Bouwmeester
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino de Francés SJPdP-PlR (July 2013)
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
nidarosa said:I don't mean to hijack the original poster's thread, but I was hoping someone who owns a Kestrel pack could answer a question: Can you reach your water bottles in the side pockets without taking the pack off? I managed to do this with my Aura, which was one of the reasons I love it so much, but from the pics the Kestrel doesn't have the same dual entry side pockets. If you put half litre bottles in them, can you get them out and put them back again just stretching your arms back?
Thanks!
Linda
I got Kestrel 36 l and i am very happy with it. Big enough even for a winter camino.nidarosa said:Can you reach your water bottles in the side pockets without taking the pack off? I managed to do this with my Aura, which was one of the reasons I love it so much, but from the pics the Kestrel doesn't have the same dual entry side pockets. If you put half litre bottles in them, can you get them out and put them back again just stretching your arms back?
Thanks!
Linda
hotelmedicis said:However, I highly recommend you look at the Gossamer Gear Gorilla which is just fantastic and my now go-to backpack. 37L plus another 8 or so in external pockets and just over 700 grams.quote]
I would really like to hear your experience/review with the Gossamer Gear Gorilla in comparison with the Osprey.
Maybe in a separate thread so as not to HiJack this one??
nidarosa said:I don't mean to hijack the original poster's thread, but I was hoping someone who owns a Kestrel pack could answer a question: Can you reach your water bottles in the side pockets without taking the pack off? I managed to do this with my Aura, which was one of the reasons I love it so much, but from the pics the Kestrel doesn't have the same dual entry side pockets. If you put half litre bottles in them, can you get them out and put them back again just stretching your arms back?
Thanks!
Linda
k-fun said:I have the Osprey Talon 33 and love it. Unfortunately, it does not come with a rain protector. I was lucky enough on my first Camino to have good weather. As I plan my next Camino, I am considering purchasing a rain cover.
Any suggestions as to what works well with this backpack?
Thanks!
grayland said:hotelmedicis said:However, I highly recommend you look at the Gossamer Gear Gorilla which is just fantastic and my now go-to backpack. 37L plus another 8 or so in external pockets and just over 700 grams.quote]
I would really like to hear your experience/review with the Gossamer Gear Gorilla in comparison with the Osprey.
Maybe in a separate thread so as not to HiJack this one??
Kitsambler said:With my Kestrel 36, I can get a bottle out but cannot manage the maneuver to replace it. So I used a water bladder. Depends on one's shoulder flexibility.
nidarosa said:I don't mean to hijack the original poster's thread, but I was hoping someone who owns a Kestrel pack could answer a question: Can you reach your water bottles in the side pockets without taking the pack off? I managed to do this with my Aura, which was one of the reasons I love it so much, but from the pics the Kestrel doesn't have the same dual entry side pockets. If you put half litre bottles in them, can you get them out and put them back again just stretching your arms back?
Thanks!
Linda
PadreTeeJay said:I have an Atmos 65, will that be too much pack for the camino? After reading these posts considering bringing something smaller. Thoughts?
Blessings... T.J.
nidarosa said:I don't mean to hijack the original poster's thread, but I was hopin
nidarosa said:g someone who owns a Kestrel pack could answer a question: Can you reach your water bottles in the side pockets without taking the pack off? I managed to do this with my Aura, which was one of the reasons I love it so much, but from the pics the Kestrel doesn't have the same dual entry side pockets. If you put half litre bottles in them, can you get them out and put them back again just stretching your arms back?
Thanks!
Linda
Never too late!!!This is a little late but I use a Osprey Talon 40. Holds all my gear without being bulky and it's big enough for me to use for a 3 or 4 day overnighter in the back country.
Hi Carol, I also have had a Kestral 48 for a few years now and not sure I want to take that one or not. It seems to be a bit heavy unloaded and thought that I would search around for something lighter. It does fit me well and remains in great shape....I walked with the Kestral 48. It had more space than I needed but that made it easier to pack each day. A smaller pack would have been a bit of a jigsaw puzzle to put things in to. I loved the bottom opening on it - great for my sleeping bag.
