pack size

Vegan.Hiker said:
Oh boy, didn't mean to start a controversy here. Allow me to remove foot from mouth as I backtrack a bit. I apologize for not being more measured with my words, but what I wrote was not what I was really trying to say. I was not trying to say synthetic is "better" than down (although re-reading my post, it certainly sounded like it), because as we all know, each has it's pros and cons. What I should have said is that there are some synthetics now with warmth to weight ratios and compressibility, that are on par with down and that coupled with the hydrophobic advantages of synthetics, synthetics can be a better option overall. Particularly if you combine top of the line synthetics (primaloft gold) with advanced design on things like baffles and zipper draft tubes (like how Mountain Hardware laminates their synthetic insulation directly to the inside of the shell). As an example of how synthetics can often be the better overall option, notice that in OutdoorGearLab's testing results for the Best Insulated Jacket, all are synthetic http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Insulated-Jacket-Reviews

So I want to apologize to @gnwatts and @Nick as I feel I misled you to believe I knew about some brand new technological breakthrough. But here's a link to some information about Primaloft Gold (used to be called Primaloft One) which is the best synthetic currently on the market. http://www.patagonia.com/us/patagonia.go?assetid=63310

Also @gnwatts, if you are trying to get away from down for ethical reasons (as was my impression), but love down and how it performs, you can buy down products made by Western Mountaineering. Whereas most companies "live pluck" which is painful and cruel, Western Mountaineering only uses down that is naturally shed from geese during the molting process, therefore causing them no harm. I'm not here to convert anyone (I promise) and certainly not here to judge anyone, but if you or anyone is interested, I'd be happy to share the research I've done over the years regarding cruelty-free hiking (shoe glues, non-leather boots, wool sock alternatives, etc.) You can always shoot me a private message.
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No controversy. I am just interested in new technologies. If a synthetic down can function in all ways as good or better that down, then sign me up. Until then I will revel in downy comfort, courtesy of Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends. Did I mention that I love my sleeping bags almost as much as my wife? ;)
 
gnwatts said:
No controversy. I am just interested in new technologies. If a synthetic down can function in all ways as good or better that down, then sign me up. Until then I will revel in downy comfort, courtesy of Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends. Did I mention that I love my sleeping bags almost as much as my wife? ;)
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I always say my sleeping bag will love me more than any lady ever will. I've never met a lady yet who, after being shoved in the bottom of a backpack and toted around all day, would care to cuddle. My sleeping bag? Dreamy :)
 
LarryBoy said:
I always say my sleeping bag will love me more than any lady ever will. I've never met a lady yet who, after being shoved in the bottom of a backpack and toted around all day, would care to cuddle. My sleeping bag? Dreamy :)
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And the bag is a lot cheaper-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
I'll bring in my collection of bags...I can never have enough.

I started with a 65L Deuter AirComfort...best bag I ever had. I still have it but I only use it for 2+ nights in the winter.
I have since moved to my 40L Deuter Futura for most backpacking. I love it because I have my system dialed in so I can be happy with carrying less gear. It fits comfortably, it functions well and....

yeah.
 
I bought an REI Crestrail 70 in the fall of 2013, thinking the extra space would be handy for any winter trips and more so for carrying extra gear for my kids to be able to take them up trail.

Well, after holding onto it all winter and not using it, I wised up and took it back and exchanged it for the 48 model last spring. I'm glad I did. It still has plenty of space for a week long trip, and probably longer with the right gear set.

It had actually come down to that, an Osprey, and a Gregory Baltoro. The Baltoro had the best feeling waist belt but I shied away due to its weight and cost. Ultimately, the Crestrail felt the most comfortable with a load on my thin body frame.

I was still able to pack all my stuff and some of my kids stuff on an overnighter with with my wife and 4 young children, yes 4, all under age 8 to Ruth Lake last summer. Though, in such circumstances, I will strap more on the outside when necessary, much to the chagrin of some of you. :p

It then served me very well for my 65 mile hike over 4 days with my wife who has a Gregory 50 liter herself.

Point being, as @Nick has said, 50 liters or close to that is probably the sweet spot for something that won't feel too big for weekend trips but can also accommodate a week's worth of food and then some when needed. As has been said, those with all ultralight gear can get by with even smaller packs for extended trips.

Oh, and I just purchased an REI Passage 40 for some daddy-daughter trips into the Uintas this summer, so whichever child comes along, they'll be able to at least carry their own bag, pad, clothes, water, and snacks so I won't be strapping on as much to my pack anymore. :)
 
Granite Gear Vapor trail 3600ci. Vapor latitude 3800ci. Worked for short or long 2 week trips. Expand your horizons look at other brands.....
 
rtavious said:
As suggested I brought my gear down to the Backpacker store here. Got sized up went up and down stairs. And left with the Osprey Atmos 50. Thanks for all the responses and info.
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Nice. I have the Osprey Aether 70, and I like it s lot. Well built, let's see how it will last.
 
