Tent too big or pack to small???

Just because you're going to use a bigger pack it doesn't necessarily mean it will be heavy, although there can be a tendency to take some more "stuff" because you can. A bigger sac properly packed will also be more comfortable than a small one that is stuffed to bursting.  It will also be easier to get at things inside it.

Cheers for all the replies!

It's a shame, the tent would sit nicely strapped tight under the bottom of the kestrel but there's nothing to fix it on with and the sleeping bag/mat straps sit too high and too far out to secure it properly.

Any recommendations in the 45-55L range???

Alot of the other packs I've seen seem to jump up to 65L+ so might be going too far the other way... I have seen a zepton 50 on sale but the lack of stash space and top only acess are putting me off a bit.

In addition to the wildcamping I was hoping to do some lowland walking and camping soon such as the dales way, or anglesey coastal path then a more challenging LDP next year. I suppoose I don't want to shell out too much on something to make-do when I could spend a tad more and get something I'll be properly happy with  

Exos 46 - lots of space and compartments and straps on the bottom if you want to use them.

A lot of people seem to like te Golite Jam.

Any recommendations in the 45-55L range?

Try a load on, and best carry wins: different packs work for different people and the only way to know what works best for you is first hand experience.  Make sure you have a representative weight insde when you do, and if you take your kit it'll not only be a representative weight but a representative bulk as well.

Pete.

Peter Clinch wrote (see)

different packs work for different people

Indeed, i prefer carefull packing and a top only opening, though a bottom opening can be useful if you're likely to stash a wet tent at the bottom of your pack as i had to recently.

Include a little history in your walks. Pecsaetan - Ancient Derbyshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire - http://pecsaetan.weebly.com/

Wurz wrote (see)

Exos 46...

Yeah... I like these too. It has every feature you might expect a bigger and heavier pack to have, but everything is cut to the bare bone in terms of weight. I use mine for the sort of treks where I need to pack a week's worth of food, or more, with no chance of resupply. Basically, all my lightweight kit fills half the pack, and the food fills the rest, and the pack gets lighter and lighter every day!

I like the Exos 46 as well - in fact I'm wearing mine in my avatar,on the WHW as I'm sure you've noticed.

The only thing I don't like about the Exos is that the bag is a bit more fiddly to pack than some others due to the ventilated back.  Otherwise it's a cracking pack - fabulously comfortable, comes in different back lengths, loads of useful features and very light.  Not cheap, however.

My favourite packs around the 50lish size are the Golite Jam, (50l), or the Lowe Alpine Nanon, (50-60l).

 Depending on how much food, or if it's winter, depends on which one I use.

 I have got all the kit I needed for a winter overnighter into an OMM Jiri. 32l, but 'just'.

 Then that's using LW kit, down sleeping bags, with kit "pushed to the limit".

Hi All,

Thanks again for your advice so far! I managed to get a Berghaus Antaeus 45+8 which is in great shape for £28 incl delivery off ebay . Not the lightest at 2.2kg but cheap enough to not be an expensive mistake 

I'm considering options for a new smaller & lighter tent, but for now with the new pack will be ok if I can get hold of a cheap sleeping bag that packs very small.

I've had a look at the tesco down bag I've seen lost of  posts about but none in stock, also saw a vango superlite 100in the GoO sale for £28 but missed that too and now need some more alternatives.

I tend to overheat quicker than most so not too concerned about ratings (within reason).

Thanks again.

Mike