Backpacks & How to Pack Them AMC Boston Chapter Spring Hiking Program Backpacks & How to Pack Them May 13, 2014 Joan Wu Chambers Many thanks to my fellow H/B leaders for helping the Demo and providing advices!

How to Choose Backpacks _Length_ 1-2 nights 3-5 nights 6+ nights* Volume 20-50 L 55+ L 65+ L __Variation _Factors__ Body Type (Torso) Trip Length & Type 3-Season or Winter Comfort Style UL Packing Techniques 2

How to Choose Backpacks Demo | Reviews | Try Philip Werner (400+) sectionhiker.com Boreas Buttermilks 55 Backpack Review CamelBak Highwire 25 Hydration Pack Cold Cold World Chaos Alpine Backpack Deuter Guide 45+ Backpack Review Deuter Speedlite 30 Backpack Review Golite Pinnacle Backpack  Gossamer Gear Gorilla Backpack Gossamer Gear Kumo Backpack Gossamer Gear Mariposa Backpack Gossamer Gear Minimalist Backpack Gossamer Gear Murmur Backpack Granite Gear Blaze A.C. 60 Backpack Review Granite Gear Crown VC 60 Backpack Granite Gear Leopard AC 58 Backpack Review Granite Gear Nimbus Trace Access 70 Backpack Review Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian Backpack Review Hyperlite Mountain Gear 4400 Porter Expedition Backpack Kelty Cloud Backpack Montane Grand Tour 55 L Backpack Review Mountainsmith Haze 50 Backpack Mystery Ranch Wet Ribs Osprey Packs Exos 58 Backpack Review Osprey Packs Hornet 46 Backpack Review Osprey Packs Mutant 38 Backpack Review Osprey Pack s Talon 44 Backpack Review Osprey Packs Variant 52 Backpack Review Osprey Packs Volt 75 Backpack Review Osprey Packs Kestrel 28 Daypack Review REI Flash 62 Backpack REI Stoke 29 Backpack Rivendell Mountain Works Jensen Backpack Sierra Designs Discovery 30 Six Moon Designs Starlite Ultralight Backpack Terra Nova Quasar 55L Zpacks Blast 32 Cuben Fiber Backpack

Get Organized | Try | Fine-tune How to Pack Backpacks Get Organized | Try | Fine-tune Pack softer and more bulky objects near the bottom of the pack. (Compress all things such as sleeping bag and clothes.) Pack "middle/heavy weight" objects around the middle of the pack. Lighter objects that may need to be accessed quickly should be near the top of the backpack or outside pockets.

Always backpack with adequate clothing, shelter, food, and water Mountains Create Their Own Weather Always backpack with adequate clothing, shelter, food, and water (Tour du Mont Blanc) 5

Kelty Trekker External Frame Bob Vogel <vogel.r@comcast.net> 21 Inch Torso

Robert Knudsen <rknudsen@rcn.com> REI Mars 85 Pack - Large Robert Knudsen <rknudsen@rcn.com> 20 Inch Torso This pack like some others is available in more than one size. The large fits a 19-21 inch torso and has a larger belt with a bonus of 3 liters volume. If a pack style appeals to you and the display model does not fit, ask if the pack is available in another size. Size cu in liters lb/oz kg Torso Waist M 5187 85 6/0 2.7 18-20 31-37 L 5370 88 6/6 2.9 19-21 34-40 60-80 lbs

Carl Gustenhoven <cgustenhoven@gmail.com> REI Mars (2005) Pack - Large Carl Gustenhoven <cgustenhoven@gmail.com> 20¼ Inch Torso Likes: Comfort, price, outside water-bottle nets Dislike: Lack of outside attachment points. I also don't like the color, this is not a silly as it may sound: it gets hot in the sun and it is hard to see.  I want to be visible when I'm in the mountains. Size cu in liters lb/oz kg Torso Waist M 4822 80 5/12 2.61 18-20 31-37 L 5200 85 5/14 2.66 19-21 34-40 60-80 lbs

Osprey Aether 70 Pack - Large Alex Nedzel <alex@nedzel.com> 19.5 Inch Torso cu in liters lb/oz kg Torso Waist S 4089 67 4/08 2.04 16-19 27-31 M 4272 70 4/12 2.14 18-20 30-34 L 4455 73 4/15 2.24 20-23 33-37 XL 4638 76 5/3 2.34 22-25 36+ The Aether lightweight (not ultra-light) backpack series is recognized everywhere you go. Great balance of comfort/capacity/ruggedness vs. weight. This pack can be cinched down to less than half its size when not full, and lid can be formed into a fanny pack. Has interchangeable heat-moldable belt. 60-80 lbs

Mountainsmith Haze 50 – M/L Ext David Vogel <davidgvogel@yahoo.com> 20 Inch Torso Size cu in liters lb/oz kg Torso Waist S/M Ext 3050 50 1/13 0.82 15-18 28-38 M/L Ext 3234 53 1/15 0.88 18-22 30-54 60-80 lbs

Black Diamond Innova 60 Pack - M Pam Wilmot <phwilmot@gmail.com> 17.5 Inch Torso My torso is 17.5 I picked the medium even though I was at the bottom of the scale. This is a women's specific 60 LITER pack-- 3 LB 13 OZ.  The specs are here at REI; http://www.rei.com/product/849402/black-diamond-innova-60-pack-womens-2012-closeout?mr:trackingCode=60F4E272-E345-E211-BA78-001B21631C34&mr%3AtrackingCode=60F4E272-E345-E211-BA78-001B21631C34&mr%3AreferralID=NA&avad=397_d44a57df&cm_mmc=AL-_-381-_-397-_-datafeed Size cu in liters lb/oz kg Torso Waist S 3487 57 3/12 1.70 15-19 30-35 M 3660 60 3/13 1.74 17-21 34-39 60-80 lbs

