Hiking Backpack

fonkalei

Hi

I'm looking to buy a new backpack for hiking 1-2day trips. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or tips for buying in Ireland?

I'm thinking of getting a comfortable, mid-sized lightweight pack, maybe with a hydration bladder, definitely air ventilated back, with rain cover pref., some sort of strap i can attach my pole to etc.


thanks

Cookie_Monster

best bet is just to head into one of the shops and take a look round, try some on and see which are comfortable and a decent price. 53 in Carrickmines had a few discounts on bags last time I was there.

adagio

Take your time and visit: G.Outdoor / Snow'n'Rock/53 Degree... and check out Costwold in Belfast and the needle sport website... their info is brilliant.
It really depends on what you're doing now and in the future... will you be camping.. is there a possibility you may go climbing in the future... will you need somewhere to place and ice axe.. somewhere to place walking poles.. etc.
Plus... don't purchase a cover for your back-pack... a waste of money and a nuisance in high winds/bad weather.
Either, (as I do) use two heavy bin liners inside you pack or purchase a dry bag to suit the size of your pack.
One day trips = 20-30ltr
Two to Five day trips = 45+
The biggest mistake people make (we've all made it) is to purchase something now and not considering what they may do in the near future = purchasing another pack.
Happy hiking

irishlostboy

also try millets and capel camping. you dont have to spend a bomb to get something you like if you do your research well.

NathanKingerlee

Here's a blog a friend of mine recently wrote about selecting a backpack:
http://fiolafoley.wordpress.com/2010/02/16/466/
She was more talking about backpacks in terms of being lightweight and being used for racing, but her points are valid.

K09

I am also looking for a 35l backoack for hiking.

Any recommendations?

Is this any good?

Some others I have looked at... all on amazon. Not sure which is best. Any advice?

Berghaus

Berghaus 2

Jeep

Or this one in Snow and Rock

Thanks.

Valmont

I have a 45l lowe-alpine pack that is still on the go after 5 years. I've done plenty of 1 and 2 day trips with it and I have no complaints.

SomeFool

Valmont wrote: »

I have a 45l lowe-alpine pack that is still on the go after 5 years. I've done plenty of 1 and 2 day trips with it and I have no complaints.

I have a lowe alpine 45l pack thats 14 years old and still going strong!! Have a much newer berghaus freeflow pack thats excellent as well but I'd highly recommend the Lowe stuff for its longevity.

Valmont

Which reminds me, do you think Lowe-Alpine would buy this photo off me for an advertisement?

SomeFool

Valmont wrote: »

Which reminds me, do you think Lowe-Alpine would buy this photo off me for an advertisement?

Very nice!!!

fonkalei

HI guys,

thanks for all yr feedback. It really helped me figure out what I need out of a rucksack. I went & checked out some rucksacks in the stores recommended.

I found that the lowe alpine airflow 25L, 35L & 45L seemed to fit the best & checked all the boxes - lightweight, good reviews, durable, very well ventilated, allows for hydration pack, easily accessible external pockets, int rain cover, comfortable, comfy straps, side pockets, pole hooks, etc. But best of all it has an extendible back which is great for me being so tall. Downside is the price. But I've since been researching on www.Froogle.co.uk & have found one that is half the price at 53 degrees north. go figure!

Now I just have to decide whether to get the 25L or the 35L or the 45L. The 25L looks good for 1 day trips, maybe 2 day trips but nothing more. The advantage of getting something small is that it will restrict me from overpacking but I don't want to be caught out. So the 35L/45L might be the way to go. decisions decisions...

so yeah, thanks for the advice. its been a great help

fonkalei

here are some other reviews for anyone interested http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/article/mps/uan/4856

fonkalei

some more reviews:

http://www.backpacker.com/gear_guide_2009_weekend_packs/gear/13049

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0DG9-bIYOg&feature=rec-LGOUT-real_rev-rn-2r-1-HM

Delta Kilo

I bought the best purchase of my mountaineering/hiking life in Scotland in January.

On a recommendation from a friend I purchased a Deuter 35+ Guide Rucksack... it is absolutely amazing! It jusat keeps taking stuff and it spreads the weight perfectly down your back. I had more in it in Scotland than a friend who had a cheap 50 litre bag. I had crampons, first aid kit, kissue, emergency clothes, food, helmet, climbng rack, water, maps, gloves and hats in it..it is amazing. Ive brought it camping over here for two nights...it has never ever been to small, yet it is still perfect when you have little in it. Now its not cheap, but is a brilliant investment. It has a zip down the side too for getting at stuff that is down at the bottom. Some of the material is translucent too which means when you look into the bag its not like looking into a black hole, you can actually see stuff!

I considered a Lowe Alpine too, which are also very good bags, but the straps and back support put me off. The Deuter has a male and female version, with a different back padding system for females, which I think is a sign of a very good bag.

Ditto on the rain cover, they just blow off in the wind! I used a bin liner for a while but they sort of cancelled out the translucent material and the zip, so I bought a few dry sacks in varying sizes. A big one for emergency clothes down the bottom, a smaller one for hats and gloves, another for food and another for headtorch, batteries, compass etc.

This is it here:
http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Deuter-Guide-35%2B-Backpack-2150cu-in/DTR0052M.html

Another thing about the lowe alpine, the leash system for ice axes is very annoying!

pirelli

TIP Make sure it fits into ryanair hand luggage. I have a low alpine 45 litre and it fits perfectly ( well almost ) and packs as much as you would need in. I have never had a problem with it on ryanair ever.

SomeFool

pirelli wrote: »

TIP Make sure it fits into ryanair hand luggage. I have a low alpine 45 litre and it fits perfectly ( well almost ) and packs as much as you would need in. I have never had a problem with it on ryanair ever.

Ha ha.. I'm the same actually with Ryanair - good advice! I use the compression straps instead of the axe loops too, find it handier.

fonkalei

pirelli wrote: »

TIP Make sure it fits into ryanair hand luggage. I have a low alpine 45 litre and it fits perfectly ( well almost ) and packs as much as you would need in. I have never had a problem with it on ryanair ever.

great tip thanks. i didn't even think of that. i will check out the dimensions now.

Alun

Delta Kilo wrote: »

The Deuter has a male and female version, with a different back padding system for females, which I think is a sign of a very good bag.

Berghaus have male and female versions of their rucksacks too, and my wife has one she swears by. Main differences IIRC are that the back is shorter to suit female hips and also the shoulder straps are shaped differently to accommodate other body parts unique to women Oh yes, and they come in nice girly colours too!

luciusesox

Had the same dilemma recently and after reading reviews and trying some out I went for the North Face Terra 40. Have only taken it out a few times but am already loving it, a good piece of kit.
I wanted something smaller than my bulky Berghaus 50+ L but still able to do a couple of days in Wicklow.