Packpacking backpacks

[dyna-ti]

Not really in the market, i've my Karrimor discovery 75L from the 80's and still going strong, but it's huge, and a 35L berghaus Freeflow lll, which sometimes feels a little small due to it being more a bike pack, kind of tucked in and shaped, which ok for a day on the bike, but not tent,bag etc.


I also wondered that in this day and age if there wasnt one with a specific thinish long pocket for tent poles, as that seems to me a good idea ?, and you can pack a tent flat rather than rolled if the poles are safely stored somewhere in their own pocket, than forced down the inside.

So something about 50L ish, What are you all using.

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

Serious answer, the one that fits the best.

Most people seem to love Osprey packs, but I can't get on with them. Love my Vaude pack though...

Most decent packs now come in different sizes, and different back 'systems', so try a bunch and find one you like the feel of.

 

[dyna-ti]

Not so easy to try before you buy, and that size is usually about 100 quid, It could get expensive

wasn't actually in the market, but ... but after posting this thread and looking at some of the top ten tests, i googled an odd name i didn't know and 2 minutes later bought it. 50L expanding to 60L seems ideal, and ok priced. Company called Salewa.

 

[rwm1962]

I've always used single compartment packs. It's always easy to slide any poles down the inside. My Lowe Alpine from the 80's or my OMM Villain.

Salewa been around for years. More popular on the continent. Only gear from them I've had was a crampon pouch.

 

[mk one]

Always put my poles in the outside side pocket and held on with the compression straps, same for tent, just other side. Dont really want wet tent inside rucksack.

 

[rwm1962]

Makes no odds to me as stuff that has to be dry is dry bagged separately. Wet tent & poles inside pack protected from scraping on rocks etc. I like to keep my pack thin with nothing on sides unless an extended trip where I'll break out the side pockets.

 

[mk one]

My poles are in a bag to protect them, same for tent, i use small thin packs too, so if im taking tent, therefore bag and stove etc, then no room inside for tent and poles. Also in pouring rain, dry bags or not, i prefer to unpack/open rucksack, inside tent.

 

[dyna-ti]

Packing's dependent i reckon. Depends if its an overnighter, so out is fine, dry and all but home it doesnt matter if you stuff it all in.
As its always been the tent the heavier, the method was always weight to bottom, then lighter going up. And I prefer a tent outside as if its a few nights, and youre constantly moving, the self contained dry tent bag underneath, isnt ever harming anything else, wet or dry, and as Mk says, you can put u the shelter without opening anything.
Poles were always a prob, and the ones on the snugpak are quite thin. I'd hate to damage them and think those of it all need better protection. Most packs are internal frame, and it would seem sensible to me to pocket the poles near those to act as rigidity and therefore more protection.




Oh aye dry bags, but what annoys me about them is the buckles. I'm carrying 1/2lb of plastic buckles