Backpack advice needed

**Scrambler35** · 08-11-2018, 19:23

Originally Posted by Time Zone

I beg to differ. The conventional wisdom is to change out your pack last, after you have finalized what you will carry. The reason is because your pack needs to efficiently handle the load you carry. The Circuit is aimed at a total load of under 30 lbs. If the hiker's base weight is 25 lbs, and that amt is firm, well, they may need heavier pack with a stronger frame (or different frame), because once you add food, water, and fuel - you are likely to exceed 30 lbs.

With respect, I'd reverse the priorities listed by Scarbmler35. Lighter kit, then minimize the weight of items you carry, and only THEN choose size of pack - and finally, weight/type of pack (taking into account frame needs).

JMO.

Jeez!...30lbs is almost 14kg!...My base weight is no more than 7kg, and with food and water my backpack is still under 10kg...That is the difference going truely ultralight makes!
You don't need a huge backpack with a frame, or a huge padded, or even articulated, waistbelt to be comfortable on the trail...You just need to reduce the weight and bulk of everything you carry!
My latest purge in weight focused on my clothing and first aid kit.
I was using North Face zip-off Cargo trousers (Pants) weighing 550g, but recently I managed to find a very similar pair of zip-off Cargo's in a Decathlon store that are 200g lighter!
A typical Cotton T-Shirt can weigh around 150g, so I swapped to Rab Interval Tees', which only weigh 78g (2g lighter than a Patagonia Capilene 1).
My George long sleeved "fleece" top, made of 47% Polyester, 45% Cotton and 4% Elastane, which I previously thought was lightweight, weighs 437g...It has now been replaced with a Rab Interval L/S 1/2 Zip top (basically an ultralight Polyester fleece), which only weighs 118g.
So if I carry 5 Rab Interval Tee's, that's a total weight of 390g, vs 5 Cotton T-Shirts which weigh a total of 750g...A saving of 360g.
Swapping the "lightweight" fleece top for the Rab Interval L/S Top has saved 319g.
The new trousers (Pants) knocks off another 200g....Total saving 879g (1.94lbs).
My first aid kit used to weigh 244g, which seemed too heavy to me so I replaced the small red 1st Aid zip pouch with a Z-packs zip top DCM soft case for Sunglasses which weighs 11g. Inside that I keep a pack of Washproof Assorted Plasters (waterproof band aids), a 3/4 size Polycarbonate mirror, a pack of Sterile Wound Dressing Wipes, a pack of Hydrocolloid Blister Plasters, a Sterile First Aid Dressing (Bandage), additional packs of waterproof plasters, two sets of ear plugs, a pack of 50 Sea to Summit Trek & Travel Pocket body-wash leaves, a Lifesystems Insect bite zapper, a pack of four compressed Towels, a pair of Micromare #285136 LED illuminated tweezers, and now I have replaced the British Army folding scissors and Poundland Penknife with a much lighter TrueUtility Nailclip multitool (nail clipper, nail file, knife, and a pair of scissors all in one)...altogether my 1st aid kit now weighs just 144g, 100g lighter than before!...Add that saving to the saving from switching to ultralight clothing and I have saved 979g, almost 1kg (2.2lbs)! The lighter clothing also packs down much smaller, so saving a lot of space in my backpack, which further reduces the need for a larger backpack.

**Scrambler35** · 08-11-2018, 19:31

Oh, and I saved 151g switching my 240g Gelert waterproof smock for a Berghaus Hyper Jacket weighing just 89g...

**cmoulder** · 08-11-2018, 21:44

Do you carry 5 t-shirts?

**DuneElliot** · 08-11-2018, 22:58

Originally Posted by Scarmbler35

It seems obvious that you are simply carrying to much weight (This is an ultralight hiking forum after all, so if you are carrying enough weight to hurt your back then you shouldn't really be on here!)...So how to lighten your load? First you should start with the backpack: Most backpacks are only "water resistant", not "waterproof"...A lightweight waterproof backpack of a given empty weight will actually work out lighter than a lightweight water resistant backpack of the same empty weight, because with the latter you have to cover it with a rain cover when it rains, which adds extra weight, and many don't trust the rain cover alone and also use dry bags inside as well, which adds even more weight. So to save weight, look for backpack that is guaranteed to be waterproof. Personally, I went for the Mountain Hardware Scrambler RT35 Outdry...Under 800g empty, 100% waterproof...You can even go swimming whilst wearing it and everything inside will stay perfectly dry!
Backpack size: It is not essential to carry all your items inside your backpack...Most backpacks have "daisy chain" webbing provided on their back to allow the user to tie bulky items on the outside, saving space on the inside for smaller, easier to pack items. This can also enable you to downsize your backpack, which in turn can reduce the empty weight...You do not need carry a huge 50 plus litre backpack when a 35 litre backpack, with some items stored externally, would suffice.
Items you carry: Needless to say, the less items you carry, the lighter your backpack will be, so sit down and think really hard at what items are actually essential for your hike and what can be left at home.
Swap for lighter kit: Simply replacing heavier items you normally carry with lighter equivalents that do the same job, can save a lot of weight and can often save a lot of space in your backpack too. For instance, replace your sleeping bag with an ultralight Down filled version, and you can save hundreds of grams and they can be packed down really small in an ultralight compression sack. Of course replacing all or most of your kit can be expensive to do, but what is more important?...Much more comfort and having no back pain, or a lighter wallet? You will have to decide that one.

First off, this is NOT an ultra-light hiking forum and EVERYONE is welcome here. Ask Tipi Walter...he carries a heck of a lot more than anyone would ever consider UL or LW

Second, most backpackers who carry a water-resistant pack (which is everyone NOT carrying a DCF pack) lines their packs with a trash compactor bag vs carrying a pack cover. And unless you are hiking in a rainforest a waterproof backpack is overkill.

Thirdly, why carry crap outside the pack where it off-sets the center of gravity. A few more ozs to carry a properly-sized backpack for all your gear will carry better than something where half of the gear is hanging outside of the pack. And 50l is actually a fairly moderately-sized pack.

Fourth, the OP said he needed better load transfer to his hips...which I understand. That doesn't automatically equate to back pain just because it is a "back problem". I am a very slender 5'5" and 110#...I need the weight of my pack on my hips and not my shoulders. I struggled with the ULA line of packs because of where they put pressure above my Iliac Crest...they just didn't transfer the weight well-enough for me, or in the right way.

Fifth, a lighter wallet doesn't necessarily = more comfort.

No offense but you don't seem to have a whole lot of empathetic experience here

**Scrambler35** · 08-12-2018, 05:10