Should I expect a walking kit to go in a 35 litre rucksack????
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Will be tough going unless you have ultra light gear, my Mld rucksack is about that size and im just back from a weeks trekking/camping got all my stuff easily into my rucksack with a weeks food no probs but ordinary gear it will be a big ask....
They do say that the bigger the rucksack the more gear you will take, for a 35ltr rucky you will have to very strict about your kit and seperate the needs from the wants.
They do say that the bigger the rucksack the more gear you will take, for a 35ltr rucky you will have to very strict about your kit and seperate the needs from the wants.
haha, your laptop might be big
i joke but...Tarp, bivy, sleeping bag and roll mat - roll the mat, bivy and tarp into a roll and strap it to the outside of the pack maybe? Its what i done when i went to snowdonia and worker well
Then just had fire steel, tinder kit, knife, folding saw, headtorch, first aid, platypus and metal mug in my main pack with my sleeping bag stuffed in on top to fill empty space and stop thing rattling
I've never been one for small rucksacks, preferring to be comfortable and have plenty of space.
That said my usual daysack is 30 litres, which is basically FAK, waterproofs, food and emergency shelter. Water in flasks on oustide. I quite often compliment this with one or two PLCE utility pouches (either on strap of yoke) one of which would give me a convenient (to hand) water bottle with brew kit etc.
But as I said this is a day hike kind of setup - anything longer or more bushcrafty, I would need more space.
I suppose I could just about manage with a sleeping bag strapped on outside, but why make life hard!
That said my usual daysack is 30 litres, which is basically FAK, waterproofs, food and emergency shelter. Water in flasks on oustide. I quite often compliment this with one or two PLCE utility pouches (either on strap of yoke) one of which would give me a convenient (to hand) water bottle with brew kit etc.
But as I said this is a day hike kind of setup - anything longer or more bushcrafty, I would need more space.
I suppose I could just about manage with a sleeping bag strapped on outside, but why make life hard!
I always find that the biggest items are for shelter e.g sleeping bag and roll mat, the rest normally falls around them... i dont know the size of my packs but i get a 3 night kit in it and its around 40 liters i think, roll mat on the outside and everything else inside and my sleeping bag on top
Hi Tengu
Its not all about size !
You have the kit you need for the planned activity If you have went through that and can not get the volume down you will need a bigger pack or smaller kit
That is why those of us who generally travel by foot are obsessed with lightweight low volume kit that does the job
I know you and you would not be a happy Tengu in a really small one man tent with a one season bag and thin mat and minimal cooking kit,I am afraid though that's what fits in a 35l bag.Of course it is doable but 35l is not a lot really
If you are really hiking distance over time the last thing you want is stuff attached outside the bag-balance, security and weatherproofing all become bigger issues for consideration,I think you will need a bigger lighter pack
Hope that's kinda helpful Take a look on some of the specialist backpacking forums to see what you are getting into and for ideas/help
Where are you planning on walking to?
Its not all about size !
You have the kit you need for the planned activity If you have went through that and can not get the volume down you will need a bigger pack or smaller kit
That is why those of us who generally travel by foot are obsessed with lightweight low volume kit that does the job
I know you and you would not be a happy Tengu in a really small one man tent with a one season bag and thin mat and minimal cooking kit,I am afraid though that's what fits in a 35l bag.Of course it is doable but 35l is not a lot really
If you are really hiking distance over time the last thing you want is stuff attached outside the bag-balance, security and weatherproofing all become bigger issues for consideration,I think you will need a bigger lighter pack
Hope that's kinda helpful Take a look on some of the specialist backpacking forums to see what you are getting into and for ideas/help
Where are you planning on walking to?
Obviously it depends on what kit you carry, but if it's just a single night, then yes it can be done. If your using a closed cell foam mat, then a good trick is to put it in your pack, rolled loosely, as the first item. Now encourage it to unroll as much as you can until it forms a large vertical tube inside your pack. Now put all your other gear inside the tube. This way there is minimal wasted space and you don't have to have it tied to the outside of your pack where it can potentially get snagged and ripped on branches, etc.
Some other ideas, in no particular order, which might assist you:
1.) When I'm packing into this small volume, I use a down bag, (rather than synthetic, which I usually prefer). If down is not an option, try a smaller summer rated bag & sleep in your insulation layer.
2.) Whilst I pack a couple of litres of water, I only pack minimal food : Some oxos for drinks, a couple of packs of mixed nuts & raisins and a bit of beef jerky.
3.) Aside from my insulation layer, I don't take a spare set of clothes as such, just socks and undies. You could probably leave out the undies for just one night too.
4.) No gas cooker or cannisters, just an open fire or a flat pack woodburner such as the Honey stove, or a hobo stove of a size that allows you to nest your water bottle inside it - very little wasted space.
5.) Cut your pad down to 3/4 length.
6.) No towels, scourers, dishclothes, etc to clean yourself and your utensils. After washing, dry your face on your top and clean your bowl with a wad of grass. Or, for just 1 night, don't bother shaving/washing until you get home.
