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I'm needing some rucksack advice.
Got winter camp next weekend so it's too late to get sorted for that but I've got at least two other camps this year.
Eventually my boys will do Explorers and DoE so I'm after a rucksack initially for me to take on camp but eventually for them as well. Thinking 50-65 ltrs.
Basic short term requirements are to lug my clothing/kit into camp however it would be good to get something with a future that could do a two/three day hike/expandition.
What works, what doesn't? What brands are good? I've got a titantium collar bone (well, in part) and a few proud screws so comfort of the straps is a big one for me.
Cheers for any help.
Tim
Scout leaders get extra discount at Go Outdoors so worth looking at their stuff. Otherwise I've found decathlon stuff to be pretty good and hardwearing.
The adjustability of some of the packs adds to their weight, but this might be worthwile in your situation.
It appears that Millets/Blacks, Go Outdoors, Cotswold Outdoors and Mountain Warehouse all offer discounts.
That's not narrowing down my search much :O(
Osprey any good? Atomos AG65 ticks a lot of boxes but it's not cheap. The idea of a trampoline back is appealing.
I have osprey ag50 same as 65 but smaller its great
I had a similar critera and last year(?) I bought the Alpkit Orion 40l bag. It's ace and fits me very nicely.
I find 40l is adequate for my Jan winter camp with the tent strapped to the side of the bag. This included big down jacket, softee trousers, down sleeping bag, massive lambswool blanket, jetboil etc... I'm confident I could carry enough for a summer multi day walk too; on basis of taking one change of clothes only and fewer thermals.
Best bet is to go to a shop and try some on for size.
All sounding like good advice.
The strap comfort is key for me.
Maybe I'll take a brick or three to simulate a loaded pack as anything empty won't be a true reflection.
Just thinking - get yourself along to Decathlon - I just bought a 22l day sack from there a couple of weeks ago for ~£20. Used it heavily for a weeks ski holiday and again last night for a bivvy. Feels like really good quality and a bargain.
They had bigger 'sacks too with sandbags on hand to replicate carrying weight.
I really rate my lightwave rucsac. Totally waterproof and very light ( saved almost a kilo over my multiadjustable berghaus one which was smaller) - surprisingly comfy as well and has been used a lot. Stayed dry inside in 12 hours of rain that saw all my fancy goretex rainwear sock through
https://www.lightwave.uk.com/products/rucksacks/lightwave-rucksacks
If you are looking longer term for DofE, we ended up with 2 Vango rucsacs, 65+10 and 75+10. Everything goes inside rather than jangling over the hills.
Not sure how old your boys are, but a fully laden 65 litre rucksack is going to weigh quite a bit. You don't want to put them off backpacking by having them lug around a ton of stuff.
Osprey and Lowe Alpine both do really well designed packs. The Catch 22 with D of E stuff is that they issue a lengthy compulsory kit-list of stuff that must be carried. The only way to keep the load reasonably light is to spend huge amounts of money on very lightweight kit, which generally teenagers and their parents aren't likely to do, so they end up with big loads of heavy to mid-market kit.
When a mate's very small lad did it a few years back, I loaned him a whole load of very light backpacking stuff. His pack was only about half-full, but still ticked all the boxes on the kit-list. He enjoyed the expedition a lot more than he would have done carrying a disproportionately big load.
Anyway, as a result, unless you're going to invest lots in very outdoor gear, you're arguably better off with a slightly heavier pack that's a more supportive carry than a very light one, that's going to maybe struggle with heavier loads.
If you're planning to share the pack between several people, you probably want something with an adjustable-length back system btw.
What's your location OP? I have the usual vango rucksack that's about 65 litres, if your local your welcome to try/borrow it.
I bought two Lowe Alpine 65lt bags from Facebook outdoor gear UK page. £20 each for a slice of comfy big packs, one with a small mouse hole we sewed up.
Perfect for my boys doing DofE .
If you must have new, GoOutdoors for scout discount and a Vango. Job jobbed.
Anyway, as a result, unless you’re going to invest lots in very outdoor gear
I meant to say 'invest lots in very expensive, very lightweight, outdoor gear' but I lost some words somewhere between my brain and the screen 🙁
If you want to invest in very expensive I love Arcteryx sacs (I have several of different types) but more fiscally responsible I too would recommend Osprey.
I had Lowe Alpine great for years, including several DofE expeditions. Current hill packs of course are a Macpac Amp 40 and a Montane Grand Tour 55 - both supremely comfortable for me, not overly heavy in themselves (the Macpac is damn light for its capacity) and do the job nicely. Like everything, try on what you can, whether it's at Go, Blacks, wherever - some of the better shops keep weighted cubes, a bit like light sandbags, so you can see what a pack's like when loaded.
Decathlon
My daughters had a Lowe Alpine 65l for Ten Tors. Reasonably light and has adjustable back which worked. Survived some biblically wet training and event days.
The best bag is the one that is most comfortable for you. Make sure you try them on, properly adjust them for yourself and make sure you put some weight in them (any decent shop will let you borrow some climbing ropes)
Definitely check for fit. We were lucky when we got the first Vango from Ultimate Outdoors, they had a Vango guy in training the staff on fitting them correctly, so was spot on - and another place that does Scout, Guide and DofE discount
I'm currently helping to run overland hike training for a couple of hundred scouts as they work up to the Overland which is a 40k self supported hike/race over 2 days.
I see A LOT of packs and the Lowe Alpine ones constantly impress me. They look stable on small bodies and work both loaded and unloaded. They seem very popular, well priced and the kids like them.
Osprey packs seem over complicated and we have had some break. Also they all seem too big both in size and in frame. They are also expensive.
Deuter packs seem to be popular as well but harder to get hold of. I really like the back system on the Helium series and they are very light. A light pack is a good start when you have to fill it up!
Vango, Eurohike, Berghaus and Technicals all make really good small packs (day hike) but as soon as they get above 40 litres they seem to lose the plot and get really badly designed and unwieldy.
So my choice would be Lowe Alpine or Deuter.
Though I appear to have just bought myself a Fjall Raven Singi 28 with 2 extra pockets.....but then I like pockets.
Look for a 2nd hand Lowe Alpine Frontier 65+15 on eBay, I also have an Osprey 35l which is light and fits my slim frame well but the LA is mega comfy for the weight it can carry.
I have a Osprey Kestrel 68, yes a bit more expensive but well worth it and believe their customer support is very good. Did get 20% of in Cotswold back when they supported DofE.
I'm off to the shops to try a few.
With an 8 yo and a 12/13yo investing in kit is fine.
I'm in training to be a leader at the mo so an outdoor life is beckoning which sits well with me.
Thanks for all the advice and real world experience.
Tim