Camino de Santiago de Compostela

[molle]

I have a question about the backpack i just bought.
Its an Osprey womens aura 35, the one with airflow. Im not used to wear a backpack, so im not sure if it fits like it should.
1.Because of the ventilation in the back there is a big empty space between the pack and my back, and im worried about how healthy it can be, because the weight is so far away from the back and i feel "out of contact with the weight". (sounds nice , but feels wrong)

2. The straps are close to my neck and a little bit annoying to the muscles, shouldnt the straps be further away from the neck or is it something i have to get used to??

I have had guidance in the shop where i purchased it, but now that im home, im just not sure if its the right choise ?
Have you had similar problems with your backpack as a beginner (and maybe realiazing that the problem was having to learn to accept the extra load)??

Hope that some of you experienced pilgrims can help me with this.

Sending my good thoughts to you all Molle

[jeff001]

I have the Osprey Atmos 50 which is a larger (and mens) version of the 35. It is the most comfortable pack I have ever had. Since it is designed for the weight to be carried on your hips the space between the pack and your back is not a problem. Similarly, if the weight is on your hips there should be little weight or strain on your shoulders. If you have not already done so, have the shop person recheck the fit with the pack loaded.

[Janeh]

I have the same pack as you but I have the 50L. It is fantastic! I think you're best to go back to the store and have it checked again - maybe you have the wrong size? The packs come in S, M and L. They will measure you from your neck to your waist and then let you know which pack size you need. I origionally chose the small but had similar problems to you, now I have the medium and it is perfect. In fact, I just recently also bought the osprey stratos 18 to use as my 'training' backpack - whilst I train I don't want to be carrying all my camino gear, but still want a backpack I can carry a rainjacket, jumper, some food etc in. It is terrific and i love the airflow back. I normally sweat terribly on my back with backpacks - I hardly do with this design. So keep in there, go and see if you need a bigger size and also, if you've packed it ready to go on the camino, check you've distributed the weight correctly - the people you bought it from should know this. Also, if you look on the Osprey site they have the information re which size to choose. Good luck! Jane

[molle]

Hi Janeh! I have only heard good things about this backpack and dont doubt the quality,thats why i dont bring it back to the store right away, just wanne give it a chance . The problem for me is no longer the airflow-system, actually that seems to be brilliant, especially when the weather becomes warmer, and I dont have that much bagage with me (ca. 4.5 kg.)its more that the straps dont seem to fit around my shoulders the way they should, they just feel wrong. But i will go to a physioterapist and bring the pack, to get an expert-opinion about the fitting (Have to go to the physioterapist anyway) .

My best of thoughts Molle

[molle]

Hi again to Jeff & Janeh! Im going the physiotherapist next friday, because even though I had the pack fitted in the store (with my jacket on!), I need an expert opinion due to an old injury in my neckmuscle (I thought that it was over years ago, but after Ive walked around with this pack yesterday, I feel some pain again ), maybe it will be the same with backpacks in general or maybe its necessary with another kind of strapsystem, on this osprey the pressure is exactly on the "thick" part of the muscle and the straps are not padded. I will find a solution to this .Thanks Jeff and Janeh for sharing your backpack-experience with me. Molle

[spursfan]

Osprey packs might be very comfortable but bear in mind that they're also very heavy - the 35 at just under 1.4 kg and the 18 at just under 0.9 kg

I'm hoping to use an inov-8 22 litre pack that weighs under 0.6 kg - and since I want total weight to be between 5-6 kg, pack weight does matter

[sillydoll]

I agree with Spursfan. Over 1kg for the pack itself seems a bit much.
If you are walking in summer and can keep your pack weight down to under 6kg you don't need inner frames and wide padded hip belts. My Prolite 30L weighs 650gr and I even had sufficient space in it to pack my boots into it whilst I walked in sandals.
If you are walking in winter though, you will need a larger pack to accommodate bulkier and more clothing. Then a good hip belt might be necessary.