I plan to do my best to stick to me packing list and cinch down and not use the extra space.....If you have a bigger pack you will be tempted to fill it. Smaller pack = small load. 10% body weight is the often quoted rule of thumb. I went over 10% by about a Kilo or sobut I used everything I took . Bum Caminho
I have just finished the Del Norte with a Kestrel 38, rain cover, gortex jacket and poncho. I got soaked, my pack got soaked but inside my stuff was Dry all except 1 day. Get a poncho that has no side openings such as Altus. I had 21 days of rain, sometimes dumping for the whole day and nothing will stay dry if exposed to that much water without protection. Next time I will get another big dry bag to go in my pack to put the 4 smaller compression sacks into..this plus the new Altus poncho I bought in Santiago should help keep the pack and me dryer.I have the Osprey Talon 33 and love it. Unfortunately, it does not come with a rain protector. I was lucky enough on my first Camino to have good weather. As I plan my next Camino, I am considering purchasing a rain cover.
Any suggestions as to what works well with this backpack?
Thanks!
Hi Tom,Hey everyone,
I'm currently looking into backpacks and would like to hear your advice. I think I'll buy an Osprey backpack, since that seems to be a good and reliable brand and because I've read that people on this forum have had good experiences with Osprey backpacks.
Tom
Hey Cecilia.....I understand---Different packs for different backs.Hi Tom,
Just a word of caution, although sorry if this seems like a wet blanket comment.
My recommendation after several backpacks, the latest of which was an Osprey ..... buy the pack that fits and feels best on you - not the one that is the brand that works for someone else. My personal experience with an Osprey is negative - not ugly- but just never quite as comfortable as previous no-name packs. I found I had to lean forward to balance the pack no matter what I did. That has nothing to do with you necessarily because bodies are different of course. But that's the point. Not everyone is comfortable in Nike shoes, Keen boots, Lee jeans or Osprey backpacks. Some are and some aren't.
Backpacks need to feel balanced when you're standing up normally straight. I recommend that you go into a store or two or three if you have to, try on several backpacks with about 20 pounds in them, walk around the store for awhile in each one. You'll soon get a sense of what feels best. As mentioned above, find a store with trained or experienced people, get them to help you fit it properly, but don't let them make the decision for you. A backpack that fits comfortably is as good of a friend as the right boots/shoes. I'm not saying don't buy Osprey; I'm saying forget the brand and buy what's comfortable for you. There'll be a point on your camino anyway where you'll likely think 'there's no backpack that's as comfortable as no backpack'.
Buen camino
Hi Tom,
Just a word of caution, although sorry if this seems like a wet blanket comment.
My recommendation after several backpacks, the latest of which was an Osprey ..... buy the pack that fits and feels best on you - not the one that is the brand that works for someone else. My personal experience with an Osprey is negative - not ugly- but just never quite as comfortable as previous no-name packs. I found I had to lean forward to balance the pack no matter what I did. That has nothing to do with you necessarily because bodies are different of course. But that's the point. Not everyone is comfortable in Nike shoes, Keen boots, Lee jeans or Osprey backpacks. Some are and some aren't.
Backpacks need to feel balanced when you're standing up normally straight. I recommend that you go into a store or two or three if you have to, try on several backpacks with about 20 pounds in them, walk around the store for awhile in each one. You'll soon get a sense of what feels best. As mentioned above, find a store with trained or experienced people, get them to help you fit it properly, but don't let them make the decision for you. A backpack that fits comfortably is as good of a friend as the right boots/shoes. I'm not saying don't buy Osprey; I'm saying forget the brand and buy what's comfortable for you. There'll be a point on your camino anyway where you'll likely think 'there's no backpack that's as comfortable as no backpack'.
Buen camino
I've decided to go with an Osprey, and the clerk at the backpackers' store where I went recommended the Ariel because of durability. She also recommended the 65L because of the length of the trip from Le Puy to Santiago, but I noticed almost everyone who's posted has mentioned they're using a pack that's no more than 45-50L. Thoughts?
