[pct-l] packs: comfort vs weight

[hhloth@neworld.net (Helen Hillberg)]

I met a thru hiker (young,strong guy) this year who was testing a prototype for a big brand name company I won't name, and he couldn't wait to replace it.  He was absolutely desperate to get rid of this pack even though he switched to it about 300 miles into his thru hike (read conditioned) and was carrying very little weight.  Less than 20 lb at the time I met him.

So, absolutely choose comfort right from the get go, even though you think you might adapt to a less comfortable pack in time.  The ability to transfer the load around from hips to shoulders is IMO a prerequisite for comfort so some kind of frame is a must for me.  Some people seem to manage ok without a built in frame.  For the bushwhacking parts of the PCT an internal frame is better if you choose a framed pack..

Volume required is different for everyone.  I've seen thru hikers with book bags and others with load monsters.  Interestingly, the small pack folks generally fit everything inside while the 5000 cu in ers have items tied to the outside.

Dropping weight doesn't have to mean dropping comfort though, or put another way comfort doesn't mean the pack has to weigh more than two or three pounds.  My latest pack has a volume of about 3300 cu in, internal stays, weighs 2 lb 6 oz, and is supremely comfortable.  Without the removable pockets the pack volume is about 2700 cu in, weighs a hair over two pounds and has sufficient capacity, for me, for the PCT but not for lengthy winter trips.

I don't think I've met a single thru hiker who finished the trail still carrying all the stuff they started with, so volume becomes less important the further you get.  The trick is to identify the stuff you're going to send home along the way and don't bring it in the first place.  It's just as easy to send for something you find you can't live without as it is to get rid of the stuff you didn't really need.

It would be interesting to hear the items various thru hikers sent home after a few hundred miles.  I sent home my knife, thermal cup, water filter, spare clothing, spare batteries, poncho, umbrella, radio, the lid of my pack and probably a few other little things.  I also cut every single thing off the pack that could be cut off.  I didn't do this in one fell swoop, I was still shedding weight in Oregon, I'm a slow learner.  I started at over 20 lb base weight including pack and finished with less than 15 lb base weight including pack.  Now my summer base weight, including pack, is 11 lbs. and I don't miss any of the stuff I carried for the previous thirty years.  I especially don't miss that 6+ lb pack.  Like I said I'm a slow learner.

Helen

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Decker, Luke" <mus352@spu.edu>
To: "'PCT '" <pct-l@backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2002 5:17 PM
Subject: [pct-l] packs: comfort vs weight


> Fellow hikers,
> I am curious to hear your opinions on backpacks.  I am planning a thru-hike
> in 03 and will attempt to go as light as possible due to a late launch date
> but on most gear will not go as light as jardine does :).  
> Recently I have been told that your pack is the only thing you DON'T want to
> sacrifice comfort for decreased wieght.  Is this true?  What types of packs
> have most thru-hikers used (volume capacity, wieght,
> internal/external/nonframed, etc.)?  On a hike such as the pct what are the
> key qualities I should or should not be looking for in a pack?
> thanks for the help.
> 
> .luke
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