Pack Size

30L for a 3-month trip overseas — equipped for both hosteling and camping in a cool climate? VERY IMPRESSIVE! Which pack did you use? What did you pack?

For me, I use a 38L Eagle Creek day pack for backpacking overseas (hosteling, not camping):

For 2-3 days’ camping, I will be using my new Z Pack Z1 frameless pack.

For trips up to a week, I use a Mountainsmith Ghost internal frame backpack.

Currently, for 1 to 2 day trips, I use my MS Boogieman (1000ci not including the collar)

My longer (or heavier) trips get the MS Ghost treatment. 3000ci – no collar.

for travel, I use an eagle creek explorer trek LT, which is 2400ci (40ltrs). Its rarely full, I like the extra space for lugging souviners between post office visits.

Oh, Ben. Your the first person Ive seen who has reported getting one of those Zpacks. what did you think? (might want to start a new thread or those one might get hijacked noticably)

1000 cubic inch REI flash pack comes with me on 99% of my day trips or solo 2-3 days rides. It’s always under 15lbs fully packed. No tarp, just sleep in my bivy. Hardest part is fitting 3L of water and all the food in at the start. Sometimes the camera doesn’t fit but that’s because it’s an older 3.2mp with 10x zoom. Hoping for a smaller one for Xmas or birthday. I rarely take trips longer than long weekends due to work but I’m pretty sure I can fit 5+ days into that new GoLite pack they highlighted on here (~1500cubic inches).

2000cubic inches seems huge to me now after a summer of just using the REI pack but it’s easy to fill up when you start adding floored tents, inflatable pads, etc. Can’t use my 11gram solo cookpot with a big group :)

Ahhh, J R — seems like we have very similar travel styles! I haven’t posted anything about the Z pack because I haven’t actually used it. But loaded up with gear, food and 2L of water, and “backpacking” around the house, it carries pretty much like my GoLite Dawn. I like saving 7-8 ounces in weight though.

Christopher — 1,000 ci for 2-3 days — that’s really something!

My 30L pack is an Arcteryx Bora 30 which is not on their web site anymore. I have 3 Arcteryx packs as I think they are so well made and extremely comfortable. I think they weigh in OK. I’m new at this lightwieght caper so I have learnt there’s a lot more out there. I was able to cut off excess straping etc.

When I had food for a few days, I did have to have the tent and the food on the outside of the pack and my fleece jacket. I was able to sort of save some weight because I had a small fishing rod as the fishing was so good and that was my meat supply. I did not have to carry water (maybe half a litre) as it was everywhere.

Next time I travel I will save weight/bulk by having a smaller tent, smaller sleeping mat, smaller sleeping bag, smaller gortex and a few other things. I think bulk is as much of an issue as weight.

I might put up my gear list another time. Look for my name !

I went for a stroll over at Eagle Creek and like the BOUNDARY pack. 32.5L at 540g/19oz.

I’m sort of tired of stuffing everything in thru the top of your typical backpack and want my next pack to have the more daypack design, that being not a top feed and having a few extra compartments and pockets. As I tend to travel overseas (for us Australians everywhere is overseas) I want a more versitile pack that does not have bits flapping around everywhere.
The Eagle Creek just lacks a hip belt though.

Hi Ian:

Thanks for your response. Yeah, Arcteryx makes excellent packs. While not the lightest, the heavier / tougher fabric is a big plus when it comes to international travel.

The actual weight of the EC day pack is really 2 lbs 4 oz — almost a pound heavier than stated! EC changed the weight on its website from 1 lb 5 oz to 2 lbs after I brought the descrepancy to their attention.

After I got my pack, I gutted out the frame since my gear is so light that I don’t need it. I also sew on a webbing hip belt, with two pieces of padding on each side. Not really necessary, but just adding to wearing comfort. The pack weighs 1 lb 10 oz after the above mods.

Hi Ben

Your EC pack is a Boundary Large which they list as 2lbs (680g).
I like the Boundary which they list as 1lb 3oz or 540g.
Seems almost too good to be true but still nice n lite even if you add a few ozs.
I like the idea of adding a hipbelt.

An equivalent TNF pack (eg. Big Shot) weighs in at 900g. There may be good reasons but I like the idea of saving some weight.

Hi Ian:

My mistake regarding the two packs. But regardless, I would be leery of EC’s specs about the Boundary. I guesstimate it would be closer to a pound and a half.

I have used a variety of packs both homemade and store bought. My favorite long distance pack is a homemade silnylon pack(1,000 cubic inches/3oz) that I used for an A.T. section hike last June(Georgia/North Carolina/Tennissee in three weeks). I was surprised to find that I had extra space.

Jonathan…3 OZ!!!

I find that 1000ci is plenty for up to 3-4 days, but finding a 1000ci pack lets say in the 4-8 oz range that fits well and can take the punishment of a long run is hard. Besides that, it’s like hiking with a solid brick on your back.

My homemade 1650ci 6.6oz pack can carry 5 days easy and fits better than any other pack I have ever used and is padded to the gazzo for running. Stripped down it could easily come in under 4oz, but wouldn’t be nearly as comfortable. I’ll take the 3/4″ padding and beefed up 1″ strapping for reliability any day. I can actually sintch this baby down so there is no weight on the shoulders if I wanted to.

On the other hand, my sewing is down right ugly. I have also made 3 other packs before this and was not the least bit satisfied with any of them.
I only make gear to work better and be lighter than anything else out there or to save at least 1/2 to 1/3 of the price. In the long run it never adds up to this, but it sure is nice when some thing comes out just right.