Deuter ACT Lite 60 + 10 SL - Women's Kjersten Reich <kjerstenreich@gmail.com> 20¼ Inch Torso Size cu in liters lb/oz kg Torso Waist M 4822 80 5/12 2.61 18-20 31-37 L 5200 85 5/14 2.66 19-21 34-40 60-80 lbs

Osprey Atmos 65 Pack - Medium Kellie Connelly <amckellie@gmail.com> 18 Inch Torso Size cu in liters lb/oz kg Torso Waist S 3783 62 3/06 1.53 <18 25-35 M 3967 65 3/09 1.59 18-21 28-38 L 4150 68 3/10 1.64 20+ 33+ I love this pack because it is light, but has good volume for multi day trips and it fits my frame perfectly. It is interesting to note that I have to use a Men's pack because the Women's pack would not fit my torso and shoulders correctly as it was too narrow. The picture is me in my full pack on the Rockwall, BC trip with the gang. The pack is set up with a weeks worth of gear and food. 60-80 lbs

Gossamer Gear Mariposa Ultralight Julie LePage <julielepage88@gmail.com> 18 Inch Torso Size cu in liters lb/oz kg Torso Waist S 1/09 0.72 13-16 25-32 M 4244 69.5 1/11 0.76 16-19 32-38 L 1/13 0.81 19-22 38-44 XL 1/14 0.85 22-25 44-60 The Gossamer Gear hip belt and pack can be bought in different sizes to customize your fit. So you can buy a Medium pack and a Small hip belt together, or whatever combo that fits best for you. This is not a feature with most backpacks (except Granite Gear, that I’m aware of anyways). – Judy LePage 60-80 lbs

Gossamer Gear Mariposa Ultralight Robert Freed <w-r-freed@comcast.net> 19 Inch Torso Size cu in liters lb/oz kg Torso Waist S 1/09 0.72 13-16 25-32 M 4244 69.5 1/11 0.76 16-19 32-38 L 1/13 0.81 19-22 38-44 XL 1/14 0.85 22-25 44-60 The Gossamer Gear hip belt and pack can be bought in different sizes to customize your fit. So you can buy a Medium pack and a Small hip belt together, or whatever combo that fits best for you. This is not a feature with most backpacks (except Granite Gear, that I’m aware of anyways). – Judy LePage 60-80 lbs

Osprey Exos 58 Pack - Medium Joan Wu Chambers <wu.chambers@gmail.com> 18 Inch Torso Size cu in liters lb/oz kg Torso Waist S 3356 55 2/07 1.11 <18.5 <31 M 3539 58 2/08 1.14 18-20 30-34 L 3722 61 2/10 1.18 20+ 33+ Lightweight, lots of pockets, and comfortable! 60-80 lbs

Kathmandu Gluon Interloper - Lg Chris McCarron <mccarron_yh@yahoo.com> 19.5 Inch Torso Gear can get expensive and I’m all about reusing and recycling equipment from other people and that you bought for other uses but this pack illustrates why that’s not always a good idea. The pack is too long for my torso so it’s difficult to get it properly adjusted. Also the frame comes up so high that I can’t move my head back, making it difficult and potentially dangerous in certain terrain.

Deuter Aircontact 65+10 Pack George Papayannis <george@doyouaskwhy.com> 19 Inch Torso I considered the Deuter ACT Lite and Gregory Baltoro packs – the ACT Lite because of its weight and the Baltoro because of hiker recommendations. I chose the Aircontact because it had better shoulder padding that the ACT Lite and was less expensive than the Baltoro. Size cu in liters lb/oz kg Torso Waist One Size 3970+ 610 65 + 10 6 / 0 2.71 16-21 in 30-50 in 60-80 lbs

Melissa O. Litts <molitts@gmail.com> Lowe Alpine Vega ND 45 - W Melissa O. Litts <molitts@gmail.com> Size cu in liters lb/oz kg Torso Waist One 2745 45 4/10 2.10 15-21 50 60-80 lbs

Osprey Aether 70 Pack - Medium 19.5 Inch Torso Size cu in liters lb/oz kg Torso Waist S 4089 67 4/08 2.04 <18.5 <31 M 4272 70 4/12 2.14 18-20 30-34 L 4455 73 4/15 2.24 20+ 33+ The Aether series is recognized everywhere you go. This pack can be cinched down to less than half it’s size when not full or the lid can be formed into a fanny pack. The Aether backpacker is less conscious of weight and more concerned with comfort and the ability to carry whatever is thrown inside. He or she is less of a hiker and more of a camper, choosing to hike 5-10 miles/day and spend afternoons at the site smelling the flowers and fishing. 60-80 lbs

Granite Gear Crown 60 - Medium 21 Inch Torso Size cu in liters lb/oz kg Torso Waist Reg 3660 60 2/02 0.9 18-21 30-34 Tall 4000 65 2/04 1.0 21-25 34-38 Granite Gear does light right. Hikers, rather than campers, are accessing their pack only a couple times during the day, emptying it in the evening when they arrive at their destination. Packing those items that aren’t needed until camp at the bottom of the pack makes room for the essentials to stay close or go in the outside pockets. Durability isn’t sacrificed and comfortable carrying up to 30 lbs make for a light but fully featured kit. 60-80 lbs