There are many, many good and valid suggestions and recommendations here. The NUMBER ONE recommendation, and one I highly endorse is to have your pack professionally fitted in a good outdoor store having experienced backpackers as store staff. In the U.S. both REI and (EMS) Eastern Mountain Sports come to mind; but there are undoubtedly dozens or hundreds more around the country. In Canada, try MEC (Mountain Equipment Cooperative).
The operative principle here is that every person is slightly different. Even among identically sized persons, shoulders, hips and spines do not align the same. Every person is built a little different and we all have our "design quirks."
Thus, the same pack will fit slightly differently on each person who tries it. In my case, REI fitted me to a Medium / Tall Osprey Talon 48 rucksack in early 2013. It had all the features I desired and all the capacity I felt I would need. As the back panel adjusts for various length torsos, they adjusted mine to the third indexed marking. FYI, my doctor tells me I am 5'11" tall (180 cm), weigh (too much) about 115 kilos, and have a stock / chunky frame with a relatively short (ish) torso for my height.
However, the time I got to Ponferrada in May 2013, I had to reduce the back panel to the smallest / shortest setting on the Velcro adjustment panel. Evidently, my spine had compressed slightly from lugging about 15 kilos. Yes, I know it is heavy, but chronic health issues compel me to carry about 3-4 Kg additional weight. No harm done.
A properly fitting rucksack is fitted in the shop using a (plastic) template that adjusts and has printed on it measurements to allow the store salesperson to suggest an appropriate sized pack for you. After going through all that, including walking around the store with sandbags in the rucksack for a half-hour or so, if you are very price sensitive, ONLY THEN, should you consider shopping online for the same pack at a lower price. I personally was willing to pack the extra money for the professional fitting. My trust was well-placed in REI.
TIP - I previously mentioned trying to shift some weight from your back to your front by using multiple smaller (.5 liter) recyclable and commonly available water bottles, in conjunction with this product: http://www.niteize.com/product/Drink-N-Clip.asp.
Extra tip - secure the clip to the neck of any bottle using a rubber band or a silicone plumbing "O" ring to prevent the clip from coming off when you bend over -especially if you place bottles on your waist band. You can obtain these rings at any hardware store or large DIY store like the Home Depot, Lowes, ACE Hardware, Brico, etc. I used a #18 "O" Ring.
In the U.S. that measures 1 3/16" Outer Diameter (OD) x 15/16 Inner Diameter (ID) x 1/8" Ring Diameter. For all my "foreign" colleagues, the approximate metric measurement equivalents are: 30-31 mm (OD) X 24 mm (ID) x 3 mm. You have to stretch the ring to roll it over the bottle neck and clip, but that is the entire point. It needs to be tight. Use the screwdriver on your Swiss Army Knife to help pry the ring off when you no longer need the bottom. Please do recycle the used water bottle...
TIP - After my post someone wondered about locating the company that makes and sells small chest packs, to further assist in moving some weight to the front to improve one's balance and center of gravity. Here is that link: http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/backpack_lid.shtml
I have the Zpacks chest pack (grey) and have devised a custom fitting for my Osprey rucksack harness. This improved on ZPacks already clever mounting system. The cool think is that I can use this as a small carry-on bag on the flight and train to my starting point while the rucksack is checked. Then at the end of each walking day, or when out and about without the rucksack, use it as a small "city bag" for holding my valuables and stuff I do not want to leave in an albuergue or hotel room (iPod, camera, mobile phone, etc.)
As before, I hope this helps someone...
One important tradeoff with the Osprey packs.. I used the 44 on the Camino and it was one damn miserable experience. Sure, its the lightest pack you'll find outside of a small daypack, but Ospreys offered NO HIP SUPPORT for me. All of the weight was carried on my shoulders no matter how I adjusted it. And after 6 or 8 hours with only 8 kilos it was very painful with all the weight carried on my shoulders. The waist strap cinched right up to its end and never carried any weight off my shoulders. Maybe it would have been a better experience if I carried no more than, say 5 or 6 kilos. Also keep in mind that these packs were made for rock climbers, not hikers.. evidence is in the rock climbing straps and clips. I realized (too late!) on the Camino that the cheaper Osprey at $129. was NOT WORTH IT. Spend a little more for a Kelty or other brand designed for hiking.Hey everyone,
I'm currently looking into backpacks and would like to hear your advice. I think I'll buy an Osprey backpack, since that seems to be a good and reliable brand and because I've read that people on this forum have had good experiences with Osprey backpacks.
