Backpacking Backpacks

[ak_powder_monkey]

I need a backpack that:

•Can be used for overnight ski trips
•Is comfy for overnight mountain bike trips
•It needs to carry, all my fishing gear (flyboxes, waders, extra shoes, rod case and reels) as well as camping gear, changes of chlothes ect.
•I want to be able to do bike in fishing trips and bike in ski trips and backpacking in general.

I was thinking the dakine guide pro but I don't know if its big enough, any suggestions? I'm a total backpacking JONG

[LCC]

Dood, your going to need a much bigger pack if you want to carry all that, plus camping gear.

Minimum, 4000 ci, probably more. On big packs, I also prefer A-frame style ski carrying. Leaves room to strap stuff to the outside such as a sleeping pad easier.

If you don't mind ditching some stuff, going lighter, pack rods, limited flys and stuff, you can do 3500 but you might be risking leaving something important behind, such as tent, sleeping bag or your LS9000.

I use my North Face Patrol pack for just about everything. It's a touch big for quick ski tours, but great for a weekend pack. I'm also a light packer. I've done weekends with a 2200.

[seldon]

I have a Bora 75 by the dead bird company and love it. Doesn't shift at all, 100+ days and no rips/tears/seams coming apart. It's about 4600 CI, so depending on how much shit you like to bring htat may be too little/too much. I've used it on trips up to 8 days w/o resupply. It can compress down to 3900 CI. Have fun.

[Flash]

I second Seldon's recommendation of the Arcteryx Bora series. I have used a Bora 85 for 8 years. I have put it through the ringer, and it has stood up to every test. Arcteryx

Unsolicited advice -- Dood, if you are going backpacking, you need to really think about what you want to bring, cause the more you carry, the less far you are gonna want to go. For example, I do a lot of fly fishing backpack trips, and I almost never bring waders. Too big, bulky, and heavy. Think through what you really need when you are packing, and your trips will be better.

[cmor]

I assume by overnight ski trips you mean the whole winter ski camping thing. There is so much stinking heavy and bulky gear that goes into that. I can summer camp super light with a 37 liter pack no problem. Any extended winter camping takes at least an 80 liter pack (for me). I don't know where all the space goes, but it goes. 4-season tent, big sleeping pad, tons of fuel, huge sleeping bag, economy-size box of condoms, etc.. There's just a rediculous amount of crap. So if your set on that, then you'd have to purchase to accomadate for it.

I have a Lowe Alpine Alpamyao 90L+20L lying around if you're interested. It retailed for around $250. I would sell it for much less.

[ak_powder_monkey]

As far as waders go here in AK the weather is to cold to get by without them, but I got breathables so they aren't too bulky

cmor- I think I'm going for a new one here cause its a birthday present

[house]

Bora 80. i love it

[PhishingME]

I don't want to jack this thread, but

Know any day packs that store skis diagnolly?

REI and EMS had all of their "non ski" packs out .

Don't know how many threads on backpacks we really need.

[seldon]

Originally posted by PhishingME
I don't want to jack this thread, but

Know any day packs that store skis diagnolly?

REI and EMS had all of their "non ski" packs out .

Don't know how many threads on backpacks we really need.

I would recommend following this link: http://tetongravity.com/forums/searc...der=descending

[CantDog]

Originally posted by PhishingME
I don't want to jack this thread, but

Know any day packs that store skis diagnolly?

REI and EMS had all of their "non ski" packs out .

Don't know how many threads on backpacks we really need.

Osprey packs carry em diagonally. Check out the switch series, the 25+5 would be perfect, or if you need a little extra room, the 40+5. I've used the 40+5 for overnight trips and it was just enough.

[CantDog]

AKPM, sounds like you really need more than one pack. Because I can tell you know, mountain biking with a backpackers pack on sucks huge donkey balls.

[random]

Big fan of Serratus Alpine... mine's 85L, and soooo comfortable. Seriously lust this backpack. But it'd probably suck for biking.

[Xover]

Originally posted by seldon
I have a Bora 75 by the dead bird company and love it. Doesn't shift at all, 100+ days and no rips/tears/seams coming apart. It's about 4600 CI, so depending on how much shit you like to bring htat may be too little/too much. I've used it on trips up to 8 days w/o resupply. It can compress down to 3900 CI. Have fun.

That's a GIRLS pack!!

Bwaaaaaaahaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

[seldon]

Yeah, and I got it for $125 brand new. I'm not complaining.

[Xover]

I just went through a similar search my self for a good overnight/long weekend pack and my conclusions were:

1. Osprey has nice attachments, but their packs can't carry loads for chit - their suspension sucks big time.

2. Bora's are a little better, but if you want the cadillac of them all look at

3. DANA - 'nough said.

P.S. I got a friend that swears by his Wookey; says it is better than his Dana - no local Wookey dealers had the pack I wanted so I skipped checking them out all together.

Good luck; best bet is do your research from a I want to carry this standpoint and then go to a local store taking all your gear and try them on with the friggin' thing loaded up - your choice will become obvious at this point.

[gonzo]

Dana.

[FreakofSnow]

Dana << thats what you want.

I have the Terraplane X, similiar to this version:



It kicks ass, carried 70 plus pound loads with no issues.

[zion zig zag]

anybody ever try any vortex packs? made in SLC.
vortex

[mtbakerskier]

get a osprey they freaking kick ass, and last for ever

[cj001f]

Originally posted by FreakofSnow
It kicks ass, carried 70 plus pound loads with no issues.

Aside from your knees? Unless you were going for a couple weeks - lighten up!

Given your age (young), and your location (Alaska), akpm I'd opt for a bigger pack rather than a smaller one. Arc'teryx packs are nice.

If your looking for a smaller pack - BD Ice Pack rocks!

[FreakofSnow]

Originally posted by cj001f
Aside from your knees? Unless you were going for a couple weeks - lighten up!

Thanks for the brilliant advice there hoss. Nah, it was only for a short while while backpacking Australia, didn't take long before I ditched some of my gear.

[Big Hit77]

The Dana Terraplane X is the Shiz. I've been using one for 4 years now ..the new LTW is also nice, but w/o the side zips and has lighter fabric.. There is no way anyone else out there can do better than the Arcflex suspension Osprey, Arc Teryx or gregory just can't compete with the actual suspension aspect of the pack...sure they might have neat little selling gimmicks like waterproof rolltop closures, and modular packbags, but for actual carrying comfort and capacity the Danas are the best out there. Once you try one it's tough to go back

[Xover]

Originally posted by Big Hit77
The Dana Terraplane X is the Shiz. I've been using one for 4 years now ..the new LTW is also nice, but w/o the side zips and has lighter fabric.. There is no way anyone else out there can do better than the Arcflex suspension Osprey, Arc Teryx or gregory just can't compete with the actual suspension aspect of the pack...sure they might have neat little selling gimmicks like waterproof rolltop closures, and modular packbags, but for actual carrying comfort and capacity the Danas are the best out there. Once you try one it's tough to go back

WERD!!!

[G]

So, out of all the packs here around 5000 c.i. which ones are specifically designed to carry skis?

[Xover]

Originally posted by Bullet
Osprey Packs - Ceres 70


Large is 4500 cu in. Get the bolt on day pack and you have 5200 cu in - technical alpine pack with A-Frame ski carry.

That is the exact pack that I used to go up to Big Willow 2 weeks ago and the thing can't carry a load for CHIT!!! . Don't even get me started on my other gripes about that thing.

Dana Alpine LTW has all the same features but can carry the load.