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Author Topic: Rucksack recommendations?  (Read 22016 times)

FairWeatherCamper

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Rucksack recommendations?
« on: July 08, 2013 »
I was just wondering what size of rucksack people carry?

I need a rucksack and don't want one that is too big, just big enough to carry my kit.

I fancy a 45L rucksack. Do you think that would be big enough to carry the following:
A lightweight 2 man hiking tent (buying one of these too so any recommendations welcome)
Tesco Micro-Lite Mummy bag
Mini-Trangia
500ml of meths
1L of water
A couple of Mugshots (like cuppa soup but with pasta for those who aren't familiar)
A tin of beans
A couple of other small bits and pieces like a knife etc.

My interest is mainly two day summer hikes (with an overnighter) - hence my username. I'll probably do a few of these solo, and one or two with a mate.

I do care about cost. If there is an army surplus option, that would be great - love that sort of thing. Anyone know if the Tesco 45L Rucksack is any use, or is it just cheap tat?

If 45L is too small, can I get away with 65L?

Thanks in advance.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2013 by FairWeatherCamper »
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t18con

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Re: Rucksack recommendations?
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2013 »
I use a 35l for normal sunday walks and a 65l for a camp weekend, although I don't travel anywhere near as light as most in here, and my tents not small nor my sleeping bag. by coincidence I have all my gear outside airing after a weekends camp and was going to try it into the 35l to see if it fits. if you find a rucksack you fancy, there are a LOT of reviews from professionals on youtube now, normally yanks though.

as for the ex army stuff, it will probably be heavier but sturdier, some of the karrimor army surplus stuff has a good following on these boards if you search, and the ray mears site plugs one particular pack/Bergen.
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FairWeatherCamper

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Re: Rucksack recommendations?
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2013 »
Cheers. I've not seen too much of Ray Mears so I will check out what he has to say!
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cerbera147

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Re: Rucksack recommendations?
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2013 »
I got a decent one from Argos for £25. It looks good and should fulfill most requirements  :)

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9099689.htm

If money is no object I think the Osprey Talon 44 @ £100 is the bee's knees  ;D
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FairWeatherCamper

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Re: Rucksack recommendations?
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2013 »
Cheers Cerbera. Will maybe nip in and have a look at it.
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t18con

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Re: Rucksack recommendations?
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2013 »
« Last Edit: July 08, 2013 by t18con »
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Typo-On

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Re: Rucksack recommendations?
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2013 »
Quote from: FairWeatherCamper on July 08, 2013
I was just wondering what size of rucksack people carry? 44L

I need a rucksack and don't want one that is too big, just big enough to carry my kit.

I fancy a 45L rucksack. Do you think that would be big enough to carry the following:
A lightweight 2 man hiking tent (buying one of these too so any recommendations welcome) totally dependent on budget, terra nova superlite voyager (ive used extensively its great), wild country zephros, vango banshee, vango/force ten helium
Tesco Micro-Lite Mummy bag
Mini-Trangia
500ml of meths
1L of water
A couple of Mugshots (like cuppa soup but with pasta for those who aren't familiar)
A tin of beans
A couple of other small bits and pieces like a knife etc.


Yes
My interest is mainly two day summer hikes (with an overnighter) - hence my username. I'll probably do a few of these solo, and one or two with a mate.

I do care about cost. If there is an army surplus option, that would be great - love that sort of thing. Anyone know if the Tesco 45L Rucksack is any use, or is it just cheap tat?

If 45L is too small, can I get away with 65L? IMO the bigger the rucksack the more you'll stuff in it that you dont really need

Thanks in advance.
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t18con

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Re: Rucksack recommendations?
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2013 »
I've just tried it out and there definitely isn't room in my 35l pack for sleeping bag AND gear, my sleeping bag 3/4 fills the 35 litre pack, so id have to wear the sleeping bag outside. just messing about with mounting stuff on the outside of bags, etc to see what I can get away with
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FairWeatherCamper

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Re: Rucksack recommendations?
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2013 »
So you reckon 45l might be a bit small then?

Thanks for checking that out for me by the way!
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ChuckMcB

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Re: Rucksack recommendations?
« Reply #9 on: July 08, 2013 »
+1 for a 65l While you can get away with sticking stuff on the top or bottom of a 35l, will the rain cover fit without turning into a sail?
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FairWeatherCamper

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Re: Rucksack recommendations?
« Reply #10 on: July 08, 2013 »
Ok. Cheers guys. I will bow to your experience and seek a 65L. Thanks again! Still need to look at that Ray Mears link!
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Typo-On

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Re: Rucksack recommendations?
« Reply #11 on: July 08, 2013 »
Quote from: FairWeatherCamper on July 08, 2013
Ok. Cheers guys. I will bow to your experience and seek a 65L. Thanks again! Still need to look at that Ray Mears link!

For the stuff you mentioned above 45L is more than enough, Ive had overnighters with a 22L and not in the summer. Lots of us only use 45 and smaller.
Why dont you just take everything you need into a shop like Cotswolds and try it. I guarantee they wont mind.
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Rumblebum

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Re: Rucksack recommendations?
« Reply #12 on: July 08, 2013 »
Do you use a sleepmat as well?

I started out using a Berghaus 65/10 and it was a fair lump of a rucksack and I've had some cracking good trips with it, I grab it again when the need arises.
Then I wanted to down size a bit and now use an Opsrey Kestrel 48, in this I get

1 man tent
Sleep mat
Sleeping bag
Water proof coat/trousers
Merino wool fleece
Hat/ socks/ gloves
Prima Loft jacket
Pocket rocket stove/ gas canister/ cooking pot
1ltr Naglene water bottle
Food
And the ever present bottle of wine and firelog.
Other bits and pieces.

If you use a tesco micro lite sleeping bag they pack up pretty small and if your not carrying water proofs then you should be fine with a 45 litre, depending on your tent size.
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whoRya

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Re: Rucksack recommendations?
« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2013 »
I suppose as long as your stuff fits in then that is what matters.  If your gear is smaller packing then a smaller ruck will do.  Some of it comes down to finding out how to use up all the capacity of your rucksack, filling all the wee nooks and crannies. 

I have a 68L and carry more or less the same stuff as Rumblebum who has a 48L (same rucksack model).  I probably have a few spare litres of unused capacity.  Mine weighs 200g more than his, that may matter to you or it may not.  I went looking for a 58L but the shop had the 68L on offer (last years colours) so I bought it.  It was £35 cheaper than the smaller model, which was 100g lighter.  I couldn't justify spending an extra £35 for a smaller rucksack (albeit 100g lighter). 

It's got to be right for your needs.  I may be needing to carry a bit of extra stuff when walking with young people e.g. a 4 man bothy bag so I'll maybe require the extra capacity.  Personally I'd prefer to have a 55L rucksack filled, than a 35L with 20L of sleeping mat (or sleeping bag!) etc. strapped to the outside.

 
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LandyLiam

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Re: Rucksack recommendations?
« Reply #14 on: July 09, 2013 »
65L all the way for me, and I still have to strap my tent to the outside  :o (and I'm using a very compressible down sleeping bag too)
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