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What Pack for 16yr old boy?
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Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › What Pack for 16yr old boy?
- This topic has 13 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 1 month ago by Pamhikes.
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Jan 27, 2021 at 11:08 am #3695861
I’ve talk to my son into doing a 15 day backpacking trip with me. He is now 16yrs soon to be 17 and used to carry a ULA when he was 12yrs old. He hasn’t been backpacking for a couple of years. In the past he has carried very little weight when he was younger… i’ve always kept it around 10% of his weight or less. Now that he is stronger and in great shape he can carry more weight I’d like to buy him a pack that is very comfortable so he can do that. I currently carry a hyperlight 3400 and was going to purchase the same for him but wanted to see if anyone can recommend another pack before choose this one for him. Im looking for some thing that is really comfortable for him most likely he will be carrying more than me this time. We will each have a bear can and 10 days worth of food(he eats a lot)…so I will need the space. I will keep his weight as light as possible but not comprising safety.
Any suggestions on a comfortable lightweight pack would be greatly appreciated!Thank you!
Jan 27, 2021 at 11:35 am #3695864When I was investing in a new pack for my then 11 year old, I decided that I wanted a pack that would last a few years, so I wanted something with an adjustable frame. That way if he has a growth spurt, the pack would not become obsolete. From memory this is where I ended up:
1–Least expensive would be an old external frame about 3.5 to 4 lbs.
2–Lightest adjustable in current production was the Zpacks Arc Haul.
3–Six Moon Designs has some current production adjustable packs in the 3 lbs range. They used to have other vintage much lighter options but they aren’t very easy to find.
4–Adjustable load hauler just over three pounds from Seek Outside.
In the end, the finalists were Arc Haul and SO because the packs could also be used by mom or dad after he outgrew the pack… In the end, I didn’t feel right giving him a pack heavier than ours, so we got him the Zpacks in size small. He is quite happy with it. It also can be adjusted to fit my wife and my 18.5″ torso.
Good luck!
Jan 27, 2021 at 11:53 am #3695870. THE SIXMOON DESIGNS SWIFT X is 2lb 40z and has an adjustable torso length , it was 30% off on cyber Monday to bad you didn’t need one in November , the version with the running vest style straps is very comfortable, it is a total of 49L( I don’t know if that is enough volume for what you are looking for though.)
Jan 27, 2021 at 3:12 pm #3695880I prefer frameless packs but I don’t recommend them for most people just starting out. I recommend ULA due to their quality and customer service. I bought Ohm 2.0s for my daughter and myself. I’d get the Circuit if I had to do it again.
Jan 27, 2021 at 6:44 pm #3695914Thanks Ian…I think I mentioned he had the ULA when her was younger and it was perfect for the JMT. I’m looking for something a little more comfortable since I will increase his weight substantially from when he was 11yrs old. He is almost 17 now.
Jan 27, 2021 at 6:46 pm #3695915Thank you @annapurna. I will check out that particular pack for him. It needs to hold a full size bear can inside
Jan 27, 2021 at 6:50 pm #3695916Thank you @iago
These are good choices and I like that they have a frame which will be easier on him. When he was 12 years old the ULA pack was perfect for him. I’d like it to be a little bit more comfortable given I will be increasing his weight substantially. Also, the bear canned needs to fit inside the pack…ARC haul might be too small volume wise for the bear can but I will check it out.
Jan 27, 2021 at 8:16 pm #3695924Load hauler, I have heard great things about Seek Outside and also the Exped Lightning (2.5 lbs +/-). I have no personal experience with either.
My ULA are frameless.
Good luck!
Jan 27, 2021 at 8:39 pm #3695933I’ve used both the Exped Lightning and the Seek Outside. Both are good. The SO is “gooder” but more expensive.
The Exped only has one stay so careful packing improves load stability. I used to pack it with a 2 foor section of blue foam pad up against the back.
For a 10 day trip a heavier pack that fits is better by far (don’t ask how I know).
Jan 27, 2021 at 9:53 pm #3695940Since there are no MYOG advocates here yet, I’ll chime in 😁. I ordered the Stitchback Gear TH50 pattern. I scaled it down to 80%, to make it an approximate 25-30L pack rather than the 50L pack, so it fits a kid’s frame a little better. I was thinking about how I might accommodate a growing body with it, but I think in the end, being a minimally framed pack or frameless, it will not be as big a deal. It will be like 15$ in materials so it will not be a big deal to just make another when they get older.
Jan 29, 2021 at 10:34 am #3696153Pam-
If interested I have a Hanchor Flint modular pack basically new. Framed pack with hipbelt, made of black xpac. Size medium torso 17 to 19 inch with small hipbelt fits me at 32 inch jean size waist. Includes water bottle holders. Id be more than happy to let your son have it for the cost of shipping it to you if interested pm me.
Thanks
Andy
Jan 29, 2021 at 10:38 pm #3696287“I think I mentioned he had the ULA when her was younger and it was perfect for the JMT. I’m looking for something a little more comfortable since I will increase his weight substantially from when he was 11yrs old. He is almost 17 now.”
You did but you didn’t mention which one; they offer several. I found the Ohm to be comfortable but the frame was fiddly. The circuit can carry 35 lbs and I hear fewer complaints about its frame. Does he expect to carry more than that? If so, I’d probably jump on the Seek Outside website at their offerings. Best of luck
Jan 30, 2021 at 8:37 pm #3696422Thank you so much @andy-s! So nice if you to offer. I’m going to check out the seek outside for my son. I think I have enough time to order. I’m hoping he will continue to backpack afterwards…we have been on some wonderful backpacking trips when he was younger.
Jan 30, 2021 at 8:40 pm #3696423Thank you @discopants. I will checkout the seek outside, it seems like a good option. He had the ULA circuit Xsmall and it served him well.
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