*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.