Backpacking, Hiking & Camping Gear to Use this Year

I got a Tilopa pack for FREE just over a year ago. One of my Aussie friends sells them in AUS and sent me one to try out and take pictures of it for him. The funny thing about this pack is that Dakine make a camera block and it would fit in certain Dakine packs just like this Fstop bag. I have had my Dakine one for 4 years. I like them both. The Fstop is just a bigger version.
 
intuitive cat said:
i actually had this same problem with my Atmos 65. while i agree about how to pack, load & putting the weight on the hips, I think that the lightweight, narrower straps on the atmos are a problem. there is NO padding to speak of.
I had the same shoulder discomfort on my overnight trip to Egg Canyon a month ago.
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I have an older model Atmos 65 an have experienced the same. I'm a pretty skinny guy and the straps bruised the skin over my collar bone. There is also insufficient padding on the bottom edges of the back board, though this is something for which I can DIY a fix.
 
Finally used the Big Agnes Jupiter's Cabin this weekend camping with Amanda. The extra room was nice and it was quick and easy to setup...just what I like. Amanda liked that she was able to stand up inside.

The North Face Allegheny 40 degree bag was nice for the mild desert nights, too.
 
I'm here to defend my 2012 atmos 50. I used it on the west rim of Zion and had no soreness issues at all.
 
I have an Atmos that I love. I did have some problems with the first bag but that turned out to be fit issue. Overall, it's been my favorite bag next to my REI flash.
 
I used my Exos 46 Liter pack on two backpacking trips and had really sore shoulders. But the shoulder straps aren't padded enough on this lightweight pack. Despite those issues I will definitely use it in the future, because I like such a light pack
 
Miss Buffalo said:
I used my Exos 46 Liter pack on two backpacking trips and had really sore shoulders. But the shoulder straps aren't enough padded on this lightweight pack. Despite those issues I will definitely use it in the future, because I like such a light pack
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I really think you might be better off with a heavier pack with more cushion and support. An extra pound of pack is worth it if it makes that extra pound feel like nothing. That Exos looks slick but those straps have next to nothing for padding. My Kestrel has way more than that and I can tell the difference between that and my Stratos which aren't really that different but worlds away from the Exos. Jus sayin...
 
Unfortunately I still can't pack everything into my 38L Kestrel pack and the 65L Aura is too big for desert trips. So I guess I will add another pack in the future, something similar to my 46L or a bit smaller.
 
Miss Buffalo said:
Unfortunately I still can't pack everything into my 38L Kestrel pack and the 65L Aura is too big for desert trips. So I guess I will add another pack in the future, something similar to my 46L or a bit smaller.
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why not toss everything into the aura uncompressed?
 
Miss Buffalo said:
Unfortunately I still can't pack everything into my 38L Kestrel pack and the 65L Aura is too big for desert trips. So I guess I will add another pack in the future, something similar to my 46L or a bit smaller.
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You had a lot of stuff dangling on the outside of that 46L on our Maze trip. I would recommend going with something big enough to put it all inside. Better load compression & weight distribution = more comfortable load. Maybe a 50L would be the sweet spot? I definitely wouldn't go smaller if you're having to put stuff on the outside.

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I'm heading to the Sawtooths in Idaho in 2 weeks and I'm pumped about the new gear I'll be taking. My main goal this year (other than to take better pictures) was to drop as much weight as I could and I think I did pretty well.

New for this trip is:

Panasonic G3 – replaced Cannon P&S
Clik Elite Access – G3 won't fit in the pocket on my pack belt
Marmot Zeus – good-bye fleece
Dueter Act Lite 65+10 – Palisade 80 is being retired
Emberlit UL – not sure this will make it due to fire restrictions
GSI Halulite Ketalist – what boils water better than a kettle?
Smartwool LS shirt – warm, breathable, odor free. Trifecta!
 
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