Peak Design

My first appointment at the show was with Peak Design and the timing couldn’t have been better. We met them about 45 minutes before they were going to launch their 8th Kickstarter campaign. I got the full rundown on their new Travel Line and was blown away. The core of the system is, naturally, the 45L Travel Backpack. It opens up with a large bucketed compartment that is designed to be a catch-all for your packing needs. Speaking of packing, they’ve developed a set of camera and packing cubes that are specifically tailored to fit together in the Travel Backpack. The camera cubes come in three sizes so it’s possible to create a combination that fits your needs.

In addition to the camera cubes, there are two sizes of packing cubes (small and medium). They are made of a very lightweight and thin 40D nylon and both expand and compress, plus they have dirty clothes separation. The zippers can even be pulled apart for quick access. Peak has also made a Tech Pouch and Wash Pouch, both utilizing a clever origami opening system. The Tech Pouch is designed so items you drop in can easily be located and accessed, and the accordion shape is designed so bulkier items don’t conflict when closing. The Wash Pouch also opens origami style but has a prominent hanging section in the middle for your toothbrush. It closes magnetically, and has two pull handles to invert the pouch for easy cleaning.

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“We met Peak Design about 45 minutes before they were going to launch their 8th Kickstarter campaign. I got the full rundown on their new Travel Line and was blown away.”

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During the conference, the campaign hit the goal within the first hour and was at over a million before the show was over. You can get in on the action for $235 for the Travel Backpack, with options adding to the cost.

BioLite

This startup from New York came into Denver hot, ready with two new products. First up is the BioLite HeadLamp which expands on their LED and USB rechargeable lighting solutions. I am not sure why I was surprised when this was announced, considering their history of making lights, but I was super stoked to hear about it and even more excited to see it in person. It features what they call 3D Slimfit Construction, which is comprised of three parts: first the front portion is flush even with the electronics integrated, second there’s better balance that’s achieved by moving power to the rear pack, and lastly, the use of smart fabric (moisture-wicking, minimized abrasion points). The Li-ion battery can power the light for three hours on high (330 lumens) and 40 hours on low (5-7 lumens). In addition to white light, it can also do spot, flood, red, strobe and is infinitely dimmable. And for the final touch – it can be articulated with just one hand. It is coming out Spring 2019 and will be priced at $49.95.

If you don’t want to wait that long and want to try out BioLite’s latest, then make sure to check out their FirePit. The aluminum rectangular box weighs 19 lbs and is designed to allow you to have campfires or cook, all while minimizing smoke. They achieve this by using a proprietary airflow system which injects the fire with oxygen, along 51 jets. This causes your fire to burn hotter, vaporizing the particulates that make up smoke. BioLite designed the sides of the FirePit with a mesh so users can see the flame. They found that many people build fires that are too large because they just want to see the flames. This X-Ray Mesh allows you to see the fire from the sides, which means you can build a fire with as little as four logs. Rounding out the features are the fold-up legs, convenient carry handles, and an optional storage bag with a built-in solar panel for recharging. The BioLite FirePit is priced at $199.

Patagonia

The latest in bags this year for Patagonia is their Planing Collection. These wet/dry bags are made specifically for surfers, kitesurfers, fishermen, and whoever may have the need to separate wet and dry clothing. Many of you may already know that Patagonia makes dry bags, primarily used for fishing. They noticed that surfers were re-purposing these expensive and often overbuilt bags for their needs, creating an inefficiency. To address this, Patagonia is releasing a four-piece collection that allows for wet/dry separation; it comes in at a lower price point, and is focus built for anyone who needs that as the main feature, while not forcing users to pay for features they don’t need. The Planing Collection is available in a rolltop, tote, duffel, and divider pack. It will be available February 2019.

As far as travel and techincal clothing is concerned, Patagonia has taken their Capilene series and simplified it with three shirts, each with a specific purpose. The first is a daily tee that fits like a tshirt. It has a higher neckline and is your go-to, do-everything shirt. It has a 50+ UPF rating to protect you from those rays. Next up is a shirt that is geared more like a synthetic climbing shirt. It’s good for warmer trail runs, climbing, etc. It is integrated with Tencel for its benefits. Finally their most lightweight shirt is for trail running, and high performance activities. It has a wider neckline and is more form-fitting. These new Capilene shirts will be available February 2019.

SOG

I’ve been keeping an eye on SOG ever since I picked up one of their blacked-out PowerAssist full-sized multitools. This year, in addition to some nifty little blades like the Flare with its assisted opening, SOG is introducing two small multitools. First up is the PowerLitre which preserves SOG’s compound leverage mechanism for maximum compression, but does it in a smaller package. It measures 5″ in overall length and has 17 tools including a corkscrew! That’s a first for me on a pliers-style multitool.

Similarly, the PowerPint also is 5″ long, has the same compound leverage mechanism, but pulls off 18 tools in a slightly lighter package (4.2 vs 4.6 oz). The smaller PowerPint comes in at $54 and the PowerLitre is priced at $67 and both are available now.

Matador

I swear, everyone I waxed poetic to about this booth was nodding in enthusiastic agreement. With their FlatPak line, Matador solved a problem that nobody knew they had or at least never thought could be improved. We all travel and know what a hassle it is to pack toothpaste, soap, shampoos, and conditioners, especially given our political climate and strict TSA rules. First up is the FlatPak Toiletry Bottle which comes in a 1 or 3-pack and retails for $12.99 or $34.99, respectively. It’s made with a special Cordura fabric that has never been used with this application before. It is 5 times lighter and 3.5 times more compact than traditional toiletry bottles. The best part is it compresses down to exactly the amount of product you have left, leaving you with more room in your bag as your trip progresses.

Next up is their FlatPak Soap Bar Case which really stole the spotlight. Again, using the Cordura material with a proprietary coating, this time the Soap Bar Case has a breathable membrane (they call Dry-Through) which allows the bar to dry when it’s being stored. The rolltop closure means the case is only as large as the remaining bar. No more gross Ziploc bags or bars of soap wrapped in paper towels. The Soap Bar Case retails for $12.99.

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“With their FlatPak line, Matador solved a problem that nobody knew they had or at least never thought could be improved.”

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Smartwool

The story this year with Smartwool is their thoughtful construction, especially in regards to their new men’s and women’s tops, where they are really showcasing their 3D mapping technology. Take for instance their updated men’s anorak which is body mapped and mesh paneled. They put merino where it’s needed and made the garment breathable and vented, to minimize billowing during active pursuits.

Their Merino Sport 150 utilizes a merino that is woven around a nylon core, giving you the benefits of both materials. The use of the aforementioned inset mesh panels adds more style, especially to the women’s tops. The highlights here are the women’s tank top and the men’s tech tee, both under the Merino Sport 150 range. Finally, for men, we also see new boxer briefs, with some models removing the front flap opening for those athletes that are looking for a sleeker fit. There is also a new brief available, with less leg material than the boxer.

Farm to Feet

The evening before flying out, we were having dinner at an Indian restaurant and this lady overheard our conversation about coolers. Jokes were exchanged and at one point, showing her frustration with the exhibit selection, she rhetorically asked “Gosh, could there be any more merino sock companies?” I laughed but as someone who is a big proponent of merino (for everything), I am glad there are lots of options for merino socks.

I would have passed by Farm to Feet’s booth if it had not been for a rep who led me to them during a rapid-fire tour of brands. Farm to Feet’s main selling point is they are focused on a Made in the USA merino sock. This means everything from the wool and nylon to packaging, inks, and workers are American. It was launched about five years ago by Nestor Hosiery which is an OEM that produces socks for some big brands you’ve heard of.

What caught my eye is the Cascade Locks hiking sock, named after the gathering at that site, for the Pacific Crest Trail Days. In fact, all of their socks are named after a trail or region in the country. Farm to Feet does not do any printing so all of their designs are knitted into the sock. It’s quite fascinating when you take a close look at the detailed designs. They have also put thought into where to put extra cushioning and where to keep it less cushioned, depending on the task at hand. For the Cascade Locks sock, this means no cushioning in the arch to minimize weight and bulk, but it does have cushioning on the top of the foot for extra comfort. Priced at $22.50 a pair, which is in line with their other offerings, I am definitely looking to Farm to Feet for my next pair of hiking socks.

