Keeping Gear Handy on the Trail with Multi-Use Accessory and Utility Pouches

Can’t believe the Gossamer Gear Bumster was left out of the update…shame shame.

Actually the GG Hipster (-2 ounces) is what I use as a belly pack with  my backpack. I seem to have an earlier iteration.Big enough for a soft water bottle or a smallish water bottle, plus Steripen and maybe a light lunch.

This was a blast from the past.  Still don’t care for a loaded chest pack, especially after meeting my first Green Mojave rattlesnake on a trail this past June.  I like being able to see my feet, the peripheral bushes/trail edges.

OTOH, used a small Zerk pack for an overnighter, and really enjoyed those smaller nested shoulder pouches for drink mixes, etc.. so I didn’t have to rummage through my main pack.

Also the hip pack (aka fanny pack) is coming back into vogue now even for urban wear.    I have the Patagonia regular fabric version in high viz as to see it when breaking down camp (also use it under my Xlite to help keep the latter from the shelter wall) but also worry about the zip busting one of these days.

On a recent 2-day trip on the Trans La Sal trail near Moab Utah, I tried carrying two 700mL water bottles in shoulder strap pouches, plus 1L in a rear side pocket, since I was not confident in finding frequent reliable water sources after studying maps. I like having the bottles easier to access and to see how much water I’ve drank.
I found that for me, instead of being more comfortable by balancing the load, it made my shoulders SORE from having weight pulling down on my shoulder straps that couldn’t be shifted by “load lifter” straps. Two notes about my experience: I think that my shoulders are more sensitive to load than most backpackers I’ve gone with (I transfer all vertical force to my hips), and I am used to using trail running vests with two collapsible water bottles on the shoulder straps, but those are only 500mL each and the straps are wider (though not padded).
Maybe I need to try again, using smaller 500mL bottles? My shoulders were just barely sore near the end of day 2, so that reduction may be just enough for me.

Just a potential “watch out” for some people.