I have a Gregory Z55 which is light and comfortable and has served me well for many years. But most of the time I take it on a plane/train, and all the straps are becoming super annoying! I also almost never use the belt.
Can anyone recommend a pack in the 45-55L range without so many dangly bits? Or maybe a manufacturer that makes relatively simple/minimal packs in this size?
Posted May 21, 2013, 2:35 PM UTC
Sweet! Thanks for the tip re: Boreas.
I have the Boreas Lost Coast 60, so a bit bigger than you're looking at, but similar to the 45. The Boreas packs use small silnylon envelopes around all of the nylon webbing daisy chain straps. When you're using them, they're taught anchor points, but when you aren't they just hide away in the envelopes and do a good job of avoiding getting caught.
I'm really pleased with it.
Boreas is shit if someone's asking me.
I got rid of my Buttermilks 55 and have been much happier with an Osprey Atmos.
Care to expand?
[deleted]
You could also look into Alpine style packs. They tend not to have as many external features (so as not to get caught while climbing) although it may not suit your needs for backpacking.
I love my GoLite Jam! It's a 50L pack just under 2 lbs and is also made of recycled materials, which is a plus for me. You can also get one for around $100. The frameless design is really comfortable and I am not gentle on my pack and it's held up pretty well so far.
I also have the golite Jam 50L, good pack with not that many straps and not that many compartments. Cheap price, good structure, and an all-around great pack.
Boreas Gear makes a bunch of great packs which have minimal dangly bits -- it's even part of their philosophy!
I have the Buttermilks 55 which has served me very well on numerous trips over the past year, but the Erawan might be a good fit for you since you do not use the belt.
You should also consider large adventure duffels with backpack straps like the Patagonia Black Hole or the North Face Base Camp. They are less padded, but far more rugged and are still very comfortable to carry, as well as having a good degree of water resistance. (Keep in mind that the 45L Black Hole does not have packstraps but the 60L does.)
Nice! I had never heard of Boreas; looks like exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the tip!
Well that's got fewer straps than my MEC Cragalot so don't buy that one :-)
I just picked up a 40L Lookout from REI for the same reasons. (Also, I wanted something panel loaded)
Actually, it looks like most of REI's backpacks do not have excessive straps.
Hmm, that Lookout has a ton of straps and dangly zippers...
I removed the 4 bungie things on the zippers and tucked the two in on the front side.
Black Diamond makes packs for rock climbers, who often have to drag their pack up a cliff behind them on a rope. So the packs are designed to be free of possible snags.
My Black Diamond pack is 34 L, but I'm sure they make them bigger.
alternative.....shop for the pack you want. or saving money, keep the gregory. Slice off the straps and such you don't need (with a razorblade), make sure to melt the ends with a lighter etc. This would help with it getting caught and as an added bonus lighten your pack a bit
You could always trim down the straps that you do not use. I am planning on doing this after I get a feel for how I use my new Osprey Talon 44.
Check out Mystery Ranch and Kifaru if you have some coin to drop. Both have some clean packs in their line where the waist belt removes or stows nicely. I picked up a Dragon Slayer (just under your range) and it's worked beautifully for everything from day hikes in the Alps to trips to the gym. They'll all prove plenty rugged.
Oh I know that at MEC the stores have a travel section where they have travel backpacks and such that are made for exactly this purpose - to dual as luggage.
Any 45-55L pack and a knife.
You should have a look into One Planet Packs. Sounds like they are exactly what you need. None of the bullshit you dont want.
They are amazingly comfortable and nuke proof.
IE. http://www.oneplanet.com.au/hybrid/mini-freddy.html
and others.
The type of bag you go for will largely depend on the type of backpacking you do. If you're backpacking in predominately urban settings then you should look into travelpacks such as : http://www.rei.com/product/809157/rei-vagabond-tour-40-travel-pack
Hyperlite Mountain Gear makes great, simple packs. They carry weight well, they're durrable, and weigh a pound or two less than your current pack
Wow, incredibly minimal. I wonder if they'll take abuse from baggage handlers?
Cuben fiber, the material the packs are made from, is usually used for sailboat sail cloth. It's thin, strong, and expensive material.
Since I got one last summer, I've taken an HMG pack on a week-long whitewater paddling and hiking trip, skied through WY and MT, and spent a month ski traversing in Mongolia. It has a few small rips, and I think all of them are from a couple days of canyoneering in some techy Utah slots. Getting mushed between sandstone walls will destroy any pack, though.
Having said all that, I usually fly with gear in a duffel.