[MermaidLilli]

I just got back from my Camino and used the Osprey 35. I loved it. At first I too could not understand the neck thing and the shop I bought it at fitted me properly and I learned how to use it. I felt absolutely no pressure on my neck. A ll the weight was on the hips and the neck straps were there to just stabilize it. In other words there was no weight on my neck muscles. It's all about how the straps are secured.
As fas as large enough, oh yes, you do not want any larger for it means you can take more stuff, ie more weight. The only complain I had was I could not reach around and grab my water bottle from the side pockets. I had a very friendly walking partner that looked out for me and got my water bottle for me, otherwise I would forget to drink. My fanny pack was not adequate for carrying the bottle. I bought a new fanny pack that has two water bottle holsters and I like it very much. Accesiblity to the water is a must. Wish I had throughout the Camino.
Have fun!
Lillian

[MermaidLilli]

Hard to find a pic of me showing the aura 35 from the side. I am in Santiago here. You can see the top of the pack is above my neckline, meaning the straps are also off my neck muscle. So keep playing with the pack and straps until it feels right.
Having Fun
Lillian

[molle]

Hi again! wauw 650 grams for a backpack , in denmark theres unfortuanately no where to buy the golite backpacks (as well as the aarenpacks).
To Lil , thank you so much for the picture of you and your osprey. Its nice the blue color , (I bought the wine-red ). Maybe i'll keep it maybe I wont.First of all, I will bring the pack with me to the physiotherapist next week and ask for guidance about fitting and finding out if the pack is the best choise for me. I must add, that when i fill the pack with my stuff, theres stil 10-12 liters unused space left. I will keep you posted about the backpack-situation.
I wish you all a nice november-weekend Molle

[rushtoma]

Thought I would offer my Osprey Aura experience to the discussion. I had done a lot of careful research on backpacks. After reading everything I could get my hands on, I concluded that the Aura 50 or 35 would be the best pack for me...and had my heart set getting one in that lovely blue colour....then I set off to find a store that had them in stock in my likely sizes of small and medium....so that I could try on each size just to be sure of getting the right fit.......but when I went to try them on.....they simply did not fit my body...the neck thing was a real pain and the hip belt did not fit well...and no amount of adjustments by the extremely knowledgeable pack fitter at the store would make it work....in fact knowing how much I wanted this model ....he told me that he simply could not sell me either the 35 or 50 liter pack...as he said...if it does not fit now in the store...it certainly will not fit properly after 20+ klms......he made me try on and he fitted me with every pack in the store.... which took over 2 hrs.....I could not believe that there was not a pack to be had out of the many they had in the store that would fit me properly ...a few weeks later and in a different store I repeated the lengthly process (but saved some time as we had eliminated many models on our first try!) and I finally found a pack that fit.....I happily ended up purchasing ..... a Gregory Jade 50 litre pack (which cinches down to be almost smaller than the Aura 35)...this pack fits me absolutely perfectly...and I believe it is much lighter than the Osprey Aura bags.... Every body is different and each pack will fit each of us differently....do not give up in your search for the one that fits like it was made just for you!

I plan on making my first Camino in May 2008 I think it would be unwise to take either boots or a pack that do not fit 100%.

[JaneB]

and my contribution.....

I'd set my heart on the Berghaus 35, tried it out in the shop and it felt great - the most comfortable backpack I'd ever worn BUT I didn't try it with full weight. Ifound it online and tried to order it, only to discover (luckily) that it was out of stock. In the meantime I'd had some discussion with Janeh (above) about her osprey although I felt that the 50 would be too large for me. A couple of weeks ago I dragged my longsuffering partner into yet another outdoor store to try on the berghaus again. Here they were totally geared up to fit and pack backpacks. As soon as the Berghaus was loaded and I'd walked round the shop and up and down a couple of flights of stairs it became apparent that it wasn't the one for me, the shoulder straps aren't adjustable and it felt WRONG. Then I tried the Aura 35, first in the small and then in the medium, the medium felt good initially but after a couple of trips round the shop it was clear that the straps over the shoulder were digging into my under arm and there was no way to adjust them in order to prevent this.

We are all shaped differently and what fits one may cripple another - at least now I know which packs I WON'T be taking!

[molle]

Hello again! A short update on the backpack-situation. The Osprey Aura 35 backpack didnt fit me, it was just a couple of cm to short for me and its returned to the store. I have to wait to get me another backpack (since I have a tence neckmuscle that needs some more treatment before I can try the backpacks on). Do You have any experience with this pack :Gregory Advent Pro??= Size: 35 liter Weight: 1.2 kg.
Molle

[marilyn]

I purchased the women's Gregory Jade 50l pack ...after the Aura 50 did not fit me either...it is extremely light..and although it is 50 litres it can be cinched down to 35l or less...and when cinched it does not come up high behind the neck...maybe you should try it on, as well as the Gregory Advent...I found that the sizes run larger on the Gregory packs..a small Gregory is about the same as medium in other brands...

