Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Hill People Gear


Tarahumara or Connor
Umlindi if needing more space.

 

Opsrey Mutant 22L is one of the best.

Black Diamond Bullet 18L is also a great pack.

The Mutant is larger but a lot more comfortable. But the more room you have the more shit you'll bring. lol

 

Let me know what you end up doing because I absolutely love my Mule but also need a bigger pack for longer/worse weather hiking.

I tried a Deuter Speed lite 24 and while it worked I wasn't impressed.

The husband of the couple that we normally hike with uses a Kelty Redwing 32 and loves it but at the point I feel like I might as well just use one of my actual backpacking packs.

 

Lady friend has a Gregory Juno 20 that she likes a lot. Size seems about right but there's no way that thing is fitting me.

I was looking at the Osprey Scarab 22L vs Gregory Milwok 22L. I've never owned an Osprey, their backpacking packs felt too narrow for me around the chest/collarbone/shoulder area for me when I last tried them on.

Being a bigger guy, I'm a little worried about these packs being one size. I'm not sure of anyone that makes different sized day packs

 

I love my Mule but yeah, I just need something bigger.

My smallest backpacking pack is the Gregory Baltoro 65. There's a huge gap between the Mule and Baltoro and something in between is needed but I'm with you, I think 30+ L is too much and I'd almost rather underpack my Baltoro. 20-24 seems like it'll be a happy medium that isn't too big or too small.

That Kelty looks nice, but it looks more suited for a solo, single night trip more than anything.

 

IMO, Osprey is the best pack maker currently. I've got 2 of their packs. Both have been beat on hard and are still in service.

Agree that finding something that fits well is more important then the manufacturer though. Try the Mutant and see if it fits.

 

I have an Osprey Kestrel 38 that is literally my everything and anywhere pack. It will strap down small enough to make it usable for light duty, can expand big enough for weekend backpacking trips, it's my hunting pack for both lightweight bowhunting days and loaded up 10 hour sits for gun season whitetails in upper michigan snow. I havent found a trip that this does not work for, unless its a full week backpacking.

 

I’ve gone through 4 different day packs, finally settling on the Gregory Zulu 30. Comes in a couple of different sizes and is adjustable to really make a custom fit. I just returned from Colorado where I used it a lot. I highly recommend it.

 

I’m on the osprey bandwagon too. Had a pack I just sent in for repairs after a decade. They replaced it with a brand new pack because it was beyond repair

plus they are the most comfortable in my opinion

 

I didn't even bother mentioning the "Guaranteed Forever" warranty. Since you bought it up it's exactly what it sounds like. They will repair, or replace, any pack ever made by them regardless of age or abuse.

About 8 years ago I had a pack that had frayed shoulder strap webbing on the left side. It was their Varient 32. I used it as my crag pack for climbing and it was 6 years old. That pack had at least 600 days of climbing on it.

I called Osprey and informed them about the problem. I also informed them it was almost Sierra alpine season and I needed it turned fast. They asked me to just snap some photo's of the pack and fire off an email. A day later I got an email back from them. They no longer made the 32L version of the pack but had a new pack called the Mutant 28 that took it's place. The guy I was emailing with swore it was a better pack then the variant and he was a climber as well.

He gave me a choice. Send in the old pack and they's repair it or they could send me the Mutant 28. I opted just to have the Mutant shipped out. It arrived 2 days later. Yep, they 2nd day aired it. How many companies would warranty a 6 year old item, that had normal wear and tear, without ever even physically receiving the item? Not many but Osprey did for me. That goes a long way in retaining costumers in my book. Plus, the Mutant was/is a better pack. It carries loads better, it climbs better, if fits better.

TLDR:

Buy an Osprey.

 

Yep bout the same story as mine but it was the aether 85 I bought in 2011 and replaced it a couple months ago. Couple pics and they sent me an offer to cover up to $385 on any pack or a brand new Argon 85

Osprey and Big Agnes are the only two companies that I’ve had perfect experience with TRULY honoring the lifetime, no questions asked, warranty.

 

Mountain Hardwear honors it as well. I also had a great warranty experience with them. They overnighted me a tent pole when I had one fail on a climbing trip. All they asked was I mail the broken one back in the supplied tube.

Speaking of Big Agnes. that's damn good to hear about them. My wife and I picked up a Copper Spur UL 2 at the beginning of last season. It's by far the best 2 person tent design I've ever used. There's so much room and it's just layed out super well. I probably won't ever have to warranty it but it's good to know it will be hassle free if I do.

 

I love mountain hardwear!

FYI- you can use Columbia Gift Cards on their website.

They're frequently on sale for 20% off during the holidays.

Perfect for stacking on existing web sales.

 

My only complaint about Osprey is that their Atmos squeaks too much

 

I'll add Nemo to the list. They repaired our Hornet Elite 2P, no questions asked.

We got into camp late one might, girlfriend was setting up the tent while I started dinner, she put the post at the feet on the second to last pole hole (if that makes sense) and ripped the mesh pretty good. Called Nemo, sent them some pictures per their request, sent it in and they repaired it in a very timely manor.

 

Speaking on the 32L, I went by my local outdoors shop and they only had a handful of 20-40L day bags. And no climbing backs (Like the Osprey Mutant, @theesotericone).

Tried on a Gregory Zulu 30L and it seemed really nice - I actually don't think it's too big for my use. It's got sizes, S/M and M/L, instead of one size fits all which is a big want for me. I'll probably end up with it but I want to check out a few more packs before buying the first one I see. Also intrigued on seeing a "climbing" pack.

 

Gregory is a good company that's been around for a long time. People that use them seem to really like them.

A climbing pack is a no frills pack. They are almost always top load. They don't have any zippers except on the lid. They have at least one, usually 3, haul loops stitched on. They have a better compression strapping system then a standard pack so even if you lighten the load you can make the pack fit snugly. See if you can find a shop that carries Osprey and give the Mutant a look. They also make it in larger sizes. That said, I've done 4 day trips fully loaded with overnight gear, climbing gear, and food with my Mutant 28.

 

Ah yeah that makes sense. I’m in a bit of a different situation because my go to backpacking pack is a hmg 3400 (https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.c...iter-hiking-backpacks/products/3400-southwest) and it is 55l but packs down as small as most 30l packs and weighs less too. So I’m looking for something sub 30l but these suggestions are making me want to impulse buy a bunch of stuff...

 

I picked up a Mystery Ranch Scree 32 last summer for some day hiking/carry-on bag for a trip out to Grand Teton National Park - https://www.mysteryranch.com/scree-pack

I’ve been super happy with it. It’s a little heavier than others in that class, but the suspension is SUPER comfortable. Small enough to use as a carry-on, but also large enough for overnighters. The vertical zipper is nice because you don’t have to empty out your bag to get something out of the bottom.

They have another pack called the Coulee 25 that is very similar and may be worth looking into as well - https://www.mysteryranch.com/coulee-25-pack

 

Just to toss in another data point: I've got an Osprey Volt 60. It rocks, carries loads like nobody's business.