MYOG Backpack – women’s

Wow! This ain't your first rodeo. The orange looks great. You even got the orange mesh. Does the top cover have a pocket? Great progress won't be long now. Is there a frame in that pack?

Thanks Darren! This will be only the 2nd pack I've made.
The top lid/pocket section does indeed have a pocket with a #5 waterproof zipper. I pretty much am cloning the way Gossamer Gear makes their closure/lid for the Gorilla/Mariposa packs.

The pack will have a removable aluminum tube frame (from Gossamer Gear, third picture from the bottom of the post) along with a cut up piece of Thermarest Ridge Rest Classic.

I'm thinking the final weight will be just shy of 2 lbs, not ultralight, but still quite a bit lighter than the pack my fiance currently uses, and built to last (hopefully).

Andy–I really like what I'm seeing. Impressive for anyone, even more for your second pack.

I think I want your contoured hipbelt too. They aren't just for the ladies.

PACK IS ALL FINISHED!!! WOOOOOO

Nice Oranger, you will always be able to find her. The hip belt pockets turned out great very professional. Congrats on all the work it's paid off with great pack. What's your next MYOG project?

Thanks, Darren! Her favorite color is orange, so it works out perfectly. I'll be working on making another pack for myself, also out of VX21, with frame. I've got all the materials already, but I'll be traveling to NZ for a week and a half so it's on hold for now.

And E, these packs you're making are awesome–really professional. Lots of great features and attention to detail without being overloaded. Do you have an idea of the pack volume? Did you sew bellows into the spandura or is it stretchy enough to not need them?
I also enjoy your blog–very cool to read posts from both halves of an adventurous couple.

Thanks Greg! I'm glad you enjoy the blog. The pack is a very satisfying project to do. The Spandura is not gusseted/bellowed, as it's got plenty of stretch to fit a bottle of water or two.

I've got some in black I'm planning on using for my pack, but might grab some power mesh to try out instead (spandura is some heavy stuff, 10.5oz a sq yard based on the .62 yd2 scrap I have left).

The finished dimensions of the main pack are 11.5 x 8.5 x 24 (highest closeable with lots covering the half cinch opening. Taller if no risk of rain) so about 38L, plus more with the pockets.

It looks as big as her Osprey Aura 50 (47L size Small), but should have much more usable volume.

And e,

Very very nice. It is obvious that a lot of thought and skill went into this.

What is the hardware you are using to hold the two cords along the front panel (the hour glass run from top to bottom).?

I put them through the ring side of a set of mitten hooks (comes with hook with ring side and just the ring for the other mitt) http://diygearsupply.com/product/micro-o-ring/ . There's also hooks made specially for running one end of the cord through and then hooking the other end. You can find it here: http://www.zimmerbuilt.com/hardware.html

It's the clip hook.