Question on cinching down backpack

[MBenny]

I have just received my Exos 48 and love how light it is. I know part of the light weight to the pack is the lack of straps but I am wondering how to keep from the gear puffing out the pack. The straps go around the sides of the pack but nothing goes across the front(or is it the back?) I just put in what I have begun to collect in packing squares. I feel if things puff out it would be easy for the load to shift. I have just begun so if you have ideas I can try new ways to pack.

 

[Deleted member 43985]

I think you'll find that there won't be a whole lot of shifting once you have all your gear in the pack. The Camino isn't an aggressive mountaineering experience but rather a simple hike on flat trails and roads. The other thought that comes to mind however, is that if you have so much gear in a 48 litre pack that it puffs out, then you probably just have far too much gear. If you've pared things down as far as you can then compression bags will help keep some things under control but again, if you are carrying that much weight that it needs to be compressed to fit, 800kms is going to feel very, very long!
Buen Camino!

 

[MBenny]

Thank you for your help. I guess I needed to hear just that. I am in the beginning stages of preparing and thought I was doing good. Downsizing is the first step. I will look into compression bags too

 

[Camino Chrissy]

My daughter in law used her new Exos48 on our spring Camino and she is 5'7" and only weighs 120 lbs. She loved the pack and got it xs/sm. I thought it looked fine on her and she had no problems carrying her load. Try not to worry, you will be fine!

 

[Deleted member 43985]

Thank you for your help. I guess I needed to hear just that. I am in the beginning stages of preparing and thought I was doing good. Downsizing is the first step. I will look into compression bags too

I'm sure you're doing great, not an easy thing to let go of our fears and pack very light! If you haven't already, check out a fellow first-timer's packing list
First time posting anything here, but I have been lurking these forums for several months now.... he has a great list and a very usable weight. It won't be the same as yours but a good starting point for you. When your ready, feel free to post your packing list and there will be many who will offer suggestions
Good luck!

 

[Kitsambler]

The Exos 48 is the perfect pack for Camino walking - I've used mine for four years now. The straps you seek are on the sides, arranged in z-fasion. A nice video explanation of all the pack features, including the compression straps, is here:

 

[MBenny]

Thank you all for your support. I think I just need to play around with how to pack it. The pack is nowhere near full just not very even. I am going to try compression bags next instead of square ones. I need to learn how to keep everything up against my back. The side straps should work. No stress just excited to be playing Pilgrim

 

[Kitsambler]

The pack is nowhere near full just not very even. I am going to try compression bags next instead of square ones.

If you keep the long axis of your bags parallel with your spine, rather than perpendicular to it, this might help.

 

[domigee]

. I need to learn how to keep everything up against my back. /QUOTE]

There are compression straps on the shouldver straps, both at the top (near the neck) and lower down (underneath the little pouch). They make the bag stay closer to your body.

 

[Glenn Rowe]

No stress just excited to be playing Pilgrim

Ah-hem! You may not be a religious or spiritual pilgrim but, if you're walking the entire route, you're not playing at anything. You have one or more reasons -- motivations -- for undertaking such a journey. It might be a good idea for you to begin considering what they are. The answer may not come to you right away; in fact, it may not come to you until you're nearing the end of your journey.