Pack Discuss/Picture Thread! Into Packs, let's Talk!

[echo1]

I'm a Renegade Outfitter. From an old post:

Dug out most of the internal packs to pre-check before we head out starting this February. Someone posted up a while back wanting to see some backpacks. Here's some of mine. Northface Renegade (Dana Designs Terraplane copy), Kelty Coyote 4750, Jansport Redline 45, Mt. Hardware Exodus (X2 one's hiding), Gregeory (another Terraplane style), Osprey Aether 70, stack of day packs, Jansport Sortie 38 (X2), Mountain Smith Crosscountry II, Northface Terra 50. Couple expedition sizes added since this picture. Also have half a dozen Camelbacs in various sizes


The external frames, crappy old pics, I've added a couple different Jansports since. I also have enough tents to shelter 42 bodies (1s, 2s, 3s, 5, and 8), mess kits and an SKS with bandoleers for each pack (if/when needed), 4 Coleman 2 burners, a 3 burner and oven, 8 single stoves (MSRs, Coleman Apexs, others). I've modded the external frames (where needed) for excellent carry on trail. OK for short off trail work in light brush.



Most all bought second hand, some were never used or only used once. I pick up all the decent gear I come across. Since '04 I've put at least 36 rookies on the trail. I have a crew and we can throw down. PAX

[TrappedinCalifornia]

The sad part for me is that I can't find a pack I'm really sold on these days. In fact, I haven't been able to find one for a decade or more. The belts don't fit. The material is too light. The yoke is too narrow. It's not long enough. There always seems to be a problem (or 2 or 3). That's without getting into not having one or one appropriately sized to try locally.

I've got quite a few packs; but, nothing newer than about 20 years ago. They're still functional. It's just that replacement parts are getting tough to find. I've even had to have one specially made and I'm not likely to do that again.

Based on what's out there right now, I'm curious to take a look at The Ray Mears Leaf Cutter -

Ray-Mears-Leaf-Cutter-5.jpg

It's just that I'm not particularly interested in spending over $200 to have it shipped to try on; especially as I'm concerned about torso length. Far too many outfits today think the belt is supposed to go around about your naval or just under. That's not where my hip bones are.

I've flirted with a couple of Mystery Ranch offerings. Unfortunately, I haven't found one with an hip belt which actually fits.

It's become something of a quandary. Such is particularly true given I've had to 'down size' to less gear and less weight.

Oh well. Something is bound to turn up, sooner or later.

[echo1]

I know what you mean about fit...It's all about how it rides. A little tweaking goes a long way on the trail. Next to shoes it's a must.
One of the last packs I bought to use (10 years ago?) was Mt Hardware Exodus. A kinda hybrid externa/internal frame apparatus. I bought it from a private party who used it once and didn't like it. It came with a large frame and a large bag and an additional "extra" large frame. When new the MSRP was over $500 bucks, I got my set just as they were being discontinued for $150. I contacted Mt. Hardware and got an additional extra-large bag for $50 bucks. So I ended up building them with one extra-large frame and large bag and one large frame with an extra-large bag for my son and myself. They are the best carrying and suspension systems I've ever used, but they're kinda contraptiony and flimsy and I've never attempted any real extended hard off trail use with them. PAX

[TrappedinCalifornia]

That's a major part of my problem. I require the XL length torso (and, in some cases, that's not enough) and need a belt actually intended to fit someone with an aging male's waistline; e.g., I've never been, nor will I ever be, mistaken for Twiggy.

The problem, as I perceive it, is that too many packs are now manufactured offshore and even those which aren't have been subjected to cost-cutting measures where 'proper fit' is being sacrificed. I've seen much the same thing with many clothes manufacturers.

I'll keep looking, but I no longer do so with the excitement and hope I once did. Meanwhile, I'll continue rotating use of the packs I have (Gregory, Dana Designs, Osprey, other) to keep them limping along, all the while hoping none give out.

[echo1]

Trapped, what part of Kali are you in? If close enough I could throw some together so you can see how they fit. PAX

[echo1]

Dupe, PAX

[TrappedinCalifornia]

Trapped, what part of Kali are you in? If close enough I could throw some together so you can see how they fit. PAX

Thanks, but no.

It's just like today. I was in a 'nearby' Sportsman's Warehouse and virtually the only brand in stock (with a couple of marginal exceptions) was Teton. I wasn't interested in trying those. Why?

Because, I'm looking for certain specifics in packs and then I look for them to fit. I don't buy if they don't fit. I might buy if they, mostly, meet my specifics. Unfortunately, my specifics seem to be more and more outdated by the offerings I see today and I'm not ready to compromise to the degree that I'm seeing in terms of both specifics and fit.

As an example, I've had a Mountainsmith Lumbar Day Pack for nearly 30 years and picked up a second one over 20 years ago. The one is kinda worn, but the other is still trudging along. Would I pick up another in today's rendition? Probably not. There have been some 'compromises' (in my opinion) in terms of features I'm not prepared to live with.

This has been part of my problem. Too many of the current designs don't have hip belts which are large enough. Even with the larger straps, too many of them now have buckles that, when tightened down, hit me in the armpits due to where the pack rides to rest on my hipbones. Likewise, many of the 'expandable' chest straps don't expand far enough and I'm not sure whose shoulder girth they used as an 'average,' but I often can't even get the pack on in that regard.

I used a Mountainsmith Professional for a time as a replacement for a Lowe made, but not branded, internal frame. But, I replaced it with a Gregory in the mid-1990s and picked a slightly smaller Gregory a couple of years later. I still use them as my primaries, even if the coating has now become sticky inside. I've gone to a couple of Dana Designs Bomb Packs (along with a Big Horn) for day packing and overnighters. The problem is, once again, I can't get replacement parts; e.g., belts and straps do wear out.

I'm thinking about asking my younger brother for the JanSport D2 external frame I gave him back since he never uses it. I just don't know if he still has it and it would cost too much for him to ship it to me these days.

I've thought about Mystery Ranch, but the 'local dealers' don't seem to ever have larger hip belts and straps. Even when they ostensibly do, they don't fit and that's a lot of money to pay for something that doesn't fit.

I looked into McHale Packs 25 years ago. However, $1,000 for a backpack, with Demo fees at half that or more, is pretty much a no go.

When I was on a fishing trip to Colorado 20 years ago, I tried several Osprey. Like the early Lowe packs, the lumbar section just didn't sit right. (Although, I did pick up a smaller one that I've used as a travel bag.)

I have an Arc'Teryx day pack I picked up in 1998 that's still going strong. It was in their long torso length and, while small, I've hauled some pretty hefty loads in it. I'm not going to go look, but I think it's the Bora 30; which they no longer make. Unfortunately, with their larger packs, once again, the lumbar area just never set right.

Before all those? Military ALICE Packs and whatever affordable gear I could piece together. Am I a 'snob' today? Sort of. Can my wallet continue to support my champagne tastes and a soda pop budget? Maybe.

In short, even if I was close enough, it would be considerable effort to go to, but the results could very well prove problematic.

But, as I said, thanks for the offer.

[echo1]

No problem, al the pack I had in mind are at least 15-20 years old, some still new. The largest expedition types are Northface, Gregory and Osprey, all for longer torsos. Good luck, PAX

[trailblazer87]

Mystery Ranch Metcalf 75 for extended pack hunts (that thing can haul a crazy load and carry enough for an 8 day hunt),an old Alice pack I got at the local army surplus for $40 (never use that thing again, don't think my back will ever be the same), Eberlestock Gunrunner from before getting the Mystery Ranch, now it's a loaner. Various day packs and hydration packs.