Brooks England

At first glance, the new Brooks Discovery Range doesn’t seem to really fit with the other bags in their collection. However, once you place them among their wildly successful Cambium saddles, you start seeing the shared DNA. There are a total of five bags in Discovery, but one didn’t make it to the States (a smaller version of one of the backpacks). Let’s focus on the ones that are available now, stateside. First up are the two backpacks – the Sparkhill in 22L and the Pitfield which starts at 24L and goes up to 28L with expansion. You’ll see similar details on these bags, along with the others in the range. They include: zippers that mimic the shape of the saddle rails, interior lining telling the story of Brooks (you’ll see a man and a horse, which is the origin story of the iconic brand), YKK AquaGuard zippers, waterproof PU-coated nylon and Cordura exterior, and reflective details. A unique feature on the Pitfield is the stretch front which allows you to store a helmet (or jackets) inside. If you opt not to use it for a helmet, there’s an attachment point on the exterior you can attach it to. There is also a place to store your U-lock as well as a padded pocket for your smartphone or sunglasses. The bag can also fit over the handles of a typical piece of rolling luggage, which is super convenient when you are going from gate to gate. Both packs are $200.

The New Street briefcase has attachments to turn it into a pannier. I really thought the system was clever, with you opening two wide straps that then swing around to the front and reattach, providing you with a reflective strip. When it is not in use on a bike, the flaps close in the rear, securing everything neatly. It comes with a shoulder strap but can also be carried briefcase-style, by the handles. It is priced at $200.

Lastly, the Strand shoulder bag features the patented Brooks cycling belt for stability. It comes in at 15 liters and carries a 15″ MacBook, can support a U-lock and has some nicely padded compartments with organization. It sells for $180.

Cordura

Cordura is a real beast to cover here so I want to just focus on a few things that I think are important to the carry industry. First and foremost is the realization that people want items that last longer and continue to look good during wear. To that end, they have created Cordura TrueLock Fiber which is a solution-dyed nylon 6,6. The difference between TrueLock and traditional materials is that with TrueLock, the color is embedded in the fiber. This results in long-lasting and consistently colored products. There is also a water savings of 1.87 liters per linear meter of material plus an energy savings that’s enough to make 170 margaritas on a home blender (I know, random fact but it goes to show how much more efficient this process is). This has great applications in the military where they often are faced with different components on a pack wearing differently and thus creating a non-uniform look. However, this is also crossing over to the consumer market where partners want consistency.

Next up, I asked about microplastics shedding off of clothes and into the water supply or atmosphere. Cordura assured me that they are focused on this and have already completed a study. They are partnering with Tencel and will have innovations debuting in early 2019 in that realm.

Cotopaxi

The biggest news for Cotopaxi at this year’s Outdoor Retailer is the pending release of their smaller 28L Allpa travel backpack. The 35L is a crowdfunding success story and now that the bags have been delivered to backers, the SLC company is releasing a smaller version. Personally, I found the smaller size extremely attractive and a much-needed option. We saw a trend of a few companies releasing products that, on second thought, may have been too large for some of their core demographic. To correct for this, they are releasing smaller bags, with mostly the same feature set as the bigger brothers. In this case, the 28L Allpa has the laptop sleeve, stowaway straps, mesh back panel, and the same anti-theft zippers. The differences are a smaller waist belt since it’s expected to hold less weight, and inside you’ll find just one span pocket on the left side, rather than the two on the 35L. It’s expected in two colorways – shark and phantom, and will retail for a very reasonable $160.

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“The biggest news for Cotopaxi at this year’s Outdoor Retailer is the pending release of their smaller 28L Allpa travel backpack. Personally, I found the smaller size extremely attractive and a much-needed option.”

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Cotopaxi hasn’t done many lifestyle bags recently so for Spring ’19, they are looking to change that. You have the Ostra which is a 30L bag with some cool hardware. It includes a magnetic latch for the main compartment opening, a sleeve to tuck a book or jacket, water bottle sleeve, mesh back panel, and space for both a laptop and tablet. It will retail for $80 when it’s out Spring ’19. They are also coming out with a messenger bag called the Mono which will also feature magnetic straps (starting to see a trend here?), and will hold a 17″ laptop and is compartmentalized for maximum organization in the office. Finally, the behemoth 50L Burro Duffel will feature magnets to secure the straps and unlike their previous duffel offerings, will have more compartments for sorting your goods.

Fjällräven

I am always excited to see what Fjällräven has in store and this year they didn’t disappoint. The main focus of their booth is their new Bergtagen, their first venture into making a dedicated ski-tour/mountaineering pack. It is 38L and is made with their new Bergshell fabric, which is comprised of recycled nylon. It also features two birch stays that make up the frame. While many of Fjällräven’s packs use wooden frames, this particular frame uses sustainable birch and actually gives you weight savings rather than added weight that other species of wood often has. The stays are removable if you decide you don’t need that extra support. The uploading bag has plenty of room, including a pocket for avalanche equipment/beacon. It’s also hydration compatible and the exterior features a latch for securing rope or other mountaineering equipment as well as compression straps to carry skis or poles. It’s a Spring ’19 release and priced at $240.

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“I am always excited to see what Fjällräven has in store and this year they didn’t disappoint. The main focus of their booth is their new Bergtagen, their first venture into making a dedicated ski-tour/mountaineering pack.”

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Next up are some more whimsical and fun items. The Kånken Art sees a collaboration with two young Swedish artists, Erik Olovsson and Cecilia Heikkilä, who add their flair to the iconic Kånken backpack. Made from durable G-1000 HeavyDuty Eco S, the bags are also part of Fjällräven’s Arctic Fox Initiative, meaning a portion of the sales will be donated to conservation research. These unique bags will be priced at $90 for the regular size and $80 for the Mini.

Finally, with hip packs making a comeback (not sure what I think about this), Fjällräven is introducing the Ulvö Hip Pack. The pack also uses Fjällräven’s Bergshell fabric and comes in medium and large sizes. The smaller measures 2L in capacity while the large is twice as large. Both have internal and external pockets and have a vintage vibe to them. They will retail for $50 and $60, respectively.

Osprey

Osprey’s story at Summer Outdoor Retailer is really around four new packs. First is the new Rook/Ren which offers backpackers a fully-featured pack for an entry-priced $150. It uses Osprey’s new Airspeed suspension and harness for excellent ventilation and a dialed-in fit. It also comes with an integrated raincover, zippered sleeping bag compartment and plenty of organization. It retails for $155 for the 50L and $165 for the 65L version.

They’ve also redesigned their premium mountain biking packs for Spring 2019. The Raptor/Raven now features their new Biostrech Harness which uses a winged harness to wrap around your upper shoulders for a comfortable close fit while there is dynamic movement on the bike. The AirScape back panel allows for ventilation while the Hydraulics LT 2.5L bladder offers flexibility for riding in different positions. A removable toolroll organizer, helmet attachment point, and hydration sleeve with direct access round out the features. This is priced at $140.

Speaking of cycling, the Seral is a 7L lumbar pack designed to keep you hydrated and with tools close by, but without the bulk of a shoulder pack. It features an AirScape lumbar back panel, direct access to the reservoir, compartment with tool organization and a front panel bungee for additional storage. It’s priced at $85.

Last but not least is their new travel solution. The Ozone Duplex is available now and is a travel pack they are adding to their travel line. The idea for this pack is to have your laptop closer to your body with a larger daypack and a removable cargo bag. The cargo bag comes off and acts like traditional luggage. It has internal compression, internal mesh pockets, a liquids pouch, and duffel style pouch. The idea is you travel to the airport with the two bags attached. Once you get there, you separate the two items and either check in the cargo bag or put it in the overhead bin, while the backpack acts as your daypack. The same goes for when you arrive at your destination – leave the cargo bag at the hotel or hostel, and take the daypack around town. The daypack opens from the back panel for easy access to your laptop. It has a secret pocket for documents like your passport and a water bottle pocket that is still accessible when attached to the cargo bag. It’s available in 65L for men and 60L for women. Available now, first from REI.

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“The Ozone Duplex is available now and is a travel pack they are adding to their travel line. The idea for this pack is to have your laptop closer to your body with a larger daypack and a removable cargo bag.”

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Opinel

Two new products that Opinel is introducing are their picnic set and a modern take on a classic. First up is a nice little picnic or garden set that includes three tools – corkscrew, No. 12 serated knife (perfect for cutting bread, pineapples, or other hard-to-slice items), and the first over folding peeler. Each tool sits in a designated area, marked by an etching in the cloth, and secured with a loop. Above it sits a cutting board that is made in Italy, using Beechwood sourced from Europe. Everything is wrapped nicely in a bundle with a fiber cloth and secured with an elastic shock cord. This is expected for an end-of-summer release, and will retail for $85.

Next up is the No. 8 Black Oak which takes the 128-year-old classic No. 8 and adds a black oak handle and black annodizing on the blade and locking mechanism. I have always toyed with getting a No. 8 for beach or picnic outings and this Black Oak version was a real stunner in person. It’s $45 and available now.