Bob said:
Granite Gear Vapor trail 3600ci. Vapor latitude 3800ci. Worked for short or long 2 week trips. Expand your horizons look at other brands.....
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Granite Gear does make some good packs. I haven't heard one complaint from the users of ours.:roflmao:
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gnwatts said:
Nice. I have the Osprey Aether 70, and I like it s lot. Well built, let's see how it will last.
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Same one I use. Think mine is about 5 years old, holding up well, and best fitting one I've ever had. The down side is they aren't exactly light but I'm not going to be cutting stuff off to save an ounce or two.
 
I'm going back on some recent opinions of mine about pack size. Like I've said before, I used a 36-38L pack for all of my trips for many years. Even up to a week long. Over the last year or two I'd switched to an Atmos 50 because the weight is basically the same and I believe the suspension carries things better. On this last trip, I only had enough stuff to fill maybe 1/3-1/2 of my Atmos, so I switched back to a Stratos 36 and I loved it. It was like getting together with an old friend or something. Ok, ok, that's cheesy, but I didn't realize how much I missed the way that a smaller pack snugs up and keeps everything closer to your center of gravity. Keep the load pretty light and it really does just feel like a day pack. It was a pleasure to wear again. I didn't realize how much I missed it. I'll probably still use the 50 for trips that involve lots of gear where the 36 might be near capacity, but I'm stoked to bring the 36 back into the multi-night lineup. I'll probably go back to it for anything ~4 days or less with a light-medium load.
 
I use a 65 for just about everything. The Osprey Atmos is my current bag and I love it. 65 can be a bit big and does add a little bit of weight but it works well for me. In reality I probably spent more money saving weight on all of my other gear to keep my kit weight down whiel still using the bag.

I should mention that I am usually with my wife and often with both of my girls so I usually have my gear, my kids food, and whatever else the wife hands me during morning pack up. I also like to have extra of room for platypus' of whiskey and a couple big beers.
 
I started with an Aura 65, which I replaced pretty soon because it was way too big for me.
I haven't used it for years and might sell it soon.
I then switched to the Kestrel 38 for trips up to 3-4 days and the Kyte 46 for everything longer than that.
I loved my Kestrel beside the fact that it was unisex and did not fit so nicely as my women's specific Kyte 46 does. Because my Kestrel 38 is falling apart and I will replace it with the women's Kyte 36 this week. I guess the Kyte 36 will be the pack of my first choice in the future.
 
@Miss Buffalo Why did you think the Aura 65 was way too big? I just ordered one today, but I'm still questioning whether I'd rather have the Aura 50. I may end up also ordering the smaller one and returning the one I like less.
 
piper01 said:
@Miss Buffalo Why did you think the Aura 65 was way too big? I just ordered one today, but I'm still questioning whether I'd rather have the Aura 50. I may end up also ordering the smaller one and returning the one I like less.
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half of the bag stayed empty when I was using it on trips. Especially after I replaced everything with lightweight or UL gear.
For me it doesn't make any sense to carry such a heavy pack, when I can use the 38L daypack which weights less or use a smaller pack like the Aura 50 for longer trips. This was the main reason why I haven't used the Aura 65 in years.
 
I have no idea how you can do a 4 day or longer trip with a 65L pack. All my gear is ultralight but it still will not fit into a 65L pack. I have had way too many trips where the weather forecast has been completely wrong and a warm weather trip has turned very ugly.

I also insist on taking a minimum of 2500 Calories per person per day for trips more then a few days long (2500 Cals is about 1.1 lbs). Most of my partners insist on bringing a stove, as they are not into cold food for every meal, and fires are normally banned.

I have seen ultralight packing lists and most of them wouldn't work for the types of trips I do. For example, I am planning a 7 day backpacking trip in Southern Utah. I will need to take a short rope, and a few other climbing odds and ends. I also need enough water capacity for 36 hours, roughly 6 liters (13.2 lbs of water) per person. Last time I didn't bring rain gear on a desert trip it rained every night, regardless of what the forecast said. That means I will need full rain gear and a shelter that can handle +30 mph winds (I will be camping on the plateau a few times and when it rains it blows in the desert).

How all that fits into a 65L pack I have no idea. Anything on the outside of the pack will be destroyed as only sandstone and juniper trees can. The water and food alone will weigh ~20 lbs per person at the start of the trip.
 
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