daypack for desert/weather hiking

hmmm…SW stands for “South West”, which is where you are going  ?!?!

I’m not in AZ and wouldn’t hike there in the summer months, but in SoCal I’m increasingly happy with my Zimmerbuilt Quickstep.  I have a sitpad inside to give it some structure and sometimes I’ll get a gap in the back, but that’s not intentional.  In fact this pack is probably pretty similar to your 2400SW – or at least the windrider just a little bit smaller.  It has no hipbelt and with the heavier than necessary sit-pad it’s still less than 16 oz.

I have an Osprey Stratos 24 that has an framed arch with separation from the back.  I used to think it was the cat’s meow, even if it didn’t hold much because of the long skinny arched shape.  You can put a hydration bladder inside the pack or inside the gap between you and your back, and it didn’t seem to change the ventilation/coolness performance.  Maybe I’m kidding myself, but it seemed like the hydration bladder being there made it cooler.  Even so I look back on this now and can’t imagine going back to a 43oz day pack with limited storage.  If it sounds interesting to you – maybe a trade?  I like the look of those HMG packs!

Definitely interested to see other ideas for more ventilation at a lighter weight as well.

And I have used my SW in AZ for a couple years  – I’ve been snowbirding for ten years.  It’s tough, I love the pockets, etc……but…..the pack is right against my back – I’m looking for something that has a suspension that allows air between the pack and my back.  I had a Vaude with such a suspension, but it was too small for my needs.  And you’ll have to pry the SW from my cold, dead hands.  Remember that the SW is 32 oz.

Personally, in hot weather in Southern Arizona, “back ventilation” packs don’t work for me; other folks swear by them.  If you are in the latter category, Osprey packs will probably be your best bet, since their packs all use the back ventilation model.

Another approach many people in AZ’s hot zones swear by:  don’t use a backpack; just use a fanny pack.  The weather means that you’re not carrying a lot of spare clothes, and the larger fanny packs can carry 2-3L of water, while keeping your back totally open to the breezes (of 101F degree air!).

I hike with an REI Flash 18 here in Phoenix. My $.02 is that you are going to sweat all over and a small pack doesn’t change that much. I don’t see the need to go much larger because all I carry is water, food and a small first aid kit. I typically carry three liters in 1 liter Smartwater bottles. I keep them in the bladder pocket against my back which keeps them upright and provides structure to the pack.

I’ve thought about replacing the Flash with an MLD Core (nice shoulder straps) or a Zimmer Hybrid but the Flash works great.

I have the Osprey Stratos 24 and I like it for hot weather day hikes. I have neck/shoulder issues and it allows me to carry a lot of water in the desert and not have the weight on my shoulders like most day packs. And if the weather is cool or threatening thunderstorms it’s nice to have the space to carry rain gear and warm clothing in addition to the water.

On the other hand… if the weather is not threatening and I don’t have to carry any more that a gallon, I can use my fanny pack… I sewed a loop on each side and can mini beaner a liter of water to each in addition to the standard water pockets.

billy

And, yes, I do look the coolness of a breeze on my back that the suspension of the Osprey Stratos 24 allows.

I hike with an REI Flash 18 here in Phoenix. My $.02 is that you are going to sweat all over and a small pack doesn’t change that much. I don’t see the need to go much larger because all I carry is water, food and a small first aid kit.

Here in in the Lower Colorado Desert, which is normally hotter than Phoenix, I also normally use a Flash 18 pack for the same reasons. I think I paid around $19 for it. Sometimes I accidentally leave it in our trailer and then use my size small zPacks Zero. It’s a day hike, so all you need is a stuff sack with straps or a fanny pack if you like them. Joyce and I have done many, many 16-18 mile day hikes with just me carrying everything in the Flash 18.

I bought a Deuter Airlite 22 pack last year to use for warm weather hikes because of its Aircomfort back system that keeps the body of the pack off your back for increased airflow.  I ended up using it all year round though.  Its a great backpack.  It’s my third Deuter backpack.  Its 35 oz.