Snow Peak

The Japanese heritage outdoors company had a team of representatives from their Portland HQ at the show. While they had a handful of cool titanium camping goods available, we were mostly there for the bags. They had a really simple, but impressive, soft cooler tote with them. The rugged canvas bag holds 4.2 gallons and while they recommend using it with ice packs, they had it full with cubes and beer at the show and there was no sign of leakage anywhere. In a world of fairly ugly coolers, I think Snow Peak has a winner on their hands here. It’s available Summer 2018 for $100.

Granite Gear

Like the Crown2 release from last year’s Outdoor Retailer, the Minnesota-based Granite Gear went back to the drawing board and took an existing classic and completely revamped it. This time around, they focused on the Blaze 60 and completely redesigned it. In comparison to the Crown where you can still purchase the Crown 1, this is a new bag, built from the ground up, but with the heritage and foundation of the previous Blaze 60. So what’s new? Where do we start?

First and foremost, there is a higher load rating, 50 lbs, up from the 40 lbs of the last Blaze, and higher than the 30 lbs of the Crown2. They accomplished this in a few key ways. First, there is a non-removable polycarbonate frame sheet that is injection molded instead of compression molded (Crown2). This allows them to vary thicknesses based on the known stress and load points. The new Blaze 2 also has quick-adjusting torso size but utilizing metal buckles that fit into slots in the frame sheet. The sheet is clear so you can easily see what you’re doing as you make adjustments. To ensure a good fit, the Blaze 60 has adjustable hip stabilizers that work by first undoing heavy-duty Velcro straps, pulling the compression straps close to you, then re-securing the straps on the hip belt. Once this adjustment is made, the bag moves with your body.

To maintain essentially the same weight as last year’s Blaze, Granite Gear developed a proprietary and exclusive material (that is similar to Dyneema), that they’re calling Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). Traditionally, ripstop fabrics have a fiber content of 7% (one vertical crossing one horizontal fiber). In the Blaze 60, they’ve worked with the mill to up that content to 21%, meaning three vertical crossing three horizontal fibers. This creates a denser ripstop pattern and this material is used in high-stress areas. The rest of the pack is covered in 100D fabric. Other features include a removable top lid that can be attached to the hip belt for waist carry, or on the chest for easy access to maps and snacks, taking the weight off the shoulders.

The Blaze 60 is a Spring ’19 release and comes in two colorways (black and pottery clay) in the unisex, along with three torso sizes. And for women, it comes in black and teal and two torso sizes. It will retail for $269. The Blaze 60 looks to be a very versatile offering from Granite Gear, targeting hikers who want more flexibility in dialing in a fit, and who may need the higher load rating.

LifeProof

The brand known for their protective phone cases have come out with a complete line of bags. Four styles – Quito (18L), Squamish (20L), Goa (22L), and Squamish XL (32L), in three colorways, are retailing for $100 to $180 and are available now. The Quito is considered a flash pack – something you can just pick up and toss some items in and run out the door. The next size up is the Squamish and it has side access, a 13″ laptop compartment, and external storage to support cycling shoes, a jacket or helmet. The Goa has four different tech pockets, side access for a 15″ laptop, and fleece-lined pocket for a smartphone or sunglasses. Finally, the Squamish XL is the king of the collection and comes in at 32L. It has a zip area at the bottom of the pack for wet/dry separation. All packs have a Cordura exterior for water resistance.

Well that wraps up Part I of our OR Summer Market 2018 coverage. Keep your eyes peeled for Part II plus our awards post so you can get the complete picture. If you have any questions, feel free to ask down below. There are a few other brands that we met with briefly, or unofficially, that I didn’t get to touch on here. If you are wondering about a brand, you can check if we came by them, by asking in the comments.

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Our 12 Best Active Backpack Finalists take their roles seriously, all delivering noteworthy performances in their different ways. But only one will successfully scale the summit to active pack glory. Which one will you choose?

The post Best Active Backpack Finalists – The Sixth Annual Carry Awards appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Eric’s expeditions are pushing the boundaries of winter expeditions in a lot of ways, among them bag design. Being a niche sport there’s not a lot of carry gear tailored for these type of expeditions. So a couple of years ago Eric got in touch with Michael Meyer and the design team at Granite Gear to see if they’d be up for designing the ultimate winter expedition pack.

The ‘Rolwaling,’ named after a remote Nepalese valley, had a demanding spec sheet. It needed to be durable, easy to use in extreme temperatures, hold a pile of gear, shed snow, accommodate climbing gear, haul a sled, and work as a mountaineering and summit pack. And Eric wanted to have a prototype ready for product testing on an upcoming Patagonia expedition in a few months.

At this summer’s Outdoor Retailer, surrounded by hundreds of outdoor packs, I talked with Eric and Michael about the process of designing a winter expedition pack unlike anything else on the market. I started with the obvious question, where do you start designing a bag with a spec sheet like that?

The beginning…

Michael Meyer [MM] – We started with existing winter pack specs and went from there, specifically which frame to use. Do we have a suitable frame in the Granite Gear line or do we need to develop a new one? We explored both avenues but landed on our Maple Core frame sheet. From there we started figuring out how to fit in all of Eric’s carry requirements.

“I started with the obvious question, where do you start designing a bag with a spec sheet like that?”

We’ve used this Maple Core frame sheet in the past on our military line. It’s basically a maple plywood and fiberglass composite that has been vacuum molded. The resulting frame sheet has a 60 lb load rating. And after testing this frame sheet against an identical carbon fiber frame sheet, we found that it was lighter weight with an increased load rating.

Eric Larsen [EL] – The art of expeditions is constantly evolving. I’m always looking back at what bags we used in the past. What were the components that we used then? In this industry there is a tendency of innovation just for innovation so we lose some things in the process. I talked with buddies doing similar expeditions to figure out what worked in the past, these little details that you only notice after a month of continuously wearing a pack.

To start with the Rolwaling, Mike initially sent over a pdf of 10 different sketches of this pack. I was like a kid in a candy shop. I got this pdf in the mail and was like, this is amazing! I had my son on the line, changing diapers, while Mike and I went through each of these designs, looked at each pack, and started talking through what will work and what won’t.

“These little details that you only notice after a month of continuously wearing a pack.”

So with a rough idea in our mind, Mike frankensteined a pack together. And this is where the guys at Granite Gear are so good, they can take my crazy list of sketches and features and translate that into a functional bag. But not just a one-off bag. On Granite Gear’s end it would have been easy to just say here’s the pack, have fun with it out there. But we decided early on to really let this bag evolve on its own. Granite Gear committed to continuous iterations of the Rolwaling and I commit to a couple years of product testing.

MM – The development of this bag began back in November 2014 with the actual design work happening in the Summer of 2015. Today we’re not 100% done with this bag, though I think we’re about one more iteration from putting this thing to bed.

Dig into the details

EL – It’s all about the little details. This is the name of the game when your margins are so small on these expeditions. The back of the Rolwaling has no mesh so that it can shed snow. It’s designed to have good ventilation because we were wearing lots of clothes that can’t get soaked with sweat in these arctic conditions.

MM – The back panel has this dual density foam which is compression molded and then laminated with stretch woven fabric laminated over the dual density foam and then compression molded together. It’s got specific ventilation channels similar to the Lutsen Series Pack. This back panel then translates to the frame itself. It’s a 75L pack with a 60 lb load rating that weighs sub 5 lbs.

EL – But even with this volume the Rolwaling is a short pack. You see a lot of these new packs that are like two stories tall. That’s no good when you’ve got a helmet on, on the side of a cliff, and trying to look up.

The other thing that really stands out for me is how Mike was able to pack down some webbing into the hip belt. Typically when you’re pulling a sled that weighs 100+ lbs it’s pulled off the back of a pack. This is inefficient because it throws off your center of gravity. So with the Rolwaling we designed it to attach to the hip belt.

MM – It’s a simple but effective mechanism. Basically we designed the Rolwaling with a special loop with reinforcement into the waist belt. A sled would then just be clipped into the belt with a carabiner or rope.

“You see a lot of these new packs that are like two stories tall. That’s no good when you’ve got a helmet on, on the side of a cliff, and trying to look up.”

EL – Back in 2015 I went on an expedition to the remote Rolwaling valley in Nepal. At that time it struck me how many things were dialed in with this pack. We were doing these huge hauls up to 17,000 feet with 70 lbs of gear in the Rolwaling. On summit days we were using the brain of the pack [the removable top part] as a summit pack. The frame sheet was small enough so that it didn’t get in the way of a helmet. It was such a functional pack.

The trickle down effect…

I remember later telling Mike, this pack is so good, you gotta sell it. Obviously that was never the motivation for designing the Rolwaling but all of a sudden I’ve got some friends asking for the same pack.

