New summer/SAR pack ideas?

*EDIT : moderator, please move to the Campire section, thanks*

Hello everyone!

I am worried that my actual pack might not be the ideal pack for warmer weather. I?d like to have some opinions on this.

I own a superb snowplay pack : the Osprey Switch 40+5. Although it comes in slightly heavy at 3.8 pounds, it has many features I love such as an insulated hydration tube sleeve (prevents water from freezing), backpanel entry and a nice compression system. I used to be a snowshoer only.

Last year, I tried spring, summer and fall dayhiking and loved it as much. Also, I started volunteering for a search & rescue (SAR) team.

The Osprey being a winter pack, it has extra fabric (insulation sleeve) and overall ?robustness? to it that I fear will make my hikes less pleasant in warmer weather. Therefore, I?m looking for a lighter/more adequate pack for 3-season dayhiking and SAR. I know it all depends on gear I bring, but since I do not have that much warm weather/SAR experience, I would appreciate some insight on the volume I need (25, 35, 45 liters?)?

Some requirements :
Hydration sleeve must accommodate 100 oz (3 liter) bladder
Large outside pocket (many packs have this, to keep a rainjacket handy, for example)
Decent hipbelt

Some nice to have features :
Hipbelt pockets and/or side pockets to store some gear


I?m currently hesitating between those two models I have found off MEC.CA (canadian merchant), the first being more hiking-oriented and the second, more for SAR :

Gregory Advent Pro

MEC Fiamma

I?d like to keep my investment below 200 $ CAD.

Any thoughts appreciated, as always. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi, Bee
I own a Gregory Advent Pro, and it's a fantastic lightweight pack. I use it for 3-5 day backpack trips, but I travel light. Fully loaded, with food, fuel, & water is still less than 35 lb.
Excellent suspension systen, & the back panel breathes well.

The silicon-impregnated fabric is pretty thin, but the bottom is rugged Nylon, and the mesh side panels protect the middle half. The upper portion sits well protected behind your head & shoulders, but it's definitely not as durable as the pack cloth used in the MEC Fiamma.

I've hiked alot in Gaspasie, Cartier, Saguenay, and the low growing spruce in your area is brutal on equipment when you have to bushwhack off-trail. Just have to be a bit careful pushing thru the thick stuff, but the pack sits in place well. I'm still amazed at it's water repellant finish,as well.

For on trail use, the Advent Pro is great, but in your area for off-trail SAR work, I'd go with the Fiamma (excellent value) or look at the Gregory G-Pack.

It's almost identical to the Advent Pro, 200 inches more storage, but uses a thicker siliconized material. The Advent also has bottom & back acess, the G-Pack is a top-Loader only.
I assume the G30 fabric in the Advent is 1.3 oz. cloth and the G-pack G70 is using 1.7oz. cloth. Both Gregory packs will have more usable space than the Fiamma, due to the layout and great exterior mesh pockets on the back, sides, and on the hipbelt.
I see the Fiamma comes in red also. That's better in black fly season, they are drawn to the darker colors. Unfortunately, the G-Pack is available in dark Green only.

G-pack:
http://www.gregorypacks.com/prod.php?ID=15

CA Dealers are listed here:
http://www.gregorypacks.com/canada.html

Good luck, and hello and thanks to all the other Forum members whose advice I've read here.

Thanks a lot for your thoughts, gentlemen.

I settled on the Osprey Stratos 32 which I had not considered or even seen in stores before this weekend.



It really feels great on my back, just like the Osprey Switch I own. This one is lighter, still roomy enough at 2000 cubic inches (32 liter). They say it's a great general-outdoors, mountaineering and backpacking daypack.

It has long pockets on both sides that follow the main compartment's length. One thing I really like is that you can either put a hydration bladder in the sleeve inside the pack, or outside the pack, behind the AirCore ventilation system mesh. You can also access the main compartment by one of the two side-pockets. There's an elastic pocket in front of the pack, along with two other elastic pockets on the sides to hold Nalgene-sized items.

Overall, this is my first top-loader and I must say i'm impressed. I just finished packing all my SAR gear and I still have some space for a few gimmicks.

The Fiamma would've probably fit the bill also, but I wanted to purchase only one pack for all my 3-season needs and for SAR.

I looked at the Gregory Advent Pro, it felt nice too! I was definately turned off by the compression system : the cords hanging all over the pack... messy! <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Ttyl!

Nice choice, Osprey makes top notch equipment. One big compartment is much more practical, you can pack all the heavy items closer to your spine, & don't get that feeling that someone is tugging you backward.

The sleeker design of the Osprey over the Fiamma really makes a difference in maneuverability. Definitely not much to snag on, and no bulging pockets make it easy to squeeze between trees and deadfalls. Much more durable material than the Advent!

I agree that the Advent has a bunch of goofy straps. I cut off a couple & removed the bungie cords. I actually prefer the top-loaders, but didn't see the G-Pack until after this was purchased. It has quite a few less straps on it.

