 I too am with Eddie and CP on this and rather resent the blatant plugging coupled with the Mother / Gear manufacturer always knows best inference. For example the Macpac Ascent is probably a great rucksack - but it did not fit me and "crippled me"*.
(* Not in the literal sense of course -but bloody uncomfortable).
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 I'll give it a whirl tonight as I'm leaving early to go shopping and try some on.
Thanks as always for everyone's help, tis one of the best forums in the country :)
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 I have to say i did not expect my response to be regarded as inflammatory. Hugo, i liked the Z55 in the shop, thought it was well made from nice materials, and i tried it on for a short period of time (not long enough, obviously), thinking i would get on with it. I took it home, loaded it, adjusted it, wore it, walked with it, adjusted it ad nauseum. I couldn't get it comfortable, so returned it a week later. (I have owned a few rucksacks and have spent a lot of time backpacking, so know what to expect from a pack). FYI i took the old Z-Pack (without the new curved back system) out for a weekend once. I liked it a lot.
I liked the bag, but we didn't get on. Without wishing to sound harsh, i don't care what Backpacker or Nat Geo Magazine think of the pack. I only care about how it carries when on my back.
I don't come on here to "rubbish" any product. All i know is what works for me. I don't get on with Osprey packs either, which also puts me in the minority here.
Best Regards,
EW
Dave, i am very much the same as you when it comes to "trampoline" style back systems. I carry my pack high (waist belt above my hip bones by a couple of inches), probably like to bear weight on my shoulders than most and like the thing as close to my back as possible. That's just me.
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| Edited: 02/08/07 14:11 |
I accept that "crippled" was a gross exaggeration. It started to hurt my lower back after a very short walk is closer to the truth.
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 Eddie
"I carry my pack high (waist belt above my hip bones by a couple of inches)"
"It started to hurt my lower back after a very short walk "
Eddie - might the two be related? i.e the Gregory has a contoured harnass/back system with a hipbelt designed to sit across your hips.
A less sophisticate back system might suit your personal carrying style.
Just a thought
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| Edited: 02/08/07 14:45 |
Quite probable. Hopefully this admission will not bring a host of "you were wrong to buy sac x" type comments.
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 lol!
I have a moderate curvature of the spine and so have to wear a rucksack with a fairly "fluid"/flexible back panel. i cant use the said "trampoline" system packs at all, period. Thats why i get on with the OM sacks so well, they "mould" onto my contours rather than the other way around :-)
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Have you tried the Granite Gear Vapour Trail? I'm looking for a similar pack as you (for the GR20) and my leanings have brought me here. I'm stumbling as yet I don't think you can try before you buy as it's mail order only. The reviews suggest it's excellent! Worth a thought.
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 I suspected my comments would fuel more debate and this is fine. I also stand by everything i stated. All the packs will 'fit' in terms of measurements, they might be uncomfortable because of the different suspension systems used.
Ben here lies the problem - you claim a rucksack crippled you whereas in fact it didnt - so your description is wrong, it was 'bloody uncomfortable'. I would never claim I was right just that companies i deal with spend a huge amount of time engineering packs and then testing those theories. Ultimately every pack mentioned in this thread is a good pack.
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Funnily enough CP, I have just returned from using an Arete 45 this weekend and is spot on for a 1or2 nighter. at teh cotswold price its a steal although i paid full whack when i bought it
i now have 3 rucksacks
32litre for day trips
45 litre for weeknders
65litre for trail treks
ok so a bit overkill but I find that having a choice of rucksacks for each occasion really helps me
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 Just back from a week high in the Italian Alps - I carried about 11kg of kit and gear and used an Osprey Talon 33. I thought it was an excellent carry and coped with the load extremely well (in fact it was more comfortable, and more stable, than my Atmos 50 with the same weight).
It may not suit you of course but another one to try out maybe.
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 im with you dave, have a selection of sacs too,
10 or 15L ?, 20L, 25L, 40L and a 60l somewhere - havnt used for yrs and probably not upto my standards anymore.
thats between me and the wife, so a nice little selection depending on our trip. my fav is probaly my very old and simple Karrimor i think its a 10 or 15L- so simple its worrying.almost perfect for shorter scrambling days on sunny days, as no mesh or straps to get caught on rocks but lacks a waist strap which ive been meaning to add.
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Hi Morph,
actually its 4 sacs as you have just reminded me of having the exact same old Karrimor sac but like you cant remember the size. One buckle and one lid and thats it!
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 Why don't you try Lowe Alpine's Crag Attack 40?
It weighs about 1kg
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 why dont you try the deuter guide 45+10 cracking sack
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hey morph, just back from using the maxi tarp you supplied me with a few weeks ago. Great tarp for me being a shortie i could fit underneath it pegged out as a ridge shelter!
The best bit is the small bundle the tarp folds into and then hey presto i no longer need to go from my 45litre sack to my 70 litre sack for a weekend in the hills!
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I like the Aarn packs. Try an Aarn Natural Exhilaration or Liquid Agility. I have the Aarn Featherlite Freedom and Natural Balance (their lightweight range of multi-day packs). Look into it. You won't regret it.
The Aarns balance the load really well, don't inhibit movement, are very light and are exquisitely designed. You can run and jump in an Aarn, as the shoulder straps are decoupled from the hipbelt. They are awesome packs.
I have other packs, the Osprey Atmos being a favorite. However, I only use Aarn now....
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| Edited: 07/08/07 04:40 |
I recently walked part of the Lycian Way for about a week and spent a few days trekking in the Kaçkar Mountains with about 10kg in the 30l REI UL pack (<1100g). When I first put it on, I was concerned the hip belt seemed a bit thin and uncomfortable, but decided the difference of about 300g between it and my Berghaus freeflow 35+8 would be worth it. As it turned out, I never experienced any shoulder or hip soreness with it, as I had carrying a similar load in the Berghaus. I hasten to add that I have no particular problem with the trampoline back. On day hikes I often take a much bigger pack than I need just because I want it to be long enough to sit properly on my hips. And while I'm confessing my prejudices, I might as well point out that I don't trust zippers and only use a top loader. I've discarded too many perfectly serviceable packs just because of a failed zipper. I like the idea of the pockets in the hipbelt, but actually never used them. The bladder sleeve easily accommodates a 4l bladder. I was also concerned about the light fabric and never intended to leave the track, but inevitably found myself rubbing up against the rock and going through prickly scrub without any problems. For the pack, I mean. Ultimately, it's a UL pack and I don't expect it to have the longevity of a tougher and heavier pack. When it fails, I'll complain about that, but so far, I don't hesitate to recommend it. Could be pricey to have sent to the UK, though.
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