MM – Yeah, this definitely got us thinking. Not only are we satisfying Eric’s needs for a perfect winter pack, but we found ourselves in a position where we could do a small run of this pack in the future. The Rolwaling has also become a brand driving piece for Granite Gear. Both as a bag that highlights our collective design experience and a way to innovate on our consumer line.

EL – When developing some of these pinnacle pieces a lot of the tech and design insights trickles down into the consumer lines. The durability, access and simplicity that went into the design of the Rolwaling translate very well.

“The Rolwaling has also become a brand driving piece for Granite Gear. Both as a bag that highlights our collective design experience and a way to innovate on our consumer line.”

MM – A big demographic of Granite Gear’s customers are thru hikers who share a very similar mentality in regards to bag design. So yeah, the work that went into the Rolwaling was really company wide innovation.

EL – But it’s a two-way street, and that’s the beauty of it. We based all these innovations on the existing Maple Core Frame Sheet. A lot of these consumer level designs are being translated up to us at the expedition level. Granite Gear’s line is so solid that we can take the skeleton of an off-the-shelf pack and build this epic winter expedition pack on top of it. And really, when you look at the Rolwaling, it doesn’t look a whole lot different than other packs in Granite Gear’s line. I think that’s a strong testament to Granite Gear’s bags.

Images credit of Eric Larsen, and the Granite Gear Design Team (Michael Meyer, David Eisenberg, Andrew Ford, and Ben Landry)

The post Designing the Ultimate Winter Expedition Pack appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Gregory Fine Day Cottonwood Camo Daypack

Gregory Japan run incredibly playful prints on their heritage range. This here is a fine example that gives a nod to their Classic Day Bag, while shrinking the size to a minimalist-friendly 16L volume. A striking option for smaller users or when you simply want to cut down on your carry load for the day. Check out their All Day in 22L if you’re after something larger.

Gregory Hard Core Digital Camo Daypack

Gregory with a military slant? You bet. And in digital camo print? Take my money. With a host of webbing and pocket options you can dial in the organization to meet specific carry missions. The super compact design also helps keep the load close to your body, ideal if you’re navigating crowds or need to carry the essentials without being weighed down.

Mystery Ranch Scape Artist

The Mystery Ranch Scape Artist, an urban flip on their Scapegoat hunting pack, is a bespoke pack commemorating the 40th anniversary of A & F (a legendary Japanese distributor and flipper of US product to the Japanese market). The U-shaped zipper makes for awesome access to the main compartment, with a range of pockets lending their support in keeping your gear neat and tidy. Definitely a rad addition to any urban EDC.

PaaGo WORKS Rush 28 XP

This RUSH 28, in limited run X-Pac, is a lightweight pack built for running and active pursuits, but with serious futuristic lines. The head-turning aesthetics are complemented by a variety of thoughtful features aimed at enhancing load stability, user comfort and easy access to your gear on the go.

Terra Nova Laser 20

This slick number from Terra Nova is a lightweight hiking and trail running pack with killer access courtesy of a front zipper. Despite its light weight it doesn’t sacrifice practical organization, offering up a choice of quick-access pockets along with compression cords to cinch down the load or secure items externally.

Brown RC No.360101 Backpack 

A branch-off brand from MSPC, Brown RC’s Backpack is a commuter pack with a bold and boxy silhouette and good space. The pack’s rugged 1000D Cordura construction will easily stand up to years of use and the wide-opening main compartment makes it easy to pack and retrieve items.

Plus One Works Shumari 35

The Shumari 35 is an active pack from Plus One Works geared for board and ski carry. The pack offers a rolltop compartment for storing avalanche safety gear, quick-access goggle and waist belt pockets, and convenient back entry to the main compartment which is also hydration bladder compatible. And with its sleek aesthetics you can move from snow to street for added versatility.

Granite Gear Hogback

Fancy a day hike? This pack easily tags along. Want a lightweight and flexible EDC pack? The Hogback is ready to step up. The versatile design of this Granite Gear pack moves easily between outdoor and urban environments, letting you carry bulky items like a helmet on the front, or paring things back with a removable hip belt and chest strap when you want a more minimalist setup.

F/CE No Seam Zip Lock Bag

Forming part of the F/CE Dry Line collection, this pack offers a winning combination of welded technology and Japanese street style. The versatile waterproof design works equally well on a boat trip as it does navigating rainy city streets during the daily commute. And with its adjustable rolltop opening you can accommodate a variety of loads to suit changing needs.

AS2OV Cordura 305D Backpack

The AS2OV Cordura 305D Backpack finds that aesthetic sweet spot that’s smart enough for work without being boring. Want to switch things up a little? Simply add the detachable waist belt and you’ve got yourself a solid travel companion with extra storage for small essentials and increased carry comfort for heavier loads.

AS2OV Exclusive Ballistic Nylon 3 Pocket Backpack

Definitely one for organization enthusiasts, this pack offers pockets galore for rummage-free access to work tools, EDC items or travel essentials. Complementing the organization is a burly build that will embrace travel adventures and the daily commute alike, making this a flexible grab-and-go companion for a host of environments.

narifuri Super Hard Hatena Backpack

The eye-catching silhouette of this pack will earn plenty of admiring glances, but there’s solid functionality to back up the stylish looks of this water-resistant pack. The curving zipper provides convenient access throughout the main compartment, while front pockets keep smaller items at the ready.

Makavelic Union Backpack

Want to travel fast and light with the essentials? Or perhaps you’re looking to pack a little extra and enjoy boosted carry comfort along the way? The two-in-one Makavelic Union Backpack gives you the flexibility to do both, combining a backpack and waist bag that can be used together or separately. Added bonus? There’s plenty of pockets for stashing smaller items, and a water-resistant build for protection against the elements.

BRIEFING Neo S-3 Commuter

Looking for flexible carry and organization? No problem for the Neo S-3 Commuter, which can be carried as a backpack, shoulder bag or briefcase to suit a range of settings and needs. Plus with a choice of interior and exterior pockets you can keep your gear tidy and conveniently accessible for work, travel or EDC use.

BRIEFING QL Slim Pack L

Slim and compact, this versatile pack can roll with a variety of day-to-day carry needs. And with quick-access pockets on the front you can keep those small essentials within easy reach. The pack is made with 500D Cordura nylon, offering a durable yet lightweight build for daily use.

Check out Part II here

Where’s an awesome place to purchase Japanese carry if you’re in Europe or the US?

Farfetch.com has a great selection of AS2OV.

East Dane for Porter and Master-Piece MSPC

Need Supply for Porter and Vis-Vim

And Rakutan Global for everything else.

The post Our Favorite Japanese Backpacks :: Part 1 appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

For people new to the backpacking world, you might be tempted to try a one to three-day hike using the trusty daypack that you have been using for years. The problem, of course, is that you will end up having to strap so many things to the outside of your daypack that you will be flopping down the trail and most likely rubbing a pretty good blister into your back as your tent jabs you, in unison with each stride.

The other extreme is to purchase the largest possible pack following from the logic that more is always better. Overpackers, we’re talking to you! Taking along a pack with a volume of 70 to 100 liters for a simple overnight hike might be plausible if you are packing along several bottles of whisky and an entire kitchen to celebrate your buddy’s birthday out in the wild, but it definitely doesn’t make sense if you want to travel lightly and comfortably.

A pack that is anywhere in the 35 to 50-liter range is usually an ideal size for a one to three-day hike. This volume will give you more than enough room to take along the necessities for life on the trail while not burdening you with extra weight and bulk.

Below, we will analyze some of the pros and cons associated with different types of backpacks that are best for a one to three-day hike. And then dish out recommendations for different types of hikers who are headed out to the wilderness for one to three-day adventure.

Panel Loader versus Top Loader Packs

One of the first things you need to consider when choosing a pack is whether you want your bag to be a top loader or a panel loader. Top loader backpacks are what you usually see in daypacks. These only allow access to your gear from the top meaning that you have to pack accordingly and pack the stuff you won’t need until nighttime at the bottom of your pack. The issue of course is that you might have to unload everything to get to your rain jacket that you left at the bottom of the bag when you set out on a sunny morning.

Panel loader packs have a U-shaped zipper on the front of the bag that allows one panel to fall away like a flap. This makes it easier to rummage through your stuff without unpacking everything and they’re usually good options for short travel hikes. The cons are that if you have overpacked your bag, things will fall out when you open the front panel. And the more zippers along the exterior leaves more opportunity for water to ingress (but rain covers can fix that).

Internal Frames versus Frameless Backpacks

Many one to three-day packs will come with internal frames (either from plastic or a lightweight aluminum pole structure). Obviously, this will add a little bit of weight to your pack but also allow you to comfortably add more weight. Frameless packs will mold perfectly to your back but generally don’t allow you to add any serious weight without putting a lot of stress on your shoulders and on the pack itself. Frameless packs are thus a better option for people who are planning on traveling ultra-light and have their packing game completely dialed.

