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Re: Rucksack advice please

Osprey Exos 58 could do the trick. 58 litre capacity, comes in three back lengths. Weighs 1.09kg.
Take a look here

Re: Rucksack advice please

Thanks, that is great. I missed that one as I thought Osprey sacs were much heavier. Do you know where you would pack a tent? Colin

(Any other suggestions from message board readers?)

Re: Rucksack advice please

I second the Osprey Exos 58.
I put my tent (Laser Competition) either inside the pack, outwith my packliner or outside in a side pocket using the volume reducers to keep it safe (with clips) or I put it in the very stretchy front pocket (also with clips)

Re: Rucksack advice please

Osprey have a handy wee phone app to tell you what pack size you need. You get someone to take a picture of you, input your height and mark the top of your shoulder and your hip. Then all you do is select the rucksack model you want and it will tell you the correct size.

Ian C.

Re: Rucksack advice please

I've had good experienced with Osprey, and indeed the Exos is one of their lighter packs for longer distance, probably the lighter you will get until you start with custom/lightweight specialist models - something obviously which hasn't worked well for you so far.

Personally I like the Montane Grand Tour, in a 55 or 65L model, which is billed as 1.3kg/1.1kg stripped. The pack is specifically made for long distance walking and carries extremely well, has a spacious main compartment and a large lid. I bought mine after talking to a friend about their gear choices for a 3000km trail, and they were raving about the GT pack so decided I'd try it out. Seems to be available at Go Outdoors for £65 at the moment, perhaps something to do with it being a British brand, and I'd expect you'd struggle to match that level of value.

Re: Rucksack advice please

Tom, does the Grand Tour offer any external pockets, apart from the lid?

I am now used to a side pocket on the Gossamer for stowing the tent. Certainly the Osprey exos does provide this. How does the Grand Tour compare?

Thanks for taking the trouble to answer, Colin

Re: Rucksack advice please

Worth looking at Lightwave packs too. Split hip belt is great.

Re: Rucksack advice please

Hi Colin, no problem at all.

GT has double large rear zip pockets, and double side stretch pockets which can sit poles/drinking bottles/flask etc. The pack has double compression straps per side to secure kit.

If I was making a comparison with both, I'd get a GT for long distance touring due to the carry system and cost. 90% of what I care about for multi day hiking is how comfortable it is to carry kit long distances, for 10-16 hours a day. I would be a little wary with some multi day climbing packs, which can be built to carry a full load walking in, and then function with less weight throughout the day put through the rucksack itself, for example. Some of them have pretty poor padding, buckles which slip easily and hip belts which focus more on extra gear loops than comfort.

However, all that said, it is such a personal choice for people, that dropping in to a shop with a few bits of your kit will give you a much clearer impression of whether it'll work for you. Sometimes you can pick it up, put it on and know you could carry it for 30km no problem, whereas others feel like this nagging itch you can't quite get to go away.

Re: Rucksack advice please

Tom, thanks for your comments, sadly the offer on Gooutdoors is for the S/M size - I'll need the M/L. I know that Bob Cartwright sells them and I may pay him a visit in Malvern as I bought the Gossamer rucksac from him 3 years ago.
best wishes Colin

Re: Rucksack advice please

I carried the Grand Tour for (I think it was) three Challenges - nice pack but the stretchy pockets kept catching on ******* things and needing mending. Also it had a clip on the hip-strap which didn't stand up to constant use, and which failed one day on the hill - awkward. However, with a replacement buckle it was great. Perhaps they have now got a better hip strap clip on the pack. I know I wasn't the only person to complain about it.
This year I carried the Mariposa on the CWT and Challenge - I LOVE it, especially the big stretchy pocket and the hip belt.

Re: Rucksack advice please

Lindy,

thanks for your helpful comments. I too love the practicality of the Mariposa, but it is not quite the right fit as I carried the weight on my shoulders for the Challenge. I'm going to look at the Osprey Exos before trying the GT. All the best Colin