This is my second attempt at a MYOG pack. My first was a typical single compartment box shaped, x-pac fabric, frameless, approx 45 liter pack with removable hip belt. After one season of use I wanted something a little different, but also got my own sewing machine! Things I wanted to change this time around:
-a much smaller and thus lighter pack as most of my trips are 3-season, 2-4 days, and a starting weight of 15-20 lbs(including pack and consumables)
-better load balance between the front and back
-carrying capacity in the front pockets that would give me access to nearly everything I could need during the day including maps
-water bottles up front
-less padding in the shoulder straps
-something that would conform to the shape of my back rather than the box shape(or sausage when fully packed) of my previous pack.
-a removable sit pad to add structure and help with ventilation
-no hip belt since I never actually used the detachable hip belt on my previous pack
-no side pockets because I get really tired of contorting my shoulders to get things in and out of those
Here is what I came up with:
I borrowed several ideas from existing packs like the UD fastpack, then added some of my own to come up with a running vest style pack. By the way, I have no intention of actually running in it. I had some 1.4 oz cuben leftover from a previous project so I used that for the main pack body, which is sewn then taped on the inside. The front is a stretch mesh material with a DWR finish(from an old pair of running pants). I used 3mm 3d spacer mesh for the shoulder strap padding, and lycra mesh for the back pocket and sleeves for the sit pad. Came out to 10oz for the pack plus 2oz for the sit pad. Feels good loaded and carrying it around the house but haven’t actually taken a trip with it yet. Headed to the Guadalupe Mtns in the next few weeks to try it out.
