Picking a pack
is very personal. Some buy packs primarily based on weight, some based on
manufacturer and some on features. None are wrong, as long as you are armed
with the right information. We often see customers who bought packs for one
reason or another without considering the downside. Every choice has a consequence.
If you choose a lighter pack it will not carry heavier loads as well. If you
choose a heavier pack you will carry more weight. Being honest with yourself
as to your capabilities and actual activities can be back saving, as well
as trip saving.
We sell very
few external frame backpacks and no one here likes to use them very much,
so take what we say with a grain of salt. External frames carry weight better
than internal frames (camparing a good internal to external frame pack) when
walking straight and easy. They do not climb or move with a body well because
they can not bend as a body twists and bends with more complicated movement.
Do not use an external frame for mountaineering. We do have friends who guide
hiking trips and will carry nothing but an external frame (not many though).
External frame packs also are handy for tying bulky items to the frame when
they will not fit inside the pack.
Some packs should
not be purchased over the Internet if it can be helped. We have been serving
the Alaskan Bush for 25 years and we have become very good at fitting packs
over the phone, fax and e-mail but the best pack fitter armed with only measurements
and descriptions is less capable than an intermediate pack fitter working
with the body for a more specific fit.
Even the most
experienced hiker or climber can benefit from on hand pack fitting. Big internal
frame packs with modular hip belts and harnesses should be purchased over
the Internet only if you have owned that pack or carried that pack before
in the size you need. Even then you must bend your own stays and be comfortable
with each adjustment. If you are coming to Alaska to climb or hike let us
store the pack here until you arrive. We can then insure you are fit well.
Day packs, one
size fits all packs and packs with fixed harnesses and hip belts can be purchased
on the net with some measure of comfort. Face it, outdoor magazines and outdoor
professionals sometimes make to much of everything. We do. If you are not
going to be carrying heavy weight it becomes less important. It is still good
to try on different packs and see how they fit on your body. If you have a
good outdoor shop in your area give them your business. They can serve you
better than we can from Alaska no matter how hard we try. If you do not, we
are very practiced even over the phone and e-mail.
We find many
customers first concern in buying a pack is weight. If you are looking for
a pack for light and fast climbs, hikes or biking it is a legitimate concern.
If you are buying an expedition pack (expeditions without Sherpas etc.) or
a pack for carrying monster loads it is a minor concern. In between the two
is very personal.
Lighter packs
tend to have no suspension system, a frame sheet, a light foam pad, very light
stays or stay, or any combination of these. They also usually have soft, light
hip belts, and harnesses that bunch or transfer weight to only a small area.
A well made expedition pack will have a frame sheet, dowlrin rods and aluminum
stays that bend to the shape of your back to transfer weight from the shoulder
to the hips and along the length of the back. The hip belt will be substantial
and under a layer of firm padding will be a stiff material to transfer weight
throughout the area covered by the belt. Harnesses will be wider and more
substantial for maximum comfort.
At some weight
everyone will appreciate a good suspension system. What weight and volume
this occurs at is personal and even sport specific. For light alpine ascents
it is worth the 2 LB weight savings even if the pack doesn't carry as well
(they usually carry better doing more acrobatic moves). For activities like
ice climbing, expeditions and multi week hikes the extra 2 to 3 lb. the extra
weight and cost is worth the savings in back pain. It is all very personal.
A good rule of thumb - if the weights carried are small (relative to you)
or the activity is relatively short and extreme forgo the extra suspension.
Every pack fits
differently and performs differently, and to make it worse, does so differently
on different people. We have yet to read a good review of packs for just that
reason. It is hard to recommend well. We recommend researching a pack's features
and comparing them to other packs. Find a couple that seem to have what you
want. Talk to other people with similar interests and if possible body type.
Try the pack on with weight in it and carry it around the store for as long
as needed.
The Internet is
not a good place to buy a good internal frame pack for most people. If you have
carried a friends pack and like it, have carried a similar pack from the same
manufacturer, or do not have a good pack fitter or selection in your area the
Internet is not a bad option. If you have a good pack fitter in your area and
a good pack selection buy there. We have been selling packs to customers in
the Alaskan bush for 25 years and we have become good at fitting people over
the phone and via e-mail but there is no substitute for an expert on hand (are
we harping on this a little much?).
What volume do
you want? We often use 4,000 cu. in. packs for day trips in the winter when
carrying ropes, gear and warm clothing yet use only 3,000 cu. in packs for
a four day hike in the desert during the spring. We avoid recommending the
volume you should carry even on specific hikes or climbs as it is quite personal.
Our webmaster has carried a 4500 cu. in. pack on Denali for a personal trip
but uses a 7,000 cu. in pack for guiding. Below is a guideline you can use
as a guide but should throw it out if you don't agree (we don't even agree
with it for something's). This list tends to err on the side of being too
big.
On
many packs the top can be removed to lighten the pack on summit day. It can
also be used as a hip pack on many packs. Handy for summit pushes when little
is needed and day hikes from camp.
The Osprey Vector
packs have interchangeable front panels. Day packs, ice tool holders, camp
chairs, snow board carriers, and bigger pockets can be placed on the front
of the pack. It makes a pack very versatile but tends to be strappy. Osprey
packs are made in the USA They treat us and our customers as well as any company
we deal with and make packs to withstand abuse.
Dana Designs
Astralplane and Terraplane carry heavy loads better than any packs we have
carried with the exception of the Gregory Denali Pro and carry as well. The
Astralplane has been our best selling Denali pack for years through all its
changes. Dana Designs has a tradition of making high quality packs. They tend
to have clean lines but do not have the versatility of an Osprey Vector pack
if it is important to you..
We started carrying
Gregory packs again a couple of years ago and they have quickly become a favorite,
evenly dividing the staff as to weather the Dana Designs Astralplane or the
Gregory Denali Pro carry the monster loads better. The Reality is a favorite
for ice climbing and technical day routes when heavier loads are needed. Like
Osprey and Dana Designs Gregory has a long tradition of making very high quality
packs.
Disagree or have something to add please e-mail us.