buying a pack without trying on????

[THEDON]

How do you try out a back pack from a maker if they aren't available in stores? ie-- zpacks.
Do you just decide that's what you want and go for it? I have the Atmos 65 and when I bought, I brought all my stuff to rei and loaded packs until I found one I felt good about. Now thinking I can go much lighter but throwing dollars at something you are buying blind concerns me. How did you guys do it?

[Stone1984]

Tagging this thread, also a concern of mine.

[FiftyNine]

I had the same concerns, I know zpack has pretty good instructions on how to measure and will exchange it if you need to change sizes. I was on the border between a medium and large. Ended up getting the medium because it was in the bargain bin and saved me a few dollars. Seems to work for me so far. There are lots of adjustments that you can tweak.


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[egilbe]

I spent a lot of time trying on packs in stores, ended up not buying any of them. I ended up buying all my packs online, but only if they had a lot of room for adjustments. I'm 6'3" . Most packs arent sized for tall people. They are sized for midgets.

[Stone1984]

I spent a lot of time trying on packs in stores, ended up not buying any of them. I ended up buying all my packs online, but only if they had a lot of room for adjustments. I'm 6'3" . Most packs arent sized for tall people. They are sized for midgets.

Im a midget, that should bode well for me.

[Francis Sawyer]

I'm a midget and I'm offended. Lol. It's like clothing. Sometimes you can get away without trying it on . You can always return it .

[John M]

Pick the ones you want and then contact the manufacturers to discuss. They'll usually be very helpful. Then order your top choice or maybe top 2. Try them on around the house and see how they feel. Then either keep or send them back. Worst case you're out return shipping which isn't usually any more expensive than gas back and forth to REI. An alternative is to keep an eye out for good deals on used packs. Try them out and if they don't work, turn around and sell them.

[DuneElliot]

The benefit of cottage manufacturers is that they all have a really great return policy and a 2lb pack isn't particularly expensive to ship back if necessary...just the cost of trying quality.

I bought a ZPacks Arc Haul without really trying any other pack...now all others feel weird and I love my Arc Haul. I did so much research and read so many reviews on it though and didn't find a single person who disliked it for the fit so I jumped in feet first. It was actually my first backpack since I was a kid...I really dived into the deep end with my first gear!

[Water Rat]

How do you try out a back pack from a maker if they aren't available in stores? ie-- zpacks.
Do you just decide that's what you want and go for it? I have the Atmos 65 and when I bought, I brought all my stuff to rei and loaded packs until I found one I felt good about. Now thinking I can go much lighter but throwing dollars at something you are buying blind concerns me. How did you guys do it?

I personally researched as much as I possibly could on the internet and was then lucky enough to have a friend who let me try out some ZPacks options.

You might consider heading to Trail Days, in May, in Damascus. A lot of cottage industry vendors (ZPacks included) will be there and will have samples.

[TTT]

I bought a zpaks without measuring myself. I'm 6 ft. It fits comfortably on my hip and I can grab a water bottle from the pouch without missing a beat. When it arrived it took a few adjustments and a couple of swear words. Really easy to operate. I later reordered a front and shoulder pouch with a few other things I may or may not use. My motivation in choosing a pack is weight and comfort, and crossing my fingers that it all comes together

[dwcoyote]

If you can afford to, order a couple different packs that you are interested in at the same time. I ordered two different style packs from Granite Gear (was looking at also ordering the ULA Circuit but didn't). I was able to load my gear in one of the packs, tried it on, then walked about 15 minutes on the treadmill (it was 20 below zero outside) then switched my gear to the other pack and did the same thing. I immediately knew which pack felt since this all happened within the same hour. Guess you could also try this if you are in between sizes.

[chknfngrs]

I blind-ordered an MLD Core based on the sizing they published and was 100% accurate when my pack arrived.

