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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: hoffman on 22:24:38, 11/01/20

Title: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: hoffman on 22:24:38, 11/01/20
I will be going to Denmark in a few weeks for a one month walking and camping trip. I will be taking a one kilo tent 2 kilo down sleeping back an Expedia down blow up underlay, change of clothing 2 phone an IPad plus toiletries and a small stove etc What size rucksack would other members recommend. I have my eye on the Osprey Atmos 65 AG.


Regards
Brian
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: ninthace on 22:35:48, 11/01/20
Unless you intend to shop online, why not go to the shop at which you intend to make your purchase along with your major items and try them in the pack of your choice, then you will know how it feels and how much spare space you have.  I have only used Osprey packs for the past 10 years and they have been excellent  Also, if you do have a snag, their after sales service is very good.
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: hoffman on 18:16:33, 12/01/20
Ninthface


Thanks for the help. I will try that.
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: vghikers on 20:10:34, 12/01/20
Much depends on how frequently you can restock supplies along the route. Also A 2kg down sleeping bag must be really voluminous - our old ME Iceline bags were for serious winter conditions and were around 1.8kg, one of those would almost half-fill our old quite big packs!. The Atmos packs are relatively heavy by modern standards, if weight is important, as it probably is on a month long trek, there are lighter choices that are as comfortable.

I agree that it's essential to try packs with your intended load, preferably in a shop where several types are available. Everything about a pack is personal and everyone is different. Osprey packs are very often seen on the hills here largely because they are ubiquitous, almost every outdoor retailer stocks them (at least the heavier ones). Again it's personal, many walkers find them excellent but many don't, including us. We knew immediately they weren't for us when we tried them on, they just didn't feel right. That much touted air gap at the back pushes the load farther away from your centre of mass which is bad for stability and biomechanics.

Unfortunately the only retailers we know that stock very light packs are all online only.

Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 20:11:23, 12/01/20
Ninthface
Oops. It is bad enough to imply that someone is two-faced, but nine!!!!  :D
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: gunwharfman on 20:26:58, 12/01/20
My maximum rucksack is 50L, never have needed any more space even when carrying 2L water and food for a few days. I just can't imagine why anyone would want anything much bigger? What do people carry in a 65L - 75L rucksack??? And what about the overall weight? My rucksack weighs about 8kg and I have everything I need for example for a two-week hike and with space to spare!
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: Owen on 20:50:27, 12/01/20
My rucksack weighs about 8kg and I have everything I need for example for a two-week hike and with space to spare!


Maybe so but you always make a point of telling us you never cook or carry food.


For long trips I use a 60lt rucksack in summer I can go for fifteen days. That breaks down to 9.7kg of food, 850g of fuel and 7.5kg kit. But the volume of one person's kit won't be the same as another's. How long you intend to go between re-supplying is another big factor, so it's hard to give a definitive answer.   
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: gunwharfman on 21:14:59, 12/01/20
I do agree with you but as you realise I just wouldn't plan to hike perhaps in the way that you plan to do so. I do note however that our 'kit' weight is about the same. I'm a hiker that prefers when possible to eat daily in pubs and restaurants rather than preparing it myself in camp. Or to be more accurate, I have no idea how to cook, so carrying such gear would be useless to me.
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: ninthace on 21:18:35, 12/01/20
And if you can afford it, a credit card is a lot lighter than cooking gear.  Not for everyone though. Fending and cooking for yourself can be part of the fun.
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: Owen on 21:20:08, 12/01/20
Thinking about it, my memory of Denmark is a little hazy. We used to invade it on a regular basis back in the cold war, we always played the bad guys. The Jagger Battalion had to try and catch us. But if I remember correctly it's all very rural, nowhere is too far from the next village. You shouldn't need to carry any more than a couple of days food. It really depends on how bulky that sleeping bag is but I'd be looking for something around 40 to 50 lts.
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: gunwharfman on 21:22:03, 12/01/20
Sorry, even the thought of cooking is not fun for me, I just like the eating bit.
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: gunwharfman on 21:25:33, 12/01/20
I once tried the idea of a smaller rucksack on my back and another, even smaller on my front but I just couldn't get a good enough front one at the time. I tried the OMM model for a while but it just didn't seem to work well enough for me.
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: richardh1905 on 22:54:30, 12/01/20
I would prioritize comfort and good design over pack weight, and as most packs have compression straps, there is no harm in being conservative in your choice when it comes to volume. 65 litres sounds about right to me for what you have in mind.
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: richardh1905 on 22:56:21, 12/01/20
One thing I will be looking for when I do buy a new larger rucksack is pockets on the hip belt - just the job for stashing small items that you might use frequently (phone, camera, compass etc).
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: hoffman on 08:43:32, 13/01/20
Thanks everyone for help