Shoulder and Hip Padding Options

While some lightweight packs might not have any sort of shoulder or hip padding, this is an essential feature if you are carrying weight over 20 pounds for a long distance. The padding will help to take the stress off your shoulders and avoid unnecessary rubbing that could lead to blisters or bruises. If you are hiking on uneven terrain, you should also consider a pack that has a sternum strap that will help to stabilize your load.

External Attachments and Multiple Compartments: A Must-Have

There is nothing worse than having to dig through your entire bag just to find a pair of gloves on a cold morning. Packs that come with several external attachments and multiple compartments allow you to stay organized while on the trail. You can place your mid-morning snack in an easy-to-access pouch so that you can save yourself from the hassle of having to rummage through your dirty socks in order to find your sandwich.

Hydration Compatibility

Many packs come with an internal hydration sleeve where you can put some sort of hydration reservoir or plastic water bottle. This might be necessary if you are a quick hiker and don’t want to lose time digging through your pack every time you need a drink.

What Size Do You Need?

While the needs of every hiker are different, we recommend that a pack with a volume of anywhere between 35 and 50 liters is more than enough. This size allows for more than enough room for a small tent, sleeping bag, food supplies, and extra clothes. At the same time, it is small enough to not add unneeded weight and bulkiness for a short hike and it will force you to think about what is essential during your time out in nature.

Different Options for Specific Hikers

Women’s Pack Specifics

Women are built different than men, and their packs should reflect the different body shapes. In general, women have shorter torsos than men, and the pack they choose should come with a shorter torso option. Furthermore, contoured shoulder pads that better adapt to a woman’s physique will allow for a more comfortable feel while carrying the pack.

Minimalist Hiker Backpack Options

For people who truly enjoy hiking lightly, choosing a tarp over a tent is a great way to lower your overall pack weight and thus opt for a smaller pack. If you’re hiking on the Appalachian Trail, or other trails that have shelters already set up for hikers, a small sleeping pad will reduce weight and your need for extra space as well.

Group Hiking Options: Who Carries the Tent?

If you are headed out to the wilderness with a group of friends, chances are that not everyone needs to bring their own tent. When hiking in a group, it might very well be possible to choose an even lighter and smaller pack for the members of the group fortunate enough not to be carrying the tent. A 35-liter pack (or less) is more than enough space to carry your sleeping bag, food, and other necessities.

The Best Backpacks for a 1 to 3 Day Hike

Below we offer a quick review of the most important features and characteristics of the top 12 backpacks on the market for a 1 to 3 day trip.

Traveling Light – Under 35L

REI Traverse 28

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The Traverse 28 is a good option if you’re after a functional pack with a budget-friendly price tag. The pack is available in men’s and women’s versions and includes handy features such as REI’s UpLift compression system designed to pull the load up and in towards your center of gravity, quick-access pockets, and hydration bladder compatibility.

Osprey Talon 33

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With its adjustable torso length, quick-access pockets and easy-access exterior hydration bladder compatibility the Talon 33 (and its women-specific counterpart the Tempest 30) is a useful trail companion for long day trips or overnight adventures.

Mystery Ranch Coulee 40

This 40L pack comes with a quality 3-Zip design that allows for quick and easy access to the main compartment of the pack. Additionally, the pack has two large stretch pockets across the front of the pack for storage of items that you will need often while on the trail.

Granite Gear Lutsen 45

This is a great pack for slightly heavier loads since it is quite a bit sturdier than other options here. The 45L Granite Gear Lutsen is one of the best packs for transferring loads while on the trail.

Boreas Tamarack 48 SE

The 48L Boreas Tamarack has easy-to-adjust hip and shoulder straps and hidden daisy chains which make it easy to adjust perfectly to the shape of your back. An external spinnaker sleeve is also included to increase the carrying capacity of your bag.

Hauling Mid-sized Loads – 50L to 65L

Kelty Redwing

This pack from Kelty comes in two different sizes (50L and 44L) and one of the packs is designed specifically for women. It is also an inexpensive option while not skimping on any of the essentials.

Arc’teryx Bora AR 50

This quality 50-liter pack is larger than some of the others reviewed here and also is perhaps the most durable of all the packs. It is extremely water resistant and has great comfort along the hip line which is good for heavy loads.

Osprey Atmos AG 50

This pack offers an excellent combination of load-carrying comfort and ventilation thanks to Osprey’s suspended AntiGravity back system. And with a removable lid, you can benefit from extra space when you need it or trim weight when you want to travel light.

The Aura AG 50 is the women-specific alternative to the Atmos AG 50, with all of the same handy benefits including the adjustable AG AntiGravity back system, removable lid and quick-access pockets for frequently used items and snacks.

Designed for women, Osprey’s Ariel AG 55 features an adjustable torso length, removable top lid, AG AntiGravity back system and a range of pockets and attachment points for quick-access items. Plus a choice of top and side access makes getting to your gear easy without the need to rummage and repack.

The women-specific Terra 55 provides a great combination of comfort and access. The North Face’s OPTIFIT suspension system can be adjusted to suit different torso lengths, while a variety of pockets keep items tidy and accessible. For added flexibility the pack also provides top and side access options.

REI Flash 65

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The Flash 65 comes in three sizes and offers an adjustable torso length along with a reinforced and padded hip belt and ventilated shoulder straps for comfortable load carrying and weight distribution. The top-loading pack also provides a J-zip for side and bottom access into the main compartment, and a good range of quick-access pockets.

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Hyperlite Mountain Gear 4400 Southwest
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Super light, this pack is designed for climbers. It has a single main compartment and nice back pad running up and down the length of the pack. The shoulders are lightly padded. While there is no external storage, you can purchase extra hip belt pockets. Minimalism at its best.

Granite Gear Nimbus Trace Access 70

At about 4.5 pounds, this pack is heavier than most other one to three day backpacks, but also has four side pockets and one front mesh pocket. If you like to bring along extra comforts for a short hike, this pack is the one for you.

 

The post The Best Backpacks for a 1 to 3 Day Hike appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Think of the pack separated into thirds by the horizontal compression straps. The base, the center, and the top are the three sections of the bag that you’ll need to focus on packing.

First, you want to keep the heavier items as close as you can to your center of mass. That means don’t strap your tent to the bottom of your pack. That’s too much weight too far away from your center of mass. Seriously, you’re doing it wrong. If you need to strap a tent to the outside of your pack, run it between the lid and the main compartment.

Second, the more you can compartmentalize, the better.  You’ll see me use compression bags and dry bags for most of my gear. This helps with organization, compression, and waterproofing. I have a dry bag of every size for every category of gear I’m packing.

Now onto the nitty-gritty. When we look at the profile of the pack, it’s easiest to think of it in three vertical sections: the base, center, and top. In the picture below, it’s easiest to visualize the compression straps separating the bag in thirds.

The horizontal compression straps are a good point of reference for breaking the pack into sections on this Granite Gear Crown 2.

The Base

The base of the pack is a good spot for your sleeping system and any additional clothing that you’re packing but won’t be wearing anytime soon. I personally keep these separated into two dry bags: one for the sleep system, and one for additional clothing. My inflatable sleeping pad lives in the bottom section with the rest of my sleep stuff and fits neatly on top of the two dry bags.

I consider my sacred socks, a clean pair of underwear, and a wool shirt as part of my sleeping system. I keep these clothes and a pillow with my sleeping bag at all times and store the whole package in a Granite Gear eVent Sil compression dry sack.

My sleeping system stuff stack holds my sleeping bag, my sacred socks, a clean pair of underwear or thermals depending on the weather, and my medium weight insulation layer. During summer, that’s probably no more than a fresh wool long sleeve. On colder outings it’s either a down jacket or a synthetic layer. The socks and underwear never leave this bag. They’re part of the sleep system. Count them in your spare clothing totals, but don’t wear them outside of the sleeping bag.

A basic array of extra clothes for me includes a lightweight fleece, a long sleeve button up, an extra wool t-shirt, a pair of running shorts, and two pairs of socks. Including the clothes on my person, I can comfortably use this setup for upward of 2 weeks in fair weather.

My extra clothes are dictated by the weather and duration of my trip. An extra pair of socks for every week I’m out, an extra wool shirt, a long sleeve button up, shorts with brief liners sewn in, and a fleece is about all I need in summer weather.

My extra clothes are in the dry bag on the left and my sleep system is in the compression sack on the right. These make up the base section of my pack and keep heavier items higher up in the main pack bag and closer to my center of mass.

“The socks and underwear never leave this bag. They’re part of the sleep system. Count them in your spare clothing totals, but don’t wear them outside of the sleeping bag.”

