Backpacks

@Ghaznavid,

Agree with Boerkie, that lightweight small pack seems more like a daypack.

I used the First Ascent MERCURY 35L + 5L backpack recently on a two day hike.

I must say I was rather suprized by the amount of things that I could fit into that pack, I probably filled it with a total of more than 50lt worth of space. But two things weren't so nice

one: not enough padding, maybe because I really stuffed the bag full of stuff, but didn't have such a nice "sit" on me.
two: and this is a big one, you can't adjust the length between the hip belt and the shoulder straps to be bigger, so basically it either fits you, or it doesn't, which I think is a bit bad from FA. In my case it was a bit to short, so ended up with sour shoulders from carrying all the weight on my shoulders.

BackPacker Thar.

On my second one. Not that there is anything broken on the first.

Weighs a tonne.

Works!

Roll on....

You know i have hiked with a coupla guys with Thar's
They look with envy at the side-pockets on my pack as they unload half their pack to access anything.

Oh, did I mention the Thar loads from the top and has no side pockets.Unmatched as a climbing pack...
but we were not climbing! we were hiking.

Speaking of backpacks

when buying a new pack, how do u know if the load lifters are at a decent angle to do their job?

I just got myself the FA venus, partly because the jupiter was not in stock, and i want to keep my hiking lighter. they said i could take it home and load it to finally decide if i want it.

Any thoughts? how important is it to get the load lifters right?

@boerkie here is the link www.mountaindesigns.com/online-store/products/Edge-70L.aspx?prodID=15206

It is an australian company, but i know they are affiliated with colorado which they do have in sa.

At R2100 I would not buy the pack ST posted for 3 reasons:
1. Heavy (2.8kg)
2. Not local, should I need to return it because of defect
3. Expensive, lots of really good packs available sub R1.5k

Thank you anyway ST

I see it comes with an instructional DVD is that some people wear it upside down by mistake or by pressing the wrong button you can accidentally deploy the emergency parachute?

All jokes aside, I think it is actually a great idea. It can be used to explain all the features, how to properly adjust and fit the pack and how to best distribute the weight.

I still often see people believing the bulk of the weight should be packed as low as possible in your pack as to keep the balance point low and not to be top heavy. The correct way however is to sit the weight between your shoulders so that when walking slightly bend over (normal hiking position) the weight is in a straight line on you hips.

Bigsnake wrote: You know i have hiked with a coupla guys with Thar's
They look with envy at the side-pockets on my pack as they unload half their pack to access anything.

Oh, did I mention the Thar loads from the top and has no side pockets.Unmatched as a climbing pack...
but we were not climbing! we were hiking.

They don't know how to pack then mate!

Boerkie wrote:
At R2100 I would not buy the pack ST posted for 3 reasons:
1. Heavy (2.8kg)R2100
2. Not local, should I need to return it because of defectR2100
3. Expensive, lots of really good packs available sub R1.5kR2100

Thank you anyway ST

I see it comes with an instructional DVD is that some people wear it upside down by mistake or by pressing the wrong button you can accidentally deploy the emergency parachute? He did once.

If you want it, stick around, you can buy it when he sells it next year...

All things are relative to the currency and country that you live in. So yes it might seem expensive in SA, but then if you look at it compared to what you have to pay for a weeks rent here in Oz it is actually very good value.

And no ST2, I certainly won't be selling this one. Definitely was a mistake selling my thar (doubt it actually is getting any use)but this pack is actually more comfortable and has a better harness system IMHO and the 2 main buckle clips are not free floating which i think is a better design, it was always something that irritated me about the thar. Not sure when we last went sky-diving, I don't recall popping my reserve shute .