[pct-l] Front Packs

[Thomas Jamrog]

That is why I like the ULA  packs.  Mine features two pockets right on  
the front of the waist belt.  Very useful.
Tom Jamrog

Blogging about the Great Outdoors
on http://tjamrog.wordpress.com ( hotlink)

On Dec 10, 2008, at 11:50 AM, Kelly Cohoe wrote:

> Thanks for your response steel-eye.  I agree that the syncpack seems  
> like
> overkill.  I like the idea of a modified fanny pack (I think that is  
> the
> same as a butt pack).  Does anybody else have any suggestions about  
> how to
> carry your snacks, camera, deet and other miscellaneous items in  
> front for
> easy access?
>
> Kelly Cohoe
> "Equipping the Church for works of service."
> www.gcfportland.org
> "And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,
> And establish the work of our hands;
> Yes, establish the work of our hands." (Psalm 90:17)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steel-Eye" <chelin at teleport.com>
> To: "Kelly Cohoe" <kellycohoe at comcast.net>; "PCT e-mail forum"
> <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 5:59 AM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Front Packs
>
>
>> Good morning, Kelbud,
>>
>> Most hikers carry gear in front, with the variables being the  
>> amount of
>> gear
>> carried and how.  For an ultralite hiker the most weight-efficient  
>> carry
>> means is a simple sack on one's back.  Any addition of pockets,  
>> pouches,
>> patches, zippers, straps, and handy doodads increases the convenience
>> somewhat, but it increases the pack's weight and cost  
>> disproportionately.
>> Adding a front pack does seem to improve balance and weight  
>> distribution,
>> but at a weight penalty:  Seldon does the back-pack compensate by  
>> becoming
>> lighter when capacity is moved to the front.  The Syncpack  
>> Frontpack has
>> significant capacity - more than I would ever need - and there is an
>> unfortunate tendency we all have to obey the backpacker's corollary  
>> to
>> Parkinson's Law, i.e. "The amount of junk expands to fill the  
>> available
>> space."
>>
>> I do use a "front pack".  It is a lite, contoured, 150 cu. in.  
>> modified
>> butt
>> pack with a thin belt.  I wear it around my waist in front.  It  
>> weighs 3.7
>> oz and I resent even that much.  I use it because I hike in thin  
>> nylon
>> athletic shorts that have no pockets, and my back-pack has no belt  
>> upon
>> which, or in which, I can carry small items such as my little  
>> camera with
>> an
>> extra chip and battery, ChapStick, a knife, a pinch-light, a small
>> notebook
>> and pencil stub, my wallet, and - situationally - a small container  
>> of
>> Clorox, DEET, sun-screen, snacks, bandanna, etc.  It is independent  
>> of my
>> pack and about the only time I remove it is to sleep.
>>
>> In times past I've worn cargo-pocket hiking shorts, but they weigh  
>> more
>> than
>> the athletic shorts/butt pack combination, and I find the stuffed  
>> pockets
>> to
>> be less comfortable.
>>
>> About the only thing ridiculous out there on the trail are items  
>> that you
>> seldom need, and/or items which are not the lightest that are  
>> reasonably
>> available.
>>
>> Steel-Eye
>> http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Kelly Cohoe" <kellycohoe at comcast.net>
>> To: "PCT e-mail forum" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 9:23 PM
>> Subject: [pct-l] Front Packs
>>
>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> I was wondering what people think of carrying a smaller front pack  
>>> like
>>> the Syncpack Frontpack.  I like the idea of easy access to water,  
>>> snacks
>>> and a few other items, but wonder if carrying something like that in
>>> front
>>> of me is either uncomfortable or ridiculous.  Any input would be
>>> appreciated.
>>>
>>> Kelbud
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Pct-l mailing list
>>> Pct-l at backcountry.net
>>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.15/1839 - Release Date:  
> 12/9/2008
> 9:59 AM
>
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>