Thread: Pack advice

With a larger pack, as long as it doesn't have big 'bellows' type pockets on the outside you can always fit compression straps to compress it right down. I look for lid straps that come from the bottom of the pack, so you can cinch the lid right down without running out of strap, and side compression straps that can basically haul the pack main section in until it's flat. That way you can have a good amount of 'reserve' capacity without the bulk when you don't need it...

Not the easiest thing to find, but some of the older Macpac and Fairydown packs had this sort of compression system and it was very good. My 85Lt full size Macpac can crunch in smaller than my 40Lt 'overnighter' is this fashion. Downside of the older packs, is that while they were and still are literally bullet proof - they are bloody heavy and noisy by today's standards.

Originally Posted by No.3

With a larger pack, as long as it doesn't have big 'bellows' type pockets on the outside you can always fit compression straps to compress it right down. I look for lid straps that come from the bottom of the pack, so you can cinch the lid right down without running out of strap, and side compression straps that can basically haul the pack main section in until it's flat. That way you can have a good amount of 'reserve' capacity without the bulk when you don't need it...

Not the easiest thing to find, but some of the older Macpac and Fairydown packs had this sort of compression system and it was very good. My 85Lt full size Macpac can crunch in smaller than my 40Lt 'overnighter' is this fashion. Downside of the older packs, is that while they were and still are literally bullet proof - they are bloody heavy and noisy by today's standards.

This is the way I have ended up going too. I dont see sense in buying a new pack only to fill it with meat and blood. A good harness and frameless is the way for me. I bought one of those Markhor Interlou 45 litre packs as an overnighter ( rubbish packs) thinking it would be the answer but its either too big or too small. A bigger pack that can be narrowed down with straps is far more versatile. Current one can be strapped down to less than the width of the harness ( 170mm) . Means I can hunt with it on as a daypack and not get caught up ( not like my frame pack)

I tighten down my main pack,( exped lightning) with the compression straps and have a old seatbelt strap arrangement for the shoulder strap on the that I mount the gun to shoot,I bush hunt 95% of the time so need to be quick on the trigger,when animal down I swap over to original shoulder strap for carrying a load,also have an old stony creek blaze vest I put over the pack to keep scratching noise down and increase visibility.