 My winter sleeping bag is 1.7 kilos (Mountain Equipment Snowline) Tent is 1kilo and underlay is 1kilo. Be taking a light change of clothing and an iPad with protection just under a kilo. Light rucksacks are nice but if the weight increases it is easier to have a slightly larger rucksack for shoulder and waist comfort. I came to an approximate 65 kilo bag because it is not too large but accommodates ease of access. In the past I have used cheaper bags but decided to get something better. My own experience with the light bags I have had is that access can be time consuming and one is always thinking about room and the lightness imposes many restrictions. Really a lighter larger bag is I suppose the best of both worlds
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: hoffman on 08:48:00, 13/01/20
What rucksacks do other forum members recommend. Most shops generally have a limited variety to choose from and can be quite time consuming going from shop toshop
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: Owen on 09:22:11, 13/01/20
Lightwave, exped, osprey, ULA expensive, Atompack, very expensive.
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: MudMagnet on 10:18:28, 13/01/20
I use the Osprey Exos 48L for most of the year but if I need to pack extra I have the Montane Grand Tour 70L which is a really nice pack and has some excellent features.  Montane are worth a look. 
Most importantly enjoy your trip and I look forward to hearing how it went with whatever pack you choose.  As many have said, try them on, it's not a one size fits all decision, a bit like shoes.
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: sussamb on 10:22:54, 13/01/20
Don't forget Lowe Alpine.  Like Osprey they give a guarantee for life, which I know works as a minor strap broke on my older pack and they sent me a new pack having returned the old one.
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: gunwharfman on 12:03:10, 13/01/20
I too use the Osprey 48L Exos. I find the carry system is very comfortable indeed. I was carrying a lot of weight (water) recently, more than my usual 8kg or so and my shoulders did start to feel a bit raw after a few hours. I solved the problem by just folding a sock under each shoulder strap for a while. I find the hip belt is a good one as well and by tightening and tweaking this, shoulder straps and chest strap I can get them to work very effectively and in harmony with each other.

I also have a Lightwave 50L but tweaking for comfort is not so easy to achieve, after a couple of days my shoulders do become sore and the sock trick with this rucksack is not so effective at all. I normally have to place and keep the socks in place for the whole walking day. I've no idea why one rucksack works in one way and the other one works so differently?
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: jimbob on 12:12:06, 13/01/20
Another vote for the Exos. As a day bag I use a Lidl backpack. It is comfortable enough, I use car seat belt pads (dirt cheap on ebay) on the waist straps cos they used to dig in a bit over the hip area.
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: hoffman on 16:17:54, 13/01/20
I will look at Exos 48 and also if the 48 is a little restricted I will try the the Exos 58 there is not much difference in size and weight. I will keep an open mind until I have tried a few.


 In the past I have often taken too much stuff I do not use and have found what appears  ok for a few miles starts to feel tiring after a few miles more. I think taking clothing I never really use is the problem I have had
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: gunwharfman on 20:03:13, 13/01/20
If I was thinking about buying a new rucksack I personally would only consider an ultralightweight one, there is a good selection of ideas/reviews on www.outdoorgearlab.com. Although its a USA site I do find it a useful site, on their ultralight rucksacks section they do identify the Exos 48L as their 'best buy,' worth a read I think.

For me, too many of the rucksacks (in Cotswold and similar shops) are just too heavy to start with and often (as I see it) seem to be advertised for people who want to be looked at as 'macho men/women' or 'in style' which I don't to be and couldn't be anyway.
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: Lee R on 20:48:59, 13/01/20
I have an Osprey Kamber 42 - Pretty comfortable in all honesty & as already mentioned, lifetime guarantee.


