Thread: Osprey packs

Originally Posted by scottrods

I bought a 70L Aether AG and it wasn't big enough for me. Rapidly changed to the 85 AG and its much better in capacity.
The detachable top which converts to a day pack is excellent. Big enough to hold waterbottle, firstaid pack, down jacket and meat bags.

I haven't totally gotten it to fit me after 2 trips, the bottom of the waste belt rubs on my hips but I'm sure its just a matter of breaking it in.

Ive got the Aether 70 and also had the issue of the hip belt rubbing my hips raw, Had plenty of trips thinking it would come right, tried a few adjustments and nothing fixed it. Theres plastic inserts in the hip belts that can be removed, I cut an arch out of them where my hip bones were. Good as now.

Really good packs, although I found the day pack system junk for my use so cut it out for more room and slight weight reduction I guess... For me it's a lot nicer to use the main pack with the top bit removed if wanting it smaller for a day pack..

Originally Posted by sore head stoat

walking poles.. brand please and why did you choose that brand?

Look like Black Diamond to me. I don't think there is much wrong with any of the major brands of walking poles, I have a pair of Komperdells which were a good deal and have a lifetime warranty if you manage to break them.

Had a pair of Macpac carbon fibre poles before that which were a bit lighter but only lasted a couple of years before the tips snapped or fell off.

Originally Posted by erniec

Why do you take the saw?

Saw is good to cut fire lanes if you are over watching a clearing, or cut fire wood if required etc..

Originally Posted by sore head stoat

walking poles.. brand please and why did you choose that brand ? What is in the orange Hunters Element bag

Poles are Black Diamond Contour. Chose them because the poles are oval and have better strength than round poles. Usefullwhen using them as tent poles for my Tarp. Also they have cam locking extensions which also are stronger than the twist to tighten types.

The orange Hunters element bag is the 25 litre Bluff packable daypack

Thank you

Originally Posted by Robojaz

Weighs in at 12.2kg. That's without ammo, snacks, or water. Most places I hunt have streams/rivers so I don't carry water unless I have to and filter it as I go.

Hey - thanks for the excellent pics (of what is obviously a pretty carefully thought out outfit), could you do a list as well. Thanks

@Tentman , yep I can do that, I am at work at the moment, but will do a list later this afternoon.

Thanks, I'm trying to refine my "spare clothing" at the moment, whats required for South Is tops is going to be a bit different from North Is but having said that the coldest night I've ever had in over 40 years was on Ruapehu's slopes . . . .

Something to consider is carbon poles are lighter but fall on them or get them jambed in a rock crevise and they break whereas alloy bend and can often be straightened. If you buy the upper end alloy poles the weight difference is very little

Originally Posted by uk_exile

Something to consider is carbon poles are lighter but fall on them or get them jambed in a rock crevise and they break whereas alloy bend and can often be straightened. If you buy the upper end alloy poles the weight difference is very little

I've fallen sideways onto a carbon pole with the end jammed in rocks, felt it bend like a banana and thought I was about to get a bunch of carbon splinters embedded in my ass. But even with that load (probably 125kg including my pack) it sprung back straight as soon as my weight came off it. They don't break easily!

Most of my expereince is adventure racing and have seen more failed carbon poles than alloy. They get a lot of use though.

I use cheap Ali express carbon poles. Three piece, cam lock. I'm not really hard on gear but they haven't looked like failing. They are light and have done their job for over 3 years without issue. At 30USD for the pair delivered I think I have had my moneys worth out of them.My wife has a pair of high end Leki alloy poles which are great too but she does have trouble with the twist lock sometimes.

Originally Posted by uk_exile

Most of my expereince is adventure racing and have seen more failed carbon poles than alloy. They get a lot of use though.

I imagine most adventure racers would use carbon poles?

Cam lock definitely more reliable than twist lock, I've had a few twist lock ones fail in the past and wouldn't go back to them. Of course Murphy's law they would often slip and retract just as you went to lean on them on some dodgy steep ground!

Re the carbon poles and adventure racing, they might take more impacts on rocks etc when being used for racing? and that is an area that I think the alloy poles would have more of an advantage - the same sharp impact might dent an alloy pole but crack a carbon one.

Originally Posted by Tentman

Hey - thanks for the excellent pics (of what is obviously a pretty carefully thought out outfit), could you do a list as well. Thanks

@Tentman equipment list of gear in my photos.


Sleep system is

Sea to Summit sleeping bag, if I am going to in colder climates I add a Sea to Summit Reactor liner, but it would have to be above bushline cold conditions.
Bivvi bag
Thermarest Neo-air Sleeping pad
2 x Black Diamond Contour trekking poles
DD hammocks 3m x 3m ultralight Tarp, i usually set this up on the ground as an open front tent bivvi using trekking poles to hold it up. keeps the wind out quite well.
Macpac inflatable pillow, after years of using a rolled up jacket , I decided to splash out, it weighs next to nothing.

Spare clothes

Macpac Rain jacket, or if weather is colder I take a Swazi Wapiti coat.
Macpac primaloft puffer jacket these stay warm when wet, unlike down and still pack up very small
Heavy weight polypropylene thermal (or merino)
Spare shorts, long-john's, socks and undies
Shemargh, Beanie and gloves

This set up is usually more than enough. I used to take a heavy polar fleece long sleeved top, but never really used it. If i was to take an extra layer it would likely be my Sitka thermal mid-layer hoody, which get very toasty.


First aid Kit

Med Kit containing usual stuff
I also carry 2 x Israeli trauma compression bandages, a CAT tourniquet, some wound filling sterile gauze and an emergency blanket.


Hunting gear includes:
Leica Range finder and 10x25 binos, Rhino 650 GPS, PLB
Zvord Hunting knife,
Silky Pruning saw and Cold steel knife for cutting fire lanes, tracks and firewood.
meat bags (pillow case or similar)
spare para cord

Cooking system is:

MSR Reactor stove with 1 litre pot, and 2x gas bottles (for longer trips)
3 litre bladder
Katadyn Befree water filter
Spork, Svord peasant knife and folding cup
Fire steel and a couple of Bic lighters


Other gear:

2 x head torches, (Zebralight and Nightcore)
Spare batteries,
SOL Emergency bivvi bag,
sharpening stone and rifle cleaning kit
Hunters Element 25 litre pack-able day bag


A few other smaller items are also in photos. On longer trips I sometimes take a small power bank with solar charger, (especially if I am taking the boy with me)

Hope this helps