Ok, so i am new to the whole travel thing, and i would like to hear some suggestions of different kinds of back packs to choose i only plan to take what i need to survive ex: sleeping bag, light shelter, etc anything is appreciated
id be interested in some suggestions too. i want to buy a good pack for hiking and packing my shit around.
Get one with good hip pads. The better packs help distribute the weight on your hips as well as the shoulders. http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/s...y?storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1 x
I use an REI UL45. It's light, has greatg weight transfer ancarries all I need for three seasons on the trail. And I bought it in like new condition (used twice) for half price. I have used no-name brand packs bought on eBay and had good luck with them but I'm an ultralighter and take extreme care of my gear.
The best pack I have ever used was called a "fore-and-aft pack" by the guy who sold it to me. I can carry nearly twice as much weight comfortably as I can with a regular pack with a padded belt. Now I'll try to describe it. There are two bags, each attached to a lightweight, lashed, wooden frame. They hang, fore-and-aft, off two short poles that are attaced to a thin, padded board that sits across the shoulders. It has a semi-circle cut out for the neck. All of the weight is on this board. To keep the packs from swinging and getting in your way, there are two slim wooden rods that connect the lower outside corners of the front and back bags to each other. The rods are secured to your belt. The bags hang about 3 inches from your chest and back, so that your lungs can move and your back can flex and air can circulate freely. The load is evenly distributed. Takes a little practice, but is well worth it. The rear bag is permantently attached to the short poles on the shoulder board. You put that assembly on and then hang the front bag and anchor everything in place. I use this pack exclusively if I have to carry any kind of a load at all. Otherwise I just use a little rucksack. Hope this helps. I have no idea where you can get one. I bought it at a barter fair years ago and lost the guy's card. But you could _make_ one with simple tools, that's for sure. Littlefoot "The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land." -- Abraham Lincoln
that sounds really cool ^ id love to see a picture of it. i recently got a trapper nelson, more for collecting firewood off the beach (i live in a little cabin on the beach with a wood stove) than adventuring but im testing it and i think i might be able to modify it to include a hipstrap. the packboard design is really awesome but i dont think my shoulders are strong enough to take the wieght of a full pack for an extended period of time. what i love about the trapper nelson is the simplicity and versatility. its just a pack board with a big canvas bag attached and a little pouch for your small stuff. the bag can be removed and you can lash large, awkward objects to the board. all the zippers and buckles and crap on new packs bug me, i like it simple
Got no camera, wanderin_blues. Sorry. But it's really just a variation of the cargo pack used by the military to carry large loads. The carrier pack is like the double bags used by old-time "paperboys". Just two bags connected by wide straps that hang in front and behind. The fore-and-aft pack is a considerable improvement on the design. Don't worry about shoulder strength. It's more like spinal energy originating in the lower chakras that supports the weight. Surely you've seen pictures of little old ladies in the 3rd World carrying incredible loads using a head strap (tumpline). Just stand upright and move from your pelvis instead of leaning forward and falling to catch your weight like most Westerners walk. I hate all those damned zippers and velcro fasteners, too. Just something more to break. Cheers, Littlefoot "Nature _is_ supernatural." --Seth
my last pack was an internal frame kelty I used it for about 5 years before it getting rid of it what ever pack you decide on make sure it fits you proper cause if it dont you will be miserable.Also remember to carry stuff to make repairs