[molle]

Hi Marilyn, its good to know about the sizes, that - "medium isnt always medium". It sounds like gregory is an ok brand in backpacks, right?. By the way unfortunately its not possible to find the Gregory w jade 50 here in Dk. Thanks for the answer, Molle
Ps: Lillian did you get my e-mail?

[Lillian Rodriguez]

Good morning Molle,

Just to let you know your email has not arrived. Let me confirm my address again: LILLIROD@GMAIL.COM.

Best regards from Puerto Rico,

[sillydoll]

If you have got about $115 to spare for an ultralight backpack, you should consider the Mariposa which also comes in S, M, L and weighs between 16oz and 18oz (450g to 500g).
It has received great reviews, one from a guy who used it on a 2500km hike. Check it out here:
http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gos ... ndard.html

[molle]

Hello again! Sorry that I have been away for a while, I have read the post from You all and thank so much for the replies. I have been busy moving to a new flat and there has been so much practical stuff to deal with, I just didnt have the time to write. Okay, I have tried some different backpacks, but still havent decided which one, :The Gregory advent pro, have nice shoulderstraps, the right length, but the hipbelt is almost to large for me (and the fabric is very noisy, allmost like a plasticbag!!). Im leaning towards the Osprey exposure 36, since it fits allright. The only problem is that it hasnt got any sidepockets (i believe that it's made for mountainclimbing). I had no idea that getting the right backpack was going to be such a great problem Well, well thats just the way it is and if thats my biggest problem its not to bad. Looking forward to my camino this spring. Molle
Ps: Hi Lillian, I have tried to send an e-mail, but unsuccesfully.

[Lillian Rodriguez]

Hi Molle,

Welcome back!

Try my email again this time in small letters: lillirod@gmail.com.

Regards,

[bystander]

For backpacks have a look at GoLite Jam (600gm) US$90.00 (http://www.GoLite.com) or have a look at at, but probably more difficult to acquire (they are a New Zealand company), Aarn Featherlite Freedom (http://www.aarnpacks.com) a very different concept with balancing packs, back and front.

Buen camino

[sillydoll]

I highly recommend the 30 liter Prolite packs for ladies. http://www.prolitegear.com/camp_x3_600.html

"30 liter hyperlight pack designed for ski-mountaineering and alpine climbing. Features the exclusive Xpress ski carrying system that allows the user to attach and remove skis quickly without removing the pack. Weighs just 600 g / 21.2 oz!"

Ultra-light - only 600grms

camp_x3_600_pack_rg.jpg (29.73 KB) Viewed 2499 times

[molle]

Yii-haa !! Finally I found the right backpack for me, after searching for so long... And the winner is: Ospreys Talon 33 . It fits me perfectly, is easy to adjust into the right torso-length and the hipbelt has the right size as well (important). Weight: 850 gr., size m/l. And small enough to bring inside the plane-cabin as handlugage. Well now that Im in such an optimistic mood, I will put on the Talon 33( which is my new sweetheart!) and have a nice long walk in the beautiful sunshine . Buen camino, Molle

[Marilyn Canada]

Fantastic news...I can certainly relate to the struggles you went through to find "your" new best friend...I went through the same thing before finding my Gregory Jade 50!

I went to the Osprey web site to check your pack out....it looks nice...but what colour did you get...Spicy Chili, Moonlight Blue, or Acid Green? They all look so refreshing.....almost makes one think it will be no weight at all over the long winding Camino!!!

Marilyn

[molle]

Hi Marilyn! I bought the backpack in moonlight blue. The color is not exactly the same as shown in the picture on Ospreys homepage, its a little less shiny-blue, more neutral-blue and the white isn't white but is instead lightgrey. Actually I wanted the backpack in acidgreen( which, by the way, is yellow ) but it was sold out and would take the store 3-4 weeks to get it home (and I just couldn't wait for so long..) But it turns out to be for the best, because I have fallen in love with this blue colored backpack. It looks and feels fantastic . Buen Camino! Molle

[nidarosa]

I'm glad you have found your perfect backpack! I have been watching the forum to see which packs are mentioned, which features, and pick up a few pointers, pros and cons, because I wanted to narrow the field a bit before I started looking. But it only made it worse ... so many great ones to choose from, and each choice means excluding something else.

All the best,
LM