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What size backpack?

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PostedApr 30, 2012 at 12:51 pm

Hey everybody, I'm new here on the forums, though I've been looking around for a while… My brother and I are just getting into backpacking, and we're trying to get everything we need together. I'm about to buy a pack, and I'm thinking I'll buy the GoLite Jam while it's still on sale. I'm not sure what size I need, the 35L or the 50L…

We are wanting to do up to 2 or 3 nights for now, but also need it to work for overnighters. I'm going to be using a Therm-a-rest RidgeRest burrito style for packing. I don't have quite all my gear yet, but I think my base weight is going to be around 8-9 lbs.

Any help will be appreciated!

Thanks,
Daniel

Todd T BPL Member
PostedApr 30, 2012 at 5:31 pm

Best to get all the rest of your gear first, then box it up, haul it down to the store, and find the smallest pack that'll fit it all (including N days' food).

Several gear decisions have substantial impact on the size pack you need. For example, if you use a closed-cell foam pad, it's likely to get strapped to the outside of your pack, not in it. But an inflatable will probably go inside. A down sleeping bag will compress smaller than a synthetic. Will you use a bladder for water or carry bottles? The former will require a sleeve and room inside the pack, the latter good side pockets. Will you use a water filter, chlorine tablets, or something in between? Very different space requirements. Some tents take no more room than a Nalgene bottle, others fill half a good-sized pack.

And on and on. Buy your pack last if at all possible.

Luke Schmidt BPL Member
PostedApr 30, 2012 at 7:56 pm

I used to have a Jam2 which is basically the old version of the Jam 50. I'd go for the Jam 50 because it is much more flexible. You should be able to carry a weeks worth of food in it. On shorter hikes the compression system does a very good job of squeezing the pack down so there isn't a lot of excess volume. The Jam 35 on the other hand is very small and has a short extension coller which is annoying.

By the way a therma rest is not an idea pack support for a frameless pack in my opinion. I think it would be worth putting a a folded over peice of foam pad in the pack. It could be a whole pad or you could use half a pad and combine with the theramrest.

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