Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: RedLeader on October 01, 2011

Title: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: RedLeader on October 01, 2011
I'm using a Vango Contour 50+10 which is 2.2kg and not too uncomfortable. I'm looking for something lighter and smaller but that is still pretty comfy. I've not got overly broad shoulders so I need something with a decent set of straps that will sit flat against my shoulders and preferably some sort of system to transfer weight to the waist.

I reckon around 40L should be fine, not sure if I could cope below 30L but I'd like it to be around or below 1400g.

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: LandyLiam on October 01, 2011
each hike we should play musical ruckscks to see which one we prefer
Title: Re: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: LennyJ1 on October 01, 2011
You should ask Flipmebe about his Osprey Talon 44. I think that would suit you really well.
Title: Re: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: MikeD on October 01, 2011
The Osprey Atmos 35 Litre (with huge front compression pouch) is cracker.... took it to corsica.... so comfy .... sweet like....

http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/mens/atmos_35
Title: Re: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: RedLeader on October 01, 2011
I'll check it out. Was 35L not small with all the gear needed for camping?

The Osprey Atmos 35 Litre (with huge front compression pouch) is cracker.... took it to corsica.... so comfy .... sweet like....

http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/mens/atmos_35
Title: Re: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: MikeD on October 01, 2011
No, not at all, even had extra room for food and all sorts...  But it is just small enough to stop you taking too much stuff....

The outside compression pocket is HUGE! You can stuff so much stuff in it....

The main benefits I'd say were, its comfortable, lugging 10KG's around, I never had any back pain.... Also, dry back, where the others were sweating excessively, my back was actually nice and dry.... I was super impressed with it....

Met a guy with the bigger version, think 50 Litres, his was pretty cool too, but I think thats just an invitation to carry stuff you dont need.
Title: Re: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: suspectmonkey on October 01, 2011
You know what I'm going to say - Golite!  I'm hoping my cheque from Golite will be in the post soon ;)

The Quest is too big for a weekend (unless you're LandyLiam :P) but I see there is now a 50L pack called the Pursuit (http://www.golite.com/Product/ProdDetail.aspx?p=150003110&mc=&t=&lat=).  Other than that seems to be same comfy design as the Quest.  The Jam is great as well, although it takes more careful packing due to the skimpy back support.  I might end up borrowing Kat's Jam for the Binnian camp so can let you take a look at it if you're interested. 
Title: Re: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: MikeD on October 01, 2011
 .... And the osprey opens like a suitcase, with a wrap around zip, so its easy to get at the contents......
Title: Re: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: twentyclicks on October 01, 2011
No, not at all, even had extra room for food and all sorts...  But it is just small enough to stop you taking too much stuff....

The outside compression pocket is HUGE! You can stuff so much stuff in it....

MegaLOLs

I will vouch that you can fit a crazy amount in that stretch pocket!
Mike must know i'll weigh in on this after buying the biggest, roundest, awkward bit of bread then needing me to carry it  ;D  The atmos was big enough if you are both minimal and take the traditional backpacker approach to packing. Not big enough for alpine packing (everything inside the bag).

To be fair I did get to eat a lot of said bread, but the baguettes go in a compression strap so much better! The many sections of the atmos also meant less mess at tea breaks, while I was surrounded by multicoloured stuff sacks to get at my food.
Title: Re: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: LandyLiam on October 01, 2011
Quote
The Quest is too big for a weekend (unless you're LandyLiam :P)

size does matter  ;)

Title: Re: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: MikeD on October 02, 2011
lol, la grand baguette, ahhh, the memories.....  ;D
Title: Re: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: RedLeader on October 03, 2011
Went to Cotswolds looking for the Osprey Atmos 35. They had it @ £100 but also had an Osprey Mutant 38 on offer @ £50. It was very similar but I preferred the way the straps sat on my shoulders so after a quick nerdy Google in the shop I took it. The reviews are all positive and it's around the weight and size range I was looking for so other than the fact it has some climbing specific addons I don't need and doesn't have the compression pouch, I think it's a winner!

One thing I only noticed after (doh!) is that the packs come in several sizes, which I honestly never realised. The one I have is a small so I'll need to measure my back to see if it's actually the right size for me. Live and learn...

Now I'm itching for a night in the hills to give it a testing!

Product Page:
http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/vertical_endeavors__snowplay/mutant_38-new_color (http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/vertical_endeavors__snowplay/mutant_38-new_color)

Here's a review and pics from Outdoors Magic:
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/reviews/packs/daysacks/osprey-packs-mutant-38-pack/36513.html (http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/reviews/packs/daysacks/osprey-packs-mutant-38-pack/36513.html)

(http://www.travelizmo.com/archives/osprey-mutant-38-backpack.jpg)
Title: Re: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: LennyJ1 on October 03, 2011
Went to Cotswolds looking for the Osprey Atmos 35. They had it @ £100 but also had an Osprey Mutant 38 on offer @ £50. It was very similar but I preferred the way the straps sat on my shoulders so after a quick nerdy Google in the shop I took it. The reviews are all positive and it's around the weight and size range I was looking for so other than the fact it has some climbing specific addons I don't need and doesn't have the compression pouch, I think it's a winner!

One thing I only noticed after (doh!) is that the packs come in several sizes, which I honestly never realised. The one I have is a small so I'll need to measure my back to see if it's actually the right size for me. Live and learn...

Now I'm itching for a night in the hills to give it a testing!

Product Page:
http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/vertical_endeavors__snowplay/mutant_38-new_color (http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/vertical_endeavors__snowplay/mutant_38-new_color)

Here's a review and pics from Outdoors Magic:
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/reviews/packs/daysacks/osprey-packs-mutant-38-pack/36513.html (http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/reviews/packs/daysacks/osprey-packs-mutant-38-pack/36513.html)

(http://www.travelizmo.com/archives/osprey-mutant-38-backpack.jpg)

I think a small would be spot on for you, I am a Medium and that is a tad to big for me.
Title: Re: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: RedLeader on October 03, 2011
Hope so. It felt alright in the shop and I'm pretty short.


Went to Cotswolds looking for the Osprey Atmos 35. They had it @ £100 but also had an Osprey Mutant 38 on offer @ £50. It was very similar but I preferred the way the straps sat on my shoulders so after a quick nerdy Google in the shop I took it. The reviews are all positive and it's around the weight and size range I was looking for so other than the fact it has some climbing specific addons I don't need and doesn't have the compression pouch, I think it's a winner!

One thing I only noticed after (doh!) is that the packs come in several sizes, which I honestly never realised. The one I have is a small so I'll need to measure my back to see if it's actually the right size for me. Live and learn...



Now I'm itching for a night in the hills to give it a testing!

Product Page:
http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/vertical_endeavors__snowplay/mutant_38-new_color (http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/vertical_endeavors__snowplay/mutant_38-new_color)

Here's a review and pics from Outdoors Magic:
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/reviews/packs/daysacks/osprey-packs-mutant-38-pack/36513.html (http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/reviews/packs/daysacks/osprey-packs-mutant-38-pack/36513.html)

I think a small would be spot on for you, I am a Medium and that is a tad to big for me.
Title: Re: Light, comfortable rucksack for 2 day hikes
Post by: twentyclicks on October 03, 2011
Nice bag RL! Complete steal for 50squid.