However, I'm still making my mind up whether to go for an Atmos 35 or 50, or maybe the Stratos 36. The backpacks in the Kestrel series also seem reasonable (especially the 38L and 48L version).
I'm familiar with the thumb rule of taking no more weight than 10% of my body weight (which will be around 7 kgs). That should fit in a 35-40L backpack, but on the other hand: I'd rather have a larger backpack with more space (this is where the Atmos 50 comes into mind), than a smaller one which is completely stuffed.
Any thoughts? I won't make a definitive decision before I'll go to the outdoor store, but some more orientation would be great.
Tom
Comments aboutOsprey Talon 44 Pack:
This is, hands down, my favorite pack for long dayhikes and backpacking trips.
The frame is stiff enough to provide excellent load transfer to the hips while being flexible enough to allow for natural body movement. I believe this is extremely important when hiking long distances.
Comments aboutOsprey Talon 44 Pack:
This pack is amazing. This is the third pack I have bought (the first was a REI Mars 80, the second a Flash 55) and is easily the most comfortable. Fully loaded it weighed around 55 pounds, but I never really felt it. I cinched it around my waist pretty tightly, and after a 6 mile hike up to the peak and back my shoulders didn't hurt at all.
Newfy, I thinks you are correct Sir. Must have been a fit problem...Did you have the Talon 44? I would think with the side struts there would be a way to get weight on the belt. That pack gets a 4.7/5.0 rating in the REI reviews, and those people are mostly backpacking, not rock climbers. Somehow it must not have fitted properly.
http://www.rei.com/product/808425/
The waist strap cinched right up to its end and never carried any weight off my shoulders.
Hi Tom , I have the Osprey Aether 60 which I like very much. It may be to large for the Camino and look into the weight of the backpack empty. My Osprey weights in at 4lbs 11 oz. I also looked at the Granite Gear Blaze A.C. 60 which weights 2 lbs 14 oz.. I chose the Osprey because it can carry much more weight and some of areas that I hike require me to carry more weight. You need to decide if you will be using this backpack on other long distance hikes that may require more equipment, water and food. If you are I would go with at least the 50 liter. The space fills up fast.Hey everyone,
I'm currently looking into backpacks and would like to hear your advice. I think I'll buy an Osprey backpack, since that seems to be a good and reliable brand and because I've read that people on this forum have had good experiences with Osprey backpacks.
However, I'm still making my mind up whether to go for an Atmos 35 or 50, or maybe the Stratos 36. The backpacks in the Kestrel series also seem reasonable (especially the 38L and 48L version).
I'm familiar with the thumb rule of taking no more weight than 10% of my body weight (which will be around 7 kgs). That should fit in a 35-40L backpack, but on the other hand: I'd rather have a larger backpack with more space (this is where the Atmos 50 comes into mind), than a smaller one which is completely stuffed.
Any thoughts? I won't make a definitive decision before I'll go to the outdoor store, but some more orientation would be great.
Tom
Well said Andreo!! I am also an Kestral 48 user and lover. Fits me very well also. I know what you meant about having that "feeling" when it is not on your back...
I got my Kestrel 38 yesterday. Ordered online ( I have more than 200 km to nearest dealer
Kestrel 38 looks more than big enough for my stuff, and.....it looks like I might get it onboard the plane as hand luggage
IMO the mesh back panel metal frame concept is more about marketing than efficiency. I've worn packs for many years and was impressed by the concept when it came on the scene. I tested many and was disappointed by the results.I'll check out some slightly heavier Osprey designs, and maybe trade off some additional weight for added comfort, though I'd like to stay with the mesh back panel and metal frame concept. (Airspeed I think it's called)
So other contenders might be the Atmos 50L.
The Kestel, Talon, Stratos, and Sirrus don't seem to have the ventilated back panel design. Did you find these very hot?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?