Trish MacGregor
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- First timer
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I think I am permanently back to my Aarn pack. It is really great, but a bit large, so I used a smaller traditional pack for the last two caminos. I am going back to the Aarn. It is just a "better mouse trap" if you refuse to fill it!
Great thanks for that Kat. I'll still got a wee while to make up my mind but at 52 there are a few aches and pains creeping in so obviously comfort is paramount. Cheers,TrishHi Trish,
I've just come back from my third Camino with my trusty Aarn and yet again I am so grateful for such a comfortable pack! I would recommend trying on a few different brands before settling on anything, I took the time to do that and kept coming back to the Aarn as it simply fits my body best and I've never had a problem with it.
Buen Camino,
Kat
Thanks for the feedback Falcon. Cheers TrishI think I am permanently back to my Aarn pack. It is really great, but a bit large, so I used a smaller traditional pack for the last two caminos. I am going back to the Aarn. It is just a "better mouse trap" if you refuse to fill it!
Hi Gitti ....yep I live in Christchurch. I see they sell the Aarn packs at R & R Sport so will pop in on the weekend and try one for size. I can't seem to find a price on the website but can you give me some indication of what you would like? Thanks so much for getting in touch ... I'm not off to Camino until September next year but I definitely need to get something soon to practice!! Cheers, Trish.Hi, I have the Aarn Liquid Agility with front balance pockets, which I used for 1 Camino and wish to sell, do you live in NZ Trish.? I liked it, but for me the Deuter Groeden is a better fit....
Happy to sell it for 50 per cent of the new price. it is in perfect condition. Just check the new price on the Aarn Company website and get in touch if you are keen.
It was just right in terms of space for a early to end of summer walk on the Geneva/ Robert Louis Stevenson Trail, cheers, Gitti
There is a noticeable difference empty, but the Aarn has the front packs and pack liners. When those are removed, my Featherlight is about the same as my traditional Lowe Alpine ultralites.What is the empty weight difference between the Aarn and the one you were using?
If anyone in the Uk is looking to sell an Aarn backpack with front balance pockets suitable for 6-8 weeks' trek please message me. Thanks!Hi there. I'm walking my first Camino (Frances) September/October 2014. I have heard good things about different packs .... and in particular the AARN packs. Has anyone used these packs? Any advice/info would be most appreciated. Cheers, Trish.
Hi TrishHi there. I'm walking my first Camino (Frances) September/October 2014. I have heard good things about different packs .... and in particular the AARN packs. Has anyone used these packs? Any advice/info would be most appreciated. Cheers, Trish.
Hi Maggie ... thanks for all the info. Just one question ..... is it a backpack I can buy second hand? Why I ask that is that once the bar in the back is bent to fit your back, is it able to be bent again to a different shaped back or is it unable to be manoeuvred again. Cheers, TrishHi Trish
We both have Aarn backpacks and a big fans of them. We both have 35 litre Featherlite. They are completely waterproof - that means you dont have to carry (or use) a backpack cover. They have an aluminium bar in the back which you actually bend to fit your back, so your backpack fits perfectly. (There is even a dvd to show you how to get the best use out of all the features) It gives nice air flow between your back and the pack. Ours have gone a long, long way (more than 2000 km now , in all weathers) without a rip, fray or any need of repair. My husband uses the balance packs, I don't.
We are very happy we made that choice - they are expensive but we bought them on special.
Maggie Ramsay
The Italian Camino (Amazon)
Oh cool thanks Falcon!The bars can be bent repeatedly. The front pockets also have a bendable bar if you need to do so.
Great thanks for that Kat. I'll still got a wee while to make up my mind but at 52 there are a few aches and pains creeping in so obviously comfort is paramount. Cheers,Trish
Hi Gitti .... I've been having trouble with my home emails and can't receive messages at the moment. I'm really keen on your pack ... I'd just like to know how many litres it is and is it big enough? My work email is trish.macgregor@srblaw.co.nz I'm up in Auckland in May so could pick it up then so save the hassle of posting it? Anyway, just get in touch when you've got a minute. Cheers, Trish. xxHi, I have the Aarn Liquid Agility with front balance pockets, which I used for 1 Camino and wish to sell, do you live in NZ Trish.? I liked it, but for me the Deuter Groeden is a better fit....
Happy to sell it for 50 per cent of the new price. it is in perfect condition. Just check the new price on the Aarn Company website and get in touch if you are keen.
It was just right in terms of space for a early to end of summer walk on the Geneva/ Robert Louis Stevenson Trail, cheers, Gitti
This is a good backpack for you if a professional, who is trained to fit people for backpacks, says it is a good backpack for you. Buying a backpack because someone else recommended it is a little like buying shoes in their size. They may or may not fit you.
... and take any actions he can to limit the pull on his shoulders.
...
I have the Featherlite and both small and large balance packs. I choose the balance packs according to the amount of stuff I want to put in them! Both are fine.which version of the pack do folks use? Which version of the front pockets do folks use?
thanks for the info Donna -- especially for mentioning the peak design camera clip. My husband uses one and I hadn't thought to ask but its good to know it can fit the Aarn straps if we go that route. Liz....My big camera I had attached to a Peak Design camera clip while walking.