A first-person view of my bag with a packed base section. The sleeping pad gets rolled up and pushed to the front face of the main pack bag so that heavier items can be placed closer to the back.

The Center

Now that we have that cushy base section filled, we can lay down our hard goods. Your cook kit, fuel, food bag/canister, and any other dense items should go here in the center of the pack, with the heaviest items as close to your back as possible.

Water and food. The Katadyn Hiker Pro has proven itself reliable in all manner of conditions and the Snow Peak Trek 900 gives me plenty of space to nest a 110-gram fuel canister and a Jet Boil Mighty Mo.

This is a generalization of what I’d eat on a weekend trip. I’ll need to fix myself some PB&Js before heading out, but I like the simplicity of the freeze dried meals from Mountain House for impromptu adventures.

I keep my food in yet another dry bag that’ll get tossed as a bear bag before turning in for the night. A dry bag is an easy solution for food storage in most environments where bear canisters are not required.

Your shelter will also go in the center. If you’re carrying a traditional backpacking tent, I recommend running your tent poles through the compression straps and down the side of the pack. This also changes up the standard 18×5” sack that tents are stored in and makes for easier packing and better weight distribution.

Removing any poles from your structure decreases the length of your shelter package and makes packing a lot easier. I like to run the poles between the compression straps and into the side pockets when I do take traditional pole-supported shelters.

On shorter trips, I sometimes use my inflatable sleeping pad as a collar rather than a roll (as pictured) to keep these items pinched toward my body. Just remember that the closer the weight of the bag is to your center of mass, the better it will ride.

Tents are among the heavier, denser items that you’ll pack. Carry them as close to your back as possible in the center section of the bag.

Food is also very heavy and very dense. Make sure you pack it in the center section of the pack. My cook kit and water treatment also find their home here in the center section.

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“Straps and plastic bags are the currency of wilderness living. Compress gear. Lash things. Keep stuff dry. Organize your bits and bobs. If you had to take extra something, it had better be Ziplocs and Velcro.”

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The Top

Up top we’ll stick all our fast-access items like your rain gear, first aid, and insulation. This is really the hodge podge section where anything that doesn’t find a suitable home in a pocket winds up. For me, this top section’s contents are dictated by what bag I’m carrying. For example, with the Stein 62, I’m carrying my rain gear in the large front face pocket. If I’m using the Crown 2, I’m sticking my rain gear in the large stretch woven front face pocket. If I’m carrying the Flex Capacitor, my rain gear is right up top.

Where I keep my rain gear really depends on what bag I’m using. In this Crown 2, I like to keep it at the ready in the stretch woven front face pocket.

Personal preference comes into play here a little for the lighter, smaller odds and ends. I like to keep a snack within arm’s reach, I carry TP in a small plastic bag in the uppermost pocket of my pack, and I typically keep my compass and map on my person in a chest pocket.

At this point, you should have your big items packed. This is a good time to go through the ten essentials and pack anything on that list that you haven’t already. For those keeping score, it should look something like this:

• Navigation
• Protection: Sun + Bug + chap stick
• Clothing (insulator)
• Illumination
• First aid
• Fire kit
• Food
• Water
• Shelter
• Knife+tool

On Person and In Pocket

Like I said, I like to keep my navigation on my person, but in this case, it’s going in the lid of the pack, so we can cross that off. Next is protection, illumination, and fire. Before I move on, I should say redundancy is crucial for things like illumination and fire, especially when traveling with groups that I am responsible for. I take a backup headlamp (and a third in the first aid kit) and an extra lighter (also in the first aid kit). I typically keep these smaller items in an “essentials stuff sack”. For me that’s a silnylon drawstring sack that came with a sleeping pad that I keep in the lid of my pack. If the pack doesn’t have a lid, then obviously this little ditty bag is going to end up in the uppermost section of the main pack bag. That leaves me with Water and Knife + Tool left to cover.

Smaller “essential” items do well together in a waterproof sack. I’d traditionally keep my map and compass on my person, but for the sake of this piece, they’ll be stored in the lid along with the rest of this gear.

Where your water treatment system goes will depend largely on what your primary method is. For me, I’m turned big onto iodine right now after leading groups of 6-8 people out in the backcountry for three weeks at a time. I think iodine is a real winner. So that’s either in a tiny baggie in a top pocket or in my Pelican 1020 which is currently acting as a fire/water kit. As for knife and tool, I carry a small fixed blade around my neck and a larger fixed blade in the uppermost section of my pack or on my hip belt if I’m able. I’ll also carry a Leatherman One Hand Tool, which has recently quit One Hand-ing, in the first aid kit along with my sleeping mat patches and duct tape.

With room to spare, the lid of this Crown 2 will swallow a small first aid kit, a map, my essentials sack, a spork, and a Lion Steel M4.

On the outside of the pack, I’ll stash my poles when I’m not using them. I use a tarp or a tent that uses trekking poles as structural support, so I typically bring them with me. Lastly, I never go anywhere without my Therm-A-Rest Z Lite. More on that in the future, but those who know take one with them everywhere.

Last but not least, the Therm-A-Rest Z Lite lives between the lid and the main pack bag. I never leave home without it.

Pro Tips

Straps and plastic bags are the currency of wilderness living. Compress gear. Lash things. Keep stuff dry. Organize your bits and bobs. If you had to take extra something, it had better be Ziplocs and Velcro.

If you’re going to be out for a long time, I’d take a trash compactor bag as a bag liner. If you’re only out for a few days and the weather looks clear, you’ll probably be fine. Trash compactor bags only weigh a few grams and are worth the weight to reward ratio. Obviously, it gives me a waterproof liner for critical items like my sleeping bag, but it also gives me another item to sit on, collect trash, wash clothes, gather water, etc.

The primary focus of this piece was on organizing the ten essentials and weight distribution. Things like your personal items and hygiene are going to be packed at your own need and discretion. How do you pack your bag differently? Have you discovered any packing hacks that the rest of our carry community would really benefit from? Comment below with tips and tricks of your own and add to the conversation.

The post Packing 101: How to Pack for a Backpacking Trip appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

AustriAlpin

While not a bag company, AustriAlpin hardware decorates some of our favorite bags. There’s also a growing movement in the Carryology community to see how many of AustriAlpin’s Cobra buckles can be sewn onto one bag (current record at 9), so we had to swing by the booth.

While the original Cobra buckle is still going strong, it’s getting a makeover with additional colors. The orange and various shades of green look very sharp. Recognizing that the size and price of the original Cobra buckle is overkill for most bags, AustriAlpin is also rolling out a more ‘fashion’ orientated buckle. It’s the same buckle mechanism but at a much smaller size, price (~$7.50 wholesale), and a whole range of anodized colors.

CamelBak

We came to the CamelBak booth for the purified water fountains they had on hand and stayed for the impressive range of bags to comfortably carry this water.

Taking their bestselling Fourteener and Sequoia backpacks, CamelBak has redesigned them from the ground up. Aside from a host of practical features there’s a new compression system CamelBak is calling ‘waist belt wings’. Basically it’s a system that will simultaneously tighten and compress your pack and hydration bladder in order to keep the bags tight against your body as the volume decreases throughout a hike.

The Nano Vest is an ultralight vest (150 grams) for runners. For being so small, the Nano Vest can carry 2 liters of gear and 1 liter of water. It also boasts a slick way to stow trekking poles while on the go.

The most durable bags we say at OR have to be CamelBak’s new K.U.D.U. and T.O.R.O. packs. Designed for mountain bikers, these bags include a back panel protector, sternum protector and hydration bladders. If you’re going light, the back panel protector can be worn without the rest of the bag.

Dakine

Dakine came to OR with three new collections of bags that will appeal to everyone from the hardcore adventurer to the hardcore partier.

Things start off with the updated Cyclone Collection. There’s a host of bags here from backpacks to board bags all designed with burly Cordura ripstop fabric and meant to get wet. The 60L Duffel has a two-way purge valve for compression or flotation. The Wet/Dry Pack has a waterproof pocket just to hold a wet wetsuit.

Among the trends we saw at this year’s OR was the resurgence of fanny packs (though the politically correct name is now lumbar or hip packs). Dakine was debuting their Hot Laps series, three lumbar packs aimed at bikers. They feature hydration bladders on the larger packs and a ton of convenient pocketing.

Recognizing that the last thing you want is a warm beer, Dakine’s Party Block series not only has insulated softshell coolers, but also a shoulder belt with Velcro coozies (think the Rambo belt but with beer). The Party Block 28L comes in a sharp camo colorway and features 1” thick closed cell foam lining to keep those 18 (!) cans cool. Party on.

Dyneema

For carry-heads, the Dyneema booth was like a candy shop. Dyneema, the manufacturer of the superpower-esque textile of the same name, had a number of packs and gear on display that featured various Dyneema weaves and composites. Among them a North Face jacket, packs from Hyperlite Mountain Gear and Saint motorcycle jeans.

