Flash Reviews No. 14

Forgoing Weight or Price Data ???

Dave, the weight on the MetroWild is 1.8 KG (4 pounds) and the price is currently listed at $189.95. The current price listed on Amazon for the OR Drycomp Summit Sack is $63.16 with Prime shipping. Weight on that bag is 324 grams (11.3 oz). The Kestrel Ti-backpacker is listed starting at $139.99 and it weighs 13 grams without the sheath, 20 grams with the sheath.

One aspect that was not mentioned about this pack is that it transfers 100% of the weight to the hips. My gf has a rotator cuff injury which means that she cannot have ANY weight on her shoulders. This was the only lightweight solution/backpack that I could find for her that put zero weight on her shoulders. I have taken my gf out on two overnighter trips with a load of about 15 lbs collectively covering about 25 to 30 miles overall and a few of those off trail in the 5 Lakes Basin area near Lake Tahoe, CA. No problems with the pack coming out of the hook belt. Note: this was with the Stackpack which is the same frame without the Corobox and just two of the soft side cylinders. Back in July, I went with my gf to Panama to visit her family and used the MetroWild, which was given to me to borrow so I could be a tester for Bruce/owner of the company. I solely used it as a carry on/roller luggage. It works well enough as a carry on, but given that it is fulfilling two roles as backpack and luggage it is adequate in both roles but not stellar in either one. Glad that the lid has been redesigned, because it was driving me a little nuts because it took a little bit of effort to close it and to get the lid perfectly lined up…..I am kinda anal about that sort of thing. :) Overall, I think that the Stackpack and Metro Wild are unique solutions to problems that might not come up all that often. If you are like my gf and cannot have any weight/pressure on your shoulders, this might be the only solution out there that is lightweight vs. the traditional external frame packs, which this is. If you are traveling by plane and need a solution for carry on luggage and then going right to the trail, then this would work too. Unique situations to say the least. Overall, it is a solid concept, but I do feel that the pack could use some refinements to make it better. Shoulder strap and hip belt pockets might be nice. The front chest water bottle holder again is unique and would just be something that my gf would have to try to see if that works for her. Emailing Bruce has been a pleasure as he has been very responsive and eager to answer questions and offer advice on how best to use his products. Looking forward to seeing how his packs evolve in the future. Tony

Tony, check out the Dixon Roller Pack which was just featured in Gear Junkie: http://gearjunkie.com/backpack-with-wheel-dixon?utm_source=Gear+Junkie+Weekly+ It's kind of like a pulk but has a wheel (removable)and attaches to a waist belt; the frame can also be used as a standard backpack frame as well. Interesting!

Monty, Wow, this is a blast from the past! I remember seeing ads for this in backpacker magazine before I moved to a lightweight setup. I just wonder if having something following behind you might get in the way and slow you down….downed trees, water crossings, etc. Still, cool to see that they are still making it and sure the design has evolved. Tony

Paragraph breaks would make a big difference in readability.

–B.G.– would suggest BPL hire an editor, again.

Tony, I was at PCT Days yesterday and a vendor from Oregon has started a pack company, making packs that put no weight on the shoulders. She had a few prototypes (made from a pack-maker in Eugene) that a lot of people were trying on and seemed to like. The packs are maybe a bit small and heavy compared to a standard UL frameless but should work well for those that have a specific need due to shoulder pain. Here's the site: http://www.me-2packs.com Note: I have no connection to this company, just happened to see it at the gear expo.

Careful now, Ken, we'd all hate to see you swimming with the fishes.

Steven, Hey, long time no yack! Thanks for passing this along. Very, very intriguing pack….like that there are side pockets on it where the Stackpack does not have them. Wish they had some photos online showing someone wearing it, to show how it wraps around your body. One negative that I can see is that with 20 lbs as the weight limit and small size, not sure that you could put a bear canister in this thing or take week long trips. Still, it is very intriguing for the shorter three day weekend trips. Was there any indication of when the pack might be going on the market or was this an early prototype? Tony

I should have taken some photos. However, take a look at the 1st photo under the "About" page, which shows a side view of the two "waist" belts, a traditional substantially-padded waist belt and a "chest" belt that seemed designed to ride right beneath a women's chest. I asked some women what they thought and they all said it was comfortable. Next, there's a photo in an article linked in the "News & Events" page with a different side view that shows the front a little better. Anyway, there were both men and women trying the packs on, probably some for the novelty. It seemed like women were spending more time in the booth and talking with the founder. She said there would be some kind of fund-raising online, so I'm not sure what the plan is there and how successful that will be. I agree about the capacity; I think you'd have to put up bearing more group weight on a weeklong trip. BUT, if it was a solution – albeit maybe not 100% ideal – that'd be a start.

Steven, It is all good….I just appreciate that you could let us know about this new pack. Always nice to see the innovation going on in the cottage manufacture market. Gear porn….ummmmm. Tony