New Bear Ears pack coming out.

We had these 3 offered (OG, UL and Framed) during the spring until we started the move.

What will be new, and not announced yet, is a smaller framed model with the wrap around pocket of the OG, and still able to haul an Expedition Bearikade. Size medium hopefully around 33 ounces with bottle holder. Plenty big for summer use with a ~30F quilt.

Well, I got one of these new Bears Ears packs from Nunatak.  It is the “smaller framed model with the wrap around pocket of the OG, and still able to haul an Expedition Bearikade” that Jan mentioned in the post above.

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It took a little getting used to having the weight lower.  I had to engage the shoulder straps enough so that the hip belt didn’t slide down in the back.  Once I got it in the right position, I was able to tighten the hip belt enough with the top of the hip belt coming just over the hip bones in front, and about an inch below the iliac crest near the spine.  And the shoulder straps just tight enough to keep it from slipping lower.

The width of the shoulder straps seemed perfect for me.  No pinching or rubbing of the edge of the trapezius.  And the clavicles were not taking any weight, as the straps were just wider.  It was no effort to keep the straps in that zone even without needing to attach the sternum strap (which I may remove in the future).

Volume size was great for a one week trip, bridge style hammock shelter with 40 degree quilt set.  I know that I will easily fit my 20 degree quilt set in the pack too, when the time comes.

I found the smart water bottle pocket very convenient to use, keeping a 3/4 liter water bottle in there and a full liter water bottle with the HydroBlue water filter in one side of the wrap around pocket.

The hip belt pocket on the opposite side of the water bottle pocket is on the large side, but I only kept it about half full.  Both of these pockets help bring the center of gravity lower compared to other packs, and that is in addition to the bear canister.

There were times when I realized the lower center of gravity was an advantage.  When putting the pack on, when crossing creeks and rivers, when boulder hopping, and when recovering from a stumble.

Another thing I came to appreciate about the design, was that by not overfilling it, I was able to wear a wide brimmed sun hat without interference.  I also enjoyed greater peripheral vision by not having a bear canister block a portion of my view.

I do a lot of hiking where bear canisters are required.  Kudos to Jan for designing a UL pack that fills this need so well.

I also love the colors.  Coyote Brown with Wave Blue pocket accents.