Hi all,
As a bit of a getting-a-degree treat for myself, and because a daysack ain't big enough and an issue bergen is too militant, I got myself a new rucksack yesterday. It's a Lowe Alpine Appalachian 65-85 litre. Tried a couple of packs on in the shop and this seemed the best of the bunch, biggest they had between 2 stores too. 140 notes, but I justified myself by expecting it to last a good few years. Here it is, but not from the store I got it from: http://www.foxsoutdoor.co.uk/rucksacks/backpacking/lowe-alpine-tfx-appalachian-65:85/
Overall I am very happy with it, except for ONE problem:
It's not big enough!
I don't know if it's because I've gotten used to having a 120 litre PLCE bergen to shove full of crap or not. Thing is the bergen is never THAT full.
Here's what I'm packing it with at the moment:
Bottom section: Sleeping bag and bivvi bag, the US issue ones (trying it out with the black, cold weather bag in at the moment, will be better in summer, but as we are moving to a cold country soon I think it's best to try it with this bag, bulky but mega)
Main section: 3 day's rations (will be proper food usually but I feel this is representative)
2 sets of spare base layers (1x T shirt, 1x boxers, 2pr smartwool socks, 2pr thin socks per set, packs down pretty small)
Spare trousers, softshell jacket
Waterproofs (army gtx for representative, but going to get civ soon)
Warm jacket (army softy for representative, but as above)
Side pocket: Hat, gloves, 1pr spare smartwool socks and 1pr thin ones)
Other sidepocket: 58 bottle and mug
Lid: Stove & fuel, water filter, cordage (or shelter, these items being shared between two)
Under lid pocket: Washing tackle
Bungeed to the outside: Sleep mat
My worry at the moment is that there is going to be no/precious little room left for:
First aid kit
Goretex boot liners, survival kit
Canvas emo plimsolls (to let boots dry)
Small trowel for 'shovel recce's'
Microfleece shirt and longjohns in winter
All the other clonk I probably haven't thought of yet
And worst of all, the main section is full without having popped my Camelbak in there! 1x 58 bottle is not going to last long!
I have 28 days to take it back if I decide I don't want it, so I'm thinking to myself how am I going to make this all fit?
I could take it back but there are few very larger and to be honest maybe I need to learn a lesson on packing here?
Or, I could try and jury rig something (zips and clips for a PLCE sidepocket or 2 on the back? Or MOLLE straps?) but to be honest the potential for that to go wrong (pack is not made of mil-spec cordura! or it may just not work, or look ****e) is considerable...
Thoughts?
As a bit of a getting-a-degree treat for myself, and because a daysack ain't big enough and an issue bergen is too militant, I got myself a new rucksack yesterday. It's a Lowe Alpine Appalachian 65-85 litre. Tried a couple of packs on in the shop and this seemed the best of the bunch, biggest they had between 2 stores too. 140 notes, but I justified myself by expecting it to last a good few years. Here it is, but not from the store I got it from: http://www.foxsoutdoor.co.uk/rucksacks/backpacking/lowe-alpine-tfx-appalachian-65:85/
Overall I am very happy with it, except for ONE problem:
It's not big enough!
I don't know if it's because I've gotten used to having a 120 litre PLCE bergen to shove full of crap or not. Thing is the bergen is never THAT full.
Here's what I'm packing it with at the moment:
Bottom section: Sleeping bag and bivvi bag, the US issue ones (trying it out with the black, cold weather bag in at the moment, will be better in summer, but as we are moving to a cold country soon I think it's best to try it with this bag, bulky but mega)
Main section: 3 day's rations (will be proper food usually but I feel this is representative)
2 sets of spare base layers (1x T shirt, 1x boxers, 2pr smartwool socks, 2pr thin socks per set, packs down pretty small)
Spare trousers, softshell jacket
Waterproofs (army gtx for representative, but going to get civ soon)
Warm jacket (army softy for representative, but as above)
Side pocket: Hat, gloves, 1pr spare smartwool socks and 1pr thin ones)
Other sidepocket: 58 bottle and mug
Lid: Stove & fuel, water filter, cordage (or shelter, these items being shared between two)
Under lid pocket: Washing tackle
Bungeed to the outside: Sleep mat
My worry at the moment is that there is going to be no/precious little room left for:
First aid kit
Goretex boot liners, survival kit
Canvas emo plimsolls (to let boots dry)
Small trowel for 'shovel recce's'
Microfleece shirt and longjohns in winter
All the other clonk I probably haven't thought of yet
And worst of all, the main section is full without having popped my Camelbak in there! 1x 58 bottle is not going to last long!
I have 28 days to take it back if I decide I don't want it, so I'm thinking to myself how am I going to make this all fit?
I could take it back but there are few very larger and to be honest maybe I need to learn a lesson on packing here?
Or, I could try and jury rig something (zips and clips for a PLCE sidepocket or 2 on the back? Or MOLLE straps?) but to be honest the potential for that to go wrong (pack is not made of mil-spec cordura! or it may just not work, or look ****e) is considerable...
Thoughts?