Backpack size ok, or get a new one?
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Original post
Just thinking about the 2 backpacks I own, and I`m wondering, if any of them really fits the purpose of travelling and tramping for 30 days in NZ.
The large one, a Deuter Air Contact Pro 60+15, is absolutely fine, when doing rail trips, the only hiking you do is from the train station to the campsite. It has lots of room for your stuff, but it weighs over 3kg, and it might be too big to take it on a hiking trip.
The other one, which I used for the Fehmarn trip is an Osprey Exos 38, lightweight, but much smaller. It was absolutely fine for a 5 day hike, but I think it might be too small for my planned trip, as I would need more stuff and clothing for 30 days.
For the Fehmarn trip I carried a set of undies, a lightweight trekking shorts and a lightweight trekking shirt, I was wearing the other set of clothing. I also carried a softshell jacket, an ultra lightweight rain jacket, 2 lightweight travel towels, a pair of flip-flops, shower gel, toothbrush and paste. And the camping equipment, tent, sleeping bag, little, foldable pillow. I did not carry the cooking equipment on that trip.
Washing my clothes with shower gel is fine with me, but I think, I would need to take at least one more set, also the cooking stuff, a rain pants, trekking poles.
So, I found these backpacks, which could be better:
http://www.deuter.com/US/us/backpacking-trekking-/act-lite-50-plus-10-3340315-120.html
http://www.ospreyeurope.com/gb_en/exos-48?
But, I`m really unsure, they are bigger than the Exos 38, and lighter than the Deuter, but I already have 2 backpacks.
What do you think? Which one would you take?
I`ll set the links to the other 2 bags:
https://www.trekkinn.com/outdoor-mountain/deuter-aircontact-pro-60-15/14337/p
http://www.ospreyeurope.com/gb_en/exos-38?
Those are close to the pack sizes I use as a weekender and a day pack.
I know some people use much smaller packs but I would of expected 5 days food and a sleeping bag to more than fill a 38l pack and you still have your storm gear and spare clothes to put in.
Dont rely on good weather just because you are coming in summer. As soon as you go into alpine areas you can find blizzard conditions any time of the year. Ive seen snow falling in Queenstown between Christmas and New Year and the likes of the Kepler are quite a bit higher. You have to be prepared for that then you are fine but if not you could be dead.
For a 3 day trip I'd take a 75L pack minimum. I usually just take my 90L everywhere. I'd rather carry too much stuff then not enough when I need it.
If this pack is going to be your main backpacking pack as well as your tramping pack then you'll really need to go bigger. The excess gear can be left at your accomodation while you are out tramping.
take a pack big enough for your gear for three season conditions.. too small a pack is a bigger pain than too big a pack, dont get into stashing gear on the outside of your pack, its not a good practice to get into, harder to keep stuff you need waterproof. stuff comes loose and falls off...
I use a 75 litre Aarn Guiding Light pack (60 + 15) for everything between 3 & 8 days and often take it on overnight or long weekend trips even though I have smaller packs. On the 5-8 day longer duration trips, especially if carrying a tent and sleeping mat, careful packing is required but this size pack proves fine for me in NZ conditions.
There's a huge range in how much weight / volume people people take into the mountains. I'd do a three day trip in winter with a just over 30 L pack, pull out the 45 L pack for longer trips. Others will want double that and take their 90 L pack for a two-three day trip.
See what you've got for tramping and if it will fit in the pack you've got. I'd go with a lightweight nylon stuffs in it's own pocket day pack for all the non tramping traveling stuff and leave it somewhere else when I head to the mountains.
Ian, are you staying in huts? or do you have camping shelter with that gear? if you're taking shelter what type of shelter? a tarp?
When I travelled Europe I used a TNF 85L Zealot and my wife a 60L Macpac. We both had a lot of room for 5 weeks travelling though we were staying in backpackers and hotels rather than camping. Our packs were never completely full.
I would say your Deuter should be large enough if you don't go overboard with what you bring (or what you buy to take back).
For tramping I have used a Deuter Spectro 36 for all my trips (from overnight to 6 days) for the last 4 years. If you want to make a small size pack work you do need some investment in quality compact gear to ensure your safety and comfort.
However, your Deuter 60+15 is the more conventional size most kiwis would use and is probably your best bet for Both your travelling and tramping.
@waynowski
We could branch this if you like.
2.4 x 2.8 polycryo tarp for shelter - about 150g, made from one of these: http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/NAHomeEnergy/Home/Products/~/3M-Indoor-Window-Insulator-Kit-Patio-Door?N=7579606+3294348357+3294529207&rt=rud
Will upgrade to a cuben fibre version once I get around to sewing/taping it. Polycryo tarp has survived better than expected, so I haven't got around to making a cuben fibre version.
Very light homemade bivi bag, cuben fibre bottom, very light ripstop and insect netting on top. Just over 100g.
Homemade pack from light ripstop nylon, cut down zrest closed cell foam mat down the back is the frame.
750g down sleeping bag.
This winter, have done Caples-Greenstone and later upper Rockburn, camping at Theatre Flat, my water bottle was frozen in the morning but I was quite comfortable under the beach trees there.
so Ian is using specialist ultralight gear with minimal shelter to be able to use a smaller pack than others... so that pack size is unlikely to work for gizmos holiday with his gear
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| Started by | Gizmo |
| On | 28 August 2016 |
| Replies | 13 |
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