7.) Continuing from No. 6: What utensils? At most you only need a spoon and 1 metal pot to boil water, eat from and drink from.
The above are just a few pointers as to the kind of changes/sacrifices you might consider making. Hope it helps.
Just read the post before mine in more detail: If what redandshane says is correct Tengu, then it rules out most of my ideas and you may indeed struggle to pack your gear into a 35ltr pack.
Some other ideas, in no particular order, which might assist you:
1.) When I'm packing into this small volume, I use a down bag, (rather than synthetic, which I usually prefer). If down is not an option, try a smaller summer rated bag & sleep in your insulation layer.
2.) Whilst I pack a couple of litres of water, I only pack minimal food : Some oxos for drinks, a couple of packs of mixed nuts & raisins and a bit of beef jerky.
3.) Aside from my insulation layer, I don't take a spare set of clothes as such, just socks and undies. You could probably leave out the undies for just one night too.
4.) No gas cooker or cannisters, just an open fire or a flat pack woodburner such as the Honey stove, or a hobo stove of a size that allows you to nest your water bottle inside it - very little wasted space.
5.) Cut your pad down to 3/4 length.
6.) No towels, scourers, dishclothes, etc to clean yourself and your utensils. After washing, dry your face on your top and clean your bowl with a wad of grass. Or, for just 1 night, don't bother shaving/washing until you get home.
7.) Continuing from No. 6: What utensils? At most you only need a spoon and 1 metal pot to boil water, eat from and drink from.
The above are just a few pointers as to the kind of changes/sacrifices you might consider making. Hope it helps.
Just read the post before mine in more detail: If what redandshane says is correct Tengu, then it rules out most of my ideas and you may indeed struggle to pack your gear into a 35ltr pack.
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I can get all my gear for a one or two night out trip in a Sabre 30, but I'm just odd
Snugpack softie, hammock, hobo & billy, canned food, fire kit, saw, FAK, 0.5ltr of whiskey, water bottle, wash kit, merino undershirt, stalkers smock, windproof shirt all go inside. Tarp (folded flat) on one outside pocket / compression strap. Hat / gloves, bird book, monocular and ditty bag in the lid. Anything else I wear or tie on the lid. Swannee ranger shirts do take a lot of room!
I should have bought a bigger pack I suppose, but I've spent too long tramping about in the mountains carrying too much and I do love a smaller pack. The Sabre snugs down nicely for trips out with the dogs and I don't notice that I'm carrying it.
However, I would recommend buying something bigger until you get yourself sorted as to what kit you really want to take with you and what you can leave at home. At the end of the day it's up to you what you take with you.
Cheers
Snugpack softie, hammock, hobo & billy, canned food, fire kit, saw, FAK, 0.5ltr of whiskey, water bottle, wash kit, merino undershirt, stalkers smock, windproof shirt all go inside. Tarp (folded flat) on one outside pocket / compression strap. Hat / gloves, bird book, monocular and ditty bag in the lid. Anything else I wear or tie on the lid. Swannee ranger shirts do take a lot of room!
I should have bought a bigger pack I suppose, but I've spent too long tramping about in the mountains carrying too much and I do love a smaller pack. The Sabre snugs down nicely for trips out with the dogs and I don't notice that I'm carrying it.
However, I would recommend buying something bigger until you get yourself sorted as to what kit you really want to take with you and what you can leave at home. At the end of the day it's up to you what you take with you.
Cheers
Depends on what gear you are taking obviously.
I can fit all my stuff for a few nights in a 32 litre pack. That's very light sleeping bag, small inflatable mat, tarp or light tent and what few bits of clothing I need. If its summer, I tend not to take brew/cooking kit, preferring water and having hot drinks and main meal where i can can find them. if the weather is not so good I'll hook a pot cum mug onto the outside of the bag and carry a small meths stove.
I can fit all my stuff for a few nights in a 32 litre pack. That's very light sleeping bag, small inflatable mat, tarp or light tent and what few bits of clothing I need. If its summer, I tend not to take brew/cooking kit, preferring water and having hot drinks and main meal where i can can find them. if the weather is not so good I'll hook a pot cum mug onto the outside of the bag and carry a small meths stove.
Good advice here Tengu
I have swopped out my beloved Swanni for a crag hoppers fleece
In Summer lol
I have swopped out my beloved Swanni for a crag hoppers fleece
In Summer lol
I keep wanting to, but then sitting at the fire at midnight looking at the stars, there is nothing like a fire scented wooly shirt to finish the scene, lol
Yeah and its weatherproof all righty ; I particularly like it in the cold mornings but it is heavy to carry
worth its weight though?
forestwalker
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
To a large extent it also depends on where and when. My winter sleeping bag takes up over 20 litres... On the other hand, when I did my military service we had the LK35, with a crappy sleeping bag, a foam pad on the outside, a parka, spare socks and a cook kit, food for 24 h. In winter. But mostly we slept in tents, and somewhere the was a duffel bag with spare clothes, etc.
