Starting out?

Hi,

I'm trying to choose my first large rucksack for walking/hostelling. The more I read the more I get confused. For the last 15 years I've owned a Berghaus Flare 30 daypack and it's lasted extremely well for everyday use.

I'd like to get something bigger that can grow with my experience but not too cumbersome as I use coach travel a lot to get to my destination. I also cycle and ride a motorcycle as well, and it would be nice to use the pack for this as well, if possible. I've been looking online at the following packs.

Osprey (All at Ellis Brigham or Itchy Feet London-Good reviews but not sure about toughness of fabric and back system if dropped)

Atmos 50 (only available in apple green in London)

Aether 60

Macpac (Prefer packs with the aztec fabric for toughness)

Glissade (not available new unfortunately)

Ascent XPD (Favourite so far)

Ascent Classic (Whats the difference between this and the xpd)

Pursuit classic

OMM

OMM Mountain Mover 55 + 15 (I like this one as it seems flexible, could it be used whilst cycling/motorcycling if stripped down?)

Am I wrong in picking mostly mountaineering packs above? This is one thing I don't envisage doing. My activities may extent to the occasional week long camping trip but at the moment I mainly want it for walking.

I hope someone can help me narrow down the most flexible solution.

Thank you.

David.

Hi David,

Welcome to OM. I'd decide what you need to carry with you and then see if you can get down to the camping outlet of your choice with all that kit and spend a happy couple of hours packing it all into various bags and trying them on.

What works for other people will not necessarily work for you. No doube OMers will be along with advice and opinions and these are invaluable but can be subjective, nothing like trying something out for yourself.

That said I got a Lowe Alpine 65l off ebay not having bought a rucsac for 30 years and apart from it is heavy it is hugely comfortable! There, you try my advice, I didn't!

Big pack and cycling... well, sooner you than me.  If you want to carry big loads by bike then let the bike frame take the strain, not you: vastly more comfortable and enjoyable.  So I'd look at bike mounted luggage and/or a trailer rather than cycling with a big pack.

Am I wrong in picking mostly mountaineering packs above?

Maybe, maybe not...  As AL states you really, really want to be trying them on and seeing what fits comfortably on you.  If a mountaineering pack happens to be most comfortable then it'll be an excellent choice (as long as it's generally big enough, of course).  If a trekking pack turns out to be more comfortable then that's the one to go for.

In the meantime, for general feature choice I put together a web page a few years ago that should still hopefully be of some use.  Clicky.

Pete.

I'll second Peter's advice on not wearing a big pack when cycling.  Personally I would not wear a pack on a motorcycle either - it really changes your centre of gravity and can have quite unexpected results when taking sharp bends.

All 3 brands of pack you mention are good.  I wouldn't worry about a climbing rucksack over a non-climbing version - the former will be taller and slimmer and a bit more difficult to pack but it comes down to whatever holds all your kit and feels comfortable.

Try a few on with weight - it makes all the difference. 

It's maybe worth adding the Osprey Talon to your shortlist. Comes in 3 capacities, each in 2 sizes. Light enough to use as a daysac, the bigger ones will do fine for hostelling and backpacking with reasonable loads, and lots of handy backpacking features - waistbelt pockets, side/rear/lid pockets. My wife uses her Talon for all the things you mention and winter hill walking in Scotland so it's a very versatile pack.