GEAR REVIEW
Need Pack, Will Travel The long weekend: Which pack is right for you? By Scott Shailer
Does size matter? AS MOST PEOPLE cannot afford Goldilocks size-approved packs for each occasion, some sort of compromise must be made. Eighty litre packs are very common and are best suited for summer long-weekend to week-long outings or long-weekend winter adventures. But please remember, just because you have a moderately large pack you should never lug more than a third of your body weight, and less is even better. Suspension Design For those who want a pack that does not impede movement, to allow for easier off trail scrambling, one with two aluminum stays is best. The downside of a pack with just two stays is a reduced load-carrying capacity, which is normally limited to a maximum of 18 kilograms. If you need to haul more gear or beer, then look for a pack with a thin “frame sheet” of polyethylene combined with internal stays to increase the load-carrying abilities. Packs with frame sheets do have one minor drawback in that natural body movement is somewhat inhibited due to the added rigidity. Another feature pack manufacturers use to increase the load-bearing capacity is the insertion of rods or a hoop made of fibreglass into the hip belt, which allows better weight distribution to the hips and aids in centring the pack. Back Padding Parts of the body that come in contact with the pack should feel more like they are being caressed than mauled. The load-bearing components of the pack should be made of foam that is supportive in structure, but neither too firm nor too soft. Contoured, size specific, multilayered hip pads, which start off soft and become firmer with each subsequent layer, are ideal. Mesh type pack panels and hip belts are cooler, but don’t expect that your back will be dry on a 32-degree day. If you hike in more humid climates or in winter, a pack with foam panels and accompanying air conduits is ideal to 26
shed snow, and dries out more quickly, but tends to be hotter in summer. Access For those who iron their underwear and own at least one shoe organizer, I would recommend a pack with panel access, a separate sleeping bag compartment and other external pockets. For the less orderly among us, top loaders are ideal for quickly cramming your gear in. Other factors that should be considered, but only if two or more packs are in a dead heat, are the availability of water bladder compartments, the number of pockets, a detachable fanny pack and finally, for the fashion conscious, colour. Arc’Teryx Bora 80 Volume: 77L (size medium tested, also available in short and long and women’s short, medium and long) Suspension Design: Two internal aluminum stays in a v-shaped formation, frame sheet and hip belt rods. Back Padding: Full length contour foam with air channels Access: Top/panel/sleeping bag loader and kangaroo pocket Features: Detachable fanny pack lid, two water bottle holders, internal water bladder holder, daisy chains and ice axe loops. Weight: 3.1 kg Price: $320.00 Available at: MEC Pack’s motto: The all-seasons thrill seeker
CANADA IS BEST known for beavers, hemp-induced snow boarders and excellent outdoor gear manufacturers. The makers of this pack live up to our reputation. Arc’Teryx manages to place a lot of features on a relatively easy to use pack. The v-shaped suspension design is an example of one such feature, in that it allows for hip belt articulation while on uneven ground. This noticeably augments some frame stiffness associated with packs that combine internal stays with frame sheet and rods. The pack also includes a sculpted hip belt, and shoulder straps and a moulded back paneling that are on the firm side, but do an excellent job of following the curves of your hips and back. The result is a pack that can be worn on very rough trails while carrying monster loads. Once loaded through top, panel or sleeping bag orifices, all the gear can be
held secure using compression straps. Water bottle holders come equipped with a drawstring and can hold a Nalgene container or other trinkets securely. Quibbles The sleeping bag divider closes with a drawstring. It is a simple and effective way to close off the pack, but it is a bloody nuisance if you don’t close it, as your gear will get caught up in the excess material or the draw cord. The North Face Diligence Volume: 88L (size medium tested, also available in short and long) Suspension Design: Two internal crossed carbon fibre stays Back Padding: Full-length self-contour mesh Access: Top/panel/sleeping bag loader and two side expansion pockets Features: Detachable daypack, water bottle holder, internal water bladder holder, gear loops on belt, daisy chain and ice axe loops Weight: 3.1 kg Price: $459.99 Available at: Trailhead Pack’s motto: Holy features Batman!
THE NORTH FACE routinely sponsors adventurers to allow them to go conquer regions of the world that are unrelenting in scope. The company also makes quality gear to get them back alive. This is one such piece of equipment. The carbon fibre stays and what the designers call the “maximum surface area” back panel are very comfortable and will conform to all the peaks and valleys of your spinal column. Your body’s natural movements are hardly restricted; due to the characteristics of the carbon fibre stays the pack seems to move along with you. The shoulder straps are thin but still provide some shock absorption, and the hip belts seem to be wider than most but are supportive and don’t hamper movement. The overall load-carrying capacity of this pack is very reasonable considering there is no frame sheet. Should you find that 88 litres are not enough, this pack has no shortage of lashing options and the daypack doubles as a snow shovel holder. Quibbles The water bottle holder is too small to allow easy insertion of a Nalgene water
