Backpacking rucsacs

What's on your back ?

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Kevan Flint
13/11/2002 at 19:39
Thought I'd try starting a thread cause it sounded like a cool thing to do . Plus it would be informative to find out what you folks use out there . Plastic carrier bags or duffle bags are NOT permitted because you'de me taking the mick (unless Paramo have started making .....no don't go there)
Oh by the way I have a Vaude 65 Astra 2 which is great for long weekend backpacks but maybe slighty too small for extended use when many days food may need to be carried .
It does have , however , a floating lid which extends the volume and an adjustable back system , well padded 'tergoform' back with it's biggest asset being a superbly well padded hip belt . All the straps are easily adjusted even when on the hoof . It is on the heavy side at 5 Ibs empty but overall an excellent sack , recommended .
Kev
Ben Hedley
13/11/2002 at 20:00
I use a Karrimor cougar 50-75 which IMHO is the dogs wotsits

Comfyest backpacking sack i ahve ever used!
joan collins
13/11/2002 at 20:08
OK, here's what I have and what I use them for. I have a Pod Black Ice (overnighting), Pod X-Pod (extended travel with climbing), Salomon Raid 30 (running and day sack), LA Contour 45 (ski touring), LA Onion Trekker (day travelling with full camera equipment) and a Hello Kitty medium Ballet (climbing day sack). And an old-style TNF large expedition duffel (self explanatory). Mostly reviewed in the review section.
Ben Hedley
13/11/2002 at 20:12
OOI, how do you find the Contour for skiing, esp when carving at speed etc?
joan collins
13/11/2002 at 21:45
The Contour's a terrific load carrier for skiing because it holds the weight low, wide, and close to the body, so it's really stable. The teardrop shape's not the easiest to pack efficiently, though. And the zip-top opening is a bit of a pain, because your stuff falls out when you open it. I wouldn't use it for anything except skiing.
Si
14/11/2002 at 09:42
Hi Kev.

I use a Pod cragsack for overnight stuff or winter day walks. Very comfy, tuff as a tuff thing and does what I need it to.

For most day walks I use a Lowe Contour Event. Nice day sack, quite tough also big enough for real lightweigt (for me) overnight trips. Hip-belt pockets are usefull and the hydration pouch is a plus as well.

I also own a Karimor Jaguar (65-80 I think). Used is only for multiday trips and haven't managed one of those in a while. Quite wide with the side pockets on (but you can always take em off if you don't need the space) back system is good, but I find the hip-belt buckle a pain.

Can't remember any other major pro's or con's for the Karrimor, haven't used it in ages.

HTH

Si(C)
moth
14/11/2002 at 10:29
Lowe Alpine CrossBow 70+15. Fantastic! Also have Karrimor Jag 80, North Face small bag, can't even remember what its called! and a Vango something or other....
pete morley 1
14/11/2002 at 19:56
I am crrently using a Craghoppers WP70, which is just great I really like the flow motion system great with my on going spinal problems,the hip beltis really top youcan have all the weight on your hips.THE omni pocket which is optional is superb for carting skis or snow board or tent stuff.my other sack is my long suffering vango contour 65 which despite the real battering it's had over the years is still alive and kicking, it does exactly what it says on the tin no more no less ,in fact I got two in a sale for 50 quid the pair one for my gear store one for the boy blunder!
Mark Phillips
14/11/2002 at 20:11
Lowe Alpine 75L sac... Cant remember the name but it's approx 12 years old and as tough as old boots. Very comfortable.
Berghaus Ice Star as a winter day sac.
Karrimor Hot Ice as a day sac and for skiing.
KIMM sac from my old running days.

Oh.... and a load of TNF duffels as they're brilliant for the vehicle based stuff I do.

M
Orange Alex Ford
14/11/2002 at 20:57
Mark, is yours the Liberty like wot mine is. (although mine is second hand from a certain Web-site editor.) He maintains that it has been ALL over SA and back and is still in good condition and working well.

I think the term bombproof fits very well regardign this item.

I have also used a nice new one too and that was the beez-kneez to boot.
Mark Phillips
15/11/2002 at 07:28
No, it's not the liberty.... I'll try & have a look over the weekend.

M
Si
15/11/2002 at 11:40
Alpamayo?

This is turning into a guessing game!

Si(C)
bryan crick
18/11/2002 at 13:01
Kevin I have the VauDe Astra II and it was plenty big enough for all my kit plus food for the Pennine Way, Cape Wrath Trail and the C2C. It is very comfortable indeed unlike the Karrymore Jaguar 65 which I gave to a young lad going to Autralia, the most uncomfortable pack I have ever put on my back!
Paul Bedwell 2
20/11/2002 at 16:29
When I looked for a new weekender pack I ended up settling for the Lowe Alpine Frontier 65+15. Top stuff, can't really fault it. Did consider the Astra, and would have had a Macpac for the 'bombproofness' if the cash was burning a hole in my pocker...
When I met up with some ex Army buddies for a trip out after a break, we all turned up with new Lowe sacks with 'no confering' (and we've all carried some ba****d loads in our time!).
I've always found Lowe's suit me - also have an Ice Peak 40 and an Elite 27 (older 'speedy' model) but not wanting to be too biased, I've just picked up a Karrimor Hot Ice 30 (oh OK..it was in a sale..) and have a secondhand Craghoppers TP35.

If anyone has used the waterproof Craghoppers Dripack models (also Dynamic Balance I think), I'd be interested in how you rated them...

Cheers all,
PB
Ninja Marmot
20/11/2002 at 17:05
Ok time for J to pop into this thread.

My BIG backpacking sac is an original Lowe Crossbow ND 60+15. No bulky side pockets. (I HATE those)

For a shorter trip in warmer seasons I cram into my Craghopper Dynamic Balance 40l (40 generous litres) sac. It is soooooooooo easy to carry - it feels heavy on the ground but with large loads in I almost forget it's there...

Hmmmm plenty of votes for Lowe I think
Joy Elliott
20/11/2002 at 19:31
I also use Craghoppers Dynamic Balance 40 litre sac for backpacking - I don't camp but have done lots of week long walks with it and it holds more than I can comfortably carry. I had a problem with the crossbar on the carousel at Geneva airport, it had come out of its socket, but I just threw it away and it does not appear to have made any difference. It is not one of the waterproof dripack ones, sorry can't help there - I use an inner liner and have a waterproof cover which works fine. On long distance walks if the weather is bad and the sac gets sodden that can make a huge difference to the weight and if it is not possible to get it dry overnight you can end up carrying a much heavier load than intended.


















John Kilgour
20/11/2002 at 20:23
I use a Lowe Alpine High Plains 70 (1994). It is a bit heavy (2.1kg) but very comfortable. I would like a 55 litre version weighing significantly less
Drew
21/11/2002 at 23:16
Well I have a fair amount.

Karrimor Cougar 50-75, ridge 40-45 and Hot Rock 30. Also the LA Skyline ND55.

All are amazing, and all serve different purposes.


Cougar long multi day trips, plus holidays
Skyline for weekend excursions
Ridge for long weekend day hikes, and work
Hot Rock for climbing, taking to work, short day hikes, and cycling
John Corteen
22/11/2002 at 10:18
Drew's rucksack collection stay nicely put away since the girlfriend turned up.
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