[MtDoraDave]

I bought a Jansport Katahdin 60 online because it was on sale for $60. An impulse buy, because the pack I had been using was a huge and heavy (9 lbs) military surplus pack.
I'm an average height of 5' 10 1/2" and the pack fits very well and is comfortable.

The main drawback to that particular pack is that the waist straps don't hold their adjustment, so frequent readjustment as I hike is necessary.

If you are a seasoned backpacker, I imagine getting one with the perfect fit may be more of an issue because you know exactly how you like a pack to fit. I'm extremely selective about shoe fittment, but pack fittment isn't such an issue for me... heck, I bought (from a neighbor) an old REI Mars for it's large size for my winter hiking needs and it is downright uncomfortable - but after a few days on the trail I get used to it.

[Maineiac64]

I went from atmos 65 to arc haul zip. Love it. I e-mailed them my measurements and how I had the AG 65 set up and they told me what to get. I would've been off had I not done that.

[JPritch]

I bought my Crown VC blind from an online retailer that had it on sale. Took measurements according to the mfr. site and ordered the appropriate size.

Worked out good!

[la.lindsey]

I read a ton of reviews online to confirm my decision that the most beautiful pack in the world was the right choice, then tried to measure myself. Didn't work, returned the pack. Got what I thought was the right size. Probably should have returned that one, but it works pretty darn well, so I'm sticking with it (it's 98% comfortable, but if I'd been a slightly more patient person I'd have tried one more size). I'm likely right between sizes, as I am in most things.

Just...do it? I don't know, don't you ever order shoes online? Or jeans? You order them and if it doesn't work you return it. Check the return policy first though.


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[Odd Man Out]

Good thread. I see boatloads of threads every year about buying packs and someone always posts the conventional wisdom that you should have your pack fitted by a pro at an outfitter. While this is not a bad idea per se, I like to point out that if one follows this advice rigidly, they remove from consideration cottage companies that make innovative and often superior products. ULA and Z-Packs are probably the most recommended packs you will see discussed here, but I personally have never seen one in a store. Is it really a good idea to remove from consideration the pack that may be your best option? As such, the conventional wisdom maybe isn't so wise.

As already pointed out, by reading lots of reviews, having your gear sorted out so you know what volume pack you need, measuring your torso so you know what size pack you need, assessing your hiking style so you know what kind of pack you need, calling the companies and talking to the owners/makers (something you can't do with the big brands), and utilizing their good customer service to return a pack that doesn't work, you can do just fine. Also keep in mind that quality gear keeps its value well, so even if after a few hikes you decide you need to change, you will be able to sell your pack for most of what you paid and you won't be out big bucks. As for myself, after using all of the above strategies, I ended up buying an Elemental Horizons Kalais pack and couldn't be happier. Check them out too.

[Gambit McCrae]

I chose the brand I wanted because all the really cool people on the trail used that pack. Size I ordered didn't fit at all so I returned it and tried again. Got that pack and it fit pretty well but needed some adjustments so I sent it back, they modified it and got 33% of the changes correct and meh I live with it.

[peakbagger]

I bought a ULA several years ago without trying one and was happy with the results. I think they would have gladly exchanged it if I tried it on at home and it didn't fit. I expect someone would be abusing their good will if they bought it, used it on trip and then expected an exchange.

[Venchka]

I'm batting 0.500. 2 for 4.
1. REI. External frame with full length bag. Just like Big Jim Whitaker used on Everest. The thing tried to cripple me on an overnight trip. Sold it.
2. Rivendel Mountainworks 63 liter Jensen Pack. Built by the Hippies in Victor, ID. Still have it. Plan to use it in Wyoming this summer.
3. Dana Design ArcFlex Terraplane. Made in Bozeman. Still have it. I'll use it as needed.
4. Boreas Gear 60 liter Lost Coast. Worst designed and worst fitting pack that I have ever had the misfortune of buying. I put it back in the box 1 hour after I opened the box.
I hesitate to order any more packs without fitting first.
Wayne


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