Backpacks for extended use.
Clockworkmark31
Posts: 1,053
Greetings,
I have a couple of day backpacks from Osprey and Berghaus both are I think 25l max.
As I am planning some longer rides with camping involved what would you say for backpacks.
I'm stuck between any brand that comes with a massive price attached to it or an army bergen.
Lowe alpine, Mountain Equipment, Mountain Hardware and Berghaus are all very good, but they command ££££ what would they have to justify the cost compared with a current military bergen that can be had for peanuts (current issue).
Obviously a bergen must be fit and tough enough for the job.
I have a couple of day backpacks from Osprey and Berghaus both are I think 25l max.
As I am planning some longer rides with camping involved what would you say for backpacks.
I'm stuck between any brand that comes with a massive price attached to it or an army bergen.
Lowe alpine, Mountain Equipment, Mountain Hardware and Berghaus are all very good, but they command ££££ what would they have to justify the cost compared with a current military bergen that can be had for peanuts (current issue).
Obviously a bergen must be fit and tough enough for the job.
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Comments
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I wouldn't carry a big pack. Get some panniers.I don't do smileys.
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Parktools0 -
Panniers on a MTB just wouldn't look right.
Plus I would still like to use the bike at trail/bike parks I could only imagine panniers would hamper this.
I have posted in the MTB routes section. Basically planning on going somewhere, riding then camping.0 -
I'd say the problem with a military pack is that it's not designed to be worn with cycling clothes, but heavier, more durable military issue clothing. Shop around for a pack by Osprey, Deuter etc and you'll find something decent for the right money.
If you're talking rides of a day or less, then a 25l or so day pack should be sufficient. If you're taking camping kit with you, then panniers and a day pack would be my preference.0 -
Same here,
I wouldn't probably ride with anything bigger than 14l on my back.
I'd go panniers route with small camelback (up to 10L-14L) if necessary...
...unless its a FS, but then you can split luggage between you and the small rack I think - something like this: https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/topeak_beam_rack_rx-ID_19088?gclid=CP7A5YbDo8cCFYLJtAodDpAAGg
I use a LOWE ALPINE AirZone Z 25 Backpack (http://www.milletsports.co.uk/more-sports/outdoor/rucksacks/lowe-alpine-airzone-z-25-backpack/?utm_source=googleshopping&s=483966&gclid=CLT46qTBo8cCFYLJtAodDpAAGg) when traveling (not cycling) and I absolutely love this bag (I think its one of the best backpacks I've ever had), but tried it few times when cycling (as I was going to use it on our 3-day MTBing in Shropshire) and its too big and it wasn't even half full. Its ok for ma commute with only spare shoes and t-shirt & tools inside, but cannot see it on my back fully stuffed!
So now I am looking for something like this: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/osprey/raptor-10l-hydration-backpack-ec041420?country=GB¤cy=GBP&esvt=1330-GOUKE258080&esvq=&esvadt=999999-0-38196-1&esvcrea=61231344176&esvplace=&esvd=c&esvaid=50080&gclid=CPONo__Bo8cCFXDHtAodAocOuA0 -
Look into bivi bags rather than a tent. You'll save yourself an absolute ton of weight.All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
Check out Alpkit
https://www.alpkit.com/bike-luggage
I have a couple of bike bags from them when we've MTB Bivi'd I came across them at a local show, spoke to the guy in the stall, had a look at the demo bike that was loaded up with gear and was impressed so I bought a few bits!! Also bought my bivi bag from them as well.
Shoot them an email as I'm sure they can make up bags for your needs!!
As said Camelbak for water and a few spares etc!0 -
Wow, you guys like to ride light.
When I use my osprey (20l or 25l) for commuting it only just fits everything in. Ride in bike clothes with change of clothes in the bag along with D Lock pump and a few spares, it's always full but doesn't seem to bother me too much. Think I have become accustomed to it now.
Thought about bivi bags but ruled them out as thought they would not be fit for purpose.
The rides I am thinking of doing is going to a bike park for a few days and camp or brecons or scotland etc. Don't have a car so limited to trains etc.
So my idea or traveling light was sleeping bag, small tent, small stove for cooking, change of clothes and a few other essentials. A bivi bag you are kind of limited to what you can do.
Then when at bike parks etc was wanting to store the kit in the bag in secure storage (if available) so then me and the bike would be free of equipment.
Hope this gives a better idea. Thats why I was thinking big rucksack or bergen.0 -
Have to say thealpskit looks impressive.
Maybe a bivi bag with a tarp to make an extended shelter would be more suitable.0 -
Bivi bags are brilliant. Once a year I go off into the mountains for a week (on foot) and a I chart a route to the middle of nowhere and try to avoid all other human beings, and all I take is a bivi. It weighs about a tenth of what a tent would and does the job. You should never be cooking inside a tent anyway and the limited space forces you to think very carefully about what you take, which is a good thing.
I've got one of these...
http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/tents-shelters-c25/bivi-bags-c41/gogo-elite-featherweight-bivy-shelter-p780
but you can get them much cheaper and they go from this, with the ridge, all the way down to something that's more like a waterproof sleeping bag.All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
Impressive bit of kit.
That is kind of what I am wanting to do, pack a bag and just go and spend a couple of days in nature.
I know you can't cook in a tent but it gives you some freedom should the weather turn bad rather than being laid down.
Maybe I need a rethink, the bivi bags with a tarp seem like a good compromise. Still doesn't help bag wise. Maybe 35l max would do it?0 -
A bivi bag also makes it feel like more a hardcore adventure, which is fun.All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
A bivi bag also makes it feel like more a hardcore adventure, which is fun.