On the other end of the scale, I bought my boy a Hi-Gear Nepal 65 mainly just to keep his telescope stuff in at home. But, last year he brought it on holiday with his clothes etc in & we used it for carrying to the beach with towels, clothes, food, bottles of drink etc Now, I appreciate going from the car park down to Durdle Door isn't like proper hiking but, it was very comfortable to wear in all honesty.....!


I guess I could be saying, just because something is a good make & expensive doesn't mean it's the best. But I am saying, try to go to a shop & try a bag out!
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: taxino8 on 21:40:51, 13/01/20
I’ve had a Lowe Alpine for about twenty years, I can’t remember the name but it served me well but it was showing it’s age so I went a bit mad last year and lashed out on these from Osprey.

Aether AG 70lt
Exos 58
Exos 38
They give me lots of options as well as allowing my wife to come with me now and again and carry a few bits and bobs.
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: hoffman on 17:41:24, 09/02/20
I finally bought the Osprey Exos 58. The 48 was a little too small for my needs but the 58 gave  O0 O0  e that little extra room. I have been in Denmark 10 days and now spending the last 4 days in Sweden around the town of Lund in southern Sweden.
The weather has not been the best and have had my share of wet days but by no means the worst.
The bag has held up well, a few niggles but will give my overall impressions when I get back
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: Rigel on 22:18:45, 24/03/20
17L Virtus Assault for day walks
Berghaus Centurio 45 for overnight - weekends/48 hrs with side pockets
90L Virtus for multi-day/long distance/or if going with girlfriend so her pack is lighter
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: gunwharfman on 10:41:34, 25/03/20
90L, wow, you must be a big strong bloke!  :)
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: Birdman on 11:51:15, 25/03/20
I use an Osprey Aether 70L for everything (except day hikes of course).


In my experience, always buy a bigger size when in doubt. Not only does it give you more flexibility when you need to carry a lot of volume (many days resupply, for example), but it also allows you to get a better weight distribution, using the compression straps.


If you have a small backpack and really stuff it, the centre of gravity tends to be further away from your back and relatively low, which I find less comfortable to carry. However, a larger pack allows you to shift the centre of gravity further up, closer to your back and more above the hips, making it a more comfortable carry. I always see people counting grams, trying to optimise their setup using a kitchen scale, but I really don't think that is the right approach.


I'm very impressed with the Osprey customer service. My pack has had lots of abuse on thousands of miles walking, usually stuffed with lots of food and gear. I've had several repairs (replacement of straps, patching up tears, replaced buckles an draw cord, etc), all free of charge! All these things had nothing to do with build quality (which is excellent), just normal wear and tear. I just want to keep this pack alive because I love it, so I have always told them that I was willing to pay for the repairs if necessary, but they have never charged me anything. Unbelievable!


Btw: other companies that are very good with their warranty is Therm-a-Rest (got my NeoAir XLite replaced free of charge when it developed tiny leaks on the welds after intensive use) and Platypus replaced 3 of my 2L bladders free of charge (which was also totally normal wear and tear by any reasonable standards).
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: Rigel on 15:36:41, 25/03/20
90L, wow, you must be a big strong bloke!  :)


Average height and build. If outside of the UK, I always take a towel and a pair of jeans for rest days, and a much bigger wash kit. I never take jeans in the UK.  With 90l available to me, I still have space for anything picked up en-route. 
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: gunwharfman on 15:52:51, 25/03/20
including a kitchen sink?  O0
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: Rigel on 19:48:02, 23/04/20
https://youtu.be/HMT5WtOAi70
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: gunwharfman on 21:07:42, 23/04/20
Sorry, Rigel but I don't understand?
Title: Re: Right Size Rucksack
Post by: Rigel on 21:17:23, 23/04/20
Sorry, Rigel but I don't understand?


It's the worst gear review ever, right? I soon realised that I needed two hands to review the backpack properly. My Assault pack was bought new




Here is a much better review


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spqGGwxaoCs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spqGGwxaoCs)