Thread: packs what to buy?

I am looking at a big pack setup for long trips and meat lugging.

I am going to get the ALICE pack frame (from kiwidisposals) to complement my Austrian surplus 4 piece alice pack and straps. Here's where it gets special, I will have a square shaped floor/bottom for pack frame made from alloy bar welded to the bottom. I hope it will be good for 40+ kgs. Shouldn't matter if it gets blood and fur stains, as I can get rid of the bag and strap stuff straight to the frame with some paracord.

It is not easy to find a pack that can carry good weights and not tear itself or you apart. Never go for adventure brand lightweight packs, I seen a few goats rip the shoulder strap as their last post-mortem act of vengeance. A few kilos of pack sturdiness is nothing when you are hauling heaps.

Originally Posted by oneshot

For all you cactus lovers, how do you find the shoulder straps/pads, are they comfortable under a really heavy load?

cheers

Last few packs were Huntech and Macpac. The Macpac was hopeless, but was an alpine pack not designed for heavy loads. My Cactus is pretty good under load but I have really yet to put it through its paces on a large multi day trip and haul out. Im confident it will be great. The harness is very comfortable. Its a heavier pack but is not overly noticeable due to good load distribution via the harness.

Had a Macpac for years but yes not good under heavy loads, the plastic thingy that the straps fit to fail.

How about One Planet

I have mostly been using a Macpac Ascent 65l for the last few years; a good pack but the skinny design makes packing a bit of a pain. I bought a One Planet McMillan 90l a few months ago and I'm pretty happy with it, have done a few multi day trips thus far with it. Simple layout and built like a tank, will haul more volume/weight than my skinny wee legs will carry. Only downside with the big pack is it is tempting to keep chucking stuff in!

Another option the Kuiu Icon 5200. On sale for $379USD. 85L capacity.
I have not tried one but impressed with all the Kuiu gear I have seen so far.

If you want to look a bit further afield and don't mind camouflage , you can get a US marine corps surplus ILBE Pack, I got a new condition Pack and day bag for $150 ish shipped off Ebay . The pack is massive and super robust. The molle adds a bit of weight but is easy enough to remove if it really troubles you

Just scored a Tatonka Bison 90ltr pack off tard me for $300....went with the advice on this thread....rapt!!!!!

Originally Posted by SiB

I swear by my markhor. Worth checking out.

As a comfortable day pack, my 60L markhor is brilliant. But not robust enough as a big load carrier.
Bought a Macpac cascade off TM for $150 for the big trips.

Avoid the Stoney Creek 80L hunter/hunter2 packs. They are useless. Twin needle have repaired mine so many times that its now more repairs than original.

Originally Posted by scottrods

As a comfortable day pack, my 60L markhor is brilliant. But not robust enough as a big load carrier.
Bought a Macpac cascade off TM for $150 for the big trips.

Avoid the Stoney Creek 80L hunter/hunter2 packs. They are useless. Twin needle have repaired mine so many times that its now more repairs than original.

Yes I was going to buy that cascade on trademe but would prefer 75l to the 90l

So how are the bisons holding up?

I'm on the lookout and its either a macpac Torre (80-85) or the bison, need more room and better weight carrying than my current setup.

Any ideas on cheap(er) buying options on the bisons?

Macpac Cascade. Ed Stafford field tested it across Brazil. What better road test.There are 2 75lt Cascades currently walking up the ride to Backridge Bivvy. Wonderful things Apple i Phones.

Originally Posted by TeRei

Macpac Cascade. Ed Stafford field tested it across Brazil. What better road test.There are 2 75lt Cascades currently walking up the ride to Backridge Bivvy. Wonderful things Apple i Phones.

That's what I need. A pack that can walk.

I got a 65litre cascade. Certainly not the best pack money can buy but it's solid and has good backup if it falls apart. All my gear is small these days so 65litre will be enough for 10 days

I've had an 85L (IIRC) Cascade for 12+ years, now using a 75L Ascent for most trips instead - lighter pack and better shape for moving on steep ground. Obviously not quite as much space inside but better attachment points on the outside so it kinda balances out for my use. The shoulder stabiliser straps do seem to gradually loosen themselves when carrying much over 25kg, but its not too much hassle to give them a sporadic tug to tighten it up again.