.
I know, you have to treat them carefully, but then I treat my gear well anyway.
My current bullet proof Lowe Alpine pack is 2720gms, so straight up my load will be
at least 2.2kg lighter : )
Will just have be totally ruthless and modify some of my gear, but will be worth it.
Of course you have to look at gear carried . . .
A few people have mentioned bags here.
I feel that my Macpac Neve was an excellent start to going lightweight, without
compromising quality and warmth.
You've got to watch some of these new fangled hi tech bags.
A walking companion bought one of the Merlin Softies, but was very cold (he tells us
AFTER a recent trip) each night, and there were 17 of them !!
Cheers,
Les
Garth Coghlan
> I am getting interested in going much lighter in carry weight.
> Recently rediscovered this site . . .
> http://www.gossamergear.com
> Click on packing and take a look at the four packs there.
>
> I'm seriously thinking about the G4.
> At 453gms and 50lt to 75lt capacity, I reckon I could manage any of my walks with
> this.
> At US$85, it seems good value too.
>
> I know, you have to treat them carefully, but then I treat my gear well anyway.
Wow, that's light! I had a look at the GoLite packs, which are a
similar sort of thing. I decided that they wouldn't be able to hack the
sort of thing I do. I'm into short hard walks - lots of scrambling,
rough terrain, canyons etc. On an open track or on snow, though, they'd
be great (but how many of those are there in Aus?). Plus I don't want
the stress of having to baby my gear.
G
Michael C.
> * Snowgum Neo55 (55L, 1.68kg) $80 (down from $130)
> -- I purchased one of these
Where can I see one of these online Garth? And where did you get it for $80?
Cheers,
Mick
Garth Coghlan
Snowgum in Canberra on sale from $130. Try asking at your nearest
Snowgum, I suppose.
I can take some photos if you like.
Garth
Roger Caffin
$80?
www.backpackgeartest.org
www.backpackinglight.com
Cheers
Roger Caffin
Disclosure: I am a Tester, Test Monitor and Editor for the former (all
voluntary), and the staff editor for stoves and cooking for the latter.
figjam62
Garth,
Roger mentioned www.backpackgeartest.org in his post . . . the G4 pack is tested
there by numerous, well testers : )
Click on the Packs - Frameless packs and day packs, then you'll see the GVP G4 pack
about middle of the page, then just below that is a link to the page with plans to
make it yourself !!!
But I have neither the patience or sewing skills, so will just buy one if I decide to
go with it. : )
The overall conclusions are promising, with many saying that they didn't have to baby
it as much as they though they would.
Cheers,
Les
Michael C.
> Two good web sites for this sort of UL gear are
> www.backpackgeartest.org
> www.backpackinglight.com
>
> Cheers
> Roger Caffin
> Disclosure: I am a Tester, Test Monitor and Editor for the former (all
> voluntary), and the staff editor for stoves and cooking for the latter.
So I have to log-in to try to find this pack on these sites Roger? You
couldn't tell me if the Snowgum Neo55 is actually on these sites could you?
Roger Caffin
> > www.backpackinglight.com BPL
> > Disclosure: I am a Tester, Test Monitor and Editor for the former (all
> > voluntary), and the staff editor for stoves and cooking for the latter.
>
> So I have to log-in to try to find this pack on these sites Roger? You
> couldn't tell me if the Snowgum Neo55 is actually on these sites could
you?
No, you do not have to log in to either site.
The BGT site is fully accessible to the world without being logged in,
except for the admin areas.
The BPL is accessible to the world without being logged in, but detailed
reports and reviews do require that you be logged in. The simplest version
requires just registration, but full access requires (shock, horror) a
subscription.
To the best of my knowledge, the Snowgum does not appear on either web site.
Cheers
Roger Caffin