My Happy Back – A Tradeoff For Comfort

Great photos and I'm glad that you've found a pack that works for you. I've lightened my gear where I can but I think these ultra-light packs and sleep systems are a special niche. They obviously work for some folks, but not me. My wife and I tried a hammock and it worked ok, but we prefer a tent. Likewise, we tried some lightweight sleeping bags and a thinner pad but after a a year of weekend trips and a week-long trek in the Rocky's we've sold them and decided to go back to our older bags and thicker pads. We are side-sleepers and had too many restless nights and stiff necks. Similarly, I've found that I much prefer my heavier (3-4 lb) pack for anything longer than a day hike.

Deuter (doy-tah) packs are fairly nice and cheap too. I had one years ago, the ACT lite 45+10 was over 3 lbs but it was very comfortable. I replaced an Arc'teryx Bora 65 with it, before I went L/UL with a GoLite Jam.

I agree that comfort sometimes means a heavier pack. Im lucky in the sense of the Golite Jam working well for me.

now get back out there and take some more great photos!

Yep! I will be back out this weekend. Last weekend was a hoot – it snowed and howled both days! This weekend is supposed to be balmy and in the 70*'s……

Sarah,

What's the key to fitting everything into a 2450 cu in pack? I have the weight of my gear down, but would find it difficult if not impossible to fit it into a pack of that size due to bulk. I noticed that you did not have a lot on the outside of the pack (maybe a water bottle?)

What type of shelter, sleeping bag, pad, and clothing were you carrying for instance, so that it all fits inside?

I try to have everything inside as much as I can – I hate having stuff hanging off – it affects my balance. My husband says if I could play Tetris like a master with how I pack ;-)

On colder solo trips (no kid along) I carry:

REI Chrysalis solo tent
Ladies Sub Kilo bag
Ladies Pro Lite pad
MH fleece hat
Liner gloves
Wild Roses Paclite jacket
REI UL rain pants
Virgin Lambswool wool sweater
wool leggings
extra pair Icebreaker socks
tea kettle
Primus canister stove with small canister
lighter
empty bladder
GSI Rehydrate spoon
freezer bag cozy
bag of 8 paper towel sections
small 14 ounce GSI cup (from their nesting set, with lid)
bag of toilet paper/hand wipes
small first aid kit with dental kit
headlamp
bandanna
maps
knife
blister care kit
Ursack bag and food
sack of snacks
sunglasses
wallet/house and car keys/cell phone and extra battery

On the outside I carry my pack cover and two water bottles. I also have my Safepacker pack and my small camera on the outside.

On warmer weather trips I would take my AGG tarp tent instead and my sit pad. On multi days a thin book to read. If water crossings, then my Crocs on the outside.

But mostly it is not using stuff sacks except for my sleeping bag and tent. I cram stuff into every corner I can find. When I use the AGG tent I have lots of spare room too! :-)

sarbar,
As I recall, you have a few Seraph/Ghost packs. How do those compare with your ‘Deuter’?
Thanx,
-Barry

Night and day! I sold off the two bronze ones I had (a Ghost and a Seraph). I could never get a load comfortably into it. It always seemed that the gear felt like a block on my back. The old blue Ghost was a good pack – mine is pretty much dead though from over use.
I am definitely a huge Deuter fan now. My son used a Dueter for 4 or so years (a Fox 30) till he grew out of it. He is using an REI Jet pack for his daypack now – I am seriously considering getting him the same as mine for backpacking. I tried it on him and it fits great.