Backpack recommendation for the female in ones life

Hi everyone!

The lady and I are doing some hiking at the tail end of this year, Abel Tasman and Heapy are short-listed among others and she needs a pack. I have a Macpac Cascade which I am happy with and have suggested she buy one as well, they are typically well reviewed and reasonably affordable, and my anecdotal experience has been positive.

The problem is she is a bit of a stinge and I am a student so me chipping in to boost her budget isn't an option.

Has anyone got any positive experience with anything a little lower priced than a Cascade or is she dreaming? I have managed to talk her out of a cheap Trademe shitter for under $100 thankfully but not quite there on the $300+ yet...

She's about 5'9 and athletic build if that's relevant.

Facebook marketplace, just searched woman's backpack and a cascade came up in Tauranga. Always packs for sale at various 2nd hand places with little use.

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Originally Posted by chindit

Facebook marketplace, just searched woman's backpack and a cascade came up in Tauranga. Always packs for sale at various 2nd hand places with little use.

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Oh good shout, cheers! I never think to look on there.

Check out @burtonators listing on buy&sell section here, Exped 70L. These are great packs and designed as light weight, so would suit your other half pretty nicely. Pack weight in the Expeds is around 1kg less than other brands in same size.

Get an Osprey Ladies pack, second hand if possible.

Done a fair bit of trekking in my time and the German and Scandinavian ladies always turned up well equipped with them.

Yeah go second hand man. Osprey, macpac, exped all sweet hiking packs

@square1, if you are lucky enough to have a mrs that enjoys tramping, get her a decent pack :)

have a look at the Osprey packs specifically designed for women.

Also keep an eye out on Trademe.

I have picked up some near new packs for well under 100 dollars.

Go for an Osprey, preferably one with an AG (anti gravity) harness.

Bivouac have pretty good range and have regular sales.
The Exped are good packs and light.

If you can stretch,go new in the macpac clearance section.
https://www.macpac.co.nz/clearance/e...start=29&sz=12

Go for an osprey pro or ag model.

My wife got an exped lightning pack for a 4 day tramp at the beginning of the year. Very lightweight and according to her super comfy. From memory they weren’t too spendy either, $160 rings a bell?

Nope you all have it wrong you need to find the biggest pack that can fit her load it right up and set her on the track in front of you!

Then pass her as she struggles up that first hill........you of course you will just have rifle and day pack on:XD:.......you might want to take your own food though.....;):XD:

Whoops just had a look and it was an exped thunder. We must have gotten it on sale. If you can get one on the next round of sales they are a great pack :)

@square1 good luck with the backpack.

Just a word on the Able Tasman.

I have worked in the area on and off for the last 20years or more and although the track is great the best way to explore the area is definitely from a kayak.

Get ahold of the lads at Kahu kayaks, they are always keen on sorting out a deal for the kiwi folk.

Hire a double kayak for a couple of days, they are a bloody stable and safe craft. Heaps of storage space so lots of room for all the luxury items.

You have to do a safety briefing at the start but its well worth it, local knowledge and weather advice etc. After that you are free to what you like.

With the lack of tourists this year will be one of the best times ever to get amongst it. [emoji6]

What ever you choose to do I am sure you and the misses will love it, its an amazing piece of coast. [emoji106]



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Originally Posted by kukuwai

@square1 good luck with the backpack.

Just a word on the Able Tasman.

I have worked in the area on and off for the last 20years or more and although the track is great the best way to explore the area is definitely from a kayak.

Get ahold of the lads at Kahu kayaks, they are always keen on sorting out a deal for the kiwi folk.

Hire a double kayak for a couple of days, they are a bloody stable and safe craft. Heaps of storage space so lots of room for all the luxury items.

You have to do a safety briefing at the start but its well worth it, local knowledge and weather advice etc. After that you are free to what you like.

With the lack of tourists this year will be one of the best times ever to get amongst it. [emoji6]

What ever you choose to do I am sure you and the misses will love it, its an amazing piece of coast. [emoji106]



Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

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That sounds brilliant, thanks so much for the tip! I will look into it!

And thanks to everyone for their input, really helped me to cast a wider net!

Mentioned it before on another thread but dwights outdoors is also worth a look if you end up going a new pack. They stock some good brands and for a free sign up to their club you get some good discounts.

These new computers are really smart... they know everything and the safety filter works brilliantly...

For example, my wife and daughter are on line and I am unable to post a picture of a back pack vacuum cleaner....

Talk about life saving technology....

.... :cave:

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Originally Posted by square1

And thanks to everyone for their input, really helped me to cast a wider net!

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Let us know what you go with and do a bit of a write up on it when it has been used.
You wont be the only one in the same position and others will appreciate it.

We've used the Macpac Pursuit NZAT 40 L, which is still the lightest overnight pack available and will hold enough for a 3 night trip on a great walk in summer. It's also very good for urban travel and can pass as a cabin bag. They don't seem to sell this exact model any more . It was only $150 for some craszy reason. Could be hard to get someone to part with theirs second hand.

Past review but the photos have been lost from photobucket, sorry.
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....-review-24868/