We noticed more and more companies at this year’s OR starting to incorporate Dyneema weaves into their bags. Or at the very least, designers from said companies sewing one-off bags with Dyneema that turned heads. Carryology Senior Editor David Vo was even spotted trying to barter his first child for a green Dyneema daypack.

Behind The Dyneema Project, Dyneema’s targeted collaboration program, we’re excited to see how Dyneema continues to find its place in the wider outdoor industry.

Filson

Nobody does heritage packs at OR quite as well as Filson. And while their bags boast top-of-the-line heritage material, this comes with a high price point. Recognizing this, Filson is releasing a host of new bags sewn with a ballistic nylon instead of their traditional wax cotton or tin cloth.

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“Filson is releasing a host of new bags sewn with a ballistic nylon instead of their traditional wax cotton or tin cloth.”

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The profiles are still unmistakably Filson and are available across a line of backpacks and duffels.

Granite Gear

We’ve always got our eyes on Granite Gear after awarding them an ‘Innovation Award’ at OR a few years ago. The team from Minnesota is coming out with a collection of five packs all hand-sewn back in Minnesota.

The Daywalker, Clipper and Crux are solid daypacks that can be used on the trail and taken back into the city. Then there’s a pair of duffels that can be worn as backpacks. All feature rock solid construction and have a nice heritage touch. We’re digging the subdued colorways and understated style of this series.

Mountain Hardwear

With a booth featuring a beer cave, we spent a good amount of time talking shop with the team from Mountain Hardwear. They’re releasing the Multi-Pitch Collection, a line of climbing bags that were perhaps the most dialed-in bags we saw all show.

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“Mountain Hardwear are releasing the Multi-Pitch Collection, a line of climbing bags that were perhaps the most dialed-in bags we saw all show.”

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There are four packs, ranging from a chalk bag to a 40-liter ‘Station’. The way these bags can be laid out and accessed while fully loaded with gear had us drooling. They’re all decked out with super durable ballistic nylon and abrasion-resistant TPU and are just begging you to rough them up. Even for the non-climbers, the obsession that the Mountain Hardwear team designed into this series is impressive.

Mystery Ranch

The team from Montana was in top form at OR with some great-looking new bags and a host of updates to existing bags. The stars of their booth were the new Terraframe and Hover packs.

The Terraframe line are bags with entirely new suspension systems designed to comfortably carry serious loads. The idea is that the bag adjusts to carry large, heavy loads next to your back instead of awkwardly lashing them to the exterior of your bag. The frame and harness are really well engineered, really in a league of their own.

The Hover Pack is a clever bag designed to not only minimize points of contact between the bag and your back, but do so in a way that doesn’t take away from the carrying capacity of the pack. There are some serious frame stays that effectively direct the levitating load down to your hips. Trying on this bag, it felt ridiculously comfortable and minimal despite being 50 liters.

In addition to a number of smaller daypacks, Mystery Ranch is set to release a line of roller duffels. The Mission Wheelies clock in at 40, 80 and 130-liter sizes. The wheels on these rollers are legitimately off-road. There’s a flexible molded shell along the bottom of the bag and 1000D Cordura fabric on the top. If there happened to be a tornado at OR, I would run and hide in the 130-liter Wheelie, it’s that tough.

Thule

Thule had a full line of new bags and updates to existing lines. Lots of good stuff here. Starting off with their new AllTrail series, we liked the way this line of outdoor backpacks was geared to the casual backpackers. Nothing unnecessary or complicated about these bags, and lots of accessories to adapt the pack to your needs. The hipbelt can be fitted with seven various accessories including a camera pouch and hiking pole holsters.

On the hydration front Thule introduced the Vital pack, a lightweight pack aimed at bikers. It’s available in three sizes and features some well-designed access points. We really liked Thule’s ReTrakt hose return system – basically a magnet on the hydration hose and shoulder strap to ensure that you have no problems with floppy hoses.

Finally Thule updated their Subterra luggage line. There’s a series of new colorways, sizes and solid travel features. One in particular had us wondering why this hasn’t been done before. Thule’s putting magnets in their luggage grab handles. This allows you to quickly unzip your bag and get inside without needing to unbutton any handles. Travellers rejoice.

Tortuga

File this one under ‘backroom dealing’. We met the Tortuga crew to discuss a prototype of their backpack at an undisclosed location post-OR. The bag is part of their new Homebase collection. It’s a bag that’s meant to serve for nomads who have a few home bases scattered across the globe. The material is super lightweight, the build is rock solid, and we’re stoked to see this bag released.

YETI

YETI, best known for the insulated cooler, is getting into the carry game. They’re debuting the Panga duffel, a fully submersible beast of a bag that’s available in 50, 75 and 100-liter sizes. It’s decked out with a Hydrolok zipper, all-metal hardware and handy interior pocketing. As YETI puts it, this bag is nothing short of a waterproof fortress.

“YETI are debuting the Panga duffel, a fully submersible beast of a bag that’s available in 50, 75 and 100-liter sizes.”

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Matador

Matador was impossible to miss thanks to a large gong frequently being gonged in their booth. Adding to their line of super-packable bags is a 28-liter backpack with hydration bladder. The bag is affectionately known as The Beast and packs down smaller than a Nalgene bottle.

Cordura

Somewhere nestled in the back of the Salt Palace Convention Center is the Cordura booth, the textile manufacturer that 95% of the bags at OR are sewn with. Stepping into their booth it’s always impressive to see not only the sheer number of textiles on hand but also new fabric technologies being developed.

We’ll hold off on detailing these technologies and instead will wax poetic on two bags Cordura designed with The North Face to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The bags are based on original North Face designs and feature hardware from all of the original supplies. As Cordura puts it, ‘they got the band back together’ for these bags. Bonafide carry candy.

Timbuk2

Timbuk2 came out swinging at OR. They not only had the most new bags on display at OR, but some of the most complete lines. Their bags were divided between four lines – heritage, urban mobility, travel and bike. Sharp colorways, super reflective material (for the bikers), and lots of accessory bags really impressed us. We can’t touch on every bag but we’ll mention a few that caught our eyes.

Take the Mission Sling. It’s an 8L-10L sling/hip bag that was designed with music festival goers in mind. It’s got extra-large pockets and zippers if your vision is blurry and can easily fit a small jacket or blanket.

Or look at the Wander Pack. It’s a 40-liter travel backpack that is aimed at one-bag travelers. There’s tons of accessible pocketing, a full line of packing cubes and gadget holders available, and it’s designed in very sharp colorways.

Finally there’s the Circuit Sling. While this bag would be a solid messenger bag as is, what really caught our eye was the material this bag is made with. Timbuk2 took reflective material and laid it beneath a coarse nylon weave. The result is that the entire bag lights up when a light shines on it.

We also got wind of a recent collaboration Timbuk2 did with…Froot Loops. Yes, apparently this limited-edition backpack has swapped a laptop sleeve out for a cereal box holder and the material of the bag is printed with the image of Froot Loops being poured from a box. Carry Candy. No pun intended.

Gami

Another OR backroom special. Gami is the newest bag brand at this year’s OR. It’s an evolving collaboration between members of the Alite and Boreas teams that is experimenting with origami-inspired bag designs. The Gami is their first release and is an interesting approach to an expanding duffel.

The folding design of the bag is meant to carry from work to the gym to travel through a clever expanding system. The Gami bag is currently live on Kickstarter.

The North Face

The North Face continued to push some really solid expedition packs out at OR. The flagship was the Prophet 100L. Yes, for anyone needing a 100L pack, the Prophet has got you covered. Highlights include a Dyneema weave for the fabric, a waist belt and hip belt that can be adjusted with one hand while still wearing the pack, and uber-compressible pockets all in a very useable form. It’s an impressive pack and the large photo of a grinning Conrad Anker behind the display only made the bag seem more badass.

Along with some updates to their climbing packs, The North Face is also rolling out the Prophet in a few more traditional sizes.

It’s also worth noting that The North Face is releasing an entirely new line of urban packs in the near future. No amount of bribery could convince them to give us any more details.

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Running on fumes (the beer tents had long ago closed) and dangerously close to a carry overdose, we stumbled out of the Salt Palace into the fading light glimmering through downtown Salt Lake City. However, before our OR 2017 buzz ended we had some hardware to dole out. Stay tuned for the 2017 Carryology Outdoor Retailer Best in Show Awards…

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First and foremost, it has to be comfortable.

Being outside can challenge you not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. The last thing you want to deal with is equipment that hinders your experience and/or your mission. For me, that’s moving from point A to B gracefully and with intention. I don’t want to use any additional energy adjusting my load carriage trying to mitigate any undue fatigue and discomfort my system creates.

