Backpacks

At R2100 I would not buy the pack ST posted for 3 reasons:
1. Heavy (2.8kg)
2. Not local, should I need to return it because of defect
3. Expensive, lots of really good packs available sub R1.5k

Thank you anyway ST

I see it comes with an instructional DVD is that some people wear it upside down by mistake or by pressing the wrong button you can accidentally deploy the emergency parachute?

All jokes aside, I think it is actually a great idea. It can be used to explain all the features, how to properly adjust and fit the pack and how to best distribute the weight.

I still often see people believing the bulk of the weight should be packed as low as possible in your pack as to keep the balance point low and not to be top heavy. The correct way however is to sit the weight between your shoulders so that when walking slightly bend over (normal hiking position) the weight is in a straight line on you hips.

Bigsnake wrote: You know i have hiked with a coupla guys with Thar's
They look with envy at the side-pockets on my pack as they unload half their pack to access anything.

Oh, did I mention the Thar loads from the top and has no side pockets.Unmatched as a climbing pack...
but we were not climbing! we were hiking.

They don't know how to pack then mate!

Boerkie wrote:
At R2100 I would not buy the pack ST posted for 3 reasons:
1. Heavy (2.8kg)R2100
2. Not local, should I need to return it because of defectR2100
3. Expensive, lots of really good packs available sub R1.5kR2100

Thank you anyway ST

I see it comes with an instructional DVD is that some people wear it upside down by mistake or by pressing the wrong button you can accidentally deploy the emergency parachute? He did once.

If you want it, stick around, you can buy it when he sells it next year...

All things are relative to the currency and country that you live in. So yes it might seem expensive in SA, but then if you look at it compared to what you have to pay for a weeks rent here in Oz it is actually very good value.

And no ST2, I certainly won't be selling this one. Definitely was a mistake selling my thar (doubt it actually is getting any use)but this pack is actually more comfortable and has a better harness system IMHO and the 2 main buckle clips are not free floating which i think is a better design, it was always something that irritated me about the thar. Not sure when we last went sky-diving, I don't recall popping my reserve shute .

Both my day pack for climbing, and my multi-day trip backpack are Osprey. I met a guy who sells them here, but both of mine were purchased in Canada. For all you gals out there, the selection of female fitted backs are slim pickings around here. But it makes all the difference in the world to purchase a pack that fits, no matter how much it costs, and regardless even of some other specs. The pain I endured from a crummy fitted pack pretty much diminished my enjoyment of my first couple Berg hikes. Since the Osprey pack however, I can enjoy the hike rather than fixating on my pack fit.....although it was a heart sore when it first got dirty!

SeriousTribe2 wrote:

Boerkie wrote: I see it comes with an instructional DVD is that some people wear it upside down by mistake or by pressing the wrong button you can accidentally deploy the emergency parachute? He did once.

He did deploy the parachute or he did put it on upsidedown . Although these packs are so complicated, I only recently figured out how to move my hip strap up on my K-Way Venture 70 and I have had this pack for over a year now (I had it slightly too low but couldn't work out how to get it that small bit higher).

Ps. just noticed that the laugh and lol smilies are identical...

@Smurfatefrog

Great news for you, CUM has a policy that is perfect for you situation, this is from their website:

"3. Specials and Promotions

Should any item purchased go on special or promotion within one month of the date of purchase, the customer, on producing a cash sales docket, shall be entitled to a refund of the difference between the original price and the special/promotion."

So you can go get your discount! YEAH!

Just came back from CUM, that 40l 800g bag is actually pretty good. Its straps are fully adjustable, it has a compartment and outlet for a hydration bladder, it has access to the main compartment through the front (a zip vertically down the front of the pack - I wish other packs had this) and it has small side compartments. It only has 1 compartment in the top of the pack (I usually only put a map and playing cards in this top compartment anyway) and it has no bottom compartment.

It has all the usual straps (including compression straps for the side, although I have no clue why you would do that, you wouldn't be able to take things out quickly and your weight would still be the same). The biggest problem it has is that it has no bottom or side staps to hold a tent or high density foam matress (i.e. it has all the straps for weight distribution, but not those clip things on the front of the pack).

It has no splash cover, but is water resistent material.

Basic summary:
Its a really good pack for day hiking and maybe overnight hiking if you are sleeping in Bannerman Hut or on the Giant's Cup Trail (basically anywhere where you don't need a high density foam matress or a tent)