my pack is a mountain technology ossian 50lt an i can't seem to get everything in it. i have to make sacrifices on gear everytime i go out. what is the best size for a solo tramp camp.
how big is your bag?
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That's easy.
You're carrying too much stuff.
Go back and reread Nessmuk. IMHO this ought to be the gold standard.
Stephen
You're carrying too much stuff.
Go back and reread Nessmuk. IMHO this ought to be the gold standard.
Stephen
As someone who's recently trying to reduce his pack size by a lot, what I found is you need to get out of the mindset of "I'll take this just in case" and "I'll take X as a backup for Y".
It sounds obvious, but try noting what doesn't get used on a trip and leave it behind next time and see if you manage OK without it, then sell it!
I have more problem with volume, rather than weight.
It sounds obvious, but try noting what doesn't get used on a trip and leave it behind next time and see if you manage OK without it, then sell it!
I have more problem with volume, rather than weight.
See here.
http://www.bushcraftliving.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7593
I can get away with this kit for a summer weekend.
Read the whole thread and look at the pictures toward the bottom.
http://www.bushcraftliving.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7593
I can get away with this kit for a summer weekend.
Read the whole thread and look at the pictures toward the bottom.
Hi,
50L should be adequate for a weekend or few days IMHO. Without knowing exactly what you're packing I'd say either your kit is very bulky or as the other folks have said you're carrying a bit too much??
I've done 5-6 day trips in summer out of a 50L bergen carrying all my food and the bergen was pretty stuffed at the start. In winter carrying a bit more clothing and a bigger sleeping bag I'll use a 100L Bergen but only use probably 75 L of it truth be told. However that's me. I don't think there is such a thing as the 'right' sized pack ultimately if you're happy carrying what you're carrying then who are we to tell you otherwise. Some folk are happy with all their kit in a 10L PLCE pocket others fill up a 100L Bergen.
I have a 45L and have no problems with it lots of room but but I keep adding kit to it anyways its up to 50lbs already I thought getting a pack of 45L size would make sure that I at most would get it to 35lbs the worst item is the sleeping bag rated at -20 but would have been much happier with one rated -40 for when I go on winter meets but sure that would have been twice the waight...
i probably am carrying too much stuff. i'm a victim of the ''i might need that'' an the ''i'll just put that in for an emergency'' i still want a bigger bag tho cuz its winter an i need it for all the extra stuff i need. its a comprimise between what you need and what you want.
I've got a Frost River Woodsman pack, seems plenty big for my purposes and built to withstand anything thrown at it, lovely wee pack
I use a 100L plus bergan. The main reason is I use a lot of issue kit which tends to be very bulky. The arctic sleeping bag alone half fills my bag. Using volume to measure someone's kit can be misleading for just that reason. Bottom line I can carry it easily so I don't worry about it. If I did I'd get more ultralight stuff, a nice down bag would enable me to downsize my pack considerably but really I'm not that bothered.
it all depends...
Cold gear, mountain gear, photo gear, climbing gear... It all depends on what you plan to do, and how to you intend to do it.
Cold gear, mountain gear, photo gear, climbing gear... It all depends on what you plan to do, and how to you intend to do it.
Depending what Im doing... have done a week along the southwest coastal path, took 45L, most of space taken up with tent, sleeping bag, roll mat and stove (I now have a hammock, and a new Alpkit bag - lots smaller and lighter!)
but, have also done a weekend as a cadet expedition leader with a full 75L
but, have also done a weekend as a cadet expedition leader with a full 75L
Cheap down bags and jackets to be found on google shopper and in sales coming up. Try Argos overstock on ebay or search ebay for others for cheap down bags/jackets. Try uniqlo web/stores sales in a week or so for down jackets who are already doing cheap down jackets in store form £30 to £40. Cheap ultra light rain jackets, doubling in winter as down jacket protector, which pack tiny from good brands in Sporting Direct web/stores for £10. Always buy one size larger in all clothing. Compress bulky items down and tie with strap or just cord like gift wrapping. Unstuff at home and loft for storage. Buy vacuum compression bags from 99p/poundshop to stuff down your tent/tarps/clothes/etc which are best folded not rolled to save volume, unpack all for storage even from original product storage at home as with all gear to prolong life. 99p store sells straps/buckles in baby section too or cannibalize dead packs/luggage. Attach mat on the outside of pack. Bladders instead of bottles. Cheap folding solar shower or foldling 10 litre Gelert water-carrier for water tank for £5 to £10.
Dehydrate meat and veggies, bought or cheaply made with a dehydrating machine or a very low oven (airing regularly) or under a unused sunny window in summer (takes days). Straight pasta, flat type bread sheets, rice, mash potato & other powders, spices not sauces, long quality salami to be used for meat in cooking over many days, dried fruits, drink powders, etc. Instant oat powder to save on fuel. Also cheap thinsulate socks and caps at poundshops/Primark doubling as cozy for slow cooking to save more fuel or just to keep warm. Store food in pots. Cheap Orikaso dinner set or Seatosummit X plate/bowl/mug. Flat grill (£5 Gelert toaster which easily dismantles into two grills) and folding pruning saw from DIY stores for stove and/or tuna can and meths. Go where there's water nearby. That's my current gig. Then for even a winter weekend a 25-litre sack and side pocketed trousers will do in many cases with a little planning. My motto: "If in doubt, leave it behind".
Dehydrate meat and veggies, bought or cheaply made with a dehydrating machine or a very low oven (airing regularly) or under a unused sunny window in summer (takes days). Straight pasta, flat type bread sheets, rice, mash potato & other powders, spices not sauces, long quality salami to be used for meat in cooking over many days, dried fruits, drink powders, etc. Instant oat powder to save on fuel. Also cheap thinsulate socks and caps at poundshops/Primark doubling as cozy for slow cooking to save more fuel or just to keep warm. Store food in pots. Cheap Orikaso dinner set or Seatosummit X plate/bowl/mug. Flat grill (£5 Gelert toaster which easily dismantles into two grills) and folding pruning saw from DIY stores for stove and/or tuna can and meths. Go where there's water nearby. That's my current gig. Then for even a winter weekend a 25-litre sack and side pocketed trousers will do in many cases with a little planning. My motto: "If in doubt, leave it behind".
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100 litre Snugpac bergan. None of my kit is what you would call lightweight or compact as its all middle of the road stuff, and army surplus. I also carry my rollmat and small bivvi tent (sorry tarp lovers) on the inside aswell as all my water and food.
