Took the half pack out on a short overnighter Saturday and Sunday in the Massanutten's. Did small parts of the Massanutten Trail and the Tuscarora Trail, with ascents of Green Mountain, Signal Knob and Massanutten Mountain all in one day. So plenty of ups and downs.
The pack rode great. Actually better than I was expecting. No bouncing around at all. I even jumped up and down with it on and had no bouncing around, it stayed snug to my body. I had a 20 oz bottle of water on each shoulder strap, which is where I like to carry my water, and didn't really feel it during either day (14 miles day 1, 7 miles day 2). Pack had about 10 pounds in it, including a few things I wouldn't normally take in warm weather trips because the temps were slated to drop to where I wanted a pair of thin gloves and a hat for sleeping (didn't need either). Also had my 30 degree quilt instead of my summer quilt. So while I envisioned this pack as a warm weather pack, it did quite well with gear for temps from 50-70.
It was great having any breeze against my back all day, since no pack was there to cover it. And I didn't miss that "cold back!" feeling you get when you take off a pack after a day's hike to dropping temps. My back was already dry by the time we hit camp. The only time I felt the weight in my shoulders is when we watered up a few miles before our camp spot, including a long uphill after getting the water. I had the two bottles on the shoulder straps as always, and a full 2-liter bag of water in the back mesh pocket of the pack. But even though I felt it, it wasn't exceptionally uncomfortable. I wouldn't want to hike all day with that much water in it, but a few miles from the last water point to camp was no real problem. I think the beefy shoulder straps help in that regard.
Since the pack is a bit wider than normal, the side pockets are very easy to reach, and the side pockets are plenty big. You could easily carry a windshirt in one, and easily slide the shoulder straps off, put on the jacket, and slide the shoulder straps back on without taking off the pack.
Initial setup is a bit fiddly, but that's to be expected. It would have been much easier if I had someone here to help me (I tried to get my pup to assist, but she's all paws…..). Once it's set up though, there's little adjustment needed.
Overall, this pack is a winner for me. I've asked Chris for a few minor modifications and hope to have version 2.0 for a trip in a couple of weeks. This will be my warm weather pack from here on out. For me it creates that perfect balance of form and function — big enough to carry gear and food for, perhaps, up to three nights, while allowing my back to 'breathe' all throughout the hike. An unbeatable combination for the weekend/long weekend trip in warmer temps.
A couple of pics follow:
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Packed in the half pack for the trip. Sorry for the blurry photo. There's a bear bag with rope, potty trowel and toilet kit (TP, hand sanitizer, small dropper bottle of alcohol and matches), incidentals (headlamp, small med kit, sunscreen, extra guyline), 2L water bag, RBH insulated VBL socks for sleeping, Arrowhead Equipment 5 oz pillow, blue wool beanie and gloves, Beartooth Hoody, Caldera Cone w/esbit with 850ml pot and ti spoon, food, stakes, MLD Cricket, my cuben quilt, steripen, large neoair, and Jackorack wind shirt.
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From the back
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Side view (also known as the sucking in the gut so you can't breathe view)
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Trying to hide the gut view