This Granite Gear Kahiltna has one of the plushest suspension systems I’ve ever worn. That makes it an easy pick for a cold weather day hike.

A bag has to have a viable suspension system. Anything that holds the bag to your body has to be well considered. An awesome pack will carry a half load as well as it does an over-load. Are the shoulder straps easy to get in and out of? Does the hip belt evenly distribute weight? Does the frame drive the weight into your lumbar and provide a rigid loading platform for heavier outings? I’m always looking for ways to travel through the backcountry more comfortably, and how my pack rides is the first thing I consider.

It has to make sense.

In line with comfort is design. A pack should support you and add value to your experience. If it’s poorly designed, if the features aren’t well thought out, if the actual end user isn’t kept in mind, it shows. I hate getting my hopes up by potentially great bags only to be let down by a “What? Why would they do that? That doesn’t make any sense,” design oversight.

One of my favorite outdoor packs is the Ultimate Direction A.K. Mountain Vest 3.0. Killer pocket placement gives you access to everything you need for a day on the trails without ever taking the pack off.

I’ve abraded too many face fabrics because of rogue hook panels that have adjusted out of place of their corresponding loop panels and seen too many accessory pockets rendered useless from overlaying compression straps. R&D. R&D. R&D.

The last thing you want to deal with is equipment that hinders your experience and/or your mission. For me, that’s moving from point A to B gracefully and with intention.

Pocket placement and size, zipper orientation, compression strap location, access choices: every decision the design team makes tells a story. That story has to make sense, and as consumers, we have to buy into it. Design choices that create excitement add value to our experiences. Being excited brings us closer to the brand and lays the foundation for a good relationship with the bag, and that’s important because we end up spending a lot of time with our outdoor bags.

The Crown2’s simple design, with three exterior pockets and one in the lid, keeps everything nice and orderly in the pack and in my head.

Further, I should say that additional features do not equal additional value. Feature-rich bags are great—but there’s a lot to be said for simplicity.

It has to be versatile.

Versatility is born from good design. Climbers, skiers, and all the other breeds of dirt bags are super resourceful folks. Mission-specific bags are awesome, but they can also box you in.

Draw up a sub 2kg pack with a workhorse suspension, throw two columns of daisy chain down the front, create a smart and flexible compression system to hold a bunch of awesome stuff on the outside, add a few stretch woven stash pockets, and sprinkle a few smaller organizational pockets throughout. We’ll figure out the rest.

A loaded up pre-release Crown2 proved to be flexible when I wanted to run the top lid as a chest pack.

Durability, warranty, and customer service.

Blown seams, chintzy hardware, cheap fabrics…blah. There are no shortcuts to quality. I’m not particularly hard on my stuff, but I use it, and sometimes the environment gets the better of my gear.

The Mystery Ranch Stein 62 is made out of a 400D nylon, which I’ve found to be durable enough in the PNW, Canyonlands, and Appalachia most recently.

A lot of the time, it’s user error, like dropping a pack on chossy granite and ending up with small holes in the bottom of your pack and wand pockets. That’s not a big deal to me, but major components need to endure. The main pack bag’s integrity, the suspension, and the compression should last for the reasonable lifespan of the pack.

I don’t buy anything for serious outdoor use that doesn’t come with a lifetime warranty. That’s pretty standard protocol for me. If I’m going to go out on a limb and try a new system and spend my money on a product that I’m going to rely on in a wilderness environment, it better be covered by the manufacturer. A solid customer service team of experienced outdoorsmen and women doesn’t hurt either.

The Mountain Standard 28L Utility Pack was one of the more bomber bags I’ve ever test driven. A 500D, urethane-coated nylon body and Hypalon bottom panel make it an excessively tough pack.

Great outdoor bags have personality.

It’s hard to place my finger on it, but there’s something about a great pack that just speaks to you. It wants to be worn. We file this under the X-factor in our reviews. Sometimes I look at bags the same way I look at cars and what they symbolize, and I ask myself, “Would I want to drive that?” If it doesn’t raise your heart rate or make you daydream about adventure, is it even worth it?

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Additional features don’t always equal additional value. Feature-rich bags are great—but there’s a lot to be said for simplicity.

Features that I look for?

I really like removable top lids and beaver tails or compression panels. Versatility for me is a really big deal, and both these features do a lot in terms of keeping me adaptable.

A removable top lid allows me to stash something between the main pack compartment and the lid. It also serves as a ditty bag for me to take into the tent at the end of the night.

The Gregory Denali 75 top lid serves as a great in-shelter organizer for my personal items when it’s too cold to rifle through the main pack bag in the middle of the night.

Beaver tails/compression panels are great because they can again be used to hold additional items outside the main pack bag and provide additional organization.

The beaver tail and removable lid on the Granite Gear Leopard A.C. 58 make it one of the more versatile packs I’ve owned.

Again, there’s no definitive list to characteristics of truly epic outdoor packs. If you’ve got your own criteria list and we missed something, comment below and add to the conversation. To get you started on finding your own great outdoor pack, here’s a few brands we’re digging right now: Hill People Gear, Seek Outside and Granite Gear.

Keen on more handy outdoor insights and advice? Check out Ace-Outside on Facebook and Twitter.

The post What Makes a Great Outdoor Pack? appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Snow

The following packs are designed to help you out when you’re hitting the slopes. From avalanche airbags that prioritize protection, to quick-access storage for skis or a snowboard, these bags aim to keep you safe and your gear within easy reach.

Deuter Ontop Tour ABS 38+ SL Women’s Avalanche Airbag Pack – US$ 998.73 (save $250.27 (20%))

Deuter OnTop ABS 30 Avalanche Airbag Pack – US$ 598.83 (save $600.17 (50%))

Backcountry Access Float 42 Avalanche Airbag Pack – US$ 559.93 (save $140.02 (20%))

Mammut Ride R.A.S. Avalanche Airbag Pack – US$ 349.83 (save $350.12 (50%))

Dakine Heli Pro II Pack – US$ 101.93 (save $43.07 (29%))

Burton AK 20L Pack – US$ 104.93 (save $45.02 (30%))

Hiking

Multi-day hiking packs should offer a good balance of useful space and carry comfort. Just like the packs below, which will haul your gear comfortably over several days of exploring the outdoors. And for added versatility, they can serve as an alternative to wheeled luggage and tag along on your travels too.

Osprey Ariel 55 AG Pack – US$ 217.49 (save $72.51 (25%))

Osprey Aether 85 AG Pack – US$ 247.49 (save $82.51 (25%))

REI Co-op Traverse 85 Pack – US$ 195.29 (save $83.71 (30%))

Granite Gear Nimbus Trace Access 85 Pack – US$ 276.73 (save $93.22 (25%))

Fishing

This pack is primarily designed for fishing, but its waterproof design makes it a handy option for other water-based activities too such as boat trips or water sports.

Patagonia Stormfront Pack – US$ 245.73 (save $83.27 (25%))

Everyday

Need somewhere to store your tech during the daily commute? How about a convenient place to stash some lunch and EDC essentials while out and about during your downtime? These packs are in their element taking care of a variety of everyday carry needs, from hauling work tools to a change of clothing or day-to-day supplies.

Osprey Pixel Pack – US$ 104.93 (save $45.07 (30%))

The North Face Access Pack – US$ 163.93 (save $71.07 (30%))

Arc’teryx Granville Pack – US$ 138.93 (save $60.07 (30%))

Millican The Do Roll Pack – US$ 136.93 (save $8.07 (5%))

Topo Designs Mountain Daypack – US$ 131.93 (save $57.07 (30%))

The North Face Isabella Daypack – US$ 62.93 (save $22.07 (25%))

Hydration

A lot of bags offer storage for a water bottle, but sometimes you need faster, easier access to hydration. Whether you’re mountain biking or trail rambling on two feet, these packs help you stay easily hydrated thanks to their hydration bladder compatibility, while also offering useful storage for essential tools and supplies.

CamelBak K.U.D.U. 18 Hydration Pack – US$ 134.73 (save $90.27 (40%))

CamelBak Fourteener 24 Hydration Pack – US$ 108.73 (save $36.27 (25%))

Cycling

If you tackle the daily commute through pedal power, these packs are definitely worth scoping out. Key design elements include protection from the elements, secure comfort for covering the miles at speed, along with space for your tech, work supplies and EDC.

Timbuk2 Heist Roll-Top RF Bike Pack – US$ 118.93 (save $80.07 (40%))

Osprey Spin 32 Cycling Pack – US$ 111.73 (save $38.27 (25%))

Ortlieb Velocity Design Cycling Pack – US$ 99.93 (save $25.07 (20%))

*image courtesy of the Granite Gear blog.

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