Kanga -- thanks so much for this input -- especially confirming that the torso system is different on the Marathon and Mountain Magic packs. Tom thought that was the case but we were't sure. Its still early days in figuring out Tom's back situation so when we get closer to buying I may message you. I'm hoping we can do some walking this summer... Its a bit nerve wracking buying something without trying it on and examining it! LizLiz, @ebrandt sorry did not see your post, mine is the Featherlite which, at 50 litres, plus the balance packs is bigger than needed for a "normal" camino, but very easy to use - no need for surgical packing. I have sports balance packs in the regular length which gives another 10 litres.
If I was walking a summer camino, and paricularly if my back was a problem I would buy the Natural Exhilaration, which is 33 litres. I'd stick with the sports balance packs in regular - not the compact (which only take 6 litres). The idea is to put your small but heavy stuff in the balance packs - so my water, toilet bag (including first aid), phone, charger, camera if I have one. I used to keep my passport, credentiale and wallet there but now they go in my pockets (thank you Maccabi).
There are packs with sizes between the Featherlite and the Natural Exhilaration (Marathon and Mountain Magic) but, having looked at them in my local shop, they don't have the same torso system and hip-belt. I dont really know what they would be like. The Natural Exhilaration is very similar to my beloved Featherlite.
If you are interested you do need to trawl through the Aarn website. The most important thing is to get the right backlength and hipbelt size - the website explains how to measure.
Here's the web page for the Natural Exhilaration and the balance packs
http://www.aarnpacks.com/#!natural-exhilaration/c227d
http://www.aarnpacks.com/#!pivoting-balance-pockets/csr5
Send me a PM if you need any further info. And no, I still have no commercial interest in the company!
Domigee -- it is so funny that you posted today. I have been of the forum for a while because of health issues and just got back on today! Also yesterday Tom and I reached out to Aarn to start the process of buying a pack. It is scary to buy an untried pack. But I think that is what we are going to do. We have really researched and the Aarn packs seem like the best bet for managing Tom's issues (he has significant spinal stenosis in the cervical vertebrae).
I too purchased an Aarn pack (in 2013) without trying it on, for my caminos I purchased an "Aarn Agility pack 30 litres, with two balance pockets. As Kanga says, Note the size details and be fussy about getting the adjustments right for you! Early on I decided I didn't need both "balance pockets", I use only one "balance pocket" now to hold, guide, pen, camera, medical items, LED torch, hat, phone etc. I know that the point of the balance pockets is to move the centre of the weight forward, but this system works for me. All up, I would be carrying approx 6.5 kgs plus water. I am not experienced with any other packs, my last one was purchased in the 60's (that is 1960's), so can't offer any comparative advice on which pack suits, but I am very happy with this one. I do my best to have all the weight sitting on my hips and the shoulder straps don't take any weight, perhaps this is normal for all modern packs.
My Aarn model (the Featherlite Freedom) can be ordered in three different hip belt sizes - small, medium and large. I can't imagine someone being too large for the large size. Plus the hip belt is fitted to detach and attached to the harness with velcro, in two separate pieces, so that it can an be lengthened and shortened. I suspect the sales person did not know the range, as it seems he did not try to remove the waistband and lengthen it, or suggest another model. It may be that the smaller, simpler, models don't have the same multi-size hip belt.
Thanks Kanga, I had a look and see what you mean. It does seem odd though - as I say, I've never encountered too-short hip belts on any other brand of pack. Which probably means that skinny people often find pack hip belts annoyingly long with too much extra length! Manufacturers can't please everyone. Ah well. Currently losing weight so we'll see...!I've just looked at the website and see that the Natural Exhilaration only has a one size hip belt. So that would be something to watch. The options given for the Featherlike include a S and L hip belt (the standard comes as an M).
Tom ordered his pack and we should have it by weeks end. I'll report!Camino magic at work again!
Yes it is scary to buy an untried pack but it does sound good doesn't it, especially if you have back issues...
They have a retailing branch in the UK but very far from me and I think it is probably only an on-line business. I have yet to contact them, I thought I'd ask here first.
Let me know how you get on
All the very best ,
Dominique
Tom ordered his pack and we should have it by weeks end. I'll report!
My husband and I just received our Natural Exhiliration packs in Size L. He is 6'4" and about 260 lbs. the waistband fits around just fine. Thanks for the recommendation Kanga!I've just looked at the website and see that the Natural Exhilaration only has a one size hip belt. So that would be something to watch. The options given for the Featherlike include a S and L hip belt (the standard comes as an M).
If looking at the Mountain Magic, definitely try it out first.I was thinking about the Mountain Magic.
Yes, it is. I've tyre kicked it a few times. It closes the same way as my Featherlite.If looking at the Mountain Magic, definitely try it out first.
It is quite different from the other AARN packs. So different, that I couldn't bring myself to buy one and bought the Peak Aspiration (more traditional).
Cool, so long as you are awareYes, it is. I've tyre kicked it a few times. It closes the same way as my Featherlite.
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