Which Pack

[excelpoint]

G,day guys. Me and a mate are looking at doing a backpack hunt on the Sambar next year and want to start gearing up now. I'm looking for recommendations for a good pack. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Simon_R]

I am the same, a mate and I are looking for good back packs. One manufacturer we have come accross are these guys http://www.eberlestock.com/ they look good, but don't know if they are prctical. If any one can suggest anything that is good and cheaper would greatly appreciate it.

[Paul R]

I sell packs as part of my job and I would advise you to look at the Blackwolf range of packs, they are very good value for money in the mid price range. They currently have 3 hiking packs: the Mountain ash, Mckinnley and Bugaboo.
The Mountain Ash is a good entry level pack wich is popular with scout groups and schools. You should be able to pick one up for about the $140 mark.
The Bugaboo is a well designed, durable pack with a good harness system and is recomended by tour operators for use on the Kokoda trail. You should be able to buy one for under $200.

[Duane]

I have a Eberlestock X1 pack, I love it. But I have only used it for overnight trex. If you are planning a long trip I think you would need more storage space.

[Duane]

I have a couple of Blackwolf small daypacks and both have stood up to loads of abuse (crashing dirtbikes) and cannot say anything bad about them. I do like the Elberlestock in the soft camo material if you intend to do any actual hunting with the pack on.

[ozzyshane]

Ex here is a Eb j104 in action
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08walkout.jpg
u will hold about 7 days of gear in it

Also check out Timber hawke packs from Gecko the Killshot is about the same size good for 5 to 7 day trips Thanks shane

[excelpoint]

I had a look at Rays outdoors today and saw some Outdoor Expedition packs which were 75L + 5 for $99. They seemed ok and felt comfortable to wear. I will check out the others that have been suggested as well.

[derek_webster]

Nice set of pins there Ozzyshane. Did you shave em for the trip? LOL

[excelpoint]

What size pack would be recommended for 2-3 night hikes.

[AdamK]

Shane,
Didn't you do a 9 day trip with your J104? If it only carries 7 days of gear, what did you eat the other 2 days?

I'm considering getting one too. Tossing up between the J104, the M3, or the new Blue widow soon to be released. Maybe even the Half Track.

[dean]

i found a good thread on Archery Talk. i will be waiting to see more of the new Eberlestock Blue Widow, which is apparently the same as the j107 except without the rifle scabbard. http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=637582

[Simon_R]

I work at Auburn and thought I would try Kathmandu (spell????):o, holy crap talk about rip off, $600 for a 75 litre back pack, that did not look as good and did not have the features of a higher end Blackwolf. Couldn't believe the prices.

Think I will be saving my pennies and going for a higher end Black Wolf, saw a realy nice one with a zip off day pack, built in rain cover and side straps, can't remeber which model, but had a lot of features that help lengthen the life of the back pack, like magnetic straps that fold over the zips to protect them once you take off the day pack.

[GREG 2533]

I have a 90L MacPac Cascade picked it up from paddys on sale from $550 to $299. They are a well designed pack with a great harness system. Great load carrying ability and good capacity. The Eb packs look great too i spent a bit of time looking at them before deciding on the macpac. Black wolf make some reasonable gear to. I Have a blackwolf Mantis II Tent and they are great as well. When prepairing for a backpack trip DONT over pack. Take what you need not what u can fit in your pack untill its full. Dont make hastey decisions on gear take your time and buy the best quality gear you can afford and it will be there to use for many seasons to come.


Greg

[excelpoint]

Thanks guys. I picked up an Outdoor Expeditioin 75+5 pack yesterday and a small lightweight 2man hike tent. the pack seems to fit well and has full adjustability in the harness system with good back support. The tent is a little on the heavy side at 2.6kg but the added room to be able to get my bow in out of the weather was hard to knock back plus there is enough room to sit up in if you are stuck inside. I was going to just go for a single bivy but would rather the added room. The pack comes with a small clip off day pack as well as hydration pockets and plenty of good strong tie down loops etc. I will try it out for a couple of overnight trips so if it isnt suitable then I can go for a higher end product

[dean]

and if you want to buy Australian made http://www.oneplanet.com.au/

[ds]

Great discussion guys, I feel the bro and I have been fortunate with the Berghaus packs we have chosen. Being of proven quality yet simple top loading design, they have minimal zips and few fancy options, a fixed harness design has also meant that these packs are designed for the long haul(pardon the pun :)). Though sometimes the characteristics of some gear lack a certain feature that you may require, so getting alterations made has helped us create the perfect bit of gear that best serves our needs.
Tony's pack would have seen about 15 consecutive trips to NZ, having walked multiple valleys it has never let him down due to workmanship or poor design, only the standard wear and tear items one would expect with a pack of such age. Worn straps and zips are the norm, if I recall correctly he even had the whole bottom base replaced due to wear. Even still it pays to be conscious of wear especially if you plan on humping heavy loads in your pack. I have had a few mis-fortunes where a little bit of neglected wear & tear prior to a big trip has turned into a full on 'blow out' during a hunt. Though annoying you don't mind to much when its easily resolved but when it can prove near fatal, that's when it sinks home 'to stay on top of your gear'. While on a Tahr hunt some years back I was descending a steep face when the main shoulder strap broke on my pack which was under a bit of load due to a cape and skull. I experienced a bit of a slide on my bum that if extended could have clearly resulted in a splattering. That reminds me, I have a damaged buckle that requires some attention.;)

For those interested in 2008 Stoney Creek have included hiking packs in their product line, they look like a good bit of gear, I look forward to seeing one in the flesh. It would be nice to have a camo pack, especially when you find yourself hunting out of your hiking pack.
http://www.stoneycreek.net.nz/images/catalogue/33_lrg.jpg

Here's an oldy thats done the rounds, Tony on a solo Tahr hunt back in 1994 with his trusty Berghaus 'Alp'.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/dstoj1/NZ/Tony_IceLake_WestCoastNZ.jpg

[Viking]

An excellent bit of kit when you're out in the sticks living out of a pack, is a sew-all and a metre of one inch nylon strap. If you break a strap out there you're in a heap of trouble.

Army blokes and leather workers should know what a sew-all is, but for those who don't know; it's a hand-held sewing tool with a wooden handle, and comes with a small wrench and usually two needles (of different diameters) that are stored inside the handle. It's also got a little spool with sewing thread. I have sail making thread on mine; it's very strong, and because it's nylon, you can melt the ends so it doesn't unravel.

I can save a trip, and if you're not fixing your own pack, you might be fixing your mate's.

Steve

[excelpoint]

An excellent bit of kit when you're out in the sticks living out of a pack, is a sew-all and a metre of one inch nylon strap. If you break a strap out there you're in a heap of trouble.

Army blokes and leather workers should know what a sew-all is, but for those who don't know; it's a hand-held sewing tool with a wooden handle, and comes with a small wrench and usually two needles (of different diameters) that are stored inside the handle. It's also got a little spool with sewing thread. I have sail making thread on mine; it's very strong, and because it's nylon, you can melt the ends so it doesn't unravel.

I can save a trip, and if you're not fixing your own pack, you might be fixing your mate's.

SteveGood idea that, I will look into it.

[mr_kris]

has anybody tried the platypus 72hr packs? From wellington surplus...