Aarn Packs

All the nag needs is some of those sexy shades :-)

Wayno - loved the pic! (BTW how do you put a photo in here? I've tried but just can't figure it out.) Actually mankind has constructed something similar to the horse's nose bag - it's a bag made of plastic and has a tube running around into the owner's mouth! lol Freud would have had a field day!

Just paste the URL for the image in the post.

Having easy access to on-track items is one of life's little luxuries. That some pack manufacturers (Macpac for one) continue to make packs without hip pockets is a mystery to me. Who enjoys the hassle and effort of removing their pack just to get at these things. It's a time waster too in a group situation. And I'm not a fan of filling my short pockets with snacks, sunscreen, gloves etc. Osprey excel at recognising on-trail efficiency in their designs, that's why I have several of their packs. We still use our Macpacs (robust and comfortable clydesdales) so to get around this problem I bought a little zipped pouch for $15 (couldn't make it for that price) and sewed two straps on the back, it slides onto the hip belt and is secured with some velcro to the stabiliser strap d-ring so it doesn't slide off when removing the pack. Seems to work quite well.

@JETNZ Where did you get your pouches from please?

Macpac, they are not on their website however...

@1strider. Hunting & Fishing have a range of cinching pouches. More than what's on their website. http://www.huntingandfishing.co.nz/catalogsearch/result/?q=pouches

@1strider - found the link. I can't see how useful it would be as a washbag... http://www.macpac.co.nz/overnight-wash-bag-55899.html

@Pro-active & JETNZ, thankyou both. The H&F pouches are similar to a couple of camera pouches I already have, but their store is just around the corner from Bivouac so I'll have a proper looksee as you say. The Macpac wash-bag looks suitable, similar to an old Kathmandu micro-fibre towel pouch I've never used. Do I understand the description correctly? Does the outside mesh pocket have a solid backing material or does it back onto the internal mesh pocket? I guess what I am trying to say; is the internal main compartment windproof/weather resistant to a reasonable degree or is it designed to ventilate it's contents?

@ !st rider - Snap ! I've got the old Kat-doo MF towel bags too. Use one for my toilet paper-stingose-bug repellent type stuff, kept in a side pouch so I don't have to unpack too much for it. Large zip-lock bag as an inner. TP in yet another smaller zip-lock. They've changed design a little now, but for $18 (super special clearance price) you get the towel as well. The Macpac ones look more substantial. H&F pouches are for ammo & such, so are pretty sturdy & practical. JETNZ adding stay-put velcro is genius !.