It is making more sense currently reading up on bivi bags with bashas and how to use the bike to secure it all.
Rethinking atm. Wild camping seems fun.0 -
Wild camping is great! You'd be surprised with how little you need!!0
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Wild camping is great! You'd be surprised with how little you need!!
Haven't camped for maybe 15 years. The idea of me and the bike exploring and finding new places sounds appealing.
But bear grylls style camping sounds even more fun.
Spent most of the night looking at wild camping etc.
I like what I have seen so far.0 -
You may well have come across this, very inspiring blog:
http://www.alastairhumphreys.com
Keep us updated, I love this kind of thing!0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678487#p19678487]Clockworkmark31[/url] wrote:I know you can't cook in a tent
Yes you can.0 -
You may well have come across this, very inspiring blog:
http://www.alastairhumphreys.com
Keep us updated, I love this kind of thing!
Embarrassingly I haven't heard of him, but it is bookmarked for a good read.
I love this sort of stuff too, I got in to riding for freedom but have still always been constrained.
Anyway a few change of circumstances has put a few things back on the cards again.0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678487#p19678487]Clockworkmark31[/url] wrote:I know you can't cook in a tent
Yes you can.
Milk and cereal is not cooking haha0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678487#p19678487]Clockworkmark31[/url] wrote:I know you can't cook in a tent
Yes you can.
You can but it's not ideal.All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
Anyway back to the subject, think a bergen is going to be overkill.
Been speaking with the brother as well (serving RMC) for a few days a 30l sack is big enough (using airloc bags for change of clothes etc) basha, bivi, warm kit if cold etc. Going to be having a catch up with him so will get more info.
Still like the idea of something like this http://www.rvops.co.uk/kombat-small-28-litre-assault-pack-in-multicam/ hard wearing and yes heavier but fully customizable (so upgradeable) and cheap.
Don't like his idea of cooking though, hex stove and mess tins haha.0 -
Ive done similar type trips on foot, and what ive learned is that something, somewhere has to be comprimised - youre basically looking at weight; bulk; performance; cost. To my mind there is no piece of gear be it a shell, tent, whatever that ticks all the boxes. My Mountain Hardwear Super Mega UL 2
(http://www.mountainhardwear.com/supermegaul-2-OU9669.html) is an incredible bit of kit - but boy it cost a lot (for me at least)...
You dont want to be going over 10kg on your back, fork/frame mounted panniers for heavier items is gonna make things a whole lot easier.
That bag you linked above looks a bit bulky/heavy, and you'd definitely need a rain cover - that would weigh a ton if it got wet! So id be looking more at something like this:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-20-air-hiking-backpack-blue-red-id_8332419.html
Lots of other decent stuff available there too...
There used to be a guy on this forum who had a Karrimor military-style rucksack, used to get lots of comments about it iirc...
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That bag you linked above looks a bit bulky/heavy, and you'd definitely need a rain cover - that would weigh a ton if it got wet! So id be looking more at something like this:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-20-air-hiking-backpack-blue-red-id_8332419.html
Lots of other decent stuff available there too...
There used to be a guy on this forum who had a Karrimor military-style rucksack, used to get lots of comments about it iirc...
I wouldn't go with that Decathlon one. If you're going to be out for a good number of days you really need a pack with a waist band that has big chunky hip pads on it so that you spread the weight of the pack between your shoulders and hips. The Decathlon pack just has a plain waist band, no padding, and if you're carrying enough kit for, say, a week, your shoulders are going to be screaming at you by day three if you don't spread the weight out. I found out the hard way the first time I went out!All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
Thanks again guys and nice bit of kit, I do like mountain hardware equipment.
I'd only be looking at 3 days max at a time.
Been having a look at a similar daysack today to what I posted. Don't think it would be suitable.
The reason I was thinking about them before was, hardwearing, expandable and cheap. Didn't really look at the other factors.
Not trying to be cheap about it, but if there is a bargain to be had.
This looks promising.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/lowe-alpine-airzone-pro-35-45-rucksack-p269841
or
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/osprey-kestrel-38-m-l-rucksack-p204327
I'm really missing the point of selecting a light rucksack haha. But if I could keep the whole lot to 10-15kg0 -
They both look good. Looks like the first one might give you a little more air around your back. Always good if the temperatures are rising.All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
Need to go and have a look at them I think, I have products from all three brands and all have been good.
Why don't mountain equipment still do ruck sacks.
Think I am swaying towards the Berghaus atm, checked the last generation out before and was impressed. Just couldn't find a use for it. And it is the lightest.0 -
Take something heavy that you can slip into the pack so that you can see how they feel on your back when loaded. Bag of potatoes or something like that.All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
Take something heavy that you can slip into the pack so that you can see how they feel on your back when loaded. Bag of potatoes or something like that.
I would look like a spud doing that haha, but good tip wouldn't have thought of that.
Think I have found the winner though subject to trial.
The Berghaus arete 45 in red, price, weight and functionality look good. Plus lots of space for bungee cord or straps should I need more.
Now to trial it and a make a list of everything I will need, lot's of new shiny equipment.0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678487#p19678487]Clockworkmark31[/url] wrote:
Maybe I need a rethink, the bivi bags with a tarp seem like a good compromise. Still doesn't help bag wise. Maybe 35l max would do it?
I think that getting a large bag is inadvisable. Go for the panniers to carry the load be it including a tent or a bivvy bag....take your pickelf on your holibobs....
jeez :roll:0 -
Whats gonna be the food situation, bring it and cook it? And water, do you plan to be passing through places you can buy some or will you be using streams? The latter is obviously gonna need filtering/purifying...0