For a summer overnight you need:
Night time kit: sleeping bag, mat, tarp/hammock. Or just a blanket. Where, when and what skill- and comfort level?
Cook kit: one pot, one spoon if you are solo, perhaps a stove rather than an open fire pot (is there a fire ban?). Kuksa as a luxuary item? I often carry a small piece of scouring pad (i.e. the same as the scourer side on the sponges), but some Equisetum will do just as well.
Food: no need to get fancy, a salami, a slab of bacon, some noodles, pasta or rice, perhaps a small onion, spices if you want them. Tea can be carried or made from fresh plants (a small "fabric" filter is nice). Water is an issue in some places, I almost never carry a canteen in the northern half of Sweden, seldom in the rest either as a matter of fact. Some places a waterfilter is essential unless you ant to boil all water (and then a canteen becomes a virtual nessesity)
Clothes: You'll be wearing most of them, but spare socks, rainwear, an extra wool shirt, etc might be nice; it depends on what you may encounter and your standards. Mosquito lotion and head-net is handy in some places and seasons. Toss in a couple of FC sticks in pockets and pack, and fire is almost guaranteed. Gloves are nice in the north, mostly due to mosquitos. Hat of some sort (beanie, felt, waxed cotton)?
Miscellaneous This is the section that can grow without bounds; don't let it do so. A belt knife, a small FAK, perhaps a small torch, binoculars, etc almost allways come in handy. But a bandana or a washcloth can do for towel, no need for a shave, a small bar of soap might be nice. I think it was Mungo Park who "carried" two books per day (i.e. his porters carried them), no need to emulate all the habits of the 19th C explorers, but one book can be nice.
For a summer overnight you need:
Night time kit: sleeping bag, mat, tarp/hammock. Or just a blanket. Where, when and what skill- and comfort level?
Cook kit: one pot, one spoon if you are solo, perhaps a stove rather than an open fire pot (is there a fire ban?). Kuksa as a luxuary item? I often carry a small piece of scouring pad (i.e. the same as the scourer side on the sponges), but some Equisetum will do just as well.
Food: no need to get fancy, a salami, a slab of bacon, some noodles, pasta or rice, perhaps a small onion, spices if you want them. Tea can be carried or made from fresh plants (a small "fabric" filter is nice). Water is an issue in some places, I almost never carry a canteen in the northern half of Sweden, seldom in the rest either as a matter of fact. Some places a waterfilter is essential unless you ant to boil all water (and then a canteen becomes a virtual nessesity)
Clothes: You'll be wearing most of them, but spare socks, rainwear, an extra wool shirt, etc might be nice; it depends on what you may encounter and your standards. Mosquito lotion and head-net is handy in some places and seasons. Toss in a couple of FC sticks in pockets and pack, and fire is almost guaranteed. Gloves are nice in the north, mostly due to mosquitos. Hat of some sort (beanie, felt, waxed cotton)?
Miscellaneous This is the section that can grow without bounds; don't let it do so. A belt knife, a small FAK, perhaps a small torch, binoculars, etc almost allways come in handy. But a bandana or a washcloth can do for towel, no need for a shave, a small bar of soap might be nice. I think it was Mungo Park who "carried" two books per day (i.e. his porters carried them), no need to emulate all the habits of the 19th C explorers, but one book can be nice.
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I would say - if its very warm and you don't need any extra clothes, you wear your waterproofs, you strap your sleeping mat to the outside and take a very small sleeping bag, bivi bag, stove, ultra lightweight tarp etc if should just all fit. In practice, 50L is a better target. I see nothing wrong in that at all and don't get this smaller-rucksack-is-better thing.
By the time i have got my day-walking kit for the mountains into a rucksack - proper waterproofs, extra warm layer(s), emergency shelter, first aid kit, emergency stove, bits and pieces, even then I am up to c.45L just for an all-weather day out.
By the time i have got my day-walking kit for the mountains into a rucksack - proper waterproofs, extra warm layer(s), emergency shelter, first aid kit, emergency stove, bits and pieces, even then I am up to c.45L just for an all-weather day out.
My limited experience is that you can do a multinight bag in 35L IF you have sleeping bags, tarps/tents etc.. that fold up really small; i.e a down bag that folds very small Vs a larger synthetic bag. I tend to go for a 45-50L bag, which gives me a bit more space to stuff in the inevitable extras that come along with you; you need to have the room to hold beer for example...
We need a kit list Tengu
If it's just a day walk then I carry something along the lines of ...
Brew kit
Lunch
Waterproofs (if needed)
Map & compass or GPS
Sit mat
Binos or camera (sometimes both)
Bottle of water
I'll either take a Sabre 25L pack or an Alpkit 20L for a day walk
If it's just a day walk then I carry something along the lines of ...
Brew kit
Lunch
Waterproofs (if needed)
Map & compass or GPS
Sit mat
Binos or camera (sometimes both)
Bottle of water
I'll either take a Sabre 25L pack or an Alpkit 20L for a day walk
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