Hello, I have the MYOG bug but have managed to put off making a backpack as the last project left now that I know how much I need to carry.
A bit about my personal backpack realization:
As a kid I had a kelty external frame and hated it, it was always brimming with useless coleman gear and designed for an adult. But now as an adult and more vigilant about hiking and utilizing ultralight hiking I have found that I don't enjoy frameless packs based on my lack of consistency to a perfect back support, plus mine can only haul out foraged goods externally. I have been using a Mountain Hardwear KAO 35lt that was given to me for free, I originally took the internal frame out and put my foam pad in as frameless. It obviously wasnt designed for that and I don't like that sometimes I have to stop 1 mile into a hike and readjusting the support so I put the frame back in but took off the 10oz frame sheet and adjusted the aluminum with added foam taped onto the hip contact to fit me better and only add 5oz. This works great for my 12lb winter gear setup but requires I strap my food outside the pack on top if I carry more than 2 days worth of food.
I do a lot of foraging for fungus and good specimens often weigh 5-10lb each, even more if they've passed and become waterlogged. I was going to make my own framed dry sack hauler but after passing by 100 external framed packs at goodwill I found this for $9.99.
It is made by Academy Broadway and felt so light I had to try it. Ended up weighing 2# 11oz total and is really water resistant if not waterproof. So now I am looking for feedback on what I should do next. Is it a sin to cut this artifact up?
My idea is to cut out all of the external zippered pockets, remove the lower chamber's zipper and separation wall (although I know this can add weigh distribution to the frame so maybe I want to move it higher for food section). The pack itself only goes 3/4 of the way down so I am trying to come up with a bottom piece that attached to the lowest bar and incorporates the metal stay that currently keeps the top pocket square. Overall I want a way that I can have smaller flatter pockets inside the side flaps, a shortened top flap with added water pouch, and more emphases on a sausage stuffed event dry sack to hold sleep system and clothing. Figuring out the simplest cinching strap system is essential.
The main aspects I want to add is a 1/4" foam waist belt, and extended back to shoulder cushion that allows ventilation to the back, as well as load lifters to keep this pack as close and secure to my body as can be. It would be nice to drop some ounces but my KAO is 2# 8oz with frame and that weight works for me through to 35# but makes me worried I'm leaving a crumb trail of reishi all along the trail.
I appreciate all feedback to mastering this final bit of technically designed gear.
Is this worth it? Integrating the designs I have learned from you guys to this pre-lightweight-historic framed pack?
