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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: Rob Goes Walking on 21:58:54, 29/03/19

Title: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 21:58:54, 29/03/19
I've currently got a Karrimor Orbit 40 which I was quite happy with apart from one thing - the straps stink. I've put it in the washing machine (in a laundry bag so the straps don't get caught on the machine) and the straps still stink. Don't know what else to do with it, it was left idle for a while and the straps stopped smelling but as soon as they got wet the smell came back.


So I need a new one. A day pack. Hopefully without thick absorbent straps. Probably don't really need 40 litres as I've never filled it to capacity but I like having the extra room in case I ever decide to take a stove with me. I also carry 2-3 litres of water which takes up a fair bit of room. 40 litres was the biggest they did without a waist strap which I don't want. Maybe 30 would be sufficient? I want something the straps aren't hugely thick and absorbent on or I'm going to have to same problem. I'm not sure what else to look for in a backpack really, I've been told a good walking backpack allows the air to flow through to your back but I've never had a problem with this.


Anyway I'm going to go have a look around Go Outdoors tomorrow but I wondered if the forum had any wisdom for me on what I should get?
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: sussamb on 22:38:55, 29/03/19
Why wouldn't you want a waist strap?  It's the part that if properly fitted means your hips carry most of the weight.  If you don't have one your shoulders will take all the weight, and indeed that may be contributing to your smelly straps  :-\


If you can get over having a waist strap then the Lowe Alpine 35 Airzone would be worth looking at, I've used one for years and very happy with it.
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 22:48:57, 29/03/19
To be honest I can't remember why I didn't want a waist strap it was a decision I made years ago. Maybe I'm too fat for the strap to fit? I'll try some packs with straps tomorrow and see if I still don't like them.
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 22:56:22, 29/03/19
Ideally I'd like this sorted by Monday as I want to go walking and there is a 25% chance of rain. Wearing my last waterproof jacket with the backpack made the jacket stink so I won't be wearing my new waterproof with it meaning I might have to call Monday off if I can't. Do you know any shops in Keswick that stock the Lowe Alpine 35 Air zone? I could head to Keswick instead of Go Outdoors.
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 23:08:49, 29/03/19
Is this (https://m.gooutdoors.co.uk/lowe-alpine-airzone-pro-35-45-rucksack-p371772) the pack sussamb means? There's one in Penrith Go Outdoors so I needn't go as far As Keswick if it is. A bit bigger than I was thinking but so long as it doesn't have to go in the washing machine and the hip strap does up that doesn't matter. Bit pricier than I wanted to pay but not out of reach.
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: sussamb on 23:16:07, 29/03/19
We'll I've got that one too but it's larger/more expensive than the 35L.  It was this one


https://www.blacks.co.uk/equipment/037401-lowe-alpine-airzone-trail-35-blue.html/

 

 

Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 23:23:31, 29/03/19
Thanks. I'll phone around tomorrow. Hopefully between Carlisle, Ambleside and Keswick I'll be able to find one in a shop I can drive to.
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 23:32:14, 29/03/19
Sussamb if you have both packs can you do me a small favour? Can you tell me if the hip strap is the same size? Blacks do next day premium delivery including weekends so I can order it and have it delivered Sunday if they don't have it in any shops and I can go try the bigger pack out in Penrith to check it fits then order the Airzone Trail 35 online.
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: sussamb on 07:01:52, 30/03/19
Mine are but I have an earlier version of the 35L one so can't confirm the length of the current one  :-\


They are quite long though  O0
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 14:16:41, 30/03/19
Well I sort of followed your advice

(https://i.ibb.co/89x85mj/20190330-140846.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SBmvn6K)

I couldn't find the cheaper pack in a 35 only a 30 in the shops and I thought it was a little too small. Thanks for your thoughts!
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: sussamb on 16:15:32, 30/03/19
Enjoy, I love mine  O0
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 19:38:08, 13/04/19
I've mixed feelings about the new backpack. I like it's general design but the hip straps won't stay around my waist where they seem aligned to sit but slide down to the ilium (I think looking at these anatomy diagrams). Where is it supposed to sit? In the location I have to wear it, it slips out from under my t-shirt so the strap and buckle are directly against my skin which is a little uncomfortable but better for doing it up tightly.
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: sussamb on 20:41:18, 13/04/19
It's not a waist strap.  It should sit just above your hips so that they take the load.  If it sits correctly you should have very little load on your shoulders as the shoulder straps simply hold the backpack against your back.
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 20:55:51, 13/04/19
It's not a waist strap.  It should sit just above your hips so that they take the load.

Problem is I skipped biology at school so I don't know where the hips begin. Just above your bum?
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: ninthace on 21:03:31, 13/04/19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl1yJakKp-4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl1yJakKp-4)


Watch it all, hips are at 1:58
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: richardh1905 on 21:18:37, 13/04/19

I've never, ever, ever felt the need to wash a rucksack; the very idea seems alien to me. Perhaps try disinfectant to kill any bacteria, thoroughly rinse and dry it out, and then let nature take it's course. Or maybe I'm just a disgusting person!


And a good belt is a godsend on a larger pack, up to 70% of the weight transferred directly onto the hips rather than onto the shoulders and spine. I believe that the padded belt should sit over the top of the hip bone. Even on a small pack it helps to stabilise the pack if you are descending rough ground.
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 21:22:24, 13/04/19
Watch it all, hips are at 1:58

I've got no chance, there's fat around that area. Thought I might be too fat for hip straps, probably why I avoided them before. Nevermind, the weight isn't uncomfortable how I've got it adjusted now. An ideal pack weight distribution is something I'll just have to live without.
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 21:25:49, 13/04/19
I've never, ever, ever felt the need to wash a rucksack; the very idea seems alien to me. Perhaps try disinfectant to kill any bacteria, thoroughly rinse and dry it out, and then let nature take it's course. Or maybe I'm just a disgusting person!


Wouldn't mind it smelling so much if it didn't transfer the stink to my clothes and jackets when wet. I might give disinfectant a try, was going to do ninthace's suggestion of chlorine fumes but don't know how much to dilute the bleach.
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: fernman on 22:04:47, 13/04/19
I'm not sure how the subject of smelly rucksacks crept into this thread about choosing one, but I'm extremely keen to see what solutions are suggested as I have a lovely Eagle Creek briefcase/shoulder bag that I haven't used for some time because the insides have delevoped a nasty, stong foody/fatty sort of a smell. I think it's to do with degrdadation of whatever the coating is on the inside of its cordura-type material.
Title: Re: Choosing a new backpack
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 22:15:02, 13/04/19
I'm not sure how the subject of smelly rucksacks crept into this thread about choosing one

That's why I needed a new one, the straps on my old one stink. I made a separate thread about it trying to fix it.

but I'm extremely keen to see what solutions are suggested as I have a lovely Eagle Creek briefcase/shoulder bag that I haven't used for some time because the insides have delevoped a nasty, stong foody/fatty sort of a smell. I think it's to do with degrdadation of whatever the coating is on the inside of its cordura-type material.

None of the things I've tried or suggestions I've received are going to work if it's breaking down and smelling for that reason. Good luck.