Here's a nice product for your new pack, Silnylon Dry Bags.
http://seatosummit.com/products/display/7
Quebec Dealers:
http://seatosummit.com/findstores.php?st=QC
They beat the heck out of double-bagging everything. A 4-liter bag is big enough to hold my 1st-Aid Kit, Camera, Electronics, etc.. everything that must stay dry. I think I cut 1/2 lb. of baggies out of my pack with these. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I like a pack that, like the Fiamma can be unzipped, & opened flat on the ground (like a book). When you are looking for a specific piece of kit, a top loader is at a disadvantage. I also like a lot of compartments & don't mind the cords, good place to tuck the wet rain gear/socks when the weather clears.

I see you've picked a top loader, for comfort reasons. Comfort is the no 1 consideration, good choice ! Did you choose the "Atomic Tangerine"?

There is another reason to pick a top loader- even the best zippers are more likely to fail than a seam is. Harder to find things, but fewer chances for something to go wrong.

Camelbak BFM. I found one on ebay brand new for $100 US. It comes with a 100oz (3L) reservoir, and accepts two more. 2550 cu in and incredibly comfortable.

The BFM is what I am using for SAR.

20

I recently bought a REI Ultralite 45 pack. It is a pretty nice, lightweight pack. Although, I don't think that I would use it for a SAR pack but it would make a great three-day pack for fast hiking.

The CamelBak BFM, or a "Three-Day" pack would make a better SAR pack. Their size, material and design are better suited for the abuse and weight of SAR/Wildernes Medical use than typical hiking/camping backpacks. I dislike top-load packs for SAR work, I like to be able to open my pack and see everything quickly.

Bee,
Your new Osprey pack looks great! I just got my new Mystery Ranch pack; must be that time of the year. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Have a great, safe summer and hopefully not too many SAR calls.

I agree the Camelbak BFM appears to be a great pack for SAR. Another poster said it was comfortable, I would need to wear it to tell.

I don't really feel the need to see my equipement. This is true for my first aid kit also, I don't need a kit that can be spread out to show a ton of elastics loops to hold everything. I know what I have and where it is. Keep in mind that this is for long hikes or search operations, if I had my car nearby it would be a different story, I would probably have a huge bag with a gazillion compartments! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I could fit everything I need in the Stratos and have no issues at all getting to my equipement (rain jacket, first-aid kit, headlamp, towel). I paid attention to all the features of the pack and I think it's paying out!

For example, the belt pockets. They are very roomy. In the left one, I have my MSR face towel and Tikka XP headlamp. On the right side, I keep my flagging tape, tissues, and there's some space left for my cell phone i'm sure.

Osprey really design some great packs. You can access the main compartment by unclipping only one buckle, and pulling a cord with one hand, it's very fast.

I definately need to see/feel a Camelbak BFM though.

Ttyl!

Hi there Overclocker,

Thanks for your replies and your recommendations on the dry bags. I did purchase some silnylon bags, they are Outdoor Research Helium Quick sacks :

I bought the smallest and second-smallest sisez. They seem pretty water resistant. They open and close easily, and they are so light! They appear durable too. I'm sure you will agree they are a good choice too!

As for your comment regarding maneuverability, I think it is valid and the Stratos pack should fit the bill. I'm a little worried the Camelbak BFM some have recommended would be prone to more snags between branches, and make myself less stable on the trail.

Bye!

Hi Frank!

I walked around the store for a while with the Atomic Tangerine in my hand. Then I went back to the display and grabbed a black one... <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

The AT was nice but I was afraid I would get annoyed by that color at some point. More visible? True, but is that something I always want when I put the pack on? I don't know... For SAR, probably, but otherwise, maybe not.

Black is neutral and easier to wash too! Pack should look great for a loooooong time.

You can seal the seams of the stuff sack with :
one part 100% silicone caulk
two parts mineral spirits/ paint thinner
Nothing else will stick to the silnylon material.

I still prefer the taller, contoured design of the Osprey/Advent vs. the Rucksack style bags that I carried for 20 years.
Those packs just stick right to your back, even at impossible upside down angles that I could never acomplish with my old rucksack.

Bee's terrain in Quebec City is pretty diverse. It has sheer cliffs above the river to the south, mixed hardwood/softwood on the plateau and Spruce forests in the mountains to the north. Those spruce trees are like iron wood, they just don't have any flex or give to them at all. You can't push thru them, you can't break them, crawling under the edge of the grove is the best option,using snowshoe rabbit trails.

I can understand his need for a pack with a premium on maneuverabilty over ease of access, but not black, Bee! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
(sorry, I've developed Black Fly Phobia, after my last Pitch-Black backpack) I'd rather look like a giant carrot, i think... but then there's rabbits to worry about. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

You want me to go back to the store and trade it for the Atomic Tangerine, like this?


<img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Yeah Bee, you know these people only want the best for you... LOL! While we're at it, do you like my carpet? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />