i need some help in finding the correct size pack. as of now i’m thinking 4,500. i’m not sure if that is to much or just right. I’m looking at a Acr’teryx. it weighs 5 pounds so thats not too bad. suggestions would be great. thanks
Gunnar
Packs - Appalachian Trail
system
#3
you’ll probably hear this from others too. but get all your gear first, and a pack last. that way you know it will all fit. you should check out the new ULA Catalyst, it is that same size and half that weight. it is replacing the very popular p-2.
jerm
system
#4
I tryed on a Osprey Aether 60 at Dick’s in Atlanta. Nice pack. It really hugs you, and wont let the load shift around. Seems like it would be a really nice pack for technical sections. I really like the compression straps.
We dont really have any good outfitters where I live, so I try to check out the equipment in Atlanta when I get the chance at stores like REI and Dick’s, and Neels Gap when I can get in there.
bryan
system
#5
I think it is a great one for internal frames. I is very versitile and believe it or not you can take out parts of the frame and lighten it about a pound at least and not really know the difference comfort wise. Many people learn to lighten their loads so much that they do not need 4,500cu in. (depending on their style of hiking) I have switched each piece of gear at least 3 time so it makes sense to do what jerm says do.
jj
system
#6
Certainly the Osprey packs are a good reputable name in packs. Other brands that you might consider include Gregory. Their Forester has been on sale recently. They must be discontinuing it.
If you are looking for an external frame pack, Kelty is just about the only firm still making them.
Peaks
system
#7
Even Kelty is jumping on the internal frame bandwagon. You can get Kelty packs now in Academy Sports. Kinda nice being able to find them in a regular department store. If you ever get to atlanta, stop by Dick’s Sporting Goods in the mall of atlanta. Its the only sporting goods department store that I know of that carries Gregory,Kelty,and Osprey packs off the shelf. They also have the weight bags so you can test them out. Their prices arent too bad either. Of course REI is right down the road too. The outfitters at Neels Gap have a good selection too.
bryan
system
#8
I went through two Ospey 50 packs before I figured out that they truly sucked I kept the packs dead on the weight limit but the first one blew out within 200 miles and the second one was failing as soon as I went 100 miles before I got off the trail, But, on the other hand I know people who pushed the same pack and they did just fine.
I suggest Kelty brand because they are using the same fabrics as the ultra light and they are half the price.
And Gregory is a mid price supplier with decent to well made gear.
I would strongly suggest anyone who is gonna hike the AT just try to stay with a pack that weighs less than 5lbs for winter hiking and to have a pack that weighs less than
3lbs for summer that is my personal suggestion (depending on your over-all volume too). The AT has many towns so you really do not need to carry more than 3 to 4 days worth of food which the next time I hike I am gonna go with just 2-3 days worth of food. I learned the hard way.
Go twice as Light and Have twice as much fun!!
1/4
system
#9
Yeah, Light is definatly better.
The first hiking trip I went on was a short (I thought it was long back then) 21 mile hike in Florida. At the time I didnt know squat about hiking. I had been camping quite a few times, so I packed my pack up with everything I thought I would need. It was a two day hike, and my pack weighted in at 80lbs.
80lbs!!!
I must have been insane. I had a full dome tent, coleman propane lantern and stove, 4lb sleeping bag, CANS of soup, box of crackers, a tub of kool-aid, Spam, tons of clothes even cotton ones. and like 2 gallons of water all stuffed into a surplus military alice pack. Then to top it all off, I had no idea how to adjust a pack to fit me, so I just slung it over my sholders, not even hooking up the hipbelt, and started hiking with 4 of my friends all loaded down the same way. We weren’t hikers, we were human packhorses.
I laugh now looking back…what an idiot. If I had known then what I know now. Now I can carry enough supplies for 3-5 days in 25lbs or less depending on the expected weather.
There are many times now, when I forget the pack is even on my back.
I dont have mega bucks, so I have to use dept store junk and whatever I can construct myself.
Here is my standard kit.
Wenger Nomad internal frame pack
Timber Creek 6’x4’ dome tent (not perfect, but its cheap and super light. It held up to a trip from Springer to Hawk Mtn, with 0 failures)
Igloo Tracker 2.7lb mummy bag rated for 25deg.
Small camp pillow
Three pairs of wool Columbia socks
Remington thermal underware(neoprene/synthetic)
Three pairs of undies
Columbia Rainsuit jacket and pants
Columbia Fleece jacket
Columbia Shorts
One 6" camp cooking pan (aluminum)
One SOS pad in a ziplock
1 box of Trioxane tabs (cooking fuel)
1 stainless Spoon
1 magnesium firestarter (i guarentee it will start a fire…everytime)
15 Powerbars (I love powerbars)
3 Granola Bars
3-5 6oz packages of dehydrated foods (mashed potatoes, rice, beans,chicken, etc.)Cooked weight=23oz or so per package.
1 pair of gloves
1 headlamp flashlight
1 silva map compass
1 topo map of the area
1 first aid kit
1 full roll of toilet paper
Toiletries including toothpaste,deodorant,etc in sample bottles
Repel 100% deet bug spray-tiny bottle
Digital Camera
Katadyn exstreme purifier water bottle
Collapsable hiking sticks
$20 bucks
2 carabiners(good for hanging stuff up. Like bearbags,packs,etc)
I really like the Columbia brand of clothing. Momma Boyle sure knows how to make some nice stuff. I have yet to have a piece of Columbia stuff fail on me. Columbia TrailMeister Mid boots ROCK!!! Bought two pair. One is my daily shoe of choice, and the other is strictly for hiking. Happily blister-free ever since I switched from Timberland.
bryan
system
#10
While I like the internal frame for winter, my favotite pack in the summer is an external frame. I tested several packs with the same weight over a 3-5 mile course and found the external frame pack felt like I was carrying half the load of the internals, and this included my Gregory Reality, LL Bean, and a Lowe Alpine